One powder four calibers? Experts unite!

DJForresta · February 15, 2009, 06:02 PM

Alright pretty simple I've got four calibers I'd like to reload for and I'm looking for a powder I can use all the way around. I'm load for 223 Remington, 6.5 x 50 Japanese, 6.5 x 52 carcano, 6.5 x 257 (arisaka rework). If it matters I'm using 7 mauser brass for the 6.5 x 257. Also I have a box of foreign ammo I that cam in a box I bought at an estate sale that is marked this.

6,5 mm sk ptr m/94
prj /41
prickskytle

Headstamp has an 8 across from a 1 with 027 at the bottom

Not looking for super hot loads just something that will shoot reliably in all of the above. I've researched and looks like reloader 10x may be a possibility.

mkl · February 15, 2009, 06:13 PM

IMR-4895 would probably make all of the calibers you mention go "boom" with decent results.

However, before you attempt to reload your "foreign ammo," it would be a really good idea to check to make sure they did not use berdan primers.

Some of them foreigners really like to make cases that will brake off our U.S. decapping pins.

DJForresta · February 15, 2009, 06:24 PM

All the brass I have is PRVI, norma, or hornady. I only have the one box of weird stuff. I have about 80 rounds of WWII 6.5 carcano but I'm gonna pull the bullets and toss the old steel cases. I see where 4895 is a little slower than reloader 10. The reason I'm thinking rl 10 is with the current powder shortage rl 10 seems to always be on the shelf. I've got some great loads for 223 with it and it burns at nearly the same rate as 748 and blc-2. I'll probably be using 139 or 160 grain bullets in the 6.5 stuff.

DJForresta · February 15, 2009, 07:22 PM

Found the answer on the mystery ammo seems its 6.5x 55. Cases are almost identical to my 6.5 x 257. I guess I'm looking for some loads to try off one powder.

jamaica · February 15, 2009, 07:46 PM

3031 would do it.

HiBC · February 15, 2009, 08:04 PM

Not saying you can't,I just wouldn't.

I'm not researching it,but Varget might work.It works in .223 and .308

Someting in the Re-19,HGD-4350 SC might be a nice sesond powder.

Most of why I load is to optimize.

ronl · February 15, 2009, 08:15 PM

Save that old Carcano ammo it may be worth something, especially if it has WW2 dates.

MaineColt · February 15, 2009, 09:24 PM

IMR 3031.

Incredibly accurate in my .223 Bushmaster.

DJForresta · February 15, 2009, 09:34 PM

3031 is a bit faster than I've researched and varget is slower. All these guns have 20 inch or shorter barrels. I don't have worries about the arisaka actions for pressures but I do on the carcano. I've been using 26.5 grains of Benchmark with 40 grain v max for my .223 on a savage tactical with 6.5x20 leaupold mil dot. Shoots under half and inch 3 shot at 100. I've never loaded for the others but I got all the components, IE dies, brass, loaded ammunition and the rifles at an estate sale. They were so cheap I couldn't pass them up. I guess I was hoping I could find something that would work for all of them so I could stockpile on one powder.

DiscoRacing · February 15, 2009, 09:49 PM

no one that i have ever talked to was able to get the most accurate performance from each of four calibers with just one powder for all four.

Jim Watson · February 15, 2009, 11:26 PM

6.5 Jap, 6.5 Italian, 6.5x257 Jap conversion; I don't think the accuracy bar is real high. I would go with 4895 already recommended. It is the best bet to find actual tested load data for, it has been around for so long. And works well in .223.

The box label is for 6.5x55 Swedish, not interchangeable with any of the other 6.5s listed.

DJForresta · February 16, 2009, 12:28 AM

I haven't mic'd the 6.5 x 55 versus the 6.5x257 but side by side they look really close. I bet it could be fireformed to the 6.5x257 right now I'm using 7x57 mauser brass and necking it down and it works great. Actually I think this will be a very accurate rifle. I shot the few rounds it came with that were loaded and it shot great. Has a Lyman peep and grouped under 2 inches and I have no idea how to shoot a peep sight for accuracy. I think from my research its gonna be blc-2, w748, h335 or 4895 they all seem to interchange.

This is where I got my data
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
Actually the easiest site I found for comparisons. I beleive reloader 10 will work as well as its burn rate is one below blc2 and one above w748 on this chart. http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

Any critiques are welcome.

alsmith · February 17, 2009, 10:01 AM

4895 or Varget should work OK.

Al

Sam06 · February 17, 2009, 11:02 AM

They are close but not interchangeable. One is 57MM LONG the other 55MM Long.

