With so many powders out there how do you choose one to reload with? I'm starting reloading with a 25-06 then will probably move to .480 and 300wsm. But i have no clue on powder. I bought the small 25-06 book thats full of loads and it speaks of a dozen different powders.

Help please.

You've come to the right place, the AR crowd will get you headed in the right direction.

You may want to choose a powder that works well in a couple of your carts.

IMO R22 would be a great choice for both the 25-06 and the 300WSM. Check out alliant's site for load data. I've had good results in 25-06 and 300WSM with R22 pushing several different bullet weights. H4831 is a good choice in both as well although I haven't been able to get near the velocity as R22 with H4831.

Also depends on what powder is easily available locally.

Good Luck

Reloader

I always try to use the powder that yields the highest velocity at the lowest pressure.

I second craigster's opinion, especially in my 45-70.

I started reloading by looking at what the loading manuals indicated were powders that worked well with more than one bullet weight or type. Varget for the .223 and 22-250, and IMR4350 for the 30-06, etc. You'll likely find at least one load your rifle likes that way, plus you'll be learning the process. From there, you can start using other powders and see what else your rifle prefers.

Check several reloading manuals. The powder that appears most often in the various books, acrost the broadest range of cartridge weights is a good one to start with.
Some of the manuals will tell you what they found to be the best powder for a certain cartridge/bullet combo.

When starting w/ a new cart. I look for a powder that nearly fills the case & gives the vel. range I want (nosler manual gives load density). For handgun rounds, it's more about what vel. range you want. H110 in you 480 is great for full power loads but doesn't do well when you want midrange plinking ammo. So again, match the powder to the vel. range you are looking for. Asking others for a good powder is ok for a starting point, but especially w/ rifle carts, there are so many little variables that make one rifle like powder 'A' & another like powder 'B'. You'll have to just load your own & see what your rifle likes.

How do i know if the powder will fill up the case?
I know that some powders are for this or that style of shooting, i guess ill look in my book and right a few down, then see whats local and ask again for opinions.
I have heard about r22 alot though.

quote:

How do i know if the powder will fill up the case?

The Speer manual lists some compressed loads. If it's a compressed load, the case will be full.

The other way to get an idea is to look at charge weights. Powders of more or less the same shape can be compared and the ones with the higher charge weights will likely fill up the case more. Don't get too hung up on filling the case though. In many instances, a powder that doesn't fill up a case, will be the most accurate one.

I also like the Hornady and Barnes manuals because they give recommendations on powders for specific bullet weights. I've found those recommendations to be very helpful.

Select a powder that fills the case without a compressed load.

quote:

How do i know if the powder will fill up the case?

Nosler #5 lists load density. In addition to the other things mentioned above, I look for a load density of 90%+

It's obvious you own a computer . Go to Hodgdons powder www.hodgdon.com/ or Alliant powder
www.alliantpowder.com/ . Or any brand you like or others recommend . The Craigster gave good advice !.Look for loads that yield higher velocity with the lowest pressures . Start there . Choose your projectiles based on what your going to use them on !. Then pick powders !. You'll save money and time developing the right loads for your guns ...

It looks like reloader 19 might be the ticket.
It can be used for 85 to 120 grain bullets and in the 150 to 180 gr 300wsm.

Do you guys like this one?
How common is for it for my gun not to like a powder?

Dannyvp, in my experience, IMR 4831 really shines in the 25-06. H4831 is a close second. Works great with 100 and 115 gr. loads. I've heard good things about RL-22 and 120 grainers. Haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

Velocity needed and load density. Many load manuals like SPEER's rate their loads by load density, so at that point, it's a matter of choosing the one that gives the velocity you want, with the highest load density. That is not absolute, because a powder that shows slightly lower velocity may be more accurate in your rifle. There is some give and take, but you can narrow the window a bit. Lyman shows the best load tested in some of their manuals, as do Sierra and NOSLER. Not a bad place to start. Then, you will see recommendations here and at other websites. Your also just as likely to see them vary a good deal by load density. Sometimes, it can cause some head scratching and sometimes, you can cause some!

Learning about the bulk density of a given powder can also help with selection.

I try to confine myself to three powder companys for simplicity and like Hodgdon's the best so my first choice in powder is what ever powder they have that offers the best velocity for the cartridge I'm loading.

I do like H-414, Bl-C(2), and H4831 SC so use them first if they are in the possible "best" performers.
It's pretty simple actually.

quote:

Posted 06 April 2007 19:47 Hide Post
It looks like reloader 19 might be the ticket.
It can be used for 85 to 120 grain bullets and in the 150 to 180 gr 300wsm.

Do you guys like this one?
How common is for it for my gun not to like a powder?

Well it depends on several factors Projectile weight rate of twist cases primers powders . Correct combinations can be a cinch or a Bear . I've seen same guns manufactured years apart that wouldn't shoot the same powder and components .

So to answer your question about " How Common " that's anybody guess !.

Pick powders based on heaviest bullet weight and highest velocity . The Craigster gave sound advice !. Because you can always load down !.

quote:

Originally posted by Dannyvp:
With so many powders out there how do you choose one to reload with? I'm starting reloading with a 25-06 then will probably move to .480 and 300wsm. But i have no clue on powder. I bought the small 25-06 book thats full of loads and it speaks of a dozen different powders.

Help please.

I don't mean to spend your money, but........buy one or two more manuals--particularly if you have a brand(s) of bullets in mind--buy manuals from those bullet manufacturers. Manuals can also be VERY helpful in some of your reloading questions, setting up dies, etc.

Casey