Going to reload several different calibers
9mm,357mag 204, 223, 243 7.62x39. 3006, and 7mm rem mag. I would like to limit to 4 to 6 different powders, but still get the best load for velocity and accuracy. Been trying to creat a spreadsheet to list everything recommended by nosler, hornady and speer and then try to narrow it down. You guys been doing this awhile and I'm just getting started. Figure no need to reinvent the wheel.
All help appreciated

I'll suggest first that you would be limiting yourself if you only had half of those cartridges to reload.

9mm? probably best with Unique
357? for full power loads H110 is best.
204 or 223? depending on specific bullets Benchmark or Varget
243? WIDE variation depending on bullet weight

7.62x39? Why reload? Surplus import ammo costs less than just the bulk bullets would to reload, not to mention who actually shoots ammo in these that has reloadable brass?

30-06? SO MANY work well but again what bullet weight?

7mmMag? EASY... Reloader22.
In the 7mag if RL22 won't work you probably don't
want to shoot it.

I couldn't possibly get by with the list of calibers you have given with less than a dozen propellants.
And the only two I don't have on your list are the 204 and the 243, though I have had a couple of 6mmRems

and while I have a 7.62x39 I do not reload for it.

AD

I can only weigh in on the 30.06 and 7 mag.

Re22 would be an excellent choice for both, especially if you will be loading the 160 in the 7 and a 180 grain for the .06.

4350s and 4831s will work very well in both.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightboy:
Going to reload several different calibers
9mm,357mag 204, 223, 243 7.62x39. 3006, and 7mm rem mag. I would like to limit to 4 to 6 different powders, but still get the best load for velocity and accuracy. Been trying to creat a spreadsheet to list everything recommended by nosler, hornady and speer and then try to narrow it down. You guys been doing this awhile and I'm just getting started. Figure no need to reinvent the wheel.
All help appreciated

For the handguns, I would try Unique, Universal Clays or maybe Power Pistol. Any of these would give good maximum effect loads in the 9mm and good midrange cast bullet loads in the .357, and still decent performance with 125 gr JHP loads. If you want to shoot heavy bullets fast in the .357, you have to go to Winchester 296, Hodgdon H-110 or Alliant 2400, none of which has application for the 9mm.

The 7.62x39 is an oddball cartridge and requires a fast burning rifle powder that would be unsuitable for the other cartridges you list. I tend to agree with the previous poster that suggested buying cheap surplus ammo, since most 7.62x39 rifles are more known for "quantity" rather than "quality" when it comes to accuracy.

The .204, .223 and .243 (with light weight bullets) can all be loaded with reasonable results with powders like IMR-4064, Hodgdon Varget, even Accurate 2015. I would probably go with Varget first.

The .243 (with heavy bullets), 30-06 (with heavy bullets and 7 Mag can all be loaded with slower burning rifle powders, like Reloder 22, IMR-4350, H-4831 or similar powders. Conversely, the 30-06 can be very effective loaded with lighter bullets with powders like 4064, Varget or 4895. You could load the .204, the .223, the .243 and the 30-06 all with 4895, and while it wouldn't give maximum velocity in all the cartridges, it may very well provide acceptable hunting accuracy in all of them.

wright.....

Good advise above.

Don't have a 9mm but the advice on the Unique for mid-range .375 Mag. loads and then a Full-Power Powder such as 296, H-110 or H-2400 is an excellent way to go. If the Unique selection additionally covers your 9mm requirements - great!

I'm a Dyed-in-the-Wool relaoder but you received some excellent advice on loading for the 7.62x39 - can't figure out for the life of me why someone would sit at the bench & reload this cartridge when there is so much inexpensive ammunition available - unless there is some super-specialty or niche load you just REALLY can't live without.

I'd select a powder to cover the 204 & 223 together and omit the .243 from this group; a VV N-130 series, either 130, 133 or 135; depending on what bullets you're using in these two cartridges.

