Which Powder Do You Use For Multiple Calibers?

[chidiver]

n320 for pistol and Varget for rifle. I have loads worked up for every caliber I shoot. Those are the stockpile powders.

However, I like to play with a bunch of other powders to optimize results or process. For example, Varget runs terribly inconsistent through my Dillon. So I save it for the hand measured 223 long-range rifle rounds. But for 223 55g 3-gun hoser rounds, I use 8208xbr through the Dillon. It meters beautifully and performance out to 300 yards is indistinguishable from my 69g Varget loads.

 

[paul73]

here is a good article i found other day, not a 100% on topic but pretty close.
if not interested in graphs - skip right to the end summary.

Temperature Sensitivity of Powders for .223 High Power Service Rifle

www.wlcastleman.com

 

[Ed Rivera]

H-4895 will work in a lot of rifles. I use it .... .243, .257 Roberts, .308 Winchester.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

I use Unique the most for pistol, shotgun, and cast rifle.
4895 is a good all around rifle powder.

I have used Unique for just all pistol calibers (9mm, 38 SPL, 357, 45 ACP, 44 Mag). I've even used it for Cast boolits in my rifles at a lower velocity (.308, 30-06, 7.62x39).

However, that is mainly because years ago I bought a keg of that powder because I heard it could be used in this way. Now that I am a bit older and more experienced I would not do that again. Unique is a dirty powder. It can be used just about anywhere and there are recipes for it all over the place, but it will be used when I cannot find anything else from now on honestly. I use HP38 now for pistol whenever I can or Bullseye. I do not have a go to for rifle but based on this thread I will most likely start using Varget. Thank you NES community for that information.

I'd be happy to take that dirty Unique off your hands.

 

[mac1911]

n320 for pistol and Varget for rifle. I have loads worked up for every caliber I shoot. Those are the stockpile powders.

However, I like to play with a bunch of other powders to optimize results or process. For example, Varget runs terribly inconsistent through my Dillon. So I save it for the hand measured 223 long-range rifle rounds. But for 223 55g 3-gun hoser rounds, I use 8208xbr through the Dillon. It meters beautifully and performance out to 300 yards is indistinguishable from my 69g Varget loads.

For all intensive purposes
223-8mm H4895 has been my go to , always “good” results and has a broad range including reduced loads per manufactures directions. Varget is a close 2nd

Another good powder I have had a huge selction for use is trailboss- pistol/rifle cast , jacketed

For pistol my go to tends to be Clays
I will admit im loading primary target ammo
2400 comes into play also

 

[Quite_Exasperated]

For all intensive purposes
223-8mm H4895 has been my go to , always “good” results and has a broad range including reduced loads per manufactures directions. Varget is a close 2nd

Another good powder I have had a huge selction for use is trailboss- pistol/rifle cast , jacketed

For pistol my go to tends to be Clays
I will admit im loading primary target ammo
2400 comes into play also

For my intent and purpose, 231 or AA#5 for non-magnum pistol cartridges.

 

[ThePreBanMan]

I used Blue Dot back when I was reloading. That was a while ago though.

 

[drgrant]

I use Unique the most for pistol, shotgun, and cast rifle.
4895 is a good all around rifle powder.

I'd be happy to take that dirty Unique off your hands.

Unique is great for 45 ACP.

 

[Amputee Marksman]

Unless you're one of those guys that insists on loading up mouse farts for everything, you won't like W231 in 9mm anyways

I like W231 / Hp38 for my 9mm mouse fart loads as long as they meet minimum PF

 

[Amputee Marksman]

CFE Pistol for 38 spl and 45.
W231 / HP 38 for 9mm and 380.

You can use IMR 4227 for .357 and M1 Carbine however there are better powders for each.

I like 2400 for .357 and H110 for M1 Carbine.

 

[76Too]

Dude, nice. Looking at my reloading manual, I noticed Varget was used for a lot of calibers. No wonder it is so hard to find, LOL.

I specifically don’t load a lot of different calibers with Varget for that exact reason even though I have plenty. I use it in 30-06, .308 and .223 mainly for certain loads, but also use H4895 in 30-06, .308 and Win748 in .223 to spread the love to different weight projectiles and rifle gas systems. Whole lot of variables out there.

I do think H4895 is catching up on Varget with usefulness in my assortment of rifles.

