Time to branch out...any advice

[Char-Gar]

For the past two years, I have been shooting WC872 almost exclusively in the 30-40, 308 and 30-06. The results are getting very predictable. Use a bullet that fits right and accuracy is as good as the rifle has. Use a bullet that doesn't fit right and the groups open up. Excellent bullets are 311467, 311291, 311284 and RCBS 165 Sil. There are other bullets that produce fine hunting accuracy, the the above four are the tack drivers.

I am looking for a new powder to get to know. I am looking for velocities in the 1.7 to 1.9 fps area and I don't want to use dacron. I would rather not use fillers. I use PSB on top of 50/WC872 in the 30-06 with great results but would like to try doing without it..just as a learning process

I would prefer to say away from Unique, 2400 and those faster buring powders. I am looking for something in the medium range.

Give me your suggestions and I will buy an 8 lbs jug and shoot away.

[felix]

If you want to spend a little and get very clean results, get either N120, N130, N133, which range between 4227 slow and 4198 slow lots. If you don't want to spend much, then go for the faster lot(s) of WC852, which is called WC852(f) on the surplus sites. This stuff would/should be between H380 and H414, depending on lot acquired. However, H335/BLC2 would really be in the middle of the two speeds just mentioned, and that can be had as WC844/WC846. These latter powders have been quite repeatable in speed. ... felix

[Maven]

If it's change you want, I've got a few suggestions. There's always IMR 3031, which will do well in the 3 cartridges you mentioned. Ditto AA 5744 since it was designed for reduced loads in large capacity cases. It also produces very uniform velocities in a wide variety of cals. These would be a change, but rather tame and a lot more expensive than the one I'm about to suggest, namely IMR 7383. (Check out the price from Hi Tech and other milsurp dealers.) It will do well in all 3, but at the upper limit of velocity you mentioned. Treat it as IMR 4064 or H 380 for starters, don't use a filler or mag. primers, chronograph you loads (a must with this propellant), and enjoy what's got to be the best bargain in powder out there. ...Maven

[Longwood]

I used to shoot 30-30 7mm Imsa and 7mm TCU in the pistol silhouette game and had the best luck with IMR 4895. I also tried 322, 3031 and Reloader 7 and always went back to 4895.
Way back when, I used to buy special loads for My Sako 243, a Manlicher Schoenauer in a wildcat 25 and a Husquavarna with a custom Thumbhole Manlicher style stock also in a 25 wildcat and he used mostly 4895 in my loads and they would all hit a thumbtack at 100 yards, each and every time.