Flexible Powder Options?

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Just thought I'd toss out this worm. If you are stocking up on powders for a rainy day have you given consideration to the "best" for a given application or the most flexible for a wide range of applications? I would tend to think that the most flexible might be called for these days. Any favorites out there? I think I could make do with about 5 common powders in a pinch. Also I would think it wise to buy your powder in matching lot numbers and in 1Lb containers as opposed to large containers just in case you needed to store in multiple locations, not to mention that multiple sealed containers are insurance in case of damage. Just thinking here.OzarksJohn
P.S.
OOPS... wrong board this was supposed to be in reloading....ADMIN please move this...thanks.

[shadowwalker]

I just did this with my weapons and the bullets I have to reload with. I came up with four powders that would reload in 5 different calibre of rifle, my shotguns, 5 different calibre of pistols.
All this due to our new prez's attitude on my not needing my guns.
Go get a reloading manual with your weapons tables, make a list of your bullets on hand to reload, cross check them to find out what powder will work in the most reloads. Sure you may not get the best performance, but your after the best uses of the powder.

[High_Desert]

My thoughts,

1. Unique and or American select would power all my handguns from .38 through .45 colt including .40 S&W and .45 acp for everyday needs.

2. H110 powers my Ruger and FA .45 colts and my .218 Bee.

3. 3031 works from .223 to 45-70.

4. 748 is my favorite .223 powder.

5. Black powder for my 1800's single shots and muzzle loaders.

That being said, no reloader should be limited to 5 powders, but I fully understand your point.

;)

Best Regards,
HD

edit.... don't forget bullet molds and lead / tin for your guns. I told "Santa" I sure could use a .35 cal rifle mold this year.

[colby1979]

also look into IMR4895 as it covers most centerfire rifles.

[kawalekm]

700X for poof loads
Blue Dot for 9mm to .45
H110 for 357, 44, and 30 carbine
H335 for .223 to 8mm Mauser
RL22 for bolt action hunting rifles

[OzarksJohn]

Howdy.

Good replies. I just got to thinking about this and figured that given the current politics, it would be prudent to stock up a bit with the most flexible propellants. Economy can also enter the picture as well. In handgun powders it's pretty easy to get 1000 or more shots from a pound of powder and have decent loads too. Rifle loads are a bit more difficult to get extreme economy, but you can squeak maybe an extra 20 rounds out of a pound of powder with only a little adjustment in charge weight and powder choices. 20 rounds may not mean much today, but in a a few years it could.OzarksJohn

[martialcanine45cal]

When I first got into reloading a couple years ago, my mentor recommended that I use as few powders as possible. He felt simple was better for a new reloader and I've stayed the course as they work well, though I load for practice and not extreme accuracy or competitive advantage.

IMR 4895 = 45-70, 308, and 223

WW231 = 45ACP, 45Colt, and 38Spl practice rounds

H110 = 357Mag and the hotter 45Colt rounds

APP = hotter .45ACP rounds, but probably not even needed

Howdy.

Just thought I'd toss out this worm. If you are stocking up on powders for a rainy day have you given consideration to the "best" for a given application or the most flexible for a wide range of applications? I would tend to think that the most flexible might be called for these days. Any favorites out there? I think I could make do with about 5 common powders in a pinch. Also I would think it wise to buy your powder in matching lot numbers and in 1Lb containers as opposed to large containers just in case you needed to store in multiple locations, not to mention that multiple sealed containers are insurance in case of damage. Just thinking here.OzarksJohn
P.S.
OOPS... wrong board this was supposed to be in reloading....ADMIN please move this...thanks.

[mtdrtbag]

I just did this in another thread but this is kind of important. I have narrowed it down to 3 powders.

Hodgdon 4895 - .223, .243 winchester, .270 winchester, .30-30 winchester, .30-06 and .45-70

IMR 700X- 9MM, .38/.357, .40 S&W, .44mag., .45 ACP, 12 GA , and light cast bullet loads in the .45-70. This is an extremely economical powder.

Hodgdon Lil Gun- good for magnum loads in the .357 and .44 mag. .22 hornet and .410.

It's nice to have the ability to have more choices but as a matter of neccesity. These 3 powders will and do fine in all of the calibers mentioned. Lee bullet molds are a steal at $20.00 a set and they work very well. I have have a .30 and .458 caliber mold for rifles and pistol molds for everything I have. I recently purchased a 230 grn. tumble lube mold for my .45ACP for use with Lee Liquid Alox Lube. The bullets function great in my 1911 and leading is certainly no more that what I was getting with Meister or Laser Cast bullets. These molds would be a good option for those who don't care to invest in a lubri-sizer

[Pitdog]

IMR 3031 has already worked well in my .308, but nothing else. Reloader 15 works well/as good as 3031 in my .308 BUT it also works GREAT in .30-06 and .223 and probably other cartridges I load.
IMR 4350 ALSO does well in my .243, .30-06 and 7-08, I need to try it for my .308 and .30-30 and .257.
Got some Ramshot ZIP for handguns to try, but Unique although dirtier will work as well. I have some other stuff to try as I go, but I do want to get more 4350, Re15, and either Unique or ZIP, and of course Lil Gun for my Beowulfs.

[blackpowderbill]

IMR 4350 works well in my 30/30.

[kenfagan]

imr 4007SSC is supposed to be universal rifle powder, but the accuracy ive got from it has been well below what i know the 3 rifles will do.
i like RE-19, and 3031, they seem to work well in quite a few of my rifles
ken

[sethwyo]

If you load cast bullets, then unique or red dot will do everything.
And i do mean EVERYTHING.

for years all i used was cast bullets and unique powder.

the 9mm .38 took 3-4 grains
45acp 6 grains

.270 .308 30-06, 8mm took 15 grains.

any cartridge can be loaded with unique if it has a cast bullet, look at your manual, some jacket pistol bullets can also be loaded with unique. Or red dot.

the m1 carbine will cycle with cast bullets and unique, a 7.5 Kswiss rifle will too.

so unique or red dot for pistol.
for rifle with jacketed bullets
IMR 4227- .30 carbine .223, 7.62x39.
IMR 4895- 270, ,308 , 30-06, 8mm.
these powders are ideal for self loading guns cycle systems.

the only powders i have are unique, 4227 and 4895. there are few modern cartridges i cannot reload with one or the other of these depending on weather a jacketed or cast bullet is used.

[Fortyfour]

Yep, my vote goes to Unique also! I use it exclusively, other than just a few rounds loaded in my 45-70 for elk and bear. I use Unique in the 45-70, 30-30, 44 mag and special and also in my 20ga.

FF