Must-have powders

by AaronB, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 13:21 (4419 days ago)

So the "panic" thread got me thinking... if I were going to stock up on powders, which ones would I concentrate on? I reload .38, .357, .45 Auto, .45 Colt, .30-30, and .30-06 with occasional other stuff thrown in (.225 Winchester, anyone?).

I didn't have to think too long to come up with the following list:

* Unique
* IMR 4895
* IMR 4350

If I were going Cadillac-style I'd throw in a magnum pistol powder (say, 2400), but honestly I could live without it. I think I'd rather have an extra jug of Unique, really.

What are your thoughts?

-AaronB

Add the 2400 and those are the ones I wound up

by MR, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 13:59 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

back when. Now that's not to say I didn't have a shelf full of half full cans of other powders that I tried. But those are the one's I used for everything from 38 special and 9mm to 300 Weatherby.

Must-have powders

by DiamondD, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 14:00 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

Just looking at your list of calibers I would rather have the 2400, but Unique will work fine. I would throw in a fast powder such as Bullseye or 231 (my choice) but other than that you about have every thing you need with those few powders.

Bullseye! 1000 + .38 specail loads per pound.

by Rob Leahy ⌂ @, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 14:06 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

Yep it's a little dirty, but I have loaded for all my pistol calibers with it.And not arguing about Unique, I have that in abundance as well. During the 2007-8 panic all I could find in Wasilla was an 8 pound keg of red dot, a handy versatile powder as well.

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

Might look at Promo from Alliant

by Slow Hand ⌂ @, Indiana, Friday, March 23, 2012, 05:37 (4418 days ago) @ Rob Leahy

Stumbled onto it somehow, it's sold as 'Red Dot without the dots'. Made for bulk shotgun reloaders it supposed to be the same weight for weight as red dot. I've found with chrono'ing the loads that it's about 10% higher velocity with the same charge. So, that makes it even more economical! It only comes in 8lb jugs, and is a good bit less than an 8lb jug of red dot. It's about all I use in .38, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 acp these days.

Promo from Alliant..sounds great

by Rob Leahy ⌂ @, Prescott, Arizona, Friday, March 23, 2012, 10:19 (4418 days ago) @ Slow Hand

thanks!

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

I think that with Bullseye (IFF you use it now) you've got

by Hobie ⌂ @, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 15:32 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

a good list. Everyone is different.

--
Sincerely,

Hobie

I like powder!

by Glen, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 17:19 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

I like, and use, a number of different powders. And I see no reason to change. If for some bizzarre reason I was forced to use only two, I could get by quite nicely with HS-6 and 4895.

Must-have powders

by Sarge, Thursday, March 22, 2012, 17:31 (4419 days ago) @ AaronB

W231, W296 and H4895

Must-have powders

by RangerBob, Friday, March 23, 2012, 04:03 (4418 days ago) @ AaronB

For the calibers you list, you could cut it down to two.

I could load.38, .357, .45 Auto, .45 Colt, .30-30, and .30-06 with just Unique and IMR 4895. IMR 4350 only helps you max out the '06.

I have a similar list, but don't load 30-30 and do load .303 Brit and .458WM. I could probably get by with just two also.

Bob

Aaron I think...

by Bud, Friday, March 23, 2012, 08:11 (4418 days ago) @ RangerBob

Your powder choices cover about everything. However if the chips are down an primers are no longer available, I'm pretty sure I'd have a flintlock w/round balls and cylindrical bullets (w/my own molds) and a stash of BP to last me. I might even keep enough componets to make my own BP in a pinch.

Must-have powders

by cr, Friday, March 23, 2012, 20:39 (4417 days ago) @ AaronB

Goex fff

Must-have powders

by woody, Saturday, March 24, 2012, 06:25 (4417 days ago) @ AaronB

I would add 748 to the list. Good all around powder for rifles. But must add my new favorite. Varget. It is an awesome powder for .22 center fires and have used for 250 savage.

Must-have powders

by Woodswalker ⌂ @, the Great North'Wet', Monday, March 26, 2012, 16:27 (4415 days ago) @ AaronB

I'd add the 2400 and an 8#er or two of Red Dot for shotgunning.

And surprisingly...that is what i HAVE with a smattering of other stuff.

--
Reheating pizza – sheesh. Totally destroys the delicate flavor.

A Smith and Wesson beats 5 aces...

Woodswalker AKA AaronE

I've thought on this a lot with little success.

by Hoot @, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, March 26, 2012, 19:53 (4415 days ago) @ AaronB

For pistols, Unique is a "gimmee" and I try to have several pounds on hand. I know I can use it for danged near anything but prefer Bullseye, 231, 2400 or H110 for specific applications.

Rifles are more spread out. I go through a fair amount of IMR3031 and IMR4064 along with a smattering of IMR4831, IMR4198, IMR4895, Varget and a few others. Not sure which I give the nod to if it came down to one.

Interesting post!

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