Centerfire Rifle Powders

taylorce1 · March 20, 2006, 10:49 PM

I've been using extruded powders for years mainly IMR4064, H4895, and RL15 for most of my cartridges. Recently another reloader recommended ball powders to me, he stated that I'll like how easily it flows through the powder measure. I bought some H380 to reload some 8mm-06 rounds to try this theory. What are some of your favorite ball powders for rifles based of the 308 and 30-06 case? And is it also true I will hear less crunching in my powder measure?

Art Eatman · March 20, 2006, 11:12 PM

I've used ball powder; yes, less crunching.

But, for my hunting rifles--and that's my main deal--I weigh the loads, so it's no matter.

I've never noticed any difference in point of impact, comparing weighed vs. measured, using 4064. So, me being me, I quit worrying about it.

However, since I'm in no hurry when reloading, I generally get to within one or two granules of "exactitude" with 4064 and 3031...

Art

30Cal · March 21, 2006, 12:34 AM

I shoot extruded powders exclusively. Some of the ball powders vary wildly over a moderate range of temperature. Besides, charge consistancy is vastly overrated IME. I never weigh individual charges--even for 600yds--and I my ammo always shoots well within my ability to call my shots.

Ty

steve4102 · March 21, 2006, 06:06 PM

Check out the Ramshot line of powders. If it wasn't for my 7.62x39 having a love affair with AA2230 all of my powders would be Ramshot. I have found them to perform very well in a wide range of temps.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

azredhawk44 · March 21, 2006, 06:17 PM

I've only shot a few rounds like this, but...

I could not tell any real, appreciable difference between H335 (ball) or H4985 (extruded) in my 30-30 or 308 loads. The H335 did meter more evenly and bound up my uniflow measure a lot less.

I shot in Phoenix, Arizona winter temperatures, which are a brisk and chilly 65 degrees, though. I don't know if I would risk experimenting on a hunt with ball powder if I KNEW that extruded worked fine in very cold or very hot conditions.

March 20, 2006, 10:49 PM	#1
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	Centerfire Rifle Powders I've been using extruded powders for years mainly IMR4064, H4895, and RL15 for most of my cartridges. Recently another reloader recommended ball powders to me, he stated that I'll like how easily it flows through the powder measure. I bought some H380 to reload some 8mm-06 rounds to try this theory. What are some of your favorite ball powders for rifles based of the 308 and 30-06 case? And is it also true I will hear less crunching in my powder measure?

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March 20, 2006, 11:12 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've used ball powder; yes, less crunching. But, for my hunting rifles--and that's my main deal--I weigh the loads, so it's no matter. I've never noticed any difference in point of impact, comparing weighed vs. measured, using 4064. So, me being me, I quit worrying about it. However, since I'm in no hurry when reloading, I generally get to within one or two granules of "exactitude" with 4064 and 3031... Art

March 21, 2006, 12:34 AM	#3
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	I shoot extruded powders exclusively. Some of the ball powders vary wildly over a moderate range of temperature. Besides, charge consistancy is vastly overrated IME. I never weigh individual charges--even for 600yds--and I my ammo always shoots well within my ability to call my shots. Ty

March 21, 2006, 06:06 PM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	Check out the Ramshot line of powders. If it wasn't for my 7.62x39 having a love affair with AA2230 all of my powders would be Ramshot. I have found them to perform very well in a wide range of temps. http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

March 21, 2006, 06:17 PM	#5
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	I've only shot a few rounds like this, but... I could not tell any real, appreciable difference between H335 (ball) or H4985 (extruded) in my 30-30 or 308 loads. The H335 did meter more evenly and bound up my uniflow measure a lot less. I shot in Phoenix, Arizona winter temperatures, which are a brisk and chilly 65 degrees, though. I don't know if I would risk experimenting on a hunt with ball powder if I KNEW that extruded worked fine in very cold or very hot conditions.