Choosing Powder/Primers for Reloading

KnightofCydonia · February 25, 2013, 09:07 PM

Hi,

I just ordered a RCBS kit. I have dies/bullets/cases, now just the powders and primers need to be bought.

I kind of want to streamline my powders/primers for the most calibers.

Calibers I want to reload for are .308/7.62 NATO (M14), 8mm Mauser, 6.5x55 Swedish, .30-30, and .45 ACP.

Is there a powder that will suit all the .30 cal rifles? And one for the pistol cal?

Also, which brand makes good primers? The M14 should use harder primers in case of slam-fire, which ones are best to use? How about for the pistol?

Thanks

taylorce1 · February 25, 2013, 10:21 PM

IMR 4064 will probably work with both the .308 and 6.5X55, IMR 3031 would be a good powder for the .30-30 and would possibly work with the .308 Win. If you only have one pistol you only need one powder if it is accurate in your handgun.

I would look at IMR or H4350 for the 6.5X55, Varget or TAC for the .308, and IMR 3031 for the .30-30. CCI and Wolf/Tula are the only two that I know specifically market primers for the 7.62 NATO and 5.56 NATO. I'd imagine that just about any standard LR/SR primer will work however, because you never saw these primers five years ago, and to the best of my knowledge you never heard of rampant slamfires.

However, after saying all that you had better have a long list of powders when you go to the LGS that will work with the bullet weight you want to shoot. Then when you find a store that has a pound or two buy it even if it really isn't the powder you want. Primers you'll be lucky to get what you can as well. Everything is in short supply these days and you have to buy what you can and make do until things get better.

BuckRub · February 25, 2013, 10:37 PM

Look at Varget for rifles and Unique for pistols.

KnightofCydonia · February 25, 2013, 10:42 PM

Sad days we're living in.. hopefully it blows over!

Pathfinder45 · February 25, 2013, 10:59 PM

You can use one powder for the 308, 8mm, and 30-30 and get excellent results for all three. Hodgdon's BLC-2 would be about perfect. The Swede will give better performance with a slower burning powder. Of course, you will need a pistol powder for the 45. No, there is not an ideal powder for all 30 calibers. A 30-30 is just way too different from a 300 magnum. You didn't mention which bullet weights you intended to use. I suggest you use a mil-spec primer for the M14. Other than that, I prefer CCI and Federal primers, and for pistols I use a lot of Winchester WLP primers depending on which powder I choose.

Misssissippi Dave · February 25, 2013, 11:26 PM

My favorite powder for low to mid range .45 cal loads would be Winchester Super Target (WST). It works well for lead and jacketed bullets. It burns clean and measures well in just about any powder measure. It also fills the case better than many dense powders do. This is a powder not used a lot by pistol shooters so it is normally available. It is a fairly fast powder so it tends to keep the recoil down too.

Other powder I know to work in .45 apc are WSF, W231/HP38, AA2 and AA5.

.45 apc these days is made with both large and small pistol primers. You do need to separate them if you are using once fired brass. The main brands of primers will work pretty well. CCI primers tend to be a little harder than the others so you may not want to use them if your pistol has a reduced hammer spring in it. This will reduce light strikes. My favorite pistol primer is Winchester. I will use the Federal, Remington, Tula and CCI primers when I don't have any Winchester primers on hand.

Many of the on line venders are out of primers now. You might have some luck finding them at a local gun shop or maybe even a gun show.

I don't load rifle so can't help you there.

KnightofCydonia · February 26, 2013, 02:18 AM

Bullet weights.

.30-30 - 150 gr
6.5x55 (Modern action) - 140 gr
8mm Mauser (98 action) - 200 gr
.308 M14 - 150 gr
.45 ACP - 230 gr

taylorce1 · February 26, 2013, 09:15 AM

Man I totally missed the 8mm!

Pongo · February 26, 2013, 09:55 AM

Personally I like BLC-2 but it isn't suited to the 6.5 swede unless you are using 100gr or less bullets.

If you can get your hands on an older Hodgdon manual (mine is 26th edition) you will find data for H414 covering all those rifle cartridges and bullet weights you mention.

black mamba · February 26, 2013, 02:28 PM

Varget and HP-38/W231.

Misssissippi Dave · February 26, 2013, 05:47 PM

With the .45 are you planning to load lead, plated or jacketed? Round nose, flat nose or hollow point?

KnightofCydonia · February 26, 2013, 09:53 PM

Jacketed and round nose.

Sure shot wv · February 26, 2013, 10:08 PM

PB for the 45 gets my vote

4runnerman · February 26, 2013, 10:57 PM

IMR4064 & Unique will cover you well

KnightofCydonia · February 27, 2013, 12:19 AM

Between IMR 4064, 4895 H4895, Varget, BLC-2, are they pretty much all the same?

Misssissippi Dave · February 27, 2013, 08:33 PM

The max load will be around 4.9 grains of WST if you use a long OAL. I load a little shorter than some people do so I will max out around 4.8 grains of powder. 4.5 grains of WST powder with an OAL around 1.250 should get you around 800 fps in a 5" barrel plus or minus a little. It makes a nice accurate load in my opinion. Group size will start to open up when you approach the top end. You do need to work up a load to get it accurate for your pistol. I would start around 4.1 grains to see what works for you.

