27 December 2011, 11:46
Brazos JackHelp Minimize my Powder Magazine
I reload for a lot of calibers, but only one or at most two bullets per caliber. I would like to minimize the number of powders I use to make it practical to buy just a few large (8 lb.) canisters for everything. In addition to choosing powders to optimize accuracy and velocity in each caliber (1), I want temperature insensitive powders (2), powders known to have low lot to lot variability (3), and, where possible, powders known to have de-coppering characteristics (4).
These characteristics are listed above in order of importance to me. I would rather have 2” groups that are always in the same place, summer or winter, canister after canister, than ¾” groups that move 4” from August to January or every time I buy a new can of powder.
My calibers and bullets are:
.22-250 – 50gr NBT
.270 Win – 130gr NAB
.30-06 – 150gr NAB & 180gr NPT
.338 Win Mag – 250gr NPT
9.3x62 – 250gr NAB & 286gr NPT
.375 H&H 300gr NPT & Nos Solid
.416 Rem Mag 400gr NPT & Nos Solid
27 December 2011, 20:43
buckshotquote:
Originally posted by Brazos Jack:
I reload for a lot of calibers, but only one or at most two bullets per caliber. I would like to minimize the number of powders I use to make it practical to buy just a few large (8 lb.) canisters for everything. In addition to choosing powders to optimize accuracy and velocity in each caliber (1), I want temperature insensitive powders (2), powders known to have low lot to lot variability (3), and, where possible, powders known to have de-coppering characteristics (4).
These characteristics are listed above in order of importance to me. I would rather have 2” groups that are always in the same place, summer or winter, canister after canister, than ¾” groups that move 4” from August to January or every time I buy a new can of powder.
My calibers and bullets are:
.22-250 – 50gr NBT
.270 Win – 130gr NAB
.30-06 – 150gr NAB & 180gr NPT
.338 Win Mag – 250gr NPT
9.3x62 – 250gr NAB & 286gr NPT
.375 H&H 300gr NPT & Nos Solid
.416 Rem Mag 400gr NPT & Nos Solid
IMR4895 is a great "universal" powder that does well in two of my 22-250s. I don't think IMR4350 would be a bad second choice.
27 December 2011, 20:57
GhubertHard to argue with 4895 and 4350, though with your stated goals in mind I would be tempted to use the Hogdon rather than IMR variants as they are more temperature insensitive in my experience.
I'm hoping to be able to do something similar with my rifles using RL17, H4895 and BL-C(2) for similar reasons to yours.
27 December 2011, 21:14
mhoIMR 4350 would be a very sensible option for .270 Win, .30-06 and .338 Win Mag - depending a bit on what bullet weights you want to load.
RL15 would work well for 9.3x62, .375 H&H and .416 Rem Mag.
- mike
27 December 2011, 21:33
buckshotquote:
Originally posted by Brazos Jack:
My calibers and bullets are:
.22-250 – 50gr NBT
.270 Win – 130gr NAB
.30-06 – 150gr NAB & 180gr NPT
.338 Win Mag – 250gr NPT
9.3x62 – 250gr NAB & 286gr NPT
.375 H&H 300gr NPT & Nos Solid
.416 Rem Mag 400gr NPT & Nos Solid
Question, why so much overlap? For example, 130s in .270 and 150s in -06? IMO, they are one and the same. Could you be talked into 180s only for the -06?
And 250s in 9.3 and .338? The .338 is an awesome animal when fed 250s, whereas the 9.3 will deliver all promised with 286s.
I understand your wish to streamline and see several more ways to do so. Just my 2 cents worth...
27 December 2011, 22:57
Brazos Jackquote:
Originally posted by buckshot:
Question, why so much overlap? For example, 130s in .270 and 150s in -06? IMO, they are one and the same. Could you be talked into 180s only for the -06?
And 250s in 9.3 and .338? The .338 is an awesome animal when fed 250s, whereas the 9.3 will deliver all promised with 286s.
I understand your wish to streamline and see several more ways to do so. Just my 2 cents worth...
Buckshot, you found me out. I am about to retire and plan many hunts involving air travel. I have two identical Blaser R-93 Professionals, these seven barrels, and a traveling airline case that will take both rifle frames and three scoped barrels. So on hunts involving deer/antelope species up to 350 pounds I'll take the .270 and the '06 sighted for 150's, the .338 and 9.3 for elk, big bears or African plains game, and the .375 and .416 on a buffalo hunt (cape or asian). I will always have a suitable backup with me on any hunt.
I am thinking of trying to get by with three powders. Varget (.22-250 50gr, 9.3x62 250gr, and .416 RM 400gr), Big Game (.30-06 150gr, 9.3x62 286gr, .375 H&H 300gr), and Hunter (.270 Win 130gr, .30-06 180gr, .338 WM 250gr)
30 December 2011, 11:43
seafire/B17GNo question for me... IMR 4064 or RL 15...
IMR 4895 as stated above is certainly a good choice as would be 3031, even tho it is a little fast by some folks tastes to those applications... one might be surprised on how fast of MV it gives...while functioning well at lower charges also..