Choosing powder
- Thread starter hughie
- Start date
- Status
jwrowland77
Member
Depends on what I'm loading for.
I mainly reload rifle. I like a powder that's going to fill the case. If I'm looking for accuracy and velocity, I'll look for one that give me some speed.
I mainly reload rifle. I like a powder that's going to fill the case. If I'm looking for accuracy and velocity, I'll look for one that give me some speed.
Glockula
Member
Case fill is a good thing. I try to choose powders that meter well, give great accuracy (rifles and premium handgun ammo) and give average to above average velocity for the cartridge. I try to steer away from temperature sensitive or hard to light powders like H110. Clean burning is nice too. my $.02
witchhunter
Member
It depends on what I want out of the cartridge. For most hunting rifles, I want to load near the fastest but not over pressure. A powder that produces the most speed and also a lower pressure if possible. Usually there are the favorite powders for almost any caliber, 4350 for 30/06, H380 for .22/250 4831 for 25/06 and .270 etc. I will start with those. These days, with components so hard to find, use what you can get that works.
When deciding on what powder to first use, I look at what the bullet and/or powder manufacturers recommend for best performance/accuracy, what I have in inventory, what I have experience with, what the stores have in inventory, what the media experts say and lastly what I see on the internet.
Comparing the above list with the published data gets me to a selection.
Comparing the above list with the published data gets me to a selection.
Boho
Member
I'm with witchhunter. Can't argue with historic reputation. Like the 4895s and 3031 in 30 cals
earplug
Member
I buy a firearm based on intended use
Your always shooting at a target of some sort. I base my firearm/cartridge choice on what bullet will work best, then pick a powder that works with that bullet.
Your always shooting at a target of some sort. I base my firearm/cartridge choice on what bullet will work best, then pick a powder that works with that bullet.
mljdeckard
Member
I look through threads here for opinions, I look at the manuals, and see what other people like. If there is a powder people have liked for 40 years, and another new one people have liked for five years, I will pick the one with the long-term reputation. (I also note who is giving the opinion. Guys like RC and Reloadron hold more weight with me.)
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You can also ask other reloaders who load the same cartridge which powder over the years has been most accurate for them. That, along with some of the other methods listed above could help find a good powder.
41 Mag
Member
With most of my rifle loads I look for something in a median velocity range on the slower side of the burn rate. Most things accounted for I consider something that will give me a velocity window of between around 2750 - 3000fps and that has lower listed pressures which usually is one of the slower powders like the 4350's up into the 7828. Another thing I look for is what else that I load for can it be used in a similar load.
I would rather have one powder that I can load for 4-6 different calibers and or bullet weights, than one powder for each load or rifle, in other words. That said there is different applications for each one, but in a crunch, using H-4895 for example, I CAN load SOMETHING for all of my rifles even if it isn't the best for any of them. I can at least have something to go shoot or hunt with.
With handguns, I primarily use Accurate 2,5,7, and 9, along with Unique, Bullseye, 110 and/or 296. For the most part I can load anything from cast bullets from my 38 or 45 ACP, that you can see on their way to the target, to flame throwing magnum loads in my 454.
I would rather have one powder that I can load for 4-6 different calibers and or bullet weights, than one powder for each load or rifle, in other words. That said there is different applications for each one, but in a crunch, using H-4895 for example, I CAN load SOMETHING for all of my rifles even if it isn't the best for any of them. I can at least have something to go shoot or hunt with.
With handguns, I primarily use Accurate 2,5,7, and 9, along with Unique, Bullseye, 110 and/or 296. For the most part I can load anything from cast bullets from my 38 or 45 ACP, that you can see on their way to the target, to flame throwing magnum loads in my 454.
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,085
Many manuals show/state which powder performed the best with a certain bullet. Still, that doesn't mean it will be the best for you outta your gun. Same with what you read on the interweb. Whenever I attempt a new caliber or bullet weight/profile, I research several manuals to see which powder will give me the performance(velocities) I desire. Then I see if that powder is available and work from there. Many times, powders I already have on hand are appropriate and I start there first. There are times even after I get a good load worked up that I will try another powder to see if performance improves. A common problem for many reloaders, especially those new to the sport and during this time of powder shortages, is to buy a powder first and then go home and try and find a recipe for it.
