Powders

[gfercaks33]

School me on powders as I'm just starting. I need a decent, afoordable and obtainable powder for pistols and rifles. I don't know luck about them I'm a clean slate.

I don't know if it matters but pistol will be 9x18,9x19, and .40. Rifle will be 223/556, and probably 303 Brit and 7.62x54r

 

[lkothe]

Everyone has their pet powder....there are a lot to choose from but a lot depends on what you can find.
A lot of the more popular powders like WST, Universal, Bullseye, etc, I have never even seen in person.
Use what you can find, then keep trying new stuff as you find it......or live with the performance of whatever you start with.
I like Unique and SR7625 for my 9mm and 800X for my .45 auto, till something else falls into my hands.

 

[TheLastDaze]

Rifle powders are way more available then pistol powders, Im a newbie myself and the only pistol powder I can find locally is hodgdon cfe pistol, been working great but i have nothing to compare it to

 

[chazroh]

I use bullseye for 9,40,45. Performs we'll but is hard to find

 

[chazroh]

Imr 4895 for 308,223,22-250 performs well, have seen it on shelves recently

 

[aviator41]

The big challenge is availability. using hodgdon.com for load data for your calibers will show you what you can use. powder selection depends on the weight of bullet you choose to load as much as caliber.

If you don't have a load reference book, get a couple while you look for powders it will help you quickly identify powders when you seen them, which is key as they get snapped up quickly. be prepared to pay hazmat if you order online. Local sources are spotty, but Gene Sears in El Reno, occasionally H&H and bass pro have powders.

Right now reloaders just can't be picky.

 

[swampratt]

Get more than a pound if you can in the same batch number.
anymore i like to buy in 4 or 8lb bottles

 

[OKCHunter]

Universal is my favorite for pistol and shotgun but it basically unavailable and can no longer be found. As others have said, get a reloading manual and purchase anything you can find that has a published load.

 

[clintbailey]

You can look online at Hodgdon's lineup (Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester) and load data. Don't forget about Alliant and Ramshot powders; you can go to their websites and actually order a free manual with their powders in it...just remember if you use Alliants data, either online or in their book, that they only state MAXIMUM powder charge. Alliant makes a lot of powders that will work in handguns, as well as the Reloder line of rifle powders. Alliant is cheaper than Hodgdon usually and easier to find, at least here locally. Good luck!

 

[dennishoddy]

I picked up an 8lb jug of unique two days ago. It out there. Gets snatched up pretty quick. Its the most universal pistol powder out there.

There are other pistol powders better suited for different calibers, but Unique is universal. Works great in shotgun loads as well.

For the rifle, look at IMR 4350, it will work fine in your .303.

Originally a military powder featured in the 30-06, IMR 4895 is extremely versatile. From the 17 Remington to the 243 Winchester to the 375 H&H Magnum, accuracy and performance are excellent. In addition, it is a longtime favorite of Match shooters.

Right now the IMR 4350 has been available on a regular basis at Powdervalley.com

Works for .223 as well.

I love Varget in .223, but its hard to find right now.