Trying to thin the powder herd

[Polaris]

Trying to organize my loading room and my data collections I realized I have too many kinds of powders floating around. I have 8 on hand and at least 12 in my data archives that produced good loads in the past.

I currently load 6,5X55 (200 yard target loads only), 270 win, .280 rem, .300 sav 150 grain, .308 win, 30-06 (M1 Garand), 7,5X55 swiss (200 yard target), 7,62X54r (full house LR 174 gr match and hunting loads), and 8X57mm hunting loads.

I'd like to get down to 2 rifle powders. I like spherical or short grain extruded powders. I've pretty much settled on IMR4350 for the slower powder application, but am testing a can of H380 for that also I picked up on sale.

I'm currently working through a large can of 4320 that was given to me by an old shooter for most of my mid-range burning speed but data for that powder is limited in some of my rounds as it doesn't seem very popular even though the burning rate should fit right in. It's also quite old so I'm not sure my results will be applicable to current stock. It's also a bit slow for the Garand.

I've considered IMR4064 as my fast powder, also Varget (data gaps again), or BL-C2. Opinions?

 

[gerry]

If it were me H 4350 would be one and Varget the other. Obviously IMR 4350 is great you may also consider Big Game for the faster powder as well. Those powders could easily cover your line up of cartridges.

 

[muleman]

I would consider W748 and I think BL-C2 would work well for your faster powder. BL-C2 would also work in the .223 family. Both meter well and have shot well for me.

Scott

 

[SJB358]

RL15 and 19/22 would work in that area as well. I like the Alliant stuff and try to keep 7, 15, 19, 22, and 25 around. They work for me.

 

[Gm weatherby man]

Currently have on hand, r-15, r-19, r-17,r-22,r-25,varget, bc-,l2,h-335,h-1000,h-4350,h-414,, h-4895,magnum, h-4831,imr-7828.I reload for a 223,243,257 bee,270, 270 wsm,30-30,303 brit,30-06,6.55x55,soon a 308 norma mag.It is like family, every time i check their is a new family member :lol: .

 

[SJB358]

I know the feeling buddy. I like to stick with Alliant, but I have a whole fleet of other powders. Doesn't really bother me though, you never know when they will be useful.

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I use IMR 4350 in 257 Rob, 280, '06, and 6mm
I use IMR 4320 in 22-250

I guess If I had to stick with two powders those would be it.

Also add IMR 700x. With it you can load everything from 12ga, to 9mm through 44mag!

 

[Mountain Goat]

With that list of cartriges and IMR 4350 as one powder to be used, I'd have to say RL15 or Varget would be a great option for the smaller cartridges and/or lighter bullets in the other cartridges. Be sure not to eliminate too much fun at the loading bench though by handicapping yourself to such a small selection of powders. :wink:

 

[Elkman]

I started on the same quest three years ago. Right now I have reduced the inventory to.

.223, .308, 45/70, 45/90, 30.06 IMR 3031
7mm STW, RL 19, H1000
300 Win Mag, 7mm RM, H 4350
35 Whelen, Imr 4064
300 B, 280 Unkown at this time.

I still have numerous containers of various powders and use them for plinking.

 

[ROVERT]

My fast powder is Varget. Medium is IMR 4350. Slow is RL-22.

I've got a few other powders around, but I buy those three in bulk and try my best to find a load with them first. If something doesn't come together with the 225 ABs in my Whelen with Varget, I'll be forced to listen to Scotty and try some RL-15. Otherwise, I've had no problems with my three go to powders.

 

[Guest]

I'll add, having loaded and shot 308, 30-06, and 8x57, that you might consider H4895 as your faster powder. It will be near ideal for these rounds (and will work very well in your Garand's gas system) and likely will prove useful for the 300Sav, as well. It may be useful in the 6.5x55, 7.5x55, and 7.62x54R, though I think the 7.62 would fare better with something slower, like 4350.

 

[338winmag]

My target time and reloading test times are during the spring, summer, and early fall where temperatures can be as high as 101 but most all these reloads are for Colorado fall hunting where the temps are often down in the teens or lower for the better part of the early mornings so I have drank the kool-aid and use "temp insensitive" powders (so they say) such as H1000, H4831, and the new kid on the block RL-17.

These powders cover 270 Win, 30-06 Springfield, 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag.

 

[Woodycreek]

Think i could almost use just my two favorite powders. Varget and Retumbo would cover most of my Reloading. 223, 243AI, 270 Win, 308 Win, 300 RUM, and 45-70. Guess it would be three with Longshot for the 10mm and 40 S&W.

 

[venatic]

Good candidate.

http://hodgdon.com/new_prod.html

 

[Larry D in OR]

I would second W748 or H4895 as the faster choice.
H4895 for the faster powder, H4350 for the slower powder. Their not spherical though.

For IMR4320 recipes look at Speer #11 or the Lyman manuals. I've got about 9 different powders and hope to trim down too!

 

[DrMike]

Wow! I'm afraid to begin thinning my powder herd. I did, however, inventory my magazine. I have a few pounds to dispose of. However, I found a few powders for which I'm skinny. I doubt that I could make the choice to restrict myself to two powders at this time.

 

[runtohunt]

I don't think I could thin my powder selection. I am always trying new ones typically when I start with a new cartridge. It seems that there is one powder and bullet combination that works particularly well for each gun.