What powder is your first choice when working up a load for a new rifle?

I seem to use a bunch of 4350 starting out for my midrange stuff. Don't reload small bore (223) yet and not enough big bore under my belt to draw any valid conclusions.

I am big time stuck in a rut using Unique for my pistols. Need to find something a bit cleaner. Suggestions?

Small bore?
Medium bore?
Magnum?
Big bore?
Pistol?

Just so happens that RL-15 works very good in just about every rifle I have.

As for rifles, I don't have a favorite since each particular cartridge seems to do best with one or two powders.

For handguns, I like H110/Win. 296; it's very clean burning.

I have been lucky enough to find good loads in all my rifles (from .222 thru .30-06) using IMR4895

I could live with 4350 for about 90% of all my reloading.

RL-15, Varget and IMR 4350

My all time favorite went off the market in about 1964...it was called Hercules "Hi-Vel #2".

These days I use mostly Vihtavouri N-135 (performs very much like IMR 4895 except has smaller granules and measures easier). Also use large amounts of 4064, 4350, and 4831. Have quit loading pistol and shotgun ammo, so am no help there.

Medium bore = IMR-4350

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

I am big time stuck in a rut using Unique for my pistols. Need to find something a bit cleaner. Suggestions?

I do some shotgun loading for skeet and find some of good target load shotgun powders are clean burning and great in pistols (Clays, etc.).

For rifle loads, I try to find a ball powder that works well first, because I love the way it meters through a powder measure. If I can't get a good load with a ball powder, I switch to extruded.

Good shooting,
desmobob

RL22

Good for 264 win mag, 270, 280AI, 30-06, 300 win mag and 338 win mag.

If Unique is too dirty for you, try Hodgdon's Universal Clays. Close to the same as Unique (burn rate and charge weights) but much cleaner burning. Also, it meters better if you are using a progressive or powder measure.

I use Ramshot Xterminator in 223. RL 15 in 308, 35 Whelen and light bullet 270 loads. 4350 for the heavy 270 loads.

H-414 when appropriate!

4831SC
H414

Blue Dot

Right dead on Vapodog. H414 is stunning in my 7x57mm with 160 grain class bullets. My buddy in Missouri likes the stuff in his .30/06 with 165 grain bullets. This stuff just plain works. Tom Purdom

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
H-414 when appropriate!

I like Winchester's version, W760. I think they're the same.

Two rifles, 30-06 & 243. One powder IMR 4350

I am working in the oposit direction.

Multiple cartridges.
Multiple bullet weights.
Equals multiple powders per cartridge.

I am hoping to get better, move to less powders, but ....

IMR 4831- good for all cartridges based on the 30-06, 7mm rem mag, 300 win mag, etc.

IMR 4064

4350 or 4064 for medium-size cases, 4831 for bigger ones, 4198 for smaller ones, and Red Dot for very light plinking with lead slugs.

Your mileage may vary.

That's a question kind of like asking what color hair do you like on a girl women lady Ect. .

I guess it all depends on what she looks like other wise wouldn't it !. Ditto for the powder !.

Certain ones work better than others in a particular weapon . That's why there are so many choices !. Just like women !!!!!!!!!!!.

As usual my 0.0025 worth !. ...

.223 and TAC. Works well together.

Duckear, I have to admit I have more kinds of powder on hand than makes good sense. And, when I get a new gun or test someone elses, I always try a number of powders.

BUT, having said that, if I had to narrow my powder supply down I would not hesitate.

For rifles I am sure I could get by just fine with H 4895 and H 4350.

For handguns I cannot imagine what I could not reload with Unique or 2400.

I understand Unique has been reformulated to burn cleaner. Have you tried any new lots?

RL-22 ----- .257 Wby, .270 Wby, 7mm Wby, .300 Winny, .340 Wby, .358 STA, .416 Rigby. Good shooting.

It is a 4 way tie. These are easy to find, easy get data for and handle about everything you can think of.
Unique, SR4759, 4895, 4350.

IMR 4831, IMR 4350, IMR 4061, H380, and BL-C2.

I use the last 3 the most but they're all my go to powders.

My absolute favorite powder is the old standby Unique. Regarding R Flowers question about being reformulated, the chemical composition has not changed since the 1960's.

The new cleaner burning is a result of Alliant controlling the grain dimension so there is less variation in the thickness from grain to grain. Thin grains burn fast and thick grains don't burn completely which is where the 'dirt' comes from. Alliant has basically made the grains more consistent, which results in a more complete combustion of each grain, hence less 'dirty'

I have ran test with Unique powder made in the 1930's to powder made today and on weight basis it is remarkably consistent.

Back in the late 1960's Unique was changed from 40% nitro to 20% nitro. The result was the powder became less dense, more fluffy, but running comparison tests using powder from both eras proved that the powder performed the same on a weight basis. The fluffy 20% powder is a good thing especially for cartridges like the 45 colt.

20% is still a relatively high nitro content and basically makes the powder waterproof and protects the powder from deterioration. My old cans (1930', 1960's) all are still as good as the day they were made.

Believe it or not, the powder was introduce as a Rifle powder and as such works remarkably well for reduced loads. I have an Unique Rifle reloading manual published in 1930's that give give data for all the popular rifle calibers at the time including 30-06, 30-30, and 35Rem.

So when ever I hear someone say they don't use Unique because it's so 'dirty' I just marvel at their reasoning. Here's a powder that is so consistent and offers so many benefits but they don't want to use it because they will have to wash their hands and may have to clean there gun. Well good hygiene says wash your hands after shooting regardless and it takes me seconds to wipe the outside of my firearm off.

Second favorite powder is 2400 which comes very close to Uniques versatility.

Unique,

Great post.

Any chance you could scan and post that 30's era manual? That would be some good info to have.

This is really a difficult question because I don't believe there is a truly universal powder.
That said, I use IMR4350 in a good many of my loads. It covers most medium bore calibres.

quote:

Small bore?
Medium bore?
Magnum?
Big bore?
Pistol?

SB: AA2015BR
MB 08 based and 30-06: H4895
Magnum: R22
Pistol: Blue Dot

Reloader

Norma MRP and Vihtavuori N 550 is all I need for all of my different calibers from .243 Win. up to .416 Rigby

cheers
Gerry

I always try IMR 4831 first - if thats not working out then 4350 next R19.

WCC844/846 up thru '06. Milsurp version of 4895.
target pistol loads, 231
hunting loads WCC820/Blue Dot
real rifles, 2FFg and cast lead bullets.

Rich
DRSS

WMR. Problem is those phucking idiots at Winchester disontinued it.
Seems H-450 which is supposed to be the same powder was dropped at the same time. Oh well, I still have a decent supply of this powder.
Paul B.

Medium bore IMR 4064

You could sure load a hell of a lot of calibers well with nothing but H414 and RL15 on the shelf. Now that I've said that, I have some of almost everything commercially available on my shelf, just because.

RE-15 for my 375H&H... I go through a pound a month...

been mulling this question over for awhile and was not quite certain if I wanted to say what is the favorite powder. I know what is the most used powder for a number of calibers is RL-15. I have some 11 different powders stored and don't use them all the time. So many different bullet weights that shoot differently.

RL-15 is the most popular powder. I do have some 4064 that I have never used yet - could be a good one. H 414 is next so .........

My favorite is/was Norma N-205. Now where in the world can I get any??

Seems like the majority of my rifles like IMR 4831.