Pick three or at most four powders for me...

Longwalker

Longwalker

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I'm in the process of using up a bunch of odd rifle powders than I have accumulated over 30 years of reloading. ( almost 20 different types!) I'd like to consolidate and simplify my powder choices in the future. When I get the old stuff used up, and need to replace it, I'd like to get a few 8 lb kegs of versatile and efficient powders that can serve all my needs. I'm deliberately leaving out shotgun / pistol powders in my question, that's another story.

I am currently shooting the following rifle cartridges, put in categories likely to use the same powder:

.22 Hornet, .357 magnum full power, .44 magnum full power ( current favourite W296)

.222 Rem 40-50 gr., 45-70 cast loads ( current favourite IMR 4198)

7x57 160-175gr., .308 / 165 gr., .35 Whelen 250 gr., 9.3x62 250-286 gr., .375H&H 270-300gr. ( current favourites Varget or H4350)

25-06 / 100-120gr., 7x64 / 160gr., 30-06 180-200 gr. ( current favourite IMR 4831)

There are many new temperature stable powders and CFE powders on the market that I haven't ever tried, double base vs single base, etc. Also note that I may hunt and shoot in extremes of heat and cold. So what do you recommend?
 
I'd group the 7x57 in with the last group myself and maybe lean on 4350 or RL 19 for that group. But 4831 should be fine too.

.308 / 165 gr., .35 Whelen 250 gr., 9.3x62 250-286 gr., .375H&H 270-300gr. -- all these could probably be handled by Varget, 4064 or RL 15.

My 2 cents...
 
Longwalker said:
I am currently shooting the following rifle cartridges, put in categories likely to use the same powder:

.22 Hornet, .357 magnum full power, .44 magnum full power ( current favourite W296) Lil'Gun is your friend here.

.222 Rem 40-50 gr., 45-70 cast loads ( current favourite IMR 4198) Try Vihtavuori N133

.308 / 165 gr., .35 Whelen 250 gr., 9.3x62 250-286 gr., .375H&H 270-300gr. ( current favourites Varget or H4350) Reloder 15 will be great here.

25-06 / 100-120gr., 7x64 / 160gr., 30-06 180-200 gr. 7x57 160-175gr., ( current favourite IMR 4831)

There are many new temperature stable powders and CFE powders on the market that I haven't ever tried, double base vs single base, etc. Also note that I may hunt and shoot in extremes of heat and cold. So what do you recommend?
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I also would shift the 7x57 with those heavier bullets to IMR 4831. D.
 
IMR 4895 covers a wide range range, although I'm not sure about its temperature sensitivity. I've never had a problem with it anyways, use it for 223 and 308.
 
Uisge said:
IMR 4895 covers a wide range range, although I'm not sure about its temperature sensitivity. I've never had a problem with it anyways, use it for 223 and 308.
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When you run out of IMR4895, replace it with H4895. H4895 is much less temperature sensitive and has virtually the same burning rate. I'll never buy the IMR version any more and yes, H4895 will works well in just about any small or medium sized cartridge, the same as IMR4895.
 
RifleDude said:
When you run out of IMR4895, replace it with H4895. H4895 is much less temperature sensitive and has virtually the same burning rate. I'll never buy the IMR version any more and yes, H4895 will works well in just about any small or medium sized cartridge, the same as IMR4895.
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I have a couple pounds of IMR 4166 I plan to try next, one of the new fancy enduron powders. If it doesn't work out I'll give that a shot. I was using varget, then benchmark, but found IMR 4895 was usually in stock so I went with that.
 
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