Powders

[Beekeeper]

I think this is as good a place to ask as any.
I read a post further down in surplus powders about using Unique.
I agree with almost all of the posters but would like to take it one step further.
All of us have our favorite powders.If you followed every ones advice you would have about 50 different powders .
So here is my question.
You can only have 4 and at the most 5 powders.
What would they be and why.
The reason for asking is I want to limit the numbers of powders I have but have the best all around.


Jim

[BruceB]

It's a good question, because I HAVE been trying to limit my variety of types on hand for a couple years. Trouble is, I still have over 40 types at last count!

Probably the best way to isolate the powders needed is to consider the uses you expect to fill.

So, my choices for my uses:

Cast handgun loads, service autoloaders and revolvers except magnums: W231

Magnum handguns and some cast rifle loads: 2400 or 5744

Additional cast rifle loads: 4198

Service rifle loads (5.56mm and 7.62 NATO): H335

All other rifle loads, including jacketed hunting ammo and some cast loads: IMR 4831

Then there are highly-specialized powders, not normally used in most cartridges, such as a very-slow-burner for 50 BMG....IMR 5010, etc fill this bill but aren't used by the vast majority of handloaders. I wouldn't count such powders among the "normal" uses listed above.

[felix]

Excellent choice, Bruce! ... felix

[Wayne Smith]

Yes, Bruce, many of us are in those shoes. Which ones do you replace the most frequently?

[AZ-Stew]

Well, if I decide I don't want to shoot my muzzle loaders any longer, my smokeless choices would be:

(1) 7625 (I can replace Bullseye with it for handgun cartridges, and it's a great shotgun powder, which Bullseye isn't)

(2) 2400

(3) H-335

I wish they hadn't discontinued (4) H-450, which was essentially a ball powder version of (4) H-4350. For this list, I'd have to keep the (4) H-4350.

(5) H-4831

I might substitute (3) 4198 and (4) H-380 for the (3) H-335 and (4) H-4350. This moves the average burn rate to a little faster rate for smaller bottle necks and large straight walls (4198), while still giving me a medium powder (H-380) for the mid range bottle necks.

Regards,

Stew

[BruceB]

Actually I'm trying to build up a stock of the mentioned powders, while I'm still gainfully employed. The day I fail to pass a physical exam is the end of my working days.

It's a lot easier to buy "stuff" with a reasonable income, compared to living on a pensioner's fixed payments.

So, I'd like to have a large amount of H335 and 4198, and maybe a bit less in 2400 or 5744 since the charges are typically smaller. A few pounds of 4831 would likely do for the rest of my days. Some of the miscellaneous powder on hand is pretty exotic now, including such things as Herters' #160 and some HiVel#2, both in several sealed cans of each type. Also some Alcan and Norma powder, too. (I'm using the #160, which is almost like Bullseye, in ".44 Lite" loads, 200 @ 800 fps).

Of course, primers are the other side of this coin; no primer, no BOOM. That's another commodity that needs attention.

Wayne, why is MY cat in YOUR sink?????

[Catshooter]

For what I shoot and the way I shoot:

Clays & Universal Clays. Bullseye & Unique replacements, both much cleaner. Covers alot of my handgun shooting & I use UC in .45-70 and will be trying it out in .30-30 & 38-55.

2400 for magnum class in the sixgun and medium rifle boolit loads.

AA2230 for more power in my rifles.

FFG for the last. This would be rifle & pistol.


Cat

[winelover]

My Powder Preference:

1. Alliant 2400 for magnum pistol and cast in my 338 Win.

2. Unique for non-magnum pistol

3. Accurate 2520 for my 308's and 243 (J-words)

4. H-4831 for 270W and 338W (J-words)

5. Bullseye for everything else but not mandatory

Winelover:drinks:

[ph4570]

4198
unique
2400
blue dot
H335

[Von Gruff]

Maybe I dont have the number of different types of firearms now and have got to the stage that no work related income dictates a reduction of buying something just to see if it will work a bit differently to what I have on hand so with that out of the way I have 4kg jug of ADI 2209 (H4350) for high velocity cast and jacketed for the 7x57 and 404 Jeffery as well.

