Powder Help - Where to start...

[Pete1979]

RE Powder

If you load progressive, bullseye for handgun and BL-C2 for rifles, if you load for M1 or M1a, use H4895.

[FLIGHT762]

I use 4895 for anything .30 caliber. It doesn't meter well, but it has perhaps the largest amount of load data of any powder.

Next time you buy 4895, try Hodgdon H-4895. It is shorter grained than the IMR 4895, meters well and is a more temperature stable powder than the IMR 4895.

[22popnsplat]

I never store powder in the powder measure , Only store in the original container . Its to easy to make a mistake and probally not sealed from moisture . I would suggest reading the Lyman manual or the Lee .

[FLIGHT762]

I really want to get some TAC for .223/5.56 but now I have some concerns about temperature variations...

I am going to do all of my load development locally and test at my indoor range. Usually around 70f to 85f. I usually shoot in the desert and it can get around 100F easy.

Should I just be more conservative in my loads or just pick a different powder to start with?

Like I wrote in earlier posts, I'd pick a different powder if you are using off the shelf, retail price powder. If you are going to use the surplus powders (WC844 or WC846) at $10.00 -$12.00 per pound, then I would use them and back off of maximum since you're using them in high temperatures. They will work fine.

Like I said, I think it's a no brainer to pick a less temperature sensitive powder when the retail price of the powders are the same, especially since some of them will meter as well as the double base ball powders. Many of us went to the ball powders because they meter so well, that's why I did many years ago. There's a lot more options out there now. When I burn up my ball powders, I'll be done with most of them.

I just started using some of Alliant's new AR Comp powder in my 308. So far I'm getting good loads in the 155 and 168 bullet weights. AR Comp meters very well and according to Alliant, it's supposed to be a temperature stable powder. It's new, so there isn't a lot of information on it. AR Comp appears to be about the same burning rate as IMR 3031. It would be worth a try. It's made to work in .223 Remington and .308 winchester.

Take my opinion for what it's worth.

[bubbapug1]

Both Varget or TAC are great choices for 223 and 308. I went with TAC because it meters better, but the community at large went with Varget, and you can get much more info on Varget than TAC...how much is honest and correct...now that is another story.

I also have used various powders for 9mm and 45 acp.

I like red dot for 9mm and 45...but I also use green dot, tru blue, bullseye, or whatever I get my hands on. I prefer to use a powder that fills the case with one stroke so I can't doulbe charge, or....I can't load a squib because visually I can see the powder sits pretty high in the case.

Also, charges which are loaded to near case minimum have better consistancy case to case, and this has been documented empircally. Not that consistancy in velocity is needed in 9 and 45 when shooting less than 25 yards, it isn't. But with 223 and 308 its nice to be within +/- 10 fps per cartridge when you really get past 300 yards.

There are a lot of powders out there, and eventually you will own many of them, but for now stick with TAC or Varget for rifles like 223 and 308, and go with 231, green dot, red dot, bullseye, tru blue, tite group, or any other powder which is listed for both 9mm and 45. I also use accurate #9 for 44 mag, along with H110, and both produce the same velocity, but in different styles. The H110 is like an M80 going off, while the #9 is more like a 45 acp load with green dot...understated, less recoil, and just as fast and deadly.

Hope this helps.

[9mmrevolver]

I use red dot in 38spl, 9mm, 45acp, and 12ga. I have used it in 223 for plinking rounds. Stay away from the 10gr mark in the 223. I usually use the milsurp powder for 223.

[morrow]

If I want cheap power I buy surplus.
If I am going to buy commercial powder I spring for the extreme temperature powder, like Hodgdon's line. I think if i'm spending that much money anyway, may as well get the durable stuff in case SHTF.

[SublimeJJ99]

I use 231 for .40S&W, .45ACP, .41 Mag .38spl. and .357 Mag. Its a real good pistol powder and it measures well in my Dillon 550.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2