 

[meh]

I've used Shooter's World Auto Pistol (Lovex D036) in 9mm, 38 special, 357 magnum, 44 magnum, and 45 Colt. Haven't tried it in 45 ACP, but I'm sure it's good for it. It's too fast for good 357 magnum and 44 magnum loads, but if you're out of your favorite handgun magnum powder, you can load some rounds up for plinking.

 

[Uzi2]

HPC-18
IMR 4064
Titegroup
Powerpistol
700X
BR-5
H335
CFE BLK
ACCURATE #5
WC844
Black powder
and a couple of others. All of the above can be loaded in multiple calibers with good results.

 

[Stape]

I could probably live comfortably the rest of my life with 748 and Unique. Off the top of my head I load for about 20 calibers

 

[akma]

Unique for 12 ga., 9mm and .45acp.
Varget for .308, 7mm Mauser and 5.56 target loads.
CFE .223 5.56 and 8mm Mauser
There are more combos but with these three you can load a ton of calibers.

 

[Road_Clam]

For rifle I would have to say Win 748 . Ive run it in .223 , 30-06 for my M1 , .308 Win , 243 , and even 8mm Mauser. 748 is not an exceptional powder for any single caliber, but it's a "good" powder for so many calibers. It's a fine ball powder so it also meters like a DREAM. Great powder to be well stocked during gun panics when the top popular powders dissapear off the shelves.

A lot of guys love Unique, and it is a great performing powder but it's flakey and meters like $hit ! NOT one of my Favs.

 

[whacko]

Unique is great for 45 ACP.

Very economical in 357. 9.6 grain makes a very stout load vs 15 to 20 grains of h110 and 2400

 

[mac1911]

Very economical in 357. 9.6 grain makes a very stout load vs 15 to 20 grains of h110 and 2400

I dont think it will cycle but trailboss is very economical.
Not exactly stout
Full house 308 with Trailboss is about 15 grains .

 

[Taipan01]

Varget on most rifles, LEVERevolution for most rifle caliber levers, Titegroup on most handgun calibers, H110 for rip snorters, triple 7 in my blackpowders.

 

[Tallahassee]

Unique for the 44
True Blue for 9, 45.
Longshot for 10 mm.
40464 for 308
Reloder 22 for 300 win mag
H335 for 223.
H4350 for the daughter's 6.5, but she is doing well with StaBall now.

 

[SquareShooter]

It doesn't meter very well, but 700-X has worked for me in 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP, .41 Mag, and .45 Colt.

 

[SquareShooter]

Oh, and of course H-110 is the old standby for magnum loads.

 

[Boghog1]

so I am slowly getting my plan together, I will be reloading two pistol/revolver cartridges to start 9mm for a 4" barrel and .44mag out of a 6" barrel, is there a clean burning powder that meters well that would work well for both or would I be better served with two separate powders?

 

[mac1911]

so I am slowly getting my plan together, I will be reloading two pistol/revolver cartridges to start 9mm for a 4" barrel and .44mag out of a 6" barrel, is there a clean burning powder that meters well that would work well for both or would I be better served with two separate powders?

Really dependent on your end use, bullet weights , expectations

 

[Boghog1]

Really dependent on your end use, bullet weights , expectations

9mm would probably be a plated 124g for target, .44 I would like to develop some loads for hunting

 

[mac1911]

9mm would probably be a plated 124g for target, .44 I would like to develop some loads for hunting

The only powder that comes to mind for both is Unique ? Although it maybe limitted for optimum use in one or the other.
Badically your going to have to overlap powder lists from each cartridge/bullet weight and see if there is a powder that gets you close to what you need for both.
Pistol loading is small powder charges so why “settle” on one powder.
Find what fits your needs and stock up.

I shoot/load 98% cast loads in pistol and clays covers my needs . I dont load much of 9 any more and sold off my 44 20 years ago. Back then seems everyone was loading bullseye. ?
So over lap and see whats available

 

[pastera]

Silhouette is great in 9mm - very clean at the higher loads
Data only shows one load in 44 - probably not suitable for the low load density.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

9mm would probably be a plated 124g for target, .44 I would like to develop some loads for hunting

From the 26th edition of the Hodgdon manual.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

i have a few others if you'd like me to check

 

[SquareShooter]

Generally speaking, powders that are suitable for 9mm are not going to be very suitable for .44 Mag, and vice versa.
Sort of like choosing one universal fuel for both an economy sedan and a race car; you MAY find a fuel that could be used by both but it won't be optimal for both.