One powder simplicity

I use the following Rifle powders, loading 222 through 338 Win Mag in rifles.
H4198, H322, HBenchmark, H380, H414, H4350, H4831, H1000, HRetumbo
IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, IMR4320, IMR4007, IMR4350, IMR4831, IMR7828
Vihtavuori N135, 140, 150, 160, 165, 170, 540, 550, 560.
Norma N200, 202, 203B, 204, MRP, MRP2
Alliant RL7, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25
Ramshot Hunter, Big Game.
Also from Higginsons: WC755 & 845, CF 8506, AMS47SB [lot 10], 47N, W760 [SL131], CF7900, RP-5, WC852.
This gives me a lot of options to draw on in load development.
Eagleye.
Edited to add the latest acquisitions: IMR 4451 and IMR 7797; Hodgdon's Superformance, Leverevolution and Hybrid 100V.
 
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To me, the whole point of loading my own is to tune the loads to the gun I own. Finding the ideal powder is part of that process. If all I wanted was a general purpose load, I likely wouldn't have started loading at all.

There are pretty good general purpose calibers, but I prefer to have several rifles in several calibers that are each more suited to specific purposes. I feel the same way about powders.
 
I've found loads for BL-C(2) all the way from .223 to 45-70. I've done some pokin around with quickload and found that it can be used with success (high% of powder burned, decently high % of case filled (more than enough to notice a double charge) comparable speeds achieved with lower pressure than other powders) in most rifle calibres.

Don't forget unique either. Or hp38/w231....or red/blue/green doth, or 700/800x, 4895, 4227, 5744, 4198.....

I enjoy finding loads for cartridges with powders that I already have on hand. When I can load everythin i've got it's time tro try another powder. I need to find a load for .303 brit and 7.62x54r with 231 and some 38 Special loads with 4895 :evil:
 
Rob said:
I've been reloading since 1980 and have experimented with a variety of approaches, loaded for many different calibers from .22 Hornet through to 45-70, cast a lot of different lead bullets for both rifles and handguns, (never done any shotgun reloading), tried many different smokeless powders, plus black, hunted with all my reloads, bought and sold a lot of reloading gear: dies, molds, scales and furnaces, etc. But complexity and endless experimentation has lost its shine. I started reloading just to save a few bucks and after decades of experimentation I now find myself back at the beginning, desiring simplicity and economy. I want to use one powder that will satisfy my needs and find that IMR 4064 is generally that powder. It seems to work fine, giving me good velocity and good groups. I use it in everything from my 9.3x62 to my .222. I was just wondering if anyone else is in my minimalist position and can confirm 4064 as a fine all around powder or if there is an even better all purpose powder.
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I feel the same way about 4064...if I only had one powder I could keep reloading all my cartridges with it. however not ideal for all bullet weights....I still dont' think the Deer would know the difference.
 
So far so good with IMR 4064...loading several calibers from .222 to 30-06...relatively easy to achieve sub moa accuracy with full power hunting loads.
 
I have been heard to say, that if it all came down to a crunch, given the cartridges I use the most, I could be happy with IMR 4350............anything that it absolutely would not work in, I'd just weed out, no need for those cartridges.
Having said that I have something like 30 different powders in my stock and use virtually every one of them.........I too like to get the best and the most from each cartridge and bullet combination possible.
 
c-fbmi said:
I have been heard to say, that if it all came down to a crunch, given the cartridges I use the most, I could be happy with IMR 4350............anything that it absolutely would not work in, I'd just weed out, no need for those cartridges.
Having said that I have something like 30 different powders in my stock and use virtually every one of them.........I too like to get the best and the most from each cartridge and bullet combination possible.
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I bought 8lbs of H4350 for this very reason. I unfortunately have never been one to stockpile and it is now biting me in the backside. No: RL17, 19, 22, 25, MRP, URP, Ramshot Magnum, Retumbo etc etc.
 
Don't think i could pick one powder mostly because i load for pistol (mainly) and rifle. i believe i have about 15 or more different powders though most of which are 1 lber's. my main powders are h110, tightgroup, and cfe223.
 
c-fbmi said:
I have been heard to say, that if it all came down to a crunch, given the cartridges I use the most, I could be happy with IMR 4350............anything that it absolutely would not work in, I'd just weed out, no need for those cartridges.
Having said that I have something like 30 different powders in my stock and use virtually every one of them.........I too like to get the best and the most from each cartridge and bullet combination possible.
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When i read this necro thread, that is the powder that appealed to me also....IMR 4350. Just because i have to be different i would pick that powder for my standard calibers, and still a toss up between Retumbo and R25 for the overbore magnums.

I have to say that i am not as fussy and as big a experimenter as almost all the more knowledgeable members on this board. I load up a good projectile and find a accurate powder, and then load up 10 years or more of ammo for that caliber. By the time i get back to it, i have to relearn how to load for that caliber. My choices of powder and projectile tend to be pretty fuddy, i just dont abandon what works for the flavor of the month.
 
Now that i think about it, trailboss should work in every cartridge around, although not or near optimal perfromance.

didn't think to look at the OP post date.
 
Anyone with experience of IMR4350 vs H4350. Have good results with H4350 in 300WM, getting ready to load 260Rem.

Question is stick with H or go with IMR?
nowarningshot said:
When i read this necro thread, that is the powder that appealed to me also....IMR 4350. Just because i have to be different i would pick that powder for my standard calibers, and still a toss up between Retumbo and R25 for the overbore magnums.
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I like the theory of keeping it simple, but I can't see having just one rifle powder.

Rifle powders could be called Fast, Medium and Slow. (4198, 4064, 4831). If I had to, I could make do with just the medium and slow powders. I would take Varget and 4831SC.

But in practice I have many different powders on hand and I match each gun to one or two of them.

Currently I am trying HS7 in a 460 Rowland. It seems to work well. Have to check the velocity.
 
burnaby said:
Anyone with experience of IMR4350 vs H4350. Have good results with H4350 in 300WM, getting ready to load 260Rem.

Question is stick with H or go with IMR?
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I've used both. H is temperature insensitive, so I use it exclusively now.
 
Thanks. Varget has worked well in 308. Unless recommended otherwise usually go with H instead of IMR.
1899 said:
I've used both. H is temperature insensitive, so I use it exclusively now.
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One powder to rule them all will happen when there is one cartridge to rule when all. NOT!
 
burnaby said:
Anyone with experience of IMR4350 vs H4350. Have good results with H4350 in 300WM, getting ready to load 260Rem.

Question is stick with H or go with IMR?
Click to expand...

I've used both, and found them to be interchangeable - NOT grain for grain in loads, as IMR is a hair faster - but interchangeable for quality.

One exception I had was a Win 70 that wouldn't shoot better than about 1.5 - 2", no matter what I tried. I finally switched to IMR4350 from the Hodgdon, and it tightened the groups up by half. I can't explain that one.

As to using only one powder? No, but like Ganderite, I could do with 2. That'd be 2 rifle powders, of course!
 
W231 has become unobtainium, so when I run out, I'll have a pound each of Titegroup and AutoComp, and a sealed yellow 13oz square can of Unique. And whatever else I can lay my hands on between now and then.

And I'm on the lookout for more Trail Boss too...
 
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