good powder choices for the 54R

skizzums · August 17, 2015, 10:05 AM

As you know I am reloading the 54R. I have been using 4064 and have been happy with it, but haven't tried anything else. After seeing an entire aisle of every imagineable powder on the shelf of my big box LGS, I am curious what "could" be a better choice. I have 3 bullets to load up next week. Hornady .312 150gr SST, Hornady 174gr HPBT and Sierra 180gr ProHunter SP. Loading for a Finn with a 27" barrel with a 1:9.5 twist. Thanks for suggestions, may grab one or two different powders and compare to 4064. If nothing else, I figure the 150gr SST may benefit from a different burn rate tier.

T. O'Heir · August 17, 2015, 01:42 PM

17 powders listed on Hodgdon's site. Any one of 'em would do. Can't imagine beating IMR4064 though.
Any particular reason for the multiple bullets weights other than "It's fun."?
The 1 in 9.5 makes it an M/28-30. You slug the barrel? Supposedly, .3082" diameter, not .312". http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/f..._nagantm39.asp

ligonierbill · August 17, 2015, 02:04 PM

+1 on slug the barrel. Finnish Mosins are supposedly .308. My Russian runs well with 0.311 Pro Hunters over H380 or IMR-4895, 150's so far, and I just got some 180's hoping for better groups. Note that I'm "using up" these powders and will probably go with IMR-4064 eventually. It's my go to for 8x57, so I'll be keeping it stocked.

skizzums · August 17, 2015, 04:31 PM

my barrel is a .3105, there are finn's that were made to 308, but I do not believe many were. trying different weights to what will shoot the best. as for twist rate, I read that the rate was the same as the 91/30 on the finnM91

hartcreek · August 18, 2015, 12:43 AM

I use the same powder that I use for .308 and 30-06....H414, 3031, 4064 and 4831. What you use will depend on what you can purchase locally.

skizzums · August 21, 2015, 10:21 AM

I grabbed Varget, CFE 223 and BLC (2) for the lightweight stuff, and because it'll be cross compatible with my heavy .223 if its a no go in the 54.

Can you believe this powder selection....

I didn't even know where to start. I am not used to so much choice. All a little pricey, 26-30$ a lb. Can't see in the pic, but about a dozen 8 lb'ers as well. Not a whole lotta pistol though, hs6(which is great) and magnums of course. I was tempted to try the new IMR extreme powders, but 35.99 is just too much when loading large rifle at 55gr per

August 17, 2015, 10:05 AM	#1
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	good powder choices for the 54R As you know I am reloading the 54R. I have been using 4064 and have been happy with it, but haven't tried anything else. After seeing an entire aisle of every imagineable powder on the shelf of my big box LGS, I am curious what "could" be a better choice. I have 3 bullets to load up next week. Hornady .312 150gr SST, Hornady 174gr HPBT and Sierra 180gr ProHunter SP. Loading for a Finn with a 27" barrel with a 1:9.5 twist. Thanks for suggestions, may grab one or two different powders and compare to 4064. If nothing else, I figure the 150gr SST may benefit from a different burn rate tier. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 17, 2015, 01:42 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	17 powders listed on Hodgdon's site. Any one of 'em would do. Can't imagine beating IMR4064 though. Any particular reason for the multiple bullets weights other than "It's fun."? The 1 in 9.5 makes it an M/28-30. You slug the barrel? Supposedly, .3082" diameter, not .312". http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/f..._nagantm39.asp __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 17, 2015, 04:31 PM	#4
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	my barrel is a .3105, there are finn's that were made to 308, but I do not believe many were. trying different weights to what will shoot the best. as for twist rate, I read that the rate was the same as the 91/30 on the finnM91 __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 21, 2015, 10:21 AM	#6
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I grabbed Varget, CFE 223 and BLC (2) for the lightweight stuff, and because it'll be cross compatible with my heavy .223 if its a no go in the 54. Can you believe this powder selection.... I didn't even know where to start. I am not used to so much choice. All a little pricey, 26-30$ a lb. Can't see in the pic, but about a dozen 8 lb'ers as well. Not a whole lotta pistol though, hs6(which is great) and magnums of course. I was tempted to try the new IMR extreme powders, but 35.99 is just too much when loading large rifle at 55gr per __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 17, 2015, 02:04 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,457	+1 on slug the barrel. Finnish Mosins are supposedly .308. My Russian runs well with 0.311 Pro Hunters over H380 or IMR-4895, 150's so far, and I just got some 180's hoping for better groups. Note that I'm "using up" these powders and will probably go with IMR-4064 eventually. It's my go to for 8x57, so I'll be keeping it stocked.

August 18, 2015, 12:43 AM	#5
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	I use the same powder that I use for .308 and 30-06....H414, 3031, 4064 and 4831. What you use will depend on what you can purchase locally.