Versatile rifle powder

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Huntsman

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Does anyone here use one powder for all or most of their loads? I ask this because I have on hand; H380, H335, H1000, Benchmark, Varget, IMR3031 & IMR 4350, (total of 2072155kg).
Having looked at various reloading articles & websites, to me my 1lb of
IMR 3031 is the most widely spread powder or versatile powder that I could use to reload my small list of calibers (total of 4 being .300Win mag, .308,
.30/30 and .204Ruger. I must add too that I have tried all calibers except the .300WM with IMR3031 with good results. So should I just stick with that powder. I should also add that I reload for an M305 so choice is critical which in this case IMR3031 shines....does'nt it? So instead of wasting my money on different powders why not just save some coin and spend it on only one?
Does this seem like a smart idea to you if you were frugle (wife controls bank acct.) with your spending?
 
You will find that 3031 is less than ideal for the 300WM. It will work for 30-30 and 308. I don't reload 204 so I can't comment. I think you should at least go for 2 powders, get something that will make your 300WM into a 300WM. The 4350 you have is good, maybe a 4831 would be better. I've never had much luck with H1000, but if it works for you then it would be better than 3031.

2 posts for 2¢.
 
There really isn't any one powder that covers everything. IMR3031 isn't a recommended .300 Mag or .204 Ruger powder. IMR4350 is good for the .300 and Varget for the .204. IMR4064 will do nicely for all of 'em but the .204 too. It's a preferred powder for the .308.
"...2072155kg..." Over 2 million kilos? That's over 4.5 million pounds. Got your own powder magazine do you? snicker.
 
I use an awful lot of varget.
it does nicley for some bullets in the ked's 6.5/284, our 308's the .223's, even my 9.3X74R can use it!:eek:
On the slow side i would likely go with H4831SC as my most used.
Throw in some IMR or H 4350 and you're goodtogo!:D
My shotguns seem to digest a lot of Longshot .
Cat
 
I forgot the decimal point, should read 2.72155kg. I realize that that amount ain't much to some, but for me that's about $150 or more dollars of powder I would'nt need.
I mostly reload all calibers except .300WM.like I said I have'nt tried this cal yet but it's listed in the tables..the bbl(TC Encore) is actually in semi-retirement. I reloaded the .204 using a 40gr Vmax bullet and 24grs 3031 with excellent results, H335 was decent but better with the lighter 32gr Vmax.
I'm just trying the most economical way to save with reloading and this powder type seemed promising. If I only used one powder, then I could have spent the other $150 bucks on more good bullets. I appreciate al your input:)
 
I reload to get the best results for each calibre/rifle,ect. Not a ho hum good average.buy factory if you want average probably cheaper for you in the long run or do like a few of my freinds have done.... share.... to get the "FEEL" for what works best .then buy what only works best .Most reloaders i know have no problem sharing a bit of powder.Between 6 of us we reload for 30+different calibres at any one time ,four of us shoot the same calibre but use 3 different powders for same load/bullet because we stive for the best with our reloading.why shoot a 300wm like a 30-30 ?you probably wouldn't want to load your 300wm with 150 gr round noses like you might load for your 30-30.
Besides there are a lot of "hobbies " that cost a lot more out there tell her .
 
It depends on what kind of accuracy you're looking for - and what weight bullets you're using for the cartridge. As an example, for a 243, I use H380 for bullet weights up to 87gr - and - H4350 for heavier than 87gr. However, Varget can do a good job for the whole range of bullet wieights for this cartridge.

I have considered this too..

To distill-down the powder choices, I'll make a table of cartridge, bullet weight, and powders possible (or suggested powders). Take a look to see which powder comes up the most and you'll probably be able to come up with one or two that you can use across your range of loads. That said, you still may end up selecting a specific powder for a selected load to get the best performance.

Good luck! SD
 
What does your rifle like? Seems to me if you had worked up loads you would have that answer already.... Just my $0.02 though
 
I'm also planning on using H4895 (or IMR when I get some) for most of my rifle loads including the 45/70 like Garand will, mainly because it is one of the best choices to take good care of my Garand and M14.

I'll probably pick up some H1000 for my 300 WM.

Pistol powders...Jeez, dunno. Probably Bullseye, Universal and Unique looks like you can do a lot with those..And H110 works with lots of magnum pistols, and an M1 carbine if ya got one like me. So far only one pistol to handload for, a 45 ACP.

So 2 rifle powders and 2 pistol powder should do the trick for me.
 
todbartell said:
if you found 3/4 of your cartridges work well with 3031, keep using it, and try 4831 or similar in the 300
Click to expand...


I think thats what I'm going to do when my collection of powders dry up.
I'll stick to the IMR 4350 for the .300 though.
Thanks again everyone for sharing your experience & opinions :)
 
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I load .222 .223 with H-335, .243 with H-414, these calibers are loaded on a 550 Dillon and the powders are powder measure friendly. For .240 WBY,
.270 Win. and .35 Whelen...H-4831sc, dropped short & trickled.

240
 
I think my powder collection is like most others, small quantities of a large assortment of powders that all have their specific niche. Rarely do I try something new anymore, I've got what works for me. I just keep replacing what gets used up. Most of the powder containers right now have about one decent reload batch in them.
I like to have powders that work in several cartridges, but I wouldn't even try to stretch one for all.
 
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