February 25, 2013, 09:07 PM	#1
KnightofCydonia Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Posts: 219	Choosing Powder/Primers for Reloading Hi, I just ordered a RCBS kit. I have dies/bullets/cases, now just the powders and primers need to be bought. I kind of want to streamline my powders/primers for the most calibers. Calibers I want to reload for are .308/7.62 NATO (M14), 8mm Mauser, 6.5x55 Swedish, .30-30, and .45 ACP. Is there a powder that will suit all the .30 cal rifles? And one for the pistol cal? Also, which brand makes good primers? The M14 should use harder primers in case of slam-fire, which ones are best to use? How about for the pistol? Thanks

February 25, 2013, 10:21 PM	#2
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	IMR 4064 will probably work with both the .308 and 6.5X55, IMR 3031 would be a good powder for the .30-30 and would possibly work with the .308 Win. If you only have one pistol you only need one powder if it is accurate in your handgun. I would look at IMR or H4350 for the 6.5X55, Varget or TAC for the .308, and IMR 3031 for the .30-30. CCI and Wolf/Tula are the only two that I know specifically market primers for the 7.62 NATO and 5.56 NATO. I'd imagine that just about any standard LR/SR primer will work however, because you never saw these primers five years ago, and to the best of my knowledge you never heard of rampant slamfires. However, after saying all that you had better have a long list of powders when you go to the LGS that will work with the bullet weight you want to shoot. Then when you find a store that has a pound or two buy it even if it really isn't the powder you want. Primers you'll be lucky to get what you can as well. Everything is in short supply these days and you have to buy what you can and make do until things get better. __________________ NRA Life Member

February 25, 2013, 10:59 PM	#5
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Three Powders You can use one powder for the 308, 8mm, and 30-30 and get excellent results for all three. Hodgdon's BLC-2 would be about perfect. The Swede will give better performance with a slower burning powder. Of course, you will need a pistol powder for the 45. No, there is not an ideal powder for all 30 calibers. A 30-30 is just way too different from a 300 magnum. You didn't mention which bullet weights you intended to use. I suggest you use a mil-spec primer for the M14. Other than that, I prefer CCI and Federal primers, and for pistols I use a lot of Winchester WLP primers depending on which powder I choose.

February 26, 2013, 09:15 AM	#8
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Man I totally missed the 8mm! __________________ NRA Life Member

February 26, 2013, 10:57 PM	#14
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	IMR4064 & Unique will cover you well __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 25, 2013, 10:37 PM	#3
BuckRub Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,046	Look at Varget for rifles and Unique for pistols.

February 25, 2013, 10:42 PM	#4
KnightofCydonia Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Posts: 219	Sad days we're living in.. hopefully it blows over!

February 25, 2013, 11:26 PM	#6
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	My favorite powder for low to mid range .45 cal loads would be Winchester Super Target (WST). It works well for lead and jacketed bullets. It burns clean and measures well in just about any powder measure. It also fills the case better than many dense powders do. This is a powder not used a lot by pistol shooters so it is normally available. It is a fairly fast powder so it tends to keep the recoil down too. Other powder I know to work in .45 apc are WSF, W231/HP38, AA2 and AA5. .45 apc these days is made with both large and small pistol primers. You do need to separate them if you are using once fired brass. The main brands of primers will work pretty well. CCI primers tend to be a little harder than the others so you may not want to use them if your pistol has a reduced hammer spring in it. This will reduce light strikes. My favorite pistol primer is Winchester. I will use the Federal, Remington, Tula and CCI primers when I don't have any Winchester primers on hand. Many of the on line venders are out of primers now. You might have some luck finding them at a local gun shop or maybe even a gun show. I don't load rifle so can't help you there.

February 26, 2013, 02:18 AM	#7
KnightofCydonia Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Posts: 219	Bullet weights. .30-30 - 150 gr 6.5x55 (Modern action) - 140 gr 8mm Mauser (98 action) - 200 gr .308 M14 - 150 gr .45 ACP - 230 gr

February 26, 2013, 09:55 AM	#9
Pongo Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Posts: 74	Personally I like BLC-2 but it isn't suited to the 6.5 swede unless you are using 100gr or less bullets. If you can get your hands on an older Hodgdon manual (mine is 26th edition) you will find data for H414 covering all those rifle cartridges and bullet weights you mention.

February 26, 2013, 02:28 PM	#10
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	Varget and HP-38/W231.

February 26, 2013, 05:47 PM	#11
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	With the .45 are you planning to load lead, plated or jacketed? Round nose, flat nose or hollow point?

February 26, 2013, 09:53 PM	#12
KnightofCydonia Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Posts: 219	Jacketed and round nose.

February 26, 2013, 10:08 PM	#13
Sure shot wv Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 137	PB for the 45 gets my vote

February 27, 2013, 12:19 AM	#15
KnightofCydonia Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Posts: 219	Between IMR 4064, 4895 H4895, Varget, BLC-2, are they pretty much all the same?

February 27, 2013, 08:33 PM	#16
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	The max load will be around 4.9 grains of WST if you use a long OAL. I load a little shorter than some people do so I will max out around 4.8 grains of powder. 4.5 grains of WST powder with an OAL around 1.250 should get you around 800 fps in a 5" barrel plus or minus a little. It makes a nice accurate load in my opinion. Group size will start to open up when you approach the top end. You do need to work up a load to get it accurate for your pistol. I would start around 4.1 grains to see what works for you.