I'd lump the .243 with the .30/06 Sprg. & 7mm Rem. Mag. and go with Re-22, H-4831 or H-4350; in that order.

Since you've already narrowed this down to four powders (for 8 different cartridges) I'd splurge here and select two powders for the .243, .30/06 & 7mm Rem. Mag., either RE-22, H or IMR-4350 or 4831's - that would pretty much cover the entire gamut of bullet weights in these three cartridges, plus add some flexibility.

Have Fun.

For what it's worth, I have found Blue Dot to serve quite well in both the 9mm & .357 Mag. The added benefit of having Blue Dot on hand is that using Seafire's reduced loads it will work well in a variety of rifle cases.

I do reload for the 7.62 X 39mm. I have a sweet little Mini Mauser chambered for it and surplus ammo leaves a lot to be desired as there is not a good soft pointed bullet in surplus ammo. Factory stuff isn't much better as my bore mikes .311" and not .308", most factory stuff splits the diameter diference at .309" or .310". Sierra makes a good 125g - .311" SP that shoots well and work great on deer sized game at modest distances. I have had good success with AA680 and IMR 4227.

For hunting type loads for your .243 and .30/06 IMR 4350 or H-4350 will serve just fine as will H-414.

Good luck,

Scout Master 54

AA #5 in the 9 and 357. AA 1680 or 2230 for the other stuff except for the .243, '06 and big 7. Use AA 4350 for those...

I am with Doubless. If you want to keep it simple, I'd use AA #5 for 9mm and 357Mag; I'd use 1680 for the 7.62x39; I'd use 4895 for the 223 because I've had better accuracy with it than 2230, and it is also a number for the 243. In 30-06 it depends whether you are reloading for a bolt gun or M1 Garand. In the Garand I'd use 4895 or 4064. In a bolt gun, I'd use any of the 4350's, preferably H4350. RL22 is good for the 7mmRM.

In sum, KISSing it, AA#5, 4895, 1680, 4350 and RL22. Kudude

9mm Power Pistol
357 mag H110, W296, or LIL'GUN
204... I don't have one yet
223 Blue Dot, H335, IMR4895
243 IMR4350, H414
7.62x39mm H110/W296
30-06 IMR4895, IMR4350
7mm Mag IMR4350

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wrightboy:
Going to reload several different calibers
9mm,357mag no comment on the pistols 204,Accurate 2015 223,acc2015 243 DP85 7.62x39Acc2015 3006, DP85 and 7mm rem mag.DP85

Get a lot of the DP85 while you can. Powder Valley still has it for $69.00/8# jug. It really is good stuff. roger

RL-22 is great for the 7mag and with 180gn great for the 06 too. IMR-4350 is very good for the .243 and lighter bullet loads in the 06.
Don't reload for handguns anymore, so can't help you there,
As far as trying to keep it to a few powders and still get max results, sorry dude. You will have to get real lucky to pull that off.
Sounds like you are a fairly dedicated reloader I now have 19 different kinds of powders on my shelf.
I load for about 12 cartridges.
As you may already know, you might buy 2 identcle rifles and get entirly different results reloading.
Don't worry, you won't know till you tried so you will not have to buy them all at once.
as for bullets. I bet there is somewhere beetween 80 and 100 boxes on the shelf I just bought for them.
Oh Yeah I almost forgot. Gotta buy some IMR-4064 today.( make that 20 can's of powder) .Thats great for light bullet 06 and might look into it for your .243.
I use it in 06,308,7x57 6.5x57 and .257R.
Merry christmas ...tj3006

Thanks for all the info. As to why I'm going to reload for the 7.62X39 it's being used in a Colt AR-15. I've tried some of the surplus ammo and it jams regulary. This is a very, very accurate gun with factory loads, just wanting to make it better.

Because from Finlan: VihtaVuori-powders
9mm N-340, 3N37 or N-350
.357 & 7,62x39 N-110
.204, .223 N-133 (USA benc rest shooters likes)
.243, 30-06, 7mm Rem mag N-160 or -560