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Good all around powder?

S

SkaerE

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 5, 2001
223
0
The only blue part of VA :(
#1
I'm new to reloading. Have had the setup for years but moved too much to really put it to use. Plan on giving it a shot this winter though.

Big gunshow is going through town and I figured I could probably get some powder and primers there... so theoretically is there a good "all around" powder if one was to plan on reloading 223 and 308?

or on the pistol side, 38, 357, and 9mm?

If there is no good do-all rifle powder, what should I pick up to simulate Fed or Hornady Match ammo?

thanks!
 
#2
Re: Good all around powder?

There is no do-all powder however both the rifle cartridges you want to load for perform well with Varget or Reloader 15 (varget being the least temperature sensative). I can't help you on the pistol cartridges as I load for non of the ones you mention.
 
#5
Re: Good all around powder?

Unique will work for the pistols, although not the best for the 357. Try Alliant 2400 or Win 296 if you want a big fireball out of the muzzle.

The most universal powder I have seen for all rifle calibers is IMR 4064, there are better for .223 and .308
 
#8
Re: Good all around powder?

I use Reloader 15 from Alliant powders for both my .223 and .308. 25.5gr for the 55gr .223s and 42gr for the 168gr HTBP .308 with Winchester primers. Cuts down on the amount of powder I have to keep around the house.
 
#11
Re: Good all around powder?

One thing about Unique over say 2400 is 1lb will last about twice as long.
smile.gif
 
#12
Re: Good all around powder?

OK i would get Varget for the rifle and Universal for the handguns and you are good to go that way 2 powders only it wont be perfect in all pistol rounds but will give you a reliable accurate round in each calibre mentioned just not the max velocity in 357 but still perfectly acceptable.

Also 2400 is realy to slow for 9mm and 38 SPL where Unique or universal works very well. they are the same burning rate but universal is a lot cleener than unique but whatever you can get the cheepest would govern the powder but the hodgdon powders are made here in Australia and i have used hundreds of KG's over the years and would reccomend them
 
#13
Re: Good all around powder?

+1 for varget in the 308 and 223.

I use Unique in a large variety of pistol cartridges, but have not tried it in .357 (don't have one). Currently an 8 lb jug of Unique is running about $61 at the local Sportsman's Warehouse.
 
#15
Re: Good all around powder?

+3 on Varget I use it in my 308's and 223.s. I also like RL15 but have heard it is temp sensitive. I like the idea of stock piling one rifle power and Varget is the one for me. I am in the process of ordering 2 eight pounders now.
 
#16
Re: Good all around powder?

I am experimenting with IMR-8208XBR for 223 & 308. Wide temperature range and heard good reports about it. I have not gotten to a point of a conclusion but it seems promising.
 
#21
Re: Good all around powder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: racesnake</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Best all around powder - Varget
I have good luck w/ Wolf primers </div></div>

+1
 
#24
Re: Good all around powder?

Varget or RL15. I understand the benefit of Varget as numerously stated above. But I have always gotten better results with several different lots of RL15 over the Varget lots. Plus you'll get better velocities with RL15 and less heat than Varget. Heat is your enemy. Awhile back I read some data that Varget was one of if not the hottest burning rifle powders. And fwiw Win748 was the coolest burning. 748 is a good powder but really temp sensitive and not what I would use for precision loads.

It will make a helluva .223 burner load. I have stuffed insane amounts of it in 5.56 Lc brass and gotten 55grain vmax to hit 3350+ fps out of a 16" run of the mill Bushmaster. I thought it was impressive. It wasn't kicking like grandpas AR... That is for sure.
 
#27
Re: Good all around powder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johndoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">4064 is another good powder for the rifles and Bullseye for the pistols. </div></div>
+1 on the 4064. An awesome all around powder. For me it burns just like the RL15 when used in .308 loads.
 
#29
Re: Good all around powder?

I use the Varget in my .308 and .223 bolt gun . I have great results with the AR-15 using H335 with a 55gr FMJ .It makes acceptable plinking ammo . My choice for a versitile pistol powder is bullseye . If your looking for the best powder for any one round experimentaion is the only way to do it . I use Bullseye in my 45's , 38-357 and 9mm so it's not the "all around powder" but is versitlie shall we say . Once again I'm making practice ammo and accuracy is acceptable for the application . Also H380 in the 308 has given some nice results as well believe it or not .
 
#32
Re: Good all around powder?

223 Win 748 for reasons and bullet stated above in AR-15. 55gr VMax 24" Bushmaster.

I use IMR 4895 for my NRA across the course AR-15. 68 & 80 gr bullets

I've used RL-15, IMR 4895, IMR4064, & Varget all in .308

They all shoot the same for me. I couldn't say one was better than the other. I However I think RL15 is a little cheaper and so is Winchester 748 on average than the rest of them.

For my accuracy loads I use Winchester primers and Brass.
I shoot the M1a and Garand too and I stick with the 4895-4064 powders for reloading those in those rifles. I don't think Varget is good for the M1A.
If I had a lot of money the all around best powder may be the VV N130 or N140 but It is pricey!!!..... I've had great results with it too. IMHO... good luck have fun and get a chronograph too!
 
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