Have ADI 2208 (Varget) on hand for for 404 cast loads and 303 Brit. Low usage so lb tins

BL-C2 for 120gn GS Custom at 3237fps for the 7x57 but low usage will see a lb last for years

ADI 2207 (H4198) for 20 VarTarg and some cast loads.

Red Dot for low vel cast loads for high volume plinking.

So H4350, H4198, BL-C2, Varget and Red Dot I wouldn't - couldn't do without.

Von Gruff.

[theperfessor]

(1) Bullseye or 231 or HP38 for standard pressure handguns cartridges

(2) 2400 for magnum handguns

(3) Unique for lots of things

(4) 3031 for some rifles

Can't decide on a fifth choice.

[pmeisel]

Right now I am not loading for any rifles and get by on Unique, H4227, and 2400. I am rifle shopping so I will have to add at least one more.

[Houndog]

I could get by with just 3 powders if push came to shove. Unique will cover about any handgun, most 12 and 20 guage shotgun as well as some cast boolet rifle applications and while it may not be the best for every application, it'll get the job done. Next choice would be Accurate 2230 or IMR 4198 for small capacity rifle (222 or 223) and fair coverage for cast rifle loads. My final choice is 4350 in either IMR or Hodgdon for the big guns. again, it won't be the best for all applications, but is useful in a wide range of rifles I'd hate to be limited to just those 3, but could get by on them.

[Lead Fred]

I only use 3 types in bulk

IMR-4895: 30 cal 165gr and below

IMR-4350: 30 cal 178gr and above

Reloader 7: 30-30 & 45-70

[DIRT Farmer]

FFFFG for priming fffg for the small bores, ffg big bores and shotguns. cannon for, well the morter, wait I like to shoot cast in mil-surp

[crabo]

As I learn more about cast boolits and powder burning rates, I am coming to realize that to merely substitute a powder with a similar burning rate, and to expect a drastically different outcome, just isn't going to happen. I am also working on burning up a lot of the powders that I have and start buying some 8 pounders.

My last pound of 4227 cost about $30. Single pounds are usually 27-$30 unless I get
lucky and most primers are still $38- 45.

[Lloyd Smale]

I could get by with bullseye, unique, 2400, 335, 4350. But i prefering having a cabinet full of differnt ones. Getting by doesnt mean ideal.

[rhead]

I keep large quantities of Unique, 2400, 3031, and 4350.

Smaller amounts of Red Dot, 'lil gun, W 231.

I have several others in one pound or less that sometimes are used when searching for a load if a rifle decides to have picky tastes.

[38-55]

I'll bite,
Unique
accurate 5744 or trail boss
2400
varget
hodgon 4831sc
AND black powder !
Yeah I know that's 6 but that's what I'd "have to have"
Stay safe
Calvin

[wiljen]

Promo/RedDot - most pistol details
2400 - mag pistol and cast rifle
H322 - .22s,30-30, 45-70
Varget 30s and 45-70
RL-22 bigger cases

[Matt_G]

I could get by with bullseye, unique, 2400, 335, 4350. But i prefering having a cabinet full of differnt ones. Getting by doesnt mean ideal.

+1 with one change. Instead of 4350 it would be 4064 for me.
4064 will work in my .270 Win (4350 is better) but it really shines in my .308 and the 7mm-08.

[Mark]

I prefer to shoot handguns with cast bullets. I can do a lot with WW231/HP-38. 296/H110 next for magnum loads (but if I were on a tight budget, 2400 goes farther with minimal loss of fps). For the little rifle I shoot, 4198 and Reloader 15 do well. If I handloaded more shotshells, I could swap 231 for 700x and still stay in your 4 powder criteria. Of course, I would rather keep 231.
Mark

[tuckerdog]

unique,2400,imr4350,imr3031-with these I can load every thing I own or plan to own

[RugerFan]

Well I could narrow it down to 6 anyway:

IMR 3031
IMR 4064
H335
H4227
H4895
Unique

These would easily handle all my cast, J-bullet and 12 ga shotshell needs.

