I recall a thread or two from new handloaders asking how to choose a powder, so I thought I'd share an approach that I use.
I have a Sako in .270 for which I need to work up a load. I had used RE-19 with a Speer 150gr Deep Curl (not boron nitride coated) and got a 0.7" 3-shot 100yd group. But I want to work up a Hornady 150gr Spire and a Nosler 150gr Bal.Tip as well.
There are "Relative Burning Rate" lists of available powders. The one I have lists 149 powders from fastest to slowest. Now recognize these are "relative" not absolute rates of burning speed- it will just give us a rough guide to use. I have read where a change in lot numbers might also change the relative burning rate, but I'm thinking that might cause IMR4831 to change places with the one above or below it, not a greater jump up or down on the list. But newer, updated lists, might answer that question.
Anyway, RE-19 on my list is 123/149. I'll use that with the Hornady and Nosler bullets. I'll work from start to maximum loads with each one. But on the chance that it won't do as well as I'd like, I'll then pick a slightly slower powder (since we have a relatively heavy bullet for a .270), and H4831 (128/149) or Win780 (130/149) would be my next choices. This, of course, all depends on what you have in your inventory of powders. After 40 years of reloading 18 calibers, I've accumulated 37 powders to experiment with. If you're just getting started maybe you can share powders in some fashion with a reloading friend.
I just recognized that I already had a powder (RE-19) to start with, which may not answer a newbie question about how to start from scratch! My approach there is to look at the Hodgdon reloading website under the caliber and bullet weight that I'm working on, and start with whatever powder gives me the maximum velocity with the lowest pressure (just don't mix CUP and PSI as a guide). I hope this helps someone out!
I have a Sako in .270 for which I need to work up a load. I had used RE-19 with a Speer 150gr Deep Curl (not boron nitride coated) and got a 0.7" 3-shot 100yd group. But I want to work up a Hornady 150gr Spire and a Nosler 150gr Bal.Tip as well.
There are "Relative Burning Rate" lists of available powders. The one I have lists 149 powders from fastest to slowest. Now recognize these are "relative" not absolute rates of burning speed- it will just give us a rough guide to use. I have read where a change in lot numbers might also change the relative burning rate, but I'm thinking that might cause IMR4831 to change places with the one above or below it, not a greater jump up or down on the list. But newer, updated lists, might answer that question.
Anyway, RE-19 on my list is 123/149. I'll use that with the Hornady and Nosler bullets. I'll work from start to maximum loads with each one. But on the chance that it won't do as well as I'd like, I'll then pick a slightly slower powder (since we have a relatively heavy bullet for a .270), and H4831 (128/149) or Win780 (130/149) would be my next choices. This, of course, all depends on what you have in your inventory of powders. After 40 years of reloading 18 calibers, I've accumulated 37 powders to experiment with. If you're just getting started maybe you can share powders in some fashion with a reloading friend.
I just recognized that I already had a powder (RE-19) to start with, which may not answer a newbie question about how to start from scratch! My approach there is to look at the Hodgdon reloading website under the caliber and bullet weight that I'm working on, and start with whatever powder gives me the maximum velocity with the lowest pressure (just don't mix CUP and PSI as a guide). I hope this helps someone out!