TfflHndn
Member
If you have several powders available, you will learn from experience which ones work best in which guns. I load mostly pistol, and have a number of different powders. Some that are listed for 9mm, for instance, don't work will in one of my nines. So I have the choice of loading for just that gun with that load, or finding another load that works in all my nines. Stay with published loads, but try different powders, loads and bullets, and keep notes. You'll see trends that will help you narrow your choices to the components that work best for your purposes and your guns. Have fun, stay safe!
gamestalker
member
There are different directions one can go in here. For instance, there are a number of cartridges that will function quite well with the same powder.
For me, and referring to bottle neck loading I like to load with powders that will produce optimum performance for a particular cartridge and bullet weight, but one powder can often serve multiple cartridges / bullet weights with optimum performance also.
An example of picking optimum powders for me would go something like this. .243 win. 100 gr. bullet. I would go with RL17. But if the bullet was lighter, say an 65 gr., I would probably go with RL15.
Then something like .270 win would have it's optimum for my desired needs. Say a 130 gr. projectile, RL17 would work very well, and would also serve as an optimal powder for the 243 win 100 grain as well.
And even when stepping up to something like the 7mm RM, there are options that will function fairly well for the .243 win, 6mm Rem, .270 win, 30-06, and numerous other's, as well as the 7mm RM. I would sacrifice something, some where by using a single powder for all of them. But it can be accomplished, and with fair to good results, just maybe not optimal by my standards. About the best way to pick is to study the data and find powders that meet your desired performance level, then try a few and see which of those best meet your expectations. Some approach it from an economic stand point, others may desire velocity, and yet others may be seeking the most accurate load.
That is how I like to do it though. But by no means is it necessary to work it like this, there are certainly many powders in which one powder would produce good accurate performance over a broad range of cartridges and projectile weights. But this is one of the aspects of reloading, for me anyway, that has drawn me into the hobby in the first place, the fact that I can, that is what makes it so fun for me.
GS
For me, and referring to bottle neck loading I like to load with powders that will produce optimum performance for a particular cartridge and bullet weight, but one powder can often serve multiple cartridges / bullet weights with optimum performance also.
An example of picking optimum powders for me would go something like this. .243 win. 100 gr. bullet. I would go with RL17. But if the bullet was lighter, say an 65 gr., I would probably go with RL15.
Then something like .270 win would have it's optimum for my desired needs. Say a 130 gr. projectile, RL17 would work very well, and would also serve as an optimal powder for the 243 win 100 grain as well.
And even when stepping up to something like the 7mm RM, there are options that will function fairly well for the .243 win, 6mm Rem, .270 win, 30-06, and numerous other's, as well as the 7mm RM. I would sacrifice something, some where by using a single powder for all of them. But it can be accomplished, and with fair to good results, just maybe not optimal by my standards. About the best way to pick is to study the data and find powders that meet your desired performance level, then try a few and see which of those best meet your expectations. Some approach it from an economic stand point, others may desire velocity, and yet others may be seeking the most accurate load.
That is how I like to do it though. But by no means is it necessary to work it like this, there are certainly many powders in which one powder would produce good accurate performance over a broad range of cartridges and projectile weights. But this is one of the aspects of reloading, for me anyway, that has drawn me into the hobby in the first place, the fact that I can, that is what makes it so fun for me.
GS
Potatohead
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
- Messages
- 5,375
Glad to see somebody still has a choice!
I ask other people what is working for them. No reason to reinvent the wheel and try every powder available. When I started loading I got on the internet and looked at what others were using. It doesn't hurt to ask a question. For example "Which powder are you using with a 30-06 and 165's and what speeds and accuracy are you getting".
When I did that an awful lot of folks reported good results with either IMR-4350 or H-4350. I narrowed my search to those 2 and I've found good results too. Doesn't mean there are not other powders that work good too.
By reading this, and other reloading forums I've ran across several other good combos that I've experimented with. Doesn't mean I blindly copy someone's exact load. I still double check in a load manual and start low and work up. But if a certain powder is working well for others, it will probably work well for you too.
When I did that an awful lot of folks reported good results with either IMR-4350 or H-4350. I narrowed my search to those 2 and I've found good results too. Doesn't mean there are not other powders that work good too.