Quote:

I haven't mic'd the 6.5 x 55 versus the 6.5x257 but side by side they look really close.

6.5X257??? Is that a 6.5 JAP necked to .257 or a 257 Roberts necked to 6.5?? You said it was an Arisaka re-worked gun do I would think it is a .257X50MM maybe??

IMR 4895 could be used in all the calibers you listed but I think you will make more money testing and finding a powder that works with each one. I have never had much luck in a 1 Powder does it all search.........Good luck

DJForresta · February 17, 2009, 11:12 AM

No its actually 257 roberts necked up to 6.5. I do it a different way and neck down 7mm mauser cases to 6.5. Very close to 6.5 x 55. Its actually 6.5 x 57. I also have a 6.5 x 50 jap that I can't get to shoot at all. The chamber is totally worn. I resized some cases last night and they were totally fat. It was all I could do to get them to resize. I think the barrel is just worn out. Anyone got a 6.5 jap barrel they want to part with.

wpcexpert · February 17, 2009, 08:00 PM

As already stated, Varget might should get a close look.

Quote:

Shoots under half and inch 3 shot at 100.

Best advise...don't touch the .223. Look for a powder for the other three. But I can't follow my own advise sometimes. I changed and fooled around looking for "better". Just wasted money.

tbtrout · February 17, 2009, 09:10 PM

IMR 4895 was my first thought.

jdscholer · February 17, 2009, 09:19 PM

If ya want my two cents, I vote 4895. If ya don't, I still vote 4898. jd

DJForresta · February 18, 2009, 01:07 AM

Yea 4895 makes the grade for another gun I just got as well. The 30 carbine. Just waiting for my bullets to show up from Grafs and I'll be on my way.

Scorch · February 18, 2009, 02:19 AM

6.5X55 has a different head size than 257 Roberts/7X57, and is .080" shorter. Don't.

Jim Watson · February 18, 2009, 08:15 AM

4895 is not a good .30 carbine powder. It is versatile but that is going a bit too far. You need something like H-110 which started out as a carbine powder.

DJForresta · February 18, 2009, 12:58 PM

I don't use 6.5x55 brass I was just saying they were similar. I use 7x57 mauser brass. Its alot easier to resize than 257 roberts brass.

James R. Burke · February 19, 2009, 04:49 PM

I am sure there are a few that would fit the bill. I know it would be alot easier just to use one powder for several differnt calibers. I always try to find the one that is the best for each caliber. I am sure thats not what you want to hear, but it gives you the best. There is no doubt you will have no trouble finding one for all of them. Just keep it safe!

TRX · February 21, 2009, 10:43 AM

Another vote for 3031.

February 15, 2009, 06:02 PM	#1
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	One powder four calibers? Experts unite! Alright pretty simple I've got four calibers I'd like to reload for and I'm looking for a powder I can use all the way around. I'm load for 223 Remington, 6.5 x 50 Japanese, 6.5 x 52 carcano, 6.5 x 257 (arisaka rework). If it matters I'm using 7 mauser brass for the 6.5 x 257. Also I have a box of foreign ammo I that cam in a box I bought at an estate sale that is marked this. 6,5 mm sk ptr m/94 prj /41 prickskytle Headstamp has an 8 across from a 1 with 027 at the bottom Not looking for super hot loads just something that will shoot reliably in all of the above. I've researched and looks like reloader 10x may be a possibility.

February 17, 2009, 10:01 AM	#13
alsmith Member Join Date: June 12, 2006 Posts: 17	Powder of choice 4895 or Varget should work OK. Al

February 17, 2009, 09:19 PM	#18
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	If ya want my two cents, I vote 4895. If ya don't, I still vote 4898. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 18, 2009, 02:19 AM	#20
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	6.5X55 has a different head size than 257 Roberts/7X57, and is .080" shorter. Don't. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 19, 2009, 04:49 PM	#23
James R. Burke Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: U.P. of Mich/Quinnesec Posts: 1,897	One Powder I am sure there are a few that would fit the bill. I know it would be alot easier just to use one powder for several differnt calibers. I always try to find the one that is the best for each caliber. I am sure thats not what you want to hear, but it gives you the best. There is no doubt you will have no trouble finding one for all of them. Just keep it safe!

February 15, 2009, 06:13 PM	#2
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	IMR-4895 would probably make all of the calibers you mention go "boom" with decent results. However, before you attempt to reload your "foreign ammo," it would be a really good idea to check to make sure they did not use berdan primers. Some of them foreigners really like to make cases that will brake off our U.S. decapping pins.

