Need Help Choosing Powder

mwflydog · December 18, 2009, 11:42 PM

I'm new to the forum, and appreciate any help.

I'm just gathering materials to start handloading for the first time. I've got a new 300 win mag, with a 26" Kreiger 1 -11" twist 5R barrel, Rem Varmint contour (It's also my first non factory rifle). I've decided to try the 210 Berger VLD's, probably 215 Federal Primers, and just need to decide on a powder. I'm a hunter first, and attempt to be a target shooter second, so I wanted to go with the Hodgdon Extreme powders because of their indifference to the hot and cold temperatures that I will encounter. Just don't know whether to get H4350, H4831SC, or H1000. I've spent quite a bit so far, so I'd rather get some good advice and choose just one rather than buying and trying all three. Long range accuracy is the goal.

Thanks,
Matt

5R milspec · December 18, 2009, 11:58 PM

hey a lot of guys are useing h1000.4350,R22,4831.even 7828 works good.I can not say what to load with in charge weight.but I use 7828 with a 168g vld.most of the guys told me to use h1000 or R22.and when I need some more powder I am going to get the two mentioned to me.so I can load for a 210g vld.hope this helps.

emcon5 · December 19, 2009, 12:14 AM

It may not be as big of an issue with a magnum rifle, recently the best option is to make a list of every powder you have load data for then go see what is available.

Depending on where you are, you may not have many options, and may have to pick from limited choices, none of which may be your first choice.

hickstick_10 · December 19, 2009, 12:38 AM

first and foremost get yourself a reloading manual and read it.

mwflydog · December 19, 2009, 09:00 AM

I have "Modern Reloader - 2nd Edition" by Richard Lee ordered and on the way. I won't be starting without reading that. The availability of the different powders that I'm interested is not an issue here, so I still just have to make a decision.

Thanks for the help so far. Anyone have a similar setup to mine (barrel and bullet wise) that has had good accuracy with one these powders?

Thanks again guys.

sc928porsche · December 19, 2009, 11:26 AM

My 300WM loves IMR 4350!

Jim243 · December 19, 2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

H1000™ This very slow burning Extreme Extruded powder is perfect for highly overbored magnums like the 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW and the 30-378 Weatherby. In addition, with heavy bullets, H1000 gives top velocity and performance in such cartridges as the 6mm-284, 257 Weatherby, 270 Winchester, and 300 Winchester Magnum. In a short period of time this powder has achieved considerable notoriety among long range match shooters. Available in 1 lb. & 8 lb. containers. Take the Extreme Tour.

Would be my choice.

Jim

Ksmoker · December 19, 2009, 01:57 PM

I've got into reloading for my 38 & both flavors of 357. I agree with the post that says get all the data that you can for a lot of powders. I recently started using Universal for my loads because it was available here when I had the time & money together. There is a lot of knowledge out here on these forums, everyone has been great helping me. Just be careful & enjoy reloading. It occupies a lot of time for me this time of year which is good.

Christchild · December 19, 2009, 02:29 PM

AA4350...IMR4350...AA3100...IMR4831...

Although it's a Magnum cartridge and You're going to be pushing a heavy bullet, I'd focus more on powders in the Burn Rate Range of the 4 I've stated above. Although slower-than-stated powders offer some advantages, I've read alot of reviews/insight/feedback on powders slower than that, not producing the best accuracy...some of those super-slow powders are just a little too Dad-Gum slow...

It's .308" caliber, not .264" or .257" or the like. I'd invest in powders of the burn rate range that's been stated the most, so far on this post/thread, before trying a powder slower than the AA3100/IMR4831 burn rate.

Even my .270 Winchester prefers powders of the 4350 relative burn rate over slower powders, and still, I'm going to be looking into other faster powders as soon as I can, such as AA2700 and IMR4064 for most of the bullet weight range in .277"/.270 Win. I feel that powders slower than AA3100/IMR4831 are, in most of the common magnum cartridges, overrated/too slow, especially in .30 caliber.

If I were embarking on the endeavour that You are, I'd also try to gather a little info from BenchResters that shoot the same or similar cartridge. AND, as already stated, consult as much Published Load Data as possible.

wncchester · December 19, 2009, 05:04 PM

"just need to decide on a powder"

For the right powder choice in any cartrige/bullet weight combo see your manual or the powder makers web site for what produces the highest speed. That, or sometimes one a tad faster is most likley to produce best velocity AND accuracy. Meaning, the book makers have already told us what works best, there's not much point in looking for something outside those learned suggestions.

mwflydog · December 19, 2009, 10:16 PM

Thanks for all the good info guys!

Emerson · December 20, 2009, 02:19 PM

I would start with H4350..........also probably where I would end up. I've never seen a .300 Win Mag that didn't shoot well with 4350.

tom234 · December 21, 2009, 06:18 PM

+2 for IMR 7828. IMR 7828 is slower and better for heavier bullets than IMR 4350.

crowbeaner · December 22, 2009, 07:50 PM

For your 300 Winny, try this:
WW brass
67.0 of WW 760 or H414
CCI 200
Hornady 165 Interlock flatbase
With the 180, use 64.0 grains, all else the same. CB.

NWPilgrim · December 22, 2009, 08:03 PM

Since you have Lee's reloading manual on order, you will find his general recommendation using his tables will be for IMR7828, H1000, and IMR 4831 (using the 220 Gr data to approximate the 210 gr VLD).

He recommends using the powder that gives the fastest velocity as generally being the most accurate, though not necessarily at max charge weight. This is why he organized his data tables by descending max velocity.

amathis · December 22, 2009, 08:23 PM

Not sure where you are, but i use Winchester Supreme 780 in my 300WM. It shoots fine in sub freezing temps I've got here in VT. Haven't had any issues yet but thats not to say I won't in the future.

