Need powder advice

cdbeagle · February 6, 2013, 09:50 PM

I have never reloaded before but just ordered all the equipment which should be here by the end of the month. Now I am searching for components. I am putting in requests to be Emailed at several sites when powder comes in. My issue is in normal times I could pick and choose but now with all the craziness that is impossible. So what I need to know is one powder to start out with for each of the calibers I will initially be loading. If a certain powder is good for more than one caliber that would be great. Any advice is appreciated.

Calibers:
.380 ACP
.38 Special
.45 ACP
.223 for AR-15's
6.5x55
30-06

Thanks.
__________________

2ndtimer · February 6, 2013, 10:04 PM

If you want to start out with just two powders, you could load all 3 handgun cartridges with Titegroup, or Bullseye, or Win 231. I like Titegroup.
For your rifles you "could" load all 3 with Varget, as long as your bullets are heavier in the .223, lighter in the 6.5x55 and your option in the 30-06. For optimal performance in each, it depends on the individual firearm and you just have to see what works best. My experience has led me to use Titegroup in the .38 spec. and .45 ACP, (I haven't loaded the .380, but believe Titegroup would work fine), Ramshot TAC or Accurate 2015 in the .223. Reloder 22 in the 6.5x55, (also works fine in the 30-06 with heavier bullets like 180 and 200 gr) and IMR-4064 or 4350 in the 30-06 with the 125 gr to 165 gr bullets. Both would also work fine in the 6.5x55 as well.
Good Luck!

Misssissippi Dave · February 6, 2013, 10:31 PM

You could load the pistol ammo with Winchester Auto Comp or W231 and HP38 is the same as W231. I prefer to use WST for .45 apc. I can't help with rifle powders.

Icedragon · February 7, 2013, 12:19 AM

Hodgdon's CFE 223 will work great in your 223 and 30-06. If you go to their website you can get the load data for all of your rounds using their powders. Here is the link.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

chris in va · February 7, 2013, 03:13 AM

Bullseye for the three pistol, 4895 for all three rifle. Unless you just want to buy a bunch of different powders.

NWPilgrim · February 7, 2013, 03:34 AM

Assuming you want to know some of the breadth of powders suitable for each , first get s manual such as Sierra's because the manuals list the most suitable powders for each.

All of your handguns can use similar fast to medium burn rates:
Bullseye, W231, HP38, AA2, Unique, Universal, AA5 and others in that range.

.223 mostly medium range powders:
H322, H335, H4895, Varget, BL-C2, Rl15, CFE223, IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, TAC, and similar powders.

.30-06 and .308 like medium to little bit slow powders:
Same as .223 except H323 and 3031 maybe too fast, plus 4350, 4831, RL19, H414, Ramshot TAC and slower.

Accurate makes powders very similar to the Hodgdon and IMR numbered powders.

The problem is the best and the most versatile powders are the ones everyone else is looking for, too.

Gdawgs · February 7, 2013, 07:46 AM

With 380, you want to stick with the very fine grained powders due to the small charge weight you use with it. Depending on the bullet and powder, you'll be using between 2 - 4 grains of powders. Depending on what powder measurer you are using, the large flaked powders often times don't meter very well at those small charges. So my recommendation is to stay away from Unique and Bullseye since they are large flaked, and go with some of the other small grained powders already recommended (231, Titegroup, Power Pistol(any of these will work with all the calibers you listed)). I've never used Auto Comp, Universal, or Accurate #2 or #5, so I don't know what those flakes look like. Someone else may be able to comment on that.

You may find some IMR 700X on the shelves and may be tempted to buy it. Do not buy this under any circumstance.

It has to be the worst metering powder ever made. I believe someone mentioned on here one time that it "measures better than corn flakes, slightly better". That's about right. I bought a couple pounds a few years ago and ended up giving it away to some other poor sucker.

Mobuck · February 7, 2013, 08:03 AM

TiteGroup is a decent universal use powder. It is advertised as being "position insensitive" meaning it gives more consistant results when used in small mounts in larger cases. You MUST be very careful with this combination to prevent double charging a big case with powder. The flake powders may be a little harder to hold in the powder measure.
I'v used a lot of IMR 4895 back when I only had a couple of powders on the shelf. It's a little slower for 223 but will work in all the rifle cartridges you mentioned. IMR 4895 is a very forgiving powder and would give you a good starting point.

Adamantium · February 7, 2013, 01:21 PM

If you are willing to buy online, Powder Valley has an assortment of powders in stock and ready to be shipped.

Here are my recommendations...

.380/38spl/45acp
Ramshot Zip

223/30-06
Accurate 2495 (you will need to use IMR 4895 load data as Accurate has almost stopped publishing load data for 2495)
Accurate 4064 (once again, use IMR 4064 load data to fill in Accurates gaps in load data)

Both 2495 and 4064 will work for 6.5x55mm as well but at a reduced velocity.

6.5x55mm
IMR 4831
Hodgdon Hybrid 100v

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

cdbeagle · February 8, 2013, 12:23 AM

Quote:

If you are willing to buy online, Powder Valley has an assortment of powders in stock and ready to be shipped.

Here are my recommendations...

.380/38spl/45acp
Ramshot Zip

223/30-06
Accurate 2495 (you will need to use IMR 4895 load data as Accurate has almost stopped publishing load data for 2495)
Accurate 4064 (once again, use IMR 4064 load data to fill in Accurates gaps in load data)

Both 2495 and 4064 will work for 6.5x55mm as well but at a reduced velocity.

