I am just wondering if the popular choices for powder are based on availablility or tried and true testing...Not trying to ruffle feathers just wondering...(I have been using H4198 for my .221 but do not see many others that use this, some say hard to meter...never had a problem)...just wondering. I might add that I kilt an apple at 246yds today with my load...poor apple did not stand a chance, head shot...for skeptics...it was ethical...the apple was froze..... :lol:
Powder choices
- Thread starter mbmm
- Start date
Charlie-NY
Handloader
- Mar 11, 2005
- 1,437
- 904
I have never had much trouble finding ANY powder. I occasionally buy powder over the internet and the suppliers have a considerable selection of powder on hand. I keep MANY different powders on hand so that load development is easy and I have often found that a powder that was not "suggested" by the loading manual would work quite well.
In my custom .221FB I started out with IMR4198 but switched to RE7 and was very pleased with the results. Eventually, I switched to Lil'Gun which resulted in a substantial increase in velocity while maintaining .5moa @ 200yds.
Powders that are popular with me are selected by performance rather than availability.
In my custom .221FB I started out with IMR4198 but switched to RE7 and was very pleased with the results. Eventually, I switched to Lil'Gun which resulted in a substantial increase in velocity while maintaining .5moa @ 200yds.
Powders that are popular with me are selected by performance rather than availability.
I don't post much on the Nosler forum but I'll chime in on this because I'm a 221 Fireball fan.
Like Charlie I used a lot of IMR 4198 but switched to Reloader #7 and I've used LilGun too. I stayed with Re #7 because it burns very clean and accuracy is superb, it's the best of all the powders I tried in my gun. LilGun spices things up a bit but I found it to burn dirty and it is not as accurate as Re #7. Getting different powders is not overly difficult for me, I can (and do) order just about anything I want from one of the local shop owners. Metering is not an issue since I usually end up using a Lee Dipper Cup. Those little cups are very repeatable with charge weight and they are dirt simple to use.
I found flash hole uniforming and mild primers go a long way to improve accuracy with the Fireball. I like both CCI BR4 and Rem 7 1/2 primers. CCI 400 primers are a good alternative but I didn't have much luck with Fed 205 or Win Small Rifle primers. As for bullets I like both the 40 grain Sierra BlitzKing and/or Nosler Ballistic Tips. Both are amazingly accurate in my Rem 700. I've taken chucks, skunks, and a pile of crows with my handloads....haven't yet tried my hand at apples, frozen or otherwise.
Also like Charlie I'm a New Yorker. I'm in Owego. Charlie if you are anywhere near Owego let me know and I'll try and arrange a shoot.
Like Charlie I used a lot of IMR 4198 but switched to Reloader #7 and I've used LilGun too. I stayed with Re #7 because it burns very clean and accuracy is superb, it's the best of all the powders I tried in my gun. LilGun spices things up a bit but I found it to burn dirty and it is not as accurate as Re #7. Getting different powders is not overly difficult for me, I can (and do) order just about anything I want from one of the local shop owners. Metering is not an issue since I usually end up using a Lee Dipper Cup. Those little cups are very repeatable with charge weight and they are dirt simple to use.
I found flash hole uniforming and mild primers go a long way to improve accuracy with the Fireball. I like both CCI BR4 and Rem 7 1/2 primers. CCI 400 primers are a good alternative but I didn't have much luck with Fed 205 or Win Small Rifle primers. As for bullets I like both the 40 grain Sierra BlitzKing and/or Nosler Ballistic Tips. Both are amazingly accurate in my Rem 700. I've taken chucks, skunks, and a pile of crows with my handloads....haven't yet tried my hand at apples, frozen or otherwise.
Also like Charlie I'm a New Yorker. I'm in Owego. Charlie if you are anywhere near Owego let me know and I'll try and arrange a shoot.