[excavman]

If I was that limited I'd go with 231, Unique, 2400, 3031 or Re10x, 4320 or Re19.

Larry

[Beekeeper]

OK here is what I presently have.
So what do you suggest I change or add and what quanities would keep on hand.
I think I am only going to get one more buy as things are starting to get a little tight around here.
Nothing to worry about but need to start squezzing down some.
I have IMR 4895, H4198 , Red Dot , Herco , unique. and a couple of 45 year old unopened 1 lb cans of IMR3031.
Have about 1 lb of Green dot I bought 45 years ago ( in a 1 quart paper ice cream carton and that is the full lot.
what do you suggest I add and what quanities?


Jim

[technetium-99m]

I could do with just 2-3 powders.

I use Solo1000 for all my pistol loads, jacketed, moly coated, or cast.

For 223 I use Tac, and for 308 I use Varget, the beauty of this is that Tac will work just fine in 308 as well (no cast in the rifles for me).

The only reason for me to pick up another powder would be making major PF with 38super or 9mm.

[Matt_G]

what do you suggest I add and what quanities?


What do you shoot and how much do you shoot of each caliber/gauge?

[sundog]

Green Dot
Herco
IMR 4227
IMR 4895
H 4831

[Crash_Corrigan]

Unique
Clays
Accurate 2700
Accurate 2230
Swiss 1 1/2

Are the ones listed above enuf.....no! I like trail boss for my .45 Colt and W 231 along with AA # 2, #7, #9. 4895 for my M-1 along with the 2700, 4064 also and Varget works good in my 6.5 x 55 Sweede.

I load for 380 ACP, 9 MM, 327 Federal Magnum, .38 and 357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and 45 Colt. .223, 8 x 57, 30-06, 6.5 x 55, 303 Brit, 30-30, 30 Carbine and for a Sharps 50-90.

I have outgrown one Canon gun safe and now I have a few long guns in other places..... sawn off 12 gauge behind bench seat in Pick Up, Model '97 in corner of bedroom, 303 Brit in broom closet, .44 Special on my hip most times and my beloed M-1 as a wall hanger with a few clips in a bandolier closeby.

My kitchen is my casting room and stores a lot of molds and brass. My living room is a large repository of a ton of reloading gear, presses, dies and such and my bedroom has a set of commercial floor to ceiling shelves for storage of powders and primers and sundries.

This hobby which I started with 16 years ago has taken over my life and home.

The next step is to get a trailer to tow behind the motorcycle to take some of this stuff with me to the range and for road trips.

When am I gonna start to save some money?

[Changeling]

44mag & 45LC - 2400, 296 if I want all the velocity + accuracy

22 Swift - Reloader 15, H380

6 mm rifles Reloader 19

7 mm rifles - Reloader 19

Not enough expertise in revolver powders ( 44mag, 45 LC) to know a really good low to medium velocity powder yet.

9mm commercial, 22 RF CCI SGB

[cephas53]

Unique- handgun and shotgun, tried but keep coming back to it.
2400- heavier handgun and light rifle with cast
H414- started using this in my 22.250 but has taken over most of my rifles. Meters great, just a tad "quicker" than IMR4350
5744- started using this last year with cast in 45/70 and am finding it works well in all my cast rifle loads.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Lots of good powders listed, but I have to agree with Lloyd Smale.

My thought really comes down to, what do you expect or are willing to settle for with your firearm.

Do you want a load that will relyabley kill a truck load of game over the years, OR do you want the optimum velocity and groups your rifle is able to produce while killing those critters???????

If you desire the latter, you WILL almost certainly end up with a goodly number of powders and bullets even if you are searching for the magic load in only one rifle.

