Shots per pound of powder

[Guy Miner]

Dr Mike's thread about all the new powders got me to thinking about powder in general, and how many shots I usually get from a pound of the stuff I try to keep on hand:

Varget: 280 shots, .223
Varget: 233 shots, .30-30 Win
Varget: 155 shots, .308 Win

H4350: 120 shots, .30-06
H4350: 93 shots, .375 H&H

Retumbo: 116 shots .25-06
Retumbo: 73 shots .300 Rem Ultra Mag (sold that rascal, long ago)

Bullseye: 1,400 shots .45 ACP

Unique: 700 shots of .44 mag

Powder consumption isn't the first thing I'm going to think of when selecting a cartridge, but it's interesting. Especially if a fellow wants to keep on doing a fair bit of shooting, in a time of uncertain powder supplies. When I can, I buy my Varget & H4350 in 8 lb containers. Keeps things going smooth for a good long time.

8 pounds of pistol powder can last a long time!

Guy

 

[Polaris]

I may not select a powder based on consumption, but I absolutely select calibers based on this.

 

[dsnook]

I got all twisted up about powder consumption about 20 years ago. I sold my old 7mm m70 and got a 25-06, then a .308, then a 338-06, a .280, and my .338 rcm. I finally come to realize that saving 5 or 6 grains of powder per shot really doesn't mean much. I also realized I was comparing all these cartridges to my 7mm.

So I got me a new 7mm and so far I am a happy camper...as long as I don't start fretting about powder consumption again.

D

 

[JD338]

And then there is the true powder hogs....

H4350: 60 shots, .416 Weatherby

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Can't say that I ever particularly (at least consciously) concerned myself with the number of shots a pound of powder would provide. I am aware, and it has no doubt influence some of my decisions on rifle purchases and/or builds. However, it wasn't a primary determinate. It should have been a primary consideration, though. (Confessions of a rifle crank)

 

[SJB358]

Never really thought about it myself. I just buy 8lb'ers and look for the next jug when I need to. I like to shoot.

 

[Guy Miner]

Never really thought about it myself. I just buy 8lb'ers and look for the next jug when I need to. I like to shoot.

I like to shoot too! And I can do a LOT more of it with my .223 or .308 than I can with the .375 H&H...

Mostly what I shoot, pretty much in order of use:

.22 long rifle
.223/5.56
.308 Win

That's the majority of my rifle shooting. With handguns the most used/most loaded are:

.22 long rifle
.45 ACP

All the other stuff is great, but I just don't go through mountains of .375 H&H ammo, or .500 S&W ammo... Go figure! :grin:

 

[SJB358]

I recently got a little 223 bolt gun and really enjoy that sucker. 24 grains of H4895 per shot almost feels like it's free.. Plus it's nice to have it since it's a nice relief on the bench when I'm shooting the bigger guns. I'm sorta using it like the way most of you talk about using a 22 LR.

Plus it has the stuff to reach out pretty far with the 75 and 77 grain Bullets. It's a ton of fun.

 

[Guy Miner]

I was just thinking how fun and useful a .223 bolt action could be - but I've already got a .204 Ruger, pretty much filling that niche.

 

[DrMike]

I MUST get a .224 calibre rifle! Funnily enough, I've never owned a 22 centre fire.

 

[FOTIS]

TITEWAD...is your pistol friend I have heard.

 

[truck driver]

TITEWAD...is your pistol friend I have heard.

TITEWAD, Hmmmmm
it also works well in the .45acp, but so does lots of different powders. I settled on solo 1000 for my .45acp target loads. Some say that my 1911 .45 slides look like they are in slow motion when fired. :roll: Never chronographed the load but printed velocity is 750fps with a 185 LSWC. :mrgreen:
You can get a lot of loads out of a pound of powder at 3.8grs per load.

 

[SJB358]

I MUST get a .224 calibre rifle! Funnily enough, I've never owned a 22 centre fire.

They are a lot of fun Mike. I'm digging this little guy. Fun to shoot. Has some decent reach and with the right Bullet would dispatch predators like wolves and such pretty handily I'd imagine.

 

[DrMike]

I would jump at the chance to secure a 222 Rem Mag, though I suspect that I could be quite pleased with a 223 Rem. I'm not looking for something to hot-rod. I will just look for something to tag a coyote once in a while.

 

[SJB358]

The old Triple Deuce Mag would be really cool. I'd like an old Sako in one of them.

 

[DrMike]

Should I ever encounter a Sako chambered in a 222 Rem Mag, I will definitely pick it up.

 

[muleman]

The only cartridge that I intentionally figured powder usage on was the 17Hornet. 700 rounds per pound really helps with the volume I shoot at sagerats! 17cal bullets are very reasonable as well.
Scott

 

[Blkram]

I would jump at the chance to secure a 222 Rem Mag, though I suspect that I could be quite pleased with a 223 Rem. I'm not looking for something to hot-rod. I will just look for something to tag a coyote once in a while.

Mike,

This thread should have been a couple of weeks ago, as there was a really nice Ruger No. 1 in 222 Rem Mag at the Dawson Creek gunshow with really pretty wood!

 

[FOTIS]

Never owned a 22 CF?

How can one respond to that? LOL

 

[DrMike]

Never owned a 22 CF?

How can one respond to that? LOL

Never had a need for one. I've shot plenty and loaded for a number of 22 CFs; just never wanted one until recently.