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Thread: how many burn rate powders/manufactures do you keep?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    how many burn rate powders/manufactures do you keep?

    Last evening was in reloading room with powder magazine door open when swmbo delivered a light snack and beverage to me, as she perused my little empire she noticed the contents of said magazine. At that point she quiped "ugh I guess I don't have a lot of different shoes, and I bet they didnt cost what this pleasure box did" smiled and disappeared a quickly as a 300 class whitetail in a cedar thicket. So..... shoes are only to keep socks from getting dirty or to hide a bad petticure. But powder variety is soooo much more. I looked and only had 6 different manufacturers and 30 different rates, am I missing something or is this becoming a fetish? to those who can, feel free to make scale,bar graph,or into a survey I lack the comp savy to do so.
    Last edited by brass410; 06-13-2021 at 12:01 PM. Reason: add on

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    toallmy's Avatar
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    I tried to keep it simple most of my life .
    4831 & 4350 took care of my rifle needs
    Red & blue dot , unique , herco took care of my shot shells
    H 110 /296 or shot shell powder took care of my handgun ammo
    Over the last several years I have spread out quite a bit adding several more to the closet but the only one really needed to be added was 4064 and that was only needed because of a 223 .

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master
    bangerjim's Avatar
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    I don't even keep a count. I have plenty of the powders I use on a regular basis (when I feel secure using the primers I have to load!).

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    One!

    Quickload.

  5. #5
    Boolit Man QuackAttack24's Avatar
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    My numbers went way up this past year as I began to run low on favorites, and couldn't find any for sale. So now I have W231, AA#5 and titegroup to fill in for bullseye and unique. I was running low on A2400, so I'm learning to use IMR 4227 and AA#7, and so on, and so on. The only thing I feel foolish about is having 3 different powders for .223 with nearly identical appearance, load data, and burn rate Ramshot TAC, X-Terminator, and H335. Visually they are indistinguishable. In my testing they are interchangeable, and as far as I'm concerned I could pour them all in the same jug and never know the difference. I could call it TAC-Inator-335. I actually now don't think I'll ever run out of powder for any caliber I currently shoot (12). I don't think my wife will ever run out of shoes either. Now just need to solve the SPP problem.
    What could possibly go wrong?

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    Electrod47's Avatar
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    I used to keep it simple when younger following old timers advice. Red Dot, 2400, Bulleye, Unique for handgun. 3031 and 4227 for rifle.
    In the last 10 - 15 years started to feel the need to replicate some of the recipes I was reading about in manuals and Handloader magazine.
    Today I keep at least 25 different powders. Glad I did. Looks like the future will demand once again, simplicity.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    keep them coming, I to like to get powder when opportunity knocks this why I have such a variety also same with primers when I can get them I do glad I have done this I may be the only one left shooting at the range these days.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

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    I have too many different types of open jugs and bottles. Probably 25 or more. I have 7 or 8 types that I have yet to open and try. I've made a commitment to simplify a bit. I might have 35 different powders, and could easily get by with one third of them. So I'm working through the open containers before opening anything new. I almost have the discipline to keep to that goal.
    "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
    ~Thorin Oakenshield

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    I have many powders, some have 2 or more 8 pounders, some bought because that was the 'fastest' powder for the caliber, others because the price was really REALLY good. Early, BEFORE INTERNET, recommendations came from gun publications. Over time, I found burn rates varied in many products, IMR products seemed most consistent and cleanest burning, but that was 40 years ago. Some jugs are used for summer practice but have been replaced with 'better to me' (cleaner, less flash, less muzzle blast, less temperature sensitive) powders. My last 2 lbs of BL-C2 of 8lbs will not be replaced, TAC works better for me, I still have some IMR4064, but Reloder 15 and sometimes Varget have that 'job'. Some powders measure very accurately, mostly spherical/ball powders (TAC,2520) but also fine grained stick/extruded powders(H322, A2015, IMR4227) that are used for high volume loading. I have 'a lot' of powder of many types stored safely, primers too, shooting it all will be my problem over the next 10-20 years. I am 72. Mostly I shoot 308, 300 Savage and 32 Special boolits and jacketed about equally so those are the powders I mostly use.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I know that I will probably never use up what I have, but the manufacturers keep coming up with "new and improved" and since I'm always chasing that holy grail of better performance I don't see the numbers diminishing in my magazine. I have been able to help out fellow shooters wanting to try different loads,and thats just as much fun at the range as shooting my own stuff.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Hick's Avatar
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    Yeah-- lots. The problem is availability and the occasional "Want to try something new." I basically only keep 2 types of powder: fast powder for pistols and light cast rifle loads, and slower powder for heavier rifle loads (32WS, 30-30, 303, 7.65, 30-06). If I could find a consistent supply I could get by with two-- but can't seem to always find the same powder-- so I buy what I can get.
    Hick: Iron sights!

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    I find that certain powders work better in certain caliber, bullet weight and type, case size and shape that any other powder. Therefore I have several different powders as I shoot several different cartridges and am always seeking the ideal powder for each. I found Tac to be THE powder for my 350Rem mag as it gives better accuracy, velocity and lower pressure than 335 or 4895.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    I have quite a few different powders. Buy 1 lb bottles to try something new. Then if like it. I'll get bulk. Red and green dot i buy 8lb jugs. Same with Bullseye and sport pistol and tite group and unique. After the madness calms i want to get 2400 and varget in bulk.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    IMR & Alliant for me. Here is a list of all powder made & there manufacturer. Includes OEM http://www.theballisticassistant.com...owder-catalog/

  15. #15
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    For handgun, three. Fast, medium, and slow burning. For rifles, three. Fast, medium and slow burning.
    So I’m going to say at least six types of powder!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    its good to have a wide variety of powders from red dot on fast side to super performance on slow end. stored properly powder lasts for decades. if you have a proper storage site its not a problem, would not want to have an emergency in house and having large quantity of powder improperly stored.
    having good inventory just allows you to have options when working up new loads and exploring new calibers.
    how's the saying go--variety is the spice of life.
    the way things have been going investing in powder and primers is a win win situation for any avid hunter/shooter/reloader/bullet caster.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    For ALL my shooting needs I could easily get by with 3 powders. Unique, IMR-3031 and IMR-4831......but, I ain't about "gettin' by." Newest powder I have is Titegroup and it's ok. No better than Unique or Red dot. Oh, there's Trail Boss, it's handy to have around. I miss the Dupont/IMR, SR series, particularly SR-4759.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

    The common virtue of capitalism is the sharing of equal opportunity. The common vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery

    NRA Benefactor 2008

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master


    GregLaROCHE's Avatar
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    Besides all the modern powders I’ve collected, I’m now building a collection of black powders.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    The vast majority of my loads are loaded with Red Dot. I also have a single pound of green and bluedot on hand.

    Pound and a half of 3031, 3 lbs of IMR 4895, couple of IMR 4350. With dibs and drabs of bullseye, herco, titewad, etc.
    I truly believe we need to get back to basics.

    Get right with the Lord.
    Get back to the land.
    Get back to thinking like our forefathers thought.


    May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you
    and give you His peace. Let all of the earth – all of His creation – worship and praise His name! Make His
    praise glorious!

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy SoonerEd's Avatar
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    I load for around 30 calibers so lots of assortment. I'm always experimenting and trying to find a better load. So, probably got 30 plus.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check