Powder help

[crabwearer]

I'm new to reloading and I'm looking for some help selecting powders. I'm going to be covering a variety of callibers and would like to find as few different powders as possible that will fit my needs. Here's the list of calibers, firearm to be used, bullet size/type and intended purpose:

.223 Rem: SCAR 16, 62gr FMJ, target practice/64gr SP, hunting (small bodied deer)
6.5 Grendel: AR-15, 123-129gr, target practice/hunting
.308 Win: Rem700, 168gr BTHP match, long range paper punching
30-30 Win: Win 94, 150gr FN, hunting
30-06: Springfield 1903, 150-165gr SP, hunting
.300 Win Mag: Rem700, 180gr SP, hunting
.338 Lapua: HS Precision HTR, 250gr BTHP, long range paper punching/hunting

Powders are hard to find up here in Alaska so as few different types as possible would be fantastic. Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie!

 

[horsemen61]

I use IMR 4350 55 grains with a 150 grain bullet in my 30 06 as for the others I can't help you.

 

[BaltimoreBoy]

Crabwearer:
One of the things I like about Lee's "Modern Reloading" is that the loads are listed in order of attained velocities, which means that for a given round the 'better' powder choices are nearer the top of the list.

That said, if you want common (i.e. available) and versatile rifle powders you could do worse than H4895 and IMR4895. They seem to work well an an awful large number of rounds. (Although Your lapua doesn't seem to be among them.)

 

[redneck2]

I'd probably start by printing off a burn rate chart. You'll see that the recommended powders will fall in a burn rate range. It's pretty easy to research the manufacturer site to see what powders are listed for each caliber. Mark the range for each caliber and see where it overlaps.

I suspect Varget and something in the range of Reloder 22 or 25 would do what you want. A lot will depend on bullet weight for a given caliber. A .30-06 shooting a 110 grain will use a lot different powder than a 220 grain bullet. Looks like the ones you have listed all pretty much fall mid-range.

 

[Mike 27]

Take a look at IMR 3031, I believe it should work in your AR's 308, and the 30-30. I use IMR 4064 for 30-06, and I think there are some loads out there for your 30-30 and 06 with it. I also use TAC in my AR. I don't load for 300 and 338 but you should be able to find something that would work for both of them.

 

[crabwearer]

Thank you all for the replies. I've just about gone cross eyed looking at load data charts trying to find common powders between calibers. This is what I'm thinking so far:

IMR 4350 - all 30 cals
BL-C(2) - 223 and 6.5
US869 - 338

I think that should cover it. IMR 4895 and H4895 are also under consideration for the 30s and 223. Any additional input will be appreciated if I'm off track.

 

[FROGO207]

A bit of overlapping of propellants would be good in case the best match is unavailable at the needed time. I bet that after you reload for a while there will be a few "spare" cans of assorted propellants hanging around for you to try when you seek a different combo or run out of that old standby. I sure have a pile of part cans around here.

 

[crabwearer]

I have a feeling you're right Frog. But for getting started I'm trying to keep it simple. After getting my feet wet I can see myself expanding my powder collection to find that perfect fit for each caliber.

 

[Centurian22]

I'm new to reloading but for what it's worth I chose IMR4895 for my .308.

 

[witchhunter]

I like the 4895's too for the .30/06 and the .308, for .30/30, I like win 748, it also will work for your .223 size cases. The magnums will like 4831 or 7828. Each rifle will likely have a favorite. I too am afraid that you will have a few cans of extra powder after working up your favorite loads.

 

[rcmodel]

This is what I'm thinking so far:
IMR 4350 - all 30 cals
BL-C(2) - 223 and 6.5
US869 - 338

I'd think some more.

IMR 4350 is not even on the radar for 30-30. Way too slow.
BL-C(2) will work better there.

The .300 WinMag and .338 Lapua could be loaded with H-4831 or W-Supreme 780, or something along those lines.

 

[col.lemat]

I like and use 3031 for all except the 6.5 300 & 338 only because I dont have anything in that caliber

 

[blarby]

H4895, again.

When you get to the magnums, grab for the RL 19.

Since you are new to reloading, I would pick one cartridge- not 7, including some real burners at the end there..... and start with that.

 

[rcmodel]

3031 is a little too fast for most all of them if you want even close to normal performance.

rc

 

[mnhntr]

Varget will be good for a majority of those.

 

[mmay1]

I use just 3 different powders for those calibers (except for 338 Lapua) and am getting some very accurate rounds. I use H322 for 223 Rem. and 6.5 Grendel; IMR 4064 for 308 Win. and 30-30; and H1000 for 300 Win. Mag. I have not loaded 338 Lapua but H1000 is a commonly used powder.

Hodgdon's load data includes IMR 4064 loadings for all of these calibers (except 338 Lapua) and I have made very satisfactory rounds using IMR 4064 for all except 300 Win. Mag. I have not loaded 300 Win. Mag with IMR 4064 but there is plently of load data.

 

[crabwearer]

Ok, after some more reading it's shaping up like this:

IMR4064 - 223, 6.5
H4895 - 30-30, 308, 30-06
Win Supreme 780 - 300, 338

I plan on starting with the 223 since that's what I shoot the most of and gradually expanding from there. Found load data on the Hodgdon reloading data center website for all the above combinations. All of the input so far has been very helpful and again, if I'm off track with this idea please let me know.

 

[crabwearer]

Correction, it was H322 for 223 and 6.5

 

[TooManyToys]

Those look like good choices.

If you want to keep it real simple, some others would be,... RL-15, RL-19, RL-22 and RL-25.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ok, after some more reading it's shaping up like this:

IMR4064 - 223, 6.5
H4895 - 30-30, 308, 30-06
Win Supreme 780 - 300, 338

I plan on starting with the 223 since that's what I shoot the most of and gradually expanding from there. Found load data on the Hodgdon reloading data center website for all the above combinations. All of the input so far has been very helpful and again, if I'm off track with this idea please let me know.

IMR4064 and H4895 are so close in burn rate and performance there's no reason to buy both since you're wanting to keep as few powders as necessary.

Here's what I use:
.223 Rem: H335 (AR) and Varget (bolt action) (CFE223, 4895 and 4064 will work well)
.308 Win: BL-C(2) or IMR4064 (4895 will work well)
30-30 Win: LVR or IMR3031 (4895 or 4064 will work well)
30-06: H4350 and H4895 (4895 for the M1 Garand, 4064 will also work well)
.300 Win Mag: H4831 (H4350 will work too)

6.5 Grendel: Don't load for it
.338 Lapua: Don't load for it

So it looks like you can get away with 2 or 3 powders if you must. You can use either 4895 or 4064 along with H4350 for most of your loading and if you can buy another powder H335 or CFE233 for your .223 ammo. I'm guessing, but I don't know you will need a slower powder than 4350 for the 338 Lapua. Personally I like to buy the powders that work best for each caliber I load when the powders are available. I see no reason to combine usages and cheat myself out of performance. So, you just might need 4 powders after all. (I'm using 8 for those jobs)