how many powders

[calixt0]

I'm sure you all getting tired of my "silly" questions. I see a lot of different people seem to have a lot of different experience with different powders. For now I only plan on reloading for 223. How many powders do I need. If I find one (already have a # of h335) and get acceptable accuracy out of it is there any reason to keep trying something different?


Also on a totally different note on development. Lets say I build up my load with a 55gr FMJBT plinking ammo.. am I safe to keep the same load with a 55gr vmax or do i need to do the development all over again?

[joelogic]

Just start one thread. Calixt0's Questions.

"Acceptable" accuracy one powder is fine. I would guess most people try 3. Personally I would pick powder based on the powder drop you are using. Dillon no like varget.

Even if it were safe the results may not be predictable. Best to work up a load with the Vmax's and then just find a blaster charge for the plinking ammo.

[Quinc]

Just start one thread. Calixt0's Questions.

"Acceptable" accuracy one powder is fine. I would guess most people try 3. Personally I would pick powder based on the powder drop you are using. Dillon no like varget.

Even if it were safe the results may not be predictable. Best to work up a load with the Vmax's and then just find a blaster charge for the plinking ammo.

I got the micro meter from Uniquetek and I am staying within 35 fps using Varget loading 69gr .223 on my Dillon.


To the OP I would have at least one other powder like Varget or Benchmark in case you decide to shoot heavier bullets like the 77 or 80gr's.

[calixt0]

To the OP I would have at least one other powder like Varget or Benchmark in case you decide to shoot heavier bullets like the 77 or 80gr's.

If I decide to go up to the heavier pills i will get a varget or benchmark but right now no plans

[curisu]

My method:

1. read all I could on the subject here, on THR, snipershide, caprc, usualsuspects, etc.
2. "Varget" and "IMR/H 4895" and "H335" came up A LOT. Bought a few pounds of each.
3. Ran 500ish test loads in ladders from min to max loads. Realized I really messed up because my case prep is inconsistent.
4. bought hundreds of dollars of case prep and powder drops, tons of Dillon XL650 tuning pieces from UniqueTek
5. start over (still waiting on my new shipment of 69gr SMKs from powdervalley
6. have fun on EVERY step

[SixPointEight]

Find what works for you. If you don't get acceptable accuracy, try a different powder. If you're shooting for world record groups, buy 3 or 4 powders work each up for accuracy nodes, then compare for the smallest groups.

Basically it's all about what you want out of it. Eventually, you'll end up like me with 20 bottles of powder and realize you don't use most of them. Ask yourself questions like, "why the hell did I try clays when i still have 2lbs of unique that I'll never use now?" And, "why didn't I try varget/rl15 before those 3 other powders?"

[FLIGHT762]

Try some IMR 8208 XBR. It meters very well, it's made by ADI in Australia like
Hodgdon's "Extreme" line of powders, it's less temperature sensitive than the ball powders and it works great with bullet weights from 50 grs up to 75 grs.

[Whiterabbit]

. How many powders do I need.

All just opinion:

Just one. For "the load". you don't need to get into a pissing contest on the internet for accuracy unless you want to. (and if you want to, knock yourself out and enjoy!)

My 100 yard hunting guns do 4" groups whether by hand, standing, or on a bench. And that's fine by me! I can spend the resources on other guns I DO want to have a pissing contest with.

And when you find "the load", enjoy it. You want to spend more resources on other bullets or primers or whatever you want? More power to you! I suggest starting with your "the load" components to try to make it work first.

For example, I only shoot H4350 in my 7x57 and it shoots AWESOME. One bullet, one powder, good to go. It works. Now I'm loading for 338 lapua and it looks like H4350 is an acceptable powder to use. It's about the LEAST OPTIMAL powder to use but still be acceptable/safe. But it's on the bench and I buy it, so I'll try it! And what do you know, it works darn well. So I can go buy more powders to find a higher efficiency load, or I can enjoy what I have now. Buy H4350 in BULK and load two cartridges with it.

It ain't broke. So I won't fix it.

I won't comment on the other 6 powders on my bench all dedicated to trying to get one gun shooting well. You should see the pile of bullets too. But once I find it, I'll have "the load" there too.

--------------

Buying in bulk for "the load" is way better IMO than buying whatever is cheap and available at the gun shows and then constantly experimenting to "make it work".

I don't have enough money to do both!

Just my opinion.

[Paper Boy]

and get acceptable accuracy out of it is there any reason to keep trying something different?

If your happy with it then no, there is no reason to try anything more.

My ARs I load with H335 I can ring steel off hand out to 200, and prob further, with no problem. Maybe I wont get a sub MOA group with it but I dont care so I have stuck with that load for the last 5 years...

Same with everything else, I worked up a load for my varment rifle in 223 that shots groups under a quarter normally and under a dime if I can do my part. No reason to try anything else, I got it where I want it and moved on.

Now I also shoot 9x25 Dillon and I am constantly playing with different bullets and loads because it is my project / experiment gun and I want to see what I can make it do.

Just depends on what YOU want. If your happy then why bother trying new things, unless you have an urge to squeeze just a little more out of your hand loads

[calixt0]

thanks everyone for your points of view.. I appreciate them all.

[noylj]

Start simple.
Most case prep is more for confidence that any effect it has on target.
If shooting a semi, then full-length sizing will be the order of the day.
I prefer to semi-full-length size and only push the shoulder back enough to chamber (mark the case with Magic Market and watch it). This is easier with a bolt action. My semi needs a bullet stuck in the case to feed and I can't see into the open action well enough to judge by eye.
One can spend the rest of their life trying different powders and bullets and still never obtain the ultimate accuracy, so, again, start simple and decide what you want to achieve.
Do you find 2" or better at 100 yards to be good enough? Then, you may find your load quickly and you can then just have fun improving your shooting and not worry about the load.
Do you want 3/4" or smaller at 100 yards? Then, you may find yourself going through lots of loads on your search.
H335 is an excellent powder. Many seem to prefer the newest powders and forget the older powders that have been more than adequate for decades. Some judge powders by criteria other than the group size.
You can use the load data of one jacketed lead bullet to another of the same construction of the same weight, but COL will almost certainly need to be changed (ogive of bullet changes) and one bullet may reach max pressure sooner than another and the charge weight that is most accurate for one bullet is not likely to be the best for a different bullet, so load work-up is always needed.
I would skip all the primer pocket and flash hole games at first and just make sure that all fired cases are trimmed to the same length.

[Cheap Shot]

powder(s)?

settled on 1 for 9mm (wife really likes it.
have 2 so far for .30-06 and planning on a 3rd (each powder listed best accuracy for the weight bullet that was loaded over it - and my test of the powders has agreed with the loading book I am using [sierra])

[damndave]

It all depends on the person if you are done load developing. I know people who stop once they find an acceptable load, but I personally like to keep trying different components until I find what I think is the best my rifle can do.

Generally I go through 3-4 if not more types of powders. I try and narrow it down by reading other peoples reviews.

[billetmann]

go thru 3-4 powders, then go thru 3-4 different bullet weights then go thru 3-4 different bullet manufactors. then you'll know what your rifle likes. do this with 5-10 different firearms/calibers and then you'll have a good stock and reference. 8028 xbr shoots good in many configurations as does varget, imr4350 imr4895 and h4831