What is a good versatile all around rifle powder?

M

M88

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New to reloading... reading posts... reading books! Picking the brain of my bro-in-law who's been doing this for years but who lives 1200 miles away. Read that every round has a powder that works BEST for that round, but that unless I'm into serious reloading for match quality rounds, many powders will work fine across calibers. Was told that Unique works fine for almost all pistol rounds? Is there a powder that would work adequately for the calibers I plan on reloading below? Or would two different ones cover these rifle calibers? Was told maybe 4895, Varget or IMR 3031 might be that versatile?

6.5 Creedmoor
.308 Win/7.62 NATO
30-06 Win
7.62x39
.444 Marlin
45-70 Govt (I COULD use black powder for this one)

In other words, I'd like to start off simple as I can with only 2 or 3 powders, even though I have many different rounds I eventually plan to reload. Unique for pistol rounds if what I'm reading is correct. Is there one powder (or two) that will take care of all the rifle rounds above? Or is that not really the best route. I've read different things in different books/ forums.
 
H4895 comes to mind. Varget as well. Both fairly forgiving and versatile powders. That being said, you are on opposite ends of the spectrum with .45-70 and 30-06. Hard to find an all-around powder that is well suited to both of those. Even a powder that will "work" you are likely making compromises.
 
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I'll second H4895.

Hodgdon has loads listed in all the calibers that you list.

It will go from the 17-222 thru the 460 Wby.

I probably use it more than any other powder for rifle loads.

I use a load of 105 gr. in my 460 with a 500 gr bullet when I want it to be serious. But, since those bullets ain't cheap, I use cast bullets.
 
4895 (either Hogdons or IMR)
IMR 3031
IMR 4064

They may not be the best at any one cartridge you have listed, but they will work in all of them.

I went through the "one powder for every cartridge" thing years ago, found out I was losing a lot of potential by not choosing powders that worked well in specific cartridges. Finally broke down and chose to use several powders that work well in more than one cartridge. Wound up with 3 powders for rifle cartridges, 2 for pistols. I am happy. I know people who try to find "the best" for each cartridge, they have whole shelves full of different types of powder.
 
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IMR or H4895 get my vote. I've never been a sub MOA reloader. Minute of beer/soda can at 100 yds has worked well for my my needs, sighting in, hunting, target, plinking.
 
4895 would work, but not give top velocity in 7.62x39 or .444.

An evening with a Lyman manual or the Hodgon website would let you pick your own.
 
I'd say that there's no such thing.

Like others have said, there are a few powders that have data listed for all the chamberings you have listed, but ultimately what happens is you run into the "jack of all trades, master of None..." and you'll likely be disappointed in the performance you get overall... unless all you're looking for is making the guns go "BANG!"

Having a few different cannisters of powder is not a bad thing ;-)
 
The problem is, you have a wide range of powder capacity and cartridge pressure ratings to work with there.

I'm ASSuming the 6.5 Creed probably responds similarly to the .260 Remington, which makes me think H4350 for the 6.5 CM and .30-06. Unless you're loading the .30-06 for an M1, then stick to H4895 or IMR4895.

H4895 or Varget is going to give you the most versatility across the 6.5, .308, and .30-06.

The 7.62x39 and .45-70 will respond better to something a bit faster burning, like Reloder 7 or H4198.

As said, your best option is to open a Lyman 49 or the Hodgdon webpage and look at the bullet weights you want to run in each cartridge.

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Thanks guys... WEALTH of knowledge here. Scorch has confirmed what I've read and heard... while for rifle not one powder is ideal for ALL, you don't really need shelves full of a dozen different powders. That said... as I eventually get more into this I will probably experiment with fine tuning. That is down the road. For now, going to pick up some 4895, 3031 for rifle and Unique for pistol calibers. That won't be for a couple weeks though... any more comments appreciated.
 
M88 said:
Thanks guys... WEALTH of knowledge here. Scorch has confirmed what I've read and heard... while for rifle not one powder is ideal for ALL, you don't really need shelves full of a dozen different powders. That said... as I eventually get more into this I will probably experiment with fine tuning. That is down the road. For now, going to pick up some 4895, 3031 for rifle and Unique for pistol calibers. That won't be for a couple weeks though... any more comments appreciated
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.

I think that would get you off to a good start!

Just to let you in on a secret, trying different powders can be a bit addictive... I'm afraid to say or look how many different powders are in my powder cabinet:o
 
..and yes P-990, while I do have a modern 30-06, the vast majority of my 30-06 will be for the Garand. Looks like I should also consider one more, a fast burner like Reloder 7
 
If you're reloading for the Garand, then powder choice is quite important, as it was designed around IMR4895 and IMR4064 as the propellant.

Faster burn rate powders may not cycle the action properly... either too violently, or not enough pressure to cycle the action...

You'll need to stay with powders near the burn rate of IMR4895 and IMR4064.
 
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Sometimes you have to have more than one powder depending on the cartridges. I got by with one powder because I had a .25-06, 7mm RM and .300 H&H. It was easy to pick one powder without giving up anything because they all used slow burning powders.

But then came the fly in the ointment with a .308 and .22-250. These need medium burning powders so I now have 2 powders on hand.

Don't drive yourself nuts by overthinking this subject and you'll have a better outcome.
 
M88 said:
..and yes P-990, while I do have a modern 30-06, the vast majority of my 30-06 will be for the Garand. Looks like I should also consider one more, a fast burner like Reloder 7
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I've used Reloder 7 in .45-70 and .30-30. It worked OK there, but I vastly prefer (wait for it...) H4895 in the .30-30 and no longer own a .45-70. My memory of looking into reloading 7.62x39 wants to say Reloder 7 would work in it too.

For your M1 loading, just use H or IMR4895, 150gr bullets and you'll be in good shape.

Don't be surprised if you end up with multiple powders to optimize your loads with different bullets. I'll use one of 3 or 4 different powders in loading .223 Remington, based on which bullet weights I'm using and what powders are easily available. (Win 748, H335, H4885, Varget and Reloder 15.)

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He is