I on the other hand have quite a few different powders on hand because over the years I have done load development for a nice number of different rifles.

Currently I am working towards "hunt worthy" loads with cast bullets in a RUGER #1s - 45/70. I have already tried at least 4 different powders, have another on the shelf which might be good and will buy another that I keep reading good reports about. This isn't even counting the other powders which I don't currently have, but which in some circles find favor.

For a usable hunting load in everything from my .243 up to and including my 300 win. mag. I could hunt the rest of my days with a supply of IMR or H 4831.

But then, what about the .270 that my son had that just wouldn't group with the 4350s, 4831s and other powders in that range. Well, finally all the common knowledge went out the door when it was found that this rifle liked 4064, a powder much faster then what I'd normally use in a 270.

So, considering the fact that I like my rifles to give good velocity and good groups, I probably could get by with a short list of powders, but like Lloyd, am sure glad I don't need to!!!!!!!!

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[leadman]

AA#2 for small pistols and revolvers
2400 for magnum revolvers, Hornet cast, and cast rifle loads
WC680 for Hornet jacketed, 300 Whisper, heavy 44 mag.
H4895 for most rifle loads with jacketed and cast
H4831 or IMR7828 for magnum rifles with jacketed

[pmeisel]

Sounds to me like you need a magnum pistol powder, like 2400 maybe.

with 4895, 4198, and 3031 you have a lot of rifle territory covered, I think, but I am not a rifle expert so maybe there is a niche you could improve on.

[Beekeeper]

In poistols I have 9 mm , 40S&W and 1911 45 ACP
In rifles I have a house full from223 to 45/70 in a handi rifle
in between the 223 and the 45/70 there is 7MM
308
30/06
8MM
7.62x54R
8x56R
30/30
A couple of BP in 577/450 and 577
and a half dozen 22s
That is the enventory and why I wanted to stay with a few reliable powders.
I do a little range shooting, mostly for fun, and some hunting.
Mostly I shoot to proof some of the old junkers I rebuild.


Jim

[pmeisel]

No magnum revolver cartridges I see. To what defect in yourself do you attribute that? :-)

[pakmc]

powder that i use Unique, WW231, for pistols,4895, will work with just about any rifle. I shoot mil. surpluss rifles(ok, all of them) and 2400 and/or red dot for cast loads in above guns.
Pat

[Randall]

4 and 8 pound kegs are 231,unique and H4895
231 for self loading pistols
unique for revolvers
H4895 covers .223 to 30-06
occasional use of 2400 or AA#9 in 1 pound cans

[wiljen]

H322 would be a good addition to your list. H322 is a good fit in .223, 30-30, and 45-70. (Granted 3031 is close to 322 but 322 meters so much better especially when dealing with the little bitty neck on the 223 that it is worth it). Besides, if I could only have one powder for the 45/70, it would be H322.

The midsized stuff you go pretty well covered with 4895 and 3031.

Reduced loads 4198, unique, and Red dot have pretty well handled.

Pistol loads you have well covered for the autos.

The other addition might be either 5744 or Trail boss for the big BP cartridges. You can cover some of the same ground with 4198 but I find TB and 5744 awfully useful in those situations.




In poistols I have 9 mm , 40S&W and 1911 45 ACP
In rifles I have a house full from223 to 45/70 in a handi rifle
in between the 223 and the 45/70 there is 7MM
308
30/06
8MM
7.62x54R
8x56R
30/30
A couple of BP in 577/450 and 577
and a half dozen 22s
That is the enventory and why I wanted to stay with a few reliable powders.
I do a little range shooting, mostly for fun, and some hunting.
Mostly I shoot to proof some of the old junkers I rebuild.


Jim

[BD]

There was a time not too long ago when Surplus powders were relatively cheap. At that point my plan was HPC-18 (231), WC820, WC852s and WC-860. If I don't have too much free time before I croak, the plan may work.

BD