does anyone know if there is a way to get a sample of different powders without having to buy a pound at a time....something like a few ounces of different types to see how they shoot ..then can buy the one that is best suited....i have tried contacting a few manufacturers, but no luck on an answer.....thanks
sample powders....
- Thread starter quiknot
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P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I am not aware of any sample program - not that I have ever found.
Best might be to find a buddy and talk him into some!!
I think perhaps decide on say two popular loads and powders for your chosen cal - and work up loads with each. 1# tho will almost certainly have to be the start point for each.
So - what cal? (or cals)
Best might be to find a buddy and talk him into some!!
I think perhaps decide on say two popular loads and powders for your chosen cal - and work up loads with each. 1# tho will almost certainly have to be the start point for each.
So - what cal? (or cals)
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Of course - in some ways there are too many powders out there - so I see why you want samples.
45LC eh - well with 240 grainers, Accurate #7 is IIRC well popular, in fact it'll do for about 200 grain up to 250's and more I think. Even Blue Dot and good ol' Unique can be factored in too.
45LC eh - well with 240 grainers, Accurate #7 is IIRC well popular, in fact it'll do for about 200 grain up to 250's and more I think. Even Blue Dot and good ol' Unique can be factored in too.
m0ntels
Member
Hodgdon used to do "Xperimenter Packs" where you'd get four quarter pound containers of different powders. I dont think I've ever seen one in person and I dont see them on their web site anymore either. I pretty much go by recommendation or by looking at the burn rate chart. If your store doesnt stock much powder, that makes it easier too.
Randy
Randy
Chawbaccer
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Check the manual and pick a powder thats near the top for the different loadings you intend to use it for, or ask us and you will get some recomendations.
xring44
Member
m0ntels said:
I saw some yesterday at my local gun emporium,,but have never seen it in pistol powders. This is/was a great idea, one I'd like to see all the major manufactures do.
redneck2
Member
I just saw an ad by a powder company (Ramshot maybe?) that had 4 different powders in a 1# pack. Now, if you figure loads you'll get maybe 150-200 rounds per pound (rifle). I suspect it will take that many anyway to see if a given load works using different combinations of bullets, primers, charge weights, seating depth.
As above, get recommendations. I asked one of my friends that shoots high power about a load for my AR. Used his rec's and my first two groups were about 1/2". Disclaimer...I don't shoot or load near as much as some guys on this or other boards..that said...
In the final analysis I'm not sure that it's all that critical in a number of applications. If you have 4 different powders with nearly identical burn rates, I suspect that you'll get acceptable accuracy from most of them most of the time.
If you think that's not true, why does one guy swear by 4064, another by VV, another by 4895, and they're all the same application??
I suspect bullet quality, seating depth, and run-out are as or more important than powder brand and/or number
As above, get recommendations. I asked one of my friends that shoots high power about a load for my AR. Used his rec's and my first two groups were about 1/2". Disclaimer...I don't shoot or load near as much as some guys on this or other boards..that said...
In the final analysis I'm not sure that it's all that critical in a number of applications. If you have 4 different powders with nearly identical burn rates, I suspect that you'll get acceptable accuracy from most of them most of the time.
If you think that's not true, why does one guy swear by 4064, another by VV, another by 4895, and they're all the same application??
I suspect bullet quality, seating depth, and run-out are as or more important than powder brand and/or number
db_tanker
Member
I have seen the Hogdon sampler packs at the last Gunshow here in Houston...I believe they only come in rifle calibers, however...but they were kinda neat looking...little mini-bottles shaped the same as a normal Hogdon bottle only small. lol I refrain from using the word "cute" here...cuz you really can't call somthing like that "cute"...please reference Rodney Carrington on this.
D
lol I refrain from using the word "cute" here...cuz you really can't call somthing like that "cute"...please reference Rodney Carrington on this. D
45crittergitter
Member
Hodgdon discontinued the Xperimental packs (4, 1/4 lb cans) due to lack of sales. I thought they were a great idea, but only found one pack locally.
The Bushmaster
Member
Quiknot...Let me know when you find these freebee's. Make sure you post where we can find them...
45crittergitter said:
Lack of sales? I would buy multitudes of the experimenter packs if I could find them. I've never seen them at my three local shops, two different Gander Mtn's, one Bass Pro, nor one Academy that I shop at.
I don't buy powder via mailorder because I don't wish to pay an additional $20-30 per order for the hazmat fee.
45crittergitter
Member
Perhaps I should have said lack of orders by suppliers/dealers.
Jim Watson
Member
I don't know of any.
Several years ago I saw an outfit at the SHOT Show that planned to put up one ounce samples of pistol powders and two ounce samples of rifle powders in a store display like a spice rack. I thought it would be convenient but the idea didn't fly. Looks like Hodgdon couldn't make it work, either.
Several years ago I saw an outfit at the SHOT Show that planned to put up one ounce samples of pistol powders and two ounce samples of rifle powders in a store display like a spice rack. I thought it would be convenient but the idea didn't fly. Looks like Hodgdon couldn't make it work, either.
m0ntels
Member
I always thought it was a great idea, but maybe your average handloader just wants to make hunting or plinking ammo and be done with it. Joe Average asks the deer camp buddies what they use, he goes and buys a pound, and it lasts him 20 years. I probably could have just stuck with Unique and IMR4064, the first rifle and pistol powders I bought, and could have been happy from then on out. I've tried about a dozen by now, and I couldnt really tell you if one was any better than the other. It's fun to try them, but it's not really a product that generates repeated sales, it's a once and done thing. Buy one, and you know which powder you want. For the special packing and all the extra plastic for 4 little jugs instead of one larger one, I guess it didnt pay. It is kind of a shame though for those of us that like loading as much as shooting.
Randy
Randy
~z
Member
Hodgdon came out with the 1/4# jugs, 3 or 4 jugs to the pack in a pistol, mag pistol, varmitter, rifle, and mag rifle. I was constantly bothering my then local gun/ reload store to get some. They were excited to get them in, cleared shelf space in anticipation. They claimed there was some sort of problem with the shipping comtainer. UPS deemed it more dangerous than shipping a mixed lot of 1# jugs of powder or something. I believe the shop lost interest in waiting for the dang thing to get figured out. I never have seen them, I'd still be interested to pick some up if anyone finds a pack of varmint, rifle, or mag rifle, let me know. As for pistol powder, no interest, I bought up a bunch of 8# Unique jugs (7 jugs all for less than $100). So I'm set for 2 or 3 years.
~z
~z
caz223
Member
~z said:
Where do you find deals like that?45crittergitter
Member
Here's the text of Hodgdon's email reply (dated 6/2/05) to my inquiry on the matter:
~z
Member
Sorry caz, I guess I have not been minding my manners, should have checked back to see if there were any questions. ESTATE SALES and gunshops who have decided to stop carrying reloading supplies. Also picked up some 8# jugs of IMR3031 for I think $40 for 3 (24# total)...not too shabby.
~z
~z
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