February 15, 2009, 06:24 PM	#3
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	All the brass I have is PRVI, norma, or hornady. I only have the one box of weird stuff. I have about 80 rounds of WWII 6.5 carcano but I'm gonna pull the bullets and toss the old steel cases. I see where 4895 is a little slower than reloader 10. The reason I'm thinking rl 10 is with the current powder shortage rl 10 seems to always be on the shelf. I've got some great loads for 223 with it and it burns at nearly the same rate as 748 and blc-2. I'll probably be using 139 or 160 grain bullets in the 6.5 stuff.

February 15, 2009, 07:22 PM	#4
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	Found the answer on the mystery ammo seems its 6.5x 55. Cases are almost identical to my 6.5 x 257. I guess I'm looking for some loads to try off one powder.

February 15, 2009, 07:46 PM	#5
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	3031 would do it.

February 15, 2009, 08:04 PM	#6
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Not saying you can't,I just wouldn't. I'm not researching it,but Varget might work.It works in .223 and .308 Someting in the Re-19,HGD-4350 SC might be a nice sesond powder. Most of why I load is to optimize.

February 15, 2009, 08:15 PM	#7
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	Save that old Carcano ammo it may be worth something, especially if it has WW2 dates.

February 15, 2009, 09:24 PM	#8
MaineColt Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 222	IMR 3031. Incredibly accurate in my .223 Bushmaster.

February 15, 2009, 09:34 PM	#9
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	3031 is a bit faster than I've researched and varget is slower. All these guns have 20 inch or shorter barrels. I don't have worries about the arisaka actions for pressures but I do on the carcano. I've been using 26.5 grains of Benchmark with 40 grain v max for my .223 on a savage tactical with 6.5x20 leaupold mil dot. Shoots under half and inch 3 shot at 100. I've never loaded for the others but I got all the components, IE dies, brass, loaded ammunition and the rifles at an estate sale. They were so cheap I couldn't pass them up. I guess I was hoping I could find something that would work for all of them so I could stockpile on one powder.

February 15, 2009, 09:49 PM	#10
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	no one that i have ever talked to was able to get the most accurate performance from each of four calibers with just one powder for all four.

February 15, 2009, 11:26 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	6.5 Jap, 6.5 Italian, 6.5x257 Jap conversion; I don't think the accuracy bar is real high. I would go with 4895 already recommended. It is the best bet to find actual tested load data for, it has been around for so long. And works well in .223. The box label is for 6.5x55 Swedish, not interchangeable with any of the other 6.5s listed.

February 16, 2009, 12:28 AM	#12
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	I haven't mic'd the 6.5 x 55 versus the 6.5x257 but side by side they look really close. I bet it could be fireformed to the 6.5x257 right now I'm using 7x57 mauser brass and necking it down and it works great. Actually I think this will be a very accurate rifle. I shot the few rounds it came with that were loaded and it shot great. Has a Lyman peep and grouped under 2 inches and I have no idea how to shoot a peep sight for accuracy. I think from my research its gonna be blc-2, w748, h335 or 4895 they all seem to interchange. This is where I got my data http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Actually the easiest site I found for comparisons. I beleive reloader 10 will work as well as its burn rate is one below blc2 and one above w748 on this chart. http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html Any critiques are welcome.

February 17, 2009, 11:12 AM	#15
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	No its actually 257 roberts necked up to 6.5. I do it a different way and neck down 7mm mauser cases to 6.5. Very close to 6.5 x 55. Its actually 6.5 x 57. I also have a 6.5 x 50 jap that I can't get to shoot at all. The chamber is totally worn. I resized some cases last night and they were totally fat. It was all I could do to get them to resize. I think the barrel is just worn out. Anyone got a 6.5 jap barrel they want to part with.

February 17, 2009, 09:10 PM	#17
tbtrout Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 234	IMR 4895 was my first thought.

February 18, 2009, 01:07 AM	#19
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	Yea 4895 makes the grade for another gun I just got as well. The 30 carbine. Just waiting for my bullets to show up from Grafs and I'll be on my way.

February 18, 2009, 08:15 AM	#21
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	4895 is not a good .30 carbine powder. It is versatile but that is going a bit too far. You need something like H-110 which started out as a carbine powder.

February 18, 2009, 12:58 PM	#22
DJForresta Junior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 12	I don't use 6.5x55 brass I was just saying they were similar. I use 7x57 mauser brass. Its alot easier to resize than 257 roberts brass.

February 21, 2009, 10:43 AM	#24
TRX Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2008 Location: central Arkansas Posts: 400	Another vote for 3031.