I am lost on powders

D

DoubleExpert

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I was really hoping to find a powder that I could reload into 3 different cartridges.

.348 Winchester
7mm-08 Remington
7mm Rem. Mag

So far I know H4350 can work well with these cartridges but what are my other options? I am very new to reloading. Thanks!
 
Pick the bullet weights for each. Then go to the Hodgdon data website. Write down the powders for each. Cross Reference them.
 
Yep, most likely one powder might be a "jack-of-all-trades" and give so-so groups from each, but most likely, you'll need a few powder for optimum accuracy. MY 7-08 likes 4064 and similar powders, while MY 7mm mag prefers slower powders like 4350, 4831, and 7828
 
Yep, you've got three really different cartridges there, I would be surprised if you find just one powder that works well in all three.
 
I had a Browning M71, and of course in .348 win. (sold it some years ago). I used IMR 4350 in that rifle, and it worked just fine. The only bullet I used in that rifle was the Hornady 200grn. F.P. It's a good hunting bullet.

Of the other two 7mm calibers you mention, I've never owned rifles in either of them. But I see in the newest Hornady manual (2016, 10th ed.), there's loading data using IMR 4350 for each of them.

In the 7-08, there's loadings listed for the 139 grainers, up to the 175grn. bullets.

For the 7mm rem mag, there's data for the 139 grain bullets, and the 162 grn. bullets.

I use IMR 4350 exclusively in my three 30-06's, and my 6mm rem. It just works really well for me, and that one powder is all I need to use regarding those rifles. As was already mentioned, look to the Hodgdon website for loading data.

www.hodgdonreloading.com
 
The .348 Winchester

D Expert,

Because I had one a number of years ago, and out of curiosity because I did a little digging, I thought I'd just add this on the .348 Win.

I see in the Hodgdon website data that IMR 4350 isn't even offered as a powder for the .348 when using the 200 grn. bullet, nor the 250 grainer, either. Back when I had my M71, I used the 200 grn. Hornady F.P. exclusively. Barnes made the 250 grainer (they probably still do) which I considered, but never tried. I see now that Hornady offers a 200 grain FTX bullet; I suppose it's the leverevolution flex tip pill. It wasn't available when I had my Browning.

Here's what I found interesting looking at my Hornady manual I bought back when I started reloading (3rd ed., 1980), compared to the new manual from Hornday I purchased just a few weeks ago (10 ed., 2016). The data for the .348 Winchester is exactly the same in both books. This is it, in case you're interested, using the 200grn. Hornady Flat Point:

IMR 4350: starting load, 54.2grns., 2100 fps.
max load, 60.7grns. 2500 fps. (from 3rd ed. manual)

IMR 4350: starting load, 54.2 grns., 2100 fps.
max. load, 60.7 grns. 2500 fps. (from 10th ed. manual)

From the date of my 3rd ed. manual, to the new one I just got, spans a 36 year run. I think it's at least a bit remarkable that the loading data for that old caliber has remained exactly the same from the folks at Hornady when using that Old Guy Powder, IMR 4350. I guess there's a reason I like it so much. I'm probably not the only one.

BTW, I killed an elk, a mulie buck, and a doe antelope with that M71. I liked it a lot, but I just didn't care for the way it carried for me in the field. I have a friend up north of me who wanted it badly enough that I let it go. He still has it, and likes to pack it when hunting black bear. As far as I know, he still uses the handload I used in it back when I had it. It was 60 grains of IMR 4350, using that 200 grain Hornady F.P.
 
H4831 is listed on Hodgdon's site for all three.
If you don't have .348 brass you're in for a hunt. Isn't cheap either, if you can find any.
 
If you are looking for the absolute best accuracy for each cartridge, then I don't think you want to go with just one powder. When I was handloading a lot of different rifle cartridges, almost always each rifle would show an accuracy preference for one particular powder.

The closest thing I ever found in regard to a "universal" powder was Reloder 7 using cast bullets in modern cartridges. However, even then there was one rifle (a 38-55 Winchester) that was supposed to be good with cast bullets and Reloader 7, that absolutely did not want to shoot accurately with it.
 
Three containers of powder cost exactly the same. It doesn't matter if you buy 3 different powders or 3 exactly alike. I'm not in favor of trying to make one powder work in multiple cartridges. You end up with all 3 being compromised in performance and don't save a dime in the long run.
 
I seem to agree with jmr40 quit a bit. And he is correct.One powder just isn't going to cut it for those three cartridges. You will learn as you go. Slow and easy.
 
I think you are going to be much better off picking one cartridge and working it up with the bullet weight you want to use primarily rather than to try and force one powder into a range of cartridges.

If you are just getting into reloading, I'll tell you now that you are going to be buying lots of different powder in your endeavors. Go to your load manuals and pick a couple or three loads that interest you in the bullet weight you want and work'em up. You won't be able to stick with a few powders until you find your magic load.

A good example is my own search for a .25-06 load this past year. I bought about 4-5 powders that were suitable for a 100gr bullet. After 5 powders and 3 bullet changes, I found that a book max charge of Norma 204 was magic fairy dust when combined with 100gr Nosler BTs. It took loading about 140 experimental rounds that got launched into an Alaska mountainside for no other reason than to discover the most accurate recipe.

The principles are the same for all other cartridges.
 
DoubleExpert

I didn't like my first response and think you might be able to solve your problem by picking up a Ken Waters Pet Loads Published by Wolfe Publishing Co., Inc. manual From Handloader, my copy is the fifth edition May 1990. When I'm having trouble finding load data this is my go to loading reference in addition I have about a dozen other reloading manuals I've collected over the years.. Non the less good luck and welcome to our fraternity, I do think you might try and find someone in your area to assist you with acquiring the skills your going to need to safely load ammunition!! William
 
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3 very different calibers with very different "expansion ratios" - the relationship between bore and case capacity. The 348 and 7-08 are more efficient with medium burn and the 4 7mmRM that I've had and the 3 more I load for like IMR4350 and slower.

The Hornady 9 manual has a Model 71 with a 24" barrel and they do recommend 4320 and 4350; however, it takes 7 grains more 4350 to get the same velocity as 4320 (54gr). In my 338-06, I get 2700 out of 200s with 55gr of 4320.
 
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