Originally Posted by
dverna
I think along the same line. It gets easier with judicious selection of calibers/gauges you want to reload for.
My core powders were Promo, Unique, Varget and H4895. Varget was a mistake as it has become difficult to get and pricey so will be moving to something else as I am down to 3 jugs.
Anyway, with those powders I could load all my "go to" calibers/gauges. .223, .30/30, .308, 9mm. .38 Spl, .357 Mag, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 12 ga, 20 ga and 28 ga.
Last year I sold the 20 and 28 ga guns so I no longer need Unique expect for the few 12 ga hunting loads I use a year. I have a lifetime supply of Unique for that so will not buy more.
I buy other powders if the price is right. 30 lbs of Clean Shot for $450 delivered was such a case. I had never used it, but I do not get anal about pistol or 12 ga loads. It's not like 9mm plinking loads need to be shooting 2" groups at 50 yards.
I am seeing sales for pistol powder under $250/jug and that is close to my buy in price. If I did not have a good supply of powder for pistols I would jump on it. Still waiting for rifle powders to come down but that may be a silly wish.
One thought. When the war in Ukraine winds down, and it will, there may be "surplus" powders in the pipeline that become available. If that happens, it could provide a buying opportunity for those shooting popular calibers. I regret not buying surplus powder when it was available years ago and will not make that mistake again.