Loads per 1lb of powder

Rebel · February 15, 2013, 01:06 PM

I have a question I've been wondering about and couldn't find an answer in the forums.

How many loads do you typically get out of a 1lb container of powder?

I realize this may very depending on what caliber you are loading for so some examples would be for say .223 and .45.

I'm still gathering the materials and knowledge to reload and wondered how much powder i should stocking up.

So far i have 1lb of IMR3031 for the .223 (colt AR) and 1lb of W231 for my XD 45.

Powders seems to be pretty easy for me to come by at my LGS so i can buy more if needed. Also if you have any powder recommendations I would be more then happy to hear your sugguestions. The calibers I plan to load are 380,9mm,38sp/357,45,223 and maybe 8mm mauser.

So far my main goal is just to be safe and to be able to shoot more often. Accuracy is not at the top of my list yet!

bullspotter · February 15, 2013, 01:08 PM

One pound is 7000 grains. So devide your load into that. EX for 223 with a 25 grain load, 7000/25 = 280 rounds out of 1 lb of powder.

Jim Watson · February 15, 2013, 01:09 PM

The conversion is 7000 grains per avoidupois pound.
Divide 7000 by the charge weight out of your loading manual to determine the number of shots per pound.

Spammy_H · February 15, 2013, 01:36 PM

The rule of thumb that I use is 1000 rounds of pistol per pound of powder.

However, none of my pistol loads are anything above 5 grains, so my rule of thumb is conservative.

Rifle probably varies a lot more. I'd go with an average of 30 grains, because it seems to "swag" in the middle of the loads that I've seen for .22 - .30 caliber rifle loads = 230 (233) loads per pound. That roughly correlates with what the previous poster just said (280 per pound).

Maybe split the difference and go 250 per lb for rifle? It would be a good happy medium, and easy to remember (4x as many pistol rounds per pound than rifle).

Rebel · February 15, 2013, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the quick replys and the insight provided. I now know I need a lot more powder on hand!

Reason like this I decided to join such a knowledgeable forum! Thanks again!!!

chiefr · February 15, 2013, 05:49 PM

When I shot comp many years ago, my favorite load in 38Spl was 2.8 gr of Bullseye behind a 148gr WC. It was like a 1lb can would last forever. Doing the math, that makes for 2500 rounds.

Mike40-11 · February 16, 2013, 07:28 AM

I wouldn't use rules of thumb. Do the math. 4.2 grains of Titegroup gets me 1667 9mm rounds out of a pound. But a pound of 4831 will only net me 87 .300 winmag loads. (80 grains)

BigD_in_FL · February 16, 2013, 07:50 AM

Want to save money and ensure you have powder? Once you know what you want to use, buy it in 8# jugs. The price per pound is about half

Misssissippi Dave · February 16, 2013, 08:27 AM

Yea, 7000 grains per pound.

Bulk purchases are great for saving money only when you are very happy with the powder you are going to buy. Yes, you can dump that big jug of powder in the garden to be used as fertilizer you bought before knowing it doesn't do what you hoped it would. To me, it is a waste. I do have 1 pound of powder, minus a little, I plan to dump. It seems $16 to $25 per pound of fertilizer is rather high.

4runnerman · February 16, 2013, 09:23 AM

4.9 gns Unique behind a 250 berrys in 45 ACP. Got 8 lbs of it. Don't think I will be buying any more as long as i live any how

. Well maybe one more 8 lb'er

February 15, 2013, 01:06 PM	#1
Rebel Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 28	Loads per 1lb of powder I have a question I've been wondering about and couldn't find an answer in the forums. How many loads do you typically get out of a 1lb container of powder? I realize this may very depending on what caliber you are loading for so some examples would be for say .223 and .45. I'm still gathering the materials and knowledge to reload and wondered how much powder i should stocking up. So far i have 1lb of IMR3031 for the .223 (colt AR) and 1lb of W231 for my XD 45. Powders seems to be pretty easy for me to come by at my LGS so i can buy more if needed. Also if you have any powder recommendations I would be more then happy to hear your sugguestions. The calibers I plan to load are 380,9mm,38sp/357,45,223 and maybe 8mm mauser. So far my main goal is just to be safe and to be able to shoot more often. Accuracy is not at the top of my list yet!

February 16, 2013, 09:23 AM	#10
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	4.9 gns Unique behind a 250 berrys in 45 ACP. Got 8 lbs of it. Don't think I will be buying any more as long as i live any how. Well maybe one more 8 lb'er __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 15, 2013, 01:08 PM	#2
bullspotter Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 308	One pound is 7000 grains. So devide your load into that. EX for 223 with a 25 grain load, 7000/25 = 280 rounds out of 1 lb of powder.

February 15, 2013, 01:09 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,537	The conversion is 7000 grains per avoidupois pound. Divide 7000 by the charge weight out of your loading manual to determine the number of shots per pound.

February 15, 2013, 01:36 PM	#4
Spammy_H Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2009 Posts: 220	The rule of thumb that I use is 1000 rounds of pistol per pound of powder. However, none of my pistol loads are anything above 5 grains, so my rule of thumb is conservative. Rifle probably varies a lot more. I'd go with an average of 30 grains, because it seems to "swag" in the middle of the loads that I've seen for .22 - .30 caliber rifle loads = 230 (233) loads per pound. That roughly correlates with what the previous poster just said (280 per pound). Maybe split the difference and go 250 per lb for rifle? It would be a good happy medium, and easy to remember (4x as many pistol rounds per pound than rifle).

February 15, 2013, 01:49 PM	#5
Rebel Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 28	Thanks for the quick replys and the insight provided. I now know I need a lot more powder on hand! Reason like this I decided to join such a knowledgeable forum! Thanks again!!!

February 15, 2013, 05:49 PM	#6
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	When I shot comp many years ago, my favorite load in 38Spl was 2.8 gr of Bullseye behind a 148gr WC. It was like a 1lb can would last forever. Doing the math, that makes for 2500 rounds.

February 16, 2013, 07:28 AM	#7
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 842	I wouldn't use rules of thumb. Do the math. 4.2 grains of Titegroup gets me 1667 9mm rounds out of a pound. But a pound of 4831 will only net me 87 .300 winmag loads. (80 grains)

February 16, 2013, 07:50 AM	#8
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Want to save money and ensure you have powder? Once you know what you want to use, buy it in 8# jugs. The price per pound is about half

February 16, 2013, 08:27 AM	#9
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	Yea, 7000 grains per pound. Bulk purchases are great for saving money only when you are very happy with the powder you are going to buy. Yes, you can dump that big jug of powder in the garden to be used as fertilizer you bought before knowing it doesn't do what you hoped it would. To me, it is a waste. I do have 1 pound of powder, minus a little, I plan to dump. It seems $16 to $25 per pound of fertilizer is rather high.