Starting out, Powder question

[Tortuga]

I am just starting out. Been shooting for awhile, but ready to try my hand at the hobby of handloading. I have been reading as much info as time is allowing me, and I have the Lyman's 49th manual due to arrive tomorrow. I am starting to grasp things, and also beginning to purchase items slowly as I come across deals. It's quite clear that powder is in high demand so I want to keep my eyes peeled for some decent starting powder. While I am researching powders, I thought I would ask here for a little beginning direction. I have several different calibers that I use, but plan to start with .44mag, 10mm, and .308. While I realize I may not be able to get 1 powder for all 3 of these, I am looking for a little direction on some decent beginning powders. I am under the impression that Hodgdon Universal would be a good starting point, but rather than look for just one brand, maybe I could seek some knowledge here on a few others to look for so that I can hopefully find something to start with. I am not looking to set any fps records, just get my feet wet with a decent powder.....

Thanks in advance for your time and help.......Jake

[CSACANNONEER]

First, you won't find a one size fits all powder. Second, if you are anywhere in the state close enough to a California Reloading Club chapter which offers beginner's clinics, I strongly advise you to attend one. You can find info about upcoming clinics in the reloading forum. Third, currently it can be hard to find the powder you want. So, you're going to have to take what you can get. But, you still need to make sure it will work for your cartridges and bullets. You can use the load data found in manuals and/or on line to check to see if a certain powder will work for your applications. Powder manufacturers and bullet manufacturers often publish their own load data. If you can't find something, you can contact them and/or ask here. There are some pretty experienced reloaders who frequent this forum and will give you good advise. Of course, there are also some inexperienced experts on the interweb so, be careful and don't blindly trust the first response you see.

[evanboyle]

for the .308 IMR 4064 is great and has been available at most retailers throughout the past weeks. IMR 8208XBR, IMR 4895, and IMR 4320 are also good and have been coming in/out of stock. The 'reindeer blood' Hodgdon Varget is also a forum fav (if you can find it).

I dont load 10mm but do a lot of .40S&W with Accurate 5, although Accurate 5, 7, and 9 would work in 10mm as well.

[thomashoward]

I dont load 10mm but do a lot of .40S&W with Accurate 5, although Accurate 5, 7, and 9 would work in 10mm as well.

Blue Dot works for full power loads w/180-200 gr 10mm Check your loading manual for best velocities.
There are usually a few powders for every cartridge that work,some just work better.

[Tortuga]

Great, thanks for the advice and direction. I am going to start looking for some of the above powders. I don't mind picking up a couple different kinds, I just want to get a little bit of a headstart since powders seem to be tough to come by....

CSAcannoneer thanks for the tips, I have actually been looking for some clinics but haven't found anything that is close and matches my tough schedule. I do hope to find one, and can assure you that I am the kind of fella that loves researching and making sure I do things right the first time.....thanks again for the feedback, and keep it coming....can't wait to one day contribute back to this forum within a forum.......Jake

[ptmn]

AA#9 is good for both 10mm and 44 Mag. You're not going to find. Powder that works in your 10/44 that will also work in your 308. Good thing is that 308 uses a plethora of different powders, such as 4064, 4895, Varget, BLC2, TAC, 2520, etc...

[krwada]

IMR4064 appears to be fairly readily available. I would try a 1lb tub of this stuff for the .308

As for pistol ... Well, for some reason, pistol powders seem to be hard to come by these days. For your 10mm and .44mag, I would recommend WSF or HS6

[Javi]

When you get your manual in write down the powders listed for the caliber you want to load so if you come across some in person, you'll know it's appropriate for your use. I stumbled upon a lb of powder suitable for 55 grain .223 that I would like to load in the near future.

[JMP]

Pistol powder in the .308, don't, just don't. As others said 4064 is most available, which generally works well with .308, among others. I think you'll find the best results with 3 different powders.

[CSACANNONEER]

Pistol powder in the .308, don't, just don't. As others said 4064 is most available, which generally works well with .308, among others. I think you'll find the best results with 3 different powders.

It can safely be done with the right bullets and powder for reduced loads. I run 6.9 grains of red dot under a 150 grain cast bullet for a powder puff 30-30 load that won't harm my dueling post. But, UNLESS YOU HAVE PUBLISHED THE LOAD DATA and understand it is done only for reduced loads, don't do it.

[rm1911]

Pistol powder in the .308, don't, just don't. As others said 4064 is most available, which generally works well with .308, among others. I think you'll find the best results with 3 different powders.

well, with a couple of exceptions. trail boss is awesome for light plinking loads in my '06. Unique was actually designed 100 years ago (or thereabouts) as a reduced rifle round for military garrison use. red dot has long been used by rifle shooters for reduced loads. 17gr of TB with a 150 in my '06 produces a super mild and fun round that even my kids love to shoot. cast bullets with the ubiquitous 10gr Unique are also fun to shoot. milsurps are so fun to shoot like that.

that being said, reduced rifle loads should be approached with EXTREME caution and only by experienced reloaders.

anyways, before loading 10 and 44 with #9 or other hot magnum type powders, I'd recommend something like bullseye, unique, #5, or power pistol and use cast bullets. they'll be more fun to shoot and will help develop reloading skills and experience. just make sure no to double charge!!

[CAL.BAR]

The good news is you CAN'T hurt yourself b/c you CAN'T find ANY pistol powder right now AT ALL. By the time you do, you will have figured out your data.

[Tortuga]

Thanks guys, I started building a list of your suggestions and am going to start hunting for powder.....

[Kappy]

for the .308 IMR 4064 is great and has been available at most retailers throughout the past weeks. IMR 8208XBR, IMR 4895, and IMR 4320 are also good and have been coming in/out of stock. The 'reindeer blood' Hodgdon Varget is also a forum fav (if you can find it).

I dont load 10mm but do a lot of .40S&W with Accurate 5, although Accurate 5, 7, and 9 would work in 10mm as well.

I found some 8208 a few weeks back. Bought one lb... should have bought more.

I bought some 4064 at Kittles in Calusa last week. 2lbs... again, should have bought more.

Varget is apparently made from unobtanium these days.

For rifle, CFE223 and Benchmark are also tasty in several calibers and (at least CFE223) is moderately available.

As to pistol, I've only loaded .380, 9mm, and .45ACP, so my powders have been Zip, Winchester 231, and Bullseye. I'm not sure how they would run in .44 or 10mm. 231 (which seems similar to Zip) seems decent for semi-autos.

[Clever]

If Varget, RE-15 are not available, BLC-2 will do the job just as well