What is a good versatile all around rifle powder?

[Road_Clam]

O/P , plain and simple there is NO way you will come up with a solid "do all" powder for the calibers you describe. The problem is 7.62x39 which requires a relatively fast powder such as RL7 or 4198. You've got too wide of a "burn speed" matrix of calibers. Not sure what specifically your intent is with 45-70 but the lower 1250 fps velocity 405 gr cast load also favors 4198, RL7 or AA5744 . I can't speak for your .444 Marlin caliber as I have no experience loading this caliber.

[M88]

Originally Posted by Road_Clam

plain and simple there is NO way you will come up with a solid "do all" powder for the calibers you describe.

Thanks... as a newbie reloader, thanks to all the good advice here, and others I've talked to since, I get it. Did some digging into powder speed, and why some cartridges don't work well with the wrong speed, or even to a degree whether the powder is flakes, balls or rods. As posted in my last thread, I've settled on FOR NOW STARTING OUT:

Unique (pistol rounds eventually)
4895
3031
Reloder 7

6.5 Creedmoor
.308 Win/7.62 NATO
30-06 Win
7.62x39
.444 Marlin
45-70 Govt

I'm aware these MAY not be ideal for that list of cartridges I've decided to start with, but from what I gleaned so far, one of them will work adequately to get me putting bullets down range without losing a finger, eye or an expensive firearm. I'm one of those scary meticulous guys when it comes to serious stuff like this, so I'm taking it VERY slow and cautious for now.

[Colorado Redneck]

I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf. I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!

[Road_Clam]

Originally Posted by Colorado Redneck

I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf. I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!

+1. I started out my handloading journey with one pound of Win 748 to load 223 and 308. Current inventory is 31 different powders totaling about 322 lbs. !

[Colorado Redneck]

Road_Clam.....yikes! Well, that makes my accumulation look kinda puny. Ha! I started this hobby to save money. It's gone the other way. A couple hours making loads or working brass is excellent therapy. Someday, I'm going to have to get rid of some powder.

[jetinteriorguy]

I think you're taking the wrong approach to this question. If you want to keep your powder selection limited, first pick the powders then pick the calibers that would work well with those powders and serve what ever function you require.

[M88]

Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

If you want to keep your powder selection limited, first pick the powders then pick the calibers

That may work for some...especially if you're starting out and have that foresight, but in my case, starting to build my gun collection way before I ever thought of reloading, I'm past that point. Now at this point, with 36 different calibers, I want to get into reloading for the pure fun of it. Yes also to be able to go the range with rifles that have expensive bullets and instead of shooting up $100 worth of ammo, feel better about shooting up only $25 worth. Few of us have bottomless pockets, and yes I have already spent serious dollars on equipment etc, but at some point in the future it will eventually pay for itself. Anyway, in doing so I wanted to start simple and perhaps eventually get more serious, thus my query on this forum of what powders will "cover" the calibers I wanted to start with. Folks here have been very helpful in that. It's that simple.

[BumbleBug]

I haven't seen them in a while, but Hodgdon used to sell an experimenter's pack of 4 each of 4oz bottles of powders. Packs were grouped by fast/med/slow range - I think in rifle only. I still have 3 of the small bottles of H4895, H414 & Varget left. IIRC, the 4th bottle was H4350. Cost was only slightly more than buying a pound. I suggest you contact Hodgdon & see if these packs are still available & where to get them.

There are so many new powders now I wish all mfg's would do this!

[gw44]

H4895 has to be the one !!!

[300Whspr]

Originally Posted by Colorado Redneck

I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf. I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Road Clam

+1. I started out my handloading journey with one pound of Win 748 to load 223 and 308. Current inventory is 31 different powders totaling about 322 lbs. !

OK, you guys made me go and count how many different powders I have...

I'm ashamed to admit that I counted 42 different speeds in my cabinet... But Road Clam, you have me beat on quantity... I only have about 70 lbs total.