By reading this, and other reloading forums I've ran across several other good combos that I've experimented with. Doesn't mean I blindly copy someone's exact load. I still double check in a load manual and start low and work up. But if a certain powder is working well for others, it will probably work well for you too.
gamestalker
member
I'm not certain what was meant by no need to reinvent the wheel? It's just that there is a lot of very useful information contained in the manuals. If you actually study data, you'll start to recognize the trends between different cartridges and bullets weight, it's those trends that I like to focus on. For me, this is a big part of the fun of reloading my own.
For handgun it's a whole different story. I probably use only 3 different powders, but could easily use 3 times that to achieve my desired load characteristics, all rather slow burner's.
But, over the last couple years I've had to settle for what will function, and for obvious reasons. I'm now using some powders I don't really consider as optimum choices for certain cartridges and bullet weights. But when it ain't on the shelf, it ain't on the shelf. Has it effected any of the shooting sports I engage in, no, not at all. Still got just as much game meat on the table, still lots of holes in the targets, just not doing it with the powders I prefer to do it with. So it has't changed anything for me really, except my personal preference.
GS
For handgun it's a whole different story. I probably use only 3 different powders, but could easily use 3 times that to achieve my desired load characteristics, all rather slow burner's.
But, over the last couple years I've had to settle for what will function, and for obvious reasons. I'm now using some powders I don't really consider as optimum choices for certain cartridges and bullet weights. But when it ain't on the shelf, it ain't on the shelf. Has it effected any of the shooting sports I engage in, no, not at all. Still got just as much game meat on the table, still lots of holes in the targets, just not doing it with the powders I prefer to do it with. So it has't changed anything for me really, except my personal preference.
GS
PistolPete45
Member
Just got back into reloading this year . Have several powders and so far have some I like better then others . All have done the job well The only problems I have had was from screwing up up the brass Some are dirtier then others And some easier to weigh out consistently . I have no favorite yet . 3000 + rounds into it .
mstreddy
Member
Which powder is the perennial question. In today's tight market it's a matter of finding a powder that will stretch across multiple calibers for me. I load for a wide range of rifle calibers and given the hard to find powders, I'd rather find one that will work in many rather than only 1 or 2 cartridges. And when I see one that works well I order a large amount. I just got 16#s of H335 which will work in most rifle for me.
gamestalker
member
Even though I haven't been able to find my preferred and favorite powders of choice, I have still been successful in finding multiple powders that address some of the specifics of designated use for some specialized applications.
GS
GS
redneck2
Member
I used to drive myself (and probably some other people) crazy trying to find the perfect powder. I've come to figure that
(1) a dozen different guys may like a dozen different powders for the same caliber/bullet combo, and
(2) there are probably at least 3-4 and maybe a dozen powders that will give good to great accuracy in your gun
We used to have maybe three to five powders to choose from. Now there are so many choices that it's impossible to find the best. I was in LGS a couple of weeks ago. He had three or four powders I've never seen before.
If you get something in the appropriate burn rate, I'd change a couple of other things before powder type.
(1) a dozen different guys may like a dozen different powders for the same caliber/bullet combo, and
(2) there are probably at least 3-4 and maybe a dozen powders that will give good to great accuracy in your gun
We used to have maybe three to five powders to choose from. Now there are so many choices that it's impossible to find the best. I was in LGS a couple of weeks ago. He had three or four powders I've never seen before.
If you get something in the appropriate burn rate, I'd change a couple of other things before powder type.
witchhunter
Member
I don't know about you guys, buy I have had to work up loads with some of my rifles that I wouldn't have if the components were available. Being a pdog shooter, I go through lots of components. I have bought powder that I normally wouldn't try as I have loads for all of my squirrel guns that are tried and true. But, for instance I found that AA2200 puts em all in one hole in my .223. IMR4007SSC works very well in my Swift, but it is now discontinued, I now off looking for something else that works. One note that the benchrest guys already know, if you have an quality aftermarket barrel, it will shoot good with almost anything.
Mad Chemist
Member
You use whatever you have or whatever you can find, and you work up the load. Powder shortage isn't going away overnight.
- Status