6.5x55mm
IMR 4831
Hodgdon Hybrid 100v

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

Thanks, I just ordered some.

February 6, 2013, 09:50 PM	#1
cdbeagle Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2012 Location: Justin Texas Posts: 313	Need powder advice I have never reloaded before but just ordered all the equipment which should be here by the end of the month. Now I am searching for components. I am putting in requests to be Emailed at several sites when powder comes in. My issue is in normal times I could pick and choose but now with all the craziness that is impossible. So what I need to know is one powder to start out with for each of the calibers I will initially be loading. If a certain powder is good for more than one caliber that would be great. Any advice is appreciated. Calibers: .380 ACP .38 Special .45 ACP .223 for AR-15's 6.5x55 30-06 Thanks. __________________ __________________ Assistant Secretary - U.S. Dry Bean Council

February 7, 2013, 12:19 AM	#4
Icedragon Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 28	Hodgdon's CFE 223 will work great in your 223 and 30-06. If you go to their website you can get the load data for all of your rounds using their powders. Here is the link. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp __________________ Do not expect a warning shot !!! Last edited by Icedragon; February 7, 2013 at 12:25 AM.

February 7, 2013, 01:21 PM	#9
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	If you are willing to buy online, Powder Valley has an assortment of powders in stock and ready to be shipped. Here are my recommendations... .380/38spl/45acp Ramshot Zip 223/30-06 Accurate 2495 (you will need to use IMR 4895 load data as Accurate has almost stopped publishing load data for 2495) Accurate 4064 (once again, use IMR 4064 load data to fill in Accurates gaps in load data) Both 2495 and 4064 will work for 6.5x55mm as well but at a reduced velocity. 6.5x55mm IMR 4831 Hodgdon Hybrid 100v http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/ __________________ New gun, same ol' shot.

February 6, 2013, 10:04 PM	#2
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 293	If you want to start out with just two powders, you could load all 3 handgun cartridges with Titegroup, or Bullseye, or Win 231. I like Titegroup. For your rifles you "could" load all 3 with Varget, as long as your bullets are heavier in the .223, lighter in the 6.5x55 and your option in the 30-06. For optimal performance in each, it depends on the individual firearm and you just have to see what works best. My experience has led me to use Titegroup in the .38 spec. and .45 ACP, (I haven't loaded the .380, but believe Titegroup would work fine), Ramshot TAC or Accurate 2015 in the .223. Reloder 22 in the 6.5x55, (also works fine in the 30-06 with heavier bullets like 180 and 200 gr) and IMR-4064 or 4350 in the 30-06 with the 125 gr to 165 gr bullets. Both would also work fine in the 6.5x55 as well. Good Luck! __________________ NRA Endowment Member

February 6, 2013, 10:31 PM	#3
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	You could load the pistol ammo with Winchester Auto Comp or W231 and HP38 is the same as W231. I prefer to use WST for .45 apc. I can't help with rifle powders.

February 7, 2013, 03:13 AM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Bullseye for the three pistol, 4895 for all three rifle. Unless you just want to buy a bunch of different powders.

February 7, 2013, 03:34 AM	#6
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Assuming you want to know some of the breadth of powders suitable for each , first get s manual such as Sierra's because the manuals list the most suitable powders for each. All of your handguns can use similar fast to medium burn rates: Bullseye, W231, HP38, AA2, Unique, Universal, AA5 and others in that range. .223 mostly medium range powders: H322, H335, H4895, Varget, BL-C2, Rl15, CFE223, IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, TAC, and similar powders. .30-06 and .308 like medium to little bit slow powders: Same as .223 except H323 and 3031 maybe too fast, plus 4350, 4831, RL19, H414, Ramshot TAC and slower. Accurate makes powders very similar to the Hodgdon and IMR numbered powders. The problem is the best and the most versatile powders are the ones everyone else is looking for, too.

February 7, 2013, 07:46 AM	#7
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	With 380, you want to stick with the very fine grained powders due to the small charge weight you use with it. Depending on the bullet and powder, you'll be using between 2 - 4 grains of powders. Depending on what powder measurer you are using, the large flaked powders often times don't meter very well at those small charges. So my recommendation is to stay away from Unique and Bullseye since they are large flaked, and go with some of the other small grained powders already recommended (231, Titegroup, Power Pistol(any of these will work with all the calibers you listed)). I've never used Auto Comp, Universal, or Accurate #2 or #5, so I don't know what those flakes look like. Someone else may be able to comment on that. You may find some IMR 700X on the shelves and may be tempted to buy it. Do not buy this under any circumstance. It has to be the worst metering powder ever made. I believe someone mentioned on here one time that it "measures better than corn flakes, slightly better". That's about right. I bought a couple pounds a few years ago and ended up giving it away to some other poor sucker.

February 7, 2013, 08:03 AM	#8
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	TiteGroup is a decent universal use powder. It is advertised as being "position insensitive" meaning it gives more consistant results when used in small mounts in larger cases. You MUST be very careful with this combination to prevent double charging a big case with powder. The flake powders may be a little harder to hold in the powder measure. I'v used a lot of IMR 4895 back when I only had a couple of powders on the shelf. It's a little slower for 223 but will work in all the rifle cartridges you mentioned. IMR 4895 is a very forgiving powder and would give you a good starting point.