most versatile pistol and rifle powers

[uncle joe]

In light of the current power shortage or at least difficulty to find what you want, what do most folks think are the powders that have the widest range of usage for pistol and rifle? Please list one of each brand you can think of.

[quilbilly]

Just an opinion - Rifle=IMR 4198 or Accurate 5744, Handgun = Unique or Bullseye. You are thinking about CB's , right?

[jmort]

Unique = handgun and rifle and shotgun

[Jack Stanley]

Unique for all of it .......... it might not be the best for any of it but it will work and do so safely .

Jack

[EMC45]

Unique & 2400.

[uncle joe]

Not necessarily talking about cast loads, mostly talking about good items to stock up on when it's in stock

[rking22]

4895, 2400, Unique,Reloader 7, Reddot, FFFG

I could get by on Unique and FFFG

[mr surveyor]

Trailboss ;)

[starmac]

This would depend a little on what pistol and rifles you have and what you expect to do with them.

[GhostHawk]

4895 works for most of the rifle rounds that have long enough barrel to use a slower powder.

IMR3031 is the one I started out with in reloading many long years ago, and I find I still have a sentimental attachment to it.

Red Dot is famous for "the Load" along with Unique can safely be used in a wide variety of rounds.

Of those I did recently find some IMR4895, and so sleep a bit better at night. My only IMR3031 has to be at least 30 years old, but still smells shoots good.

Red dot I've not seen anywhere for a long time. No idea when we'd ever get a chance to buy that.

[Ben]

The name " Unique " was given to the powder for a VERY GOOD reason !

[dragon813gt]

Universal over Unique. Rifle is to vast for one powder to cover them all. And magnum pistol powders can be tricky if you want versatility.

[jmort]

Is there a rifle cartridge that cannot be adapted to a Unique load?

[DeanWinchester]

Is there a rifle cartridge that cannot be adapted to a Unique load?

Not really.
Maybe an L-39 Lahti 20mm? Probably wouldn't work in that.

[Jupiter7]

I can pretty much make bullseye work with any cartridge. Really depends on desired end results and caliber. If I was only shooting larger cases, 2400 would get a nod. Auto loading rifles change the game and slower powders have to come into play. If I HAD to pick two forever, bullseye and h4895 would be it.

[smokeywolf]

Unique, 4895, FFFg

smokeywolf

[nagantguy]

For cast only unquie and 2400, throw in jwords and I'd go unique and varget.

[loaded303]

No varget behind cast bullets?

[marshall623]

I'd say whats left of SR 4759, RL 7 which I kick myself in the rear for not trying it when a fellow sillywet shooter from Md. suggested several years ago& is so far in my testing is good stuff, Unique can be used in just about anthing. And I'll throw in Blue Dot

[nagantguy]

No varget behind cast bullets?

Yes varget for cast but mostly I use it for 223, and like rifle rounds. I think varget is close to the unique as far as being a versital rifel powder.

[Shuz]

Unique

[Yodogsandman]

Bullseye, Unique, SR-4759, Reloader 7, IMR4895, IMR4064. Plus IMR4831 for J-words.

[uncle joe]

I guess it does depend on what you load for. I load from 223-4570 for rifle and from 380-44 mag pistol. I have several lbs of unique and titegroup. I just think with the waning availability if powders it would be good to have a few good ones to pick from when the shelves are bare. If you think about the current ammo situation with rimfire, it wouldn't be much trouble got "someone" to put all calibers supply chain at a standstill.

[davidheart]

I'll vote Unique and Bullseye being the universal powder, but I've been finding alternate uses for a number of powders. Get a burn rate chart and start small. Watch for overpressure. Cronograph and post your results.

[loaded303]

I only have a lb of unique left and can't get any varget local.

[emrah]

Unique works for all my jacketed and cast pistol stuff. Unique and 2400 for all cast pistol and rifle stuff. Big fan of RL15 for jacketed rifle needs.

Emrah

[Teddy (punchie)]

Unique, Red Dot, 4895, 4831

[starmac]

In these trying times ALL powder seems to be unique. lol

[TXGunNut]

231, 4895, FFg

[Petrol & Powder]

231, 4895, FFg

/\ That's hard to argue with !

[Bogone]

3031, 4064, varget, unique

[loaded303]

Varget- ran across a guy pronouncing it var-gay (no pun). Is it var-get? Or what??

[RogerDat]

I'm wrestling with this same question of what powders will cover all my needs. LGS just don't have much powder stock which leaves me with a choice, call and drive around the state trying to get "something I can use" or order in bulk online with a 12 - 16 week back order time. With online order I get what I need so what do I really need?

My original thinking was 8# Unique for 38/357 and 45 LC and 4# 2400 for 303 British
Then I thought long term I might want to load .223 for mini 14 and 7.62 x 39 for SKS.
From what I read on the forum 2400 may not cycle reliably. Looking for something that will cover those auto loaders well and also be good in the 303 instead of 2400 if such a powder exists. Anticipate cast boolit for all but may end up with 55 gr factory j word soft point for the .223 with everything intended for plinking and general target shooting.

Any suggestions for the most versatile powder that would fit those rifle uses well?

I wanted to hear from members on how well online ordering of powder worked. And really want to get what I need to load what I need and not have to fuss with it for awhile even if I have to wait for 3 or 4 months for the order to be filled. With the hazmat fee and shipping it only makes sense to order in bulk even though my preference would be to pick up a pound of this and a pound of that as needed or to test before spending $$$ on several lbs. 4 months is a long time to wait for a single lb. of powder to test.

[loaded303]

No shortage that I know of with 4064. It'll load 223, 303, 3030, 308, and 06. IMR and accurate arms is the same thing btw. And unique (none around here) will load almost anything. Get all you can afford of it. Best wishes.

[zomby woof]

Varget
WST