December 18, 2009, 11:42 PM	#1
mwflydog Junior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 8	Need Help Choosing Powder I'm new to the forum, and appreciate any help. I'm just gathering materials to start handloading for the first time. I've got a new 300 win mag, with a 26" Kreiger 1 -11" twist 5R barrel, Rem Varmint contour (It's also my first non factory rifle). I've decided to try the 210 Berger VLD's, probably 215 Federal Primers, and just need to decide on a powder. I'm a hunter first, and attempt to be a target shooter second, so I wanted to go with the Hodgdon Extreme powders because of their indifference to the hot and cold temperatures that I will encounter. Just don't know whether to get H4350, H4831SC, or H1000. I've spent quite a bit so far, so I'd rather get some good advice and choose just one rather than buying and trying all three. Long range accuracy is the goal. Thanks, Matt

December 18, 2009, 11:58 PM	#2
5R milspec Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 360	3000wm loads hey a lot of guys are useing h1000.4350,R22,4831.even 7828 works good.I can not say what to load with in charge weight.but I use 7828 with a 168g vld.most of the guys told me to use h1000 or R22.and when I need some more powder I am going to get the two mentioned to me.so I can load for a 210g vld.hope this helps.

December 19, 2009, 11:26 AM	#6
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	My 300WM loves IMR 4350! __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

December 19, 2009, 01:57 PM	#8
Ksmoker Member Join Date: December 6, 2009 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 74	powder I've got into reloading for my 38 & both flavors of 357. I agree with the post that says get all the data that you can for a lot of powders. I recently started using Universal for my loads because it was available here when I had the time & money together. There is a lot of knowledge out here on these forums, everyone has been great helping me. Just be careful & enjoy reloading. It occupies a lot of time for me this time of year which is good.

December 19, 2009, 10:16 PM	#11
mwflydog Junior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 8	OK Thanks for all the good info guys!

December 19, 2009, 12:14 AM	#3
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	It may not be as big of an issue with a magnum rifle, recently the best option is to make a list of every powder you have load data for then go see what is available. Depending on where you are, you may not have many options, and may have to pick from limited choices, none of which may be your first choice.

December 19, 2009, 12:38 AM	#4
hickstick_10 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 477	first and foremost get yourself a reloading manual and read it.

December 19, 2009, 09:00 AM	#5
mwflydog Junior Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 8	I have "Modern Reloader - 2nd Edition" by Richard Lee ordered and on the way. I won't be starting without reading that. The availability of the different powders that I'm interested is not an issue here, so I still just have to make a decision. Thanks for the help so far. Anyone have a similar setup to mine (barrel and bullet wise) that has had good accuracy with one these powders? Thanks again guys.

December 19, 2009, 02:29 PM	#9
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	AA4350...IMR4350...AA3100...IMR4831... Although it's a Magnum cartridge and You're going to be pushing a heavy bullet, I'd focus more on powders in the Burn Rate Range of the 4 I've stated above. Although slower-than-stated powders offer some advantages, I've read alot of reviews/insight/feedback on powders slower than that, not producing the best accuracy...some of those super-slow powders are just a little too Dad-Gum slow... It's .308" caliber, not .264" or .257" or the like. I'd invest in powders of the burn rate range that's been stated the most, so far on this post/thread, before trying a powder slower than the AA3100/IMR4831 burn rate. Even my .270 Winchester prefers powders of the 4350 relative burn rate over slower powders, and still, I'm going to be looking into other faster powders as soon as I can, such as AA2700 and IMR4064 for most of the bullet weight range in .277"/.270 Win. I feel that powders slower than AA3100/IMR4831 are, in most of the common magnum cartridges, overrated/too slow, especially in .30 caliber. If I were embarking on the endeavour that You are, I'd also try to gather a little info from BenchResters that shoot the same or similar cartridge. AND, as already stated, consult as much Published Load Data as possible.

December 19, 2009, 05:04 PM	#10
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"just need to decide on a powder" For the right powder choice in any cartrige/bullet weight combo see your manual or the powder makers web site for what produces the highest speed. That, or sometimes one a tad faster is most likley to produce best velocity AND accuracy. Meaning, the book makers have already told us what works best, there's not much point in looking for something outside those learned suggestions.

December 20, 2009, 02:19 PM	#12
Emerson Member Join Date: May 9, 2009 Posts: 89	I would start with H4350..........also probably where I would end up. I've never seen a .300 Win Mag that didn't shoot well with 4350. __________________ An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it. - Col Jeff Cooper

December 21, 2009, 06:18 PM	#13
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	+2 for IMR 7828. IMR 7828 is slower and better for heavier bullets than IMR 4350.

December 22, 2009, 07:50 PM	#14
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	For your 300 Winny, try this: WW brass 67.0 of WW 760 or H414 CCI 200 Hornady 165 Interlock flatbase With the 180, use 64.0 grains, all else the same. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

December 22, 2009, 08:03 PM	#15
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Since you have Lee's reloading manual on order, you will find his general recommendation using his tables will be for IMR7828, H1000, and IMR 4831 (using the 220 Gr data to approximate the 210 gr VLD). He recommends using the powder that gives the fastest velocity as generally being the most accurate, though not necessarily at max charge weight. This is why he organized his data tables by descending max velocity. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

December 22, 2009, 08:23 PM	#16
amathis Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Champlain Valley, Vermont Posts: 161	Not sure where you are, but i use Winchester Supreme 780 in my 300WM. It shoots fine in sub freezing temps I've got here in VT. Haven't had any issues yet but thats not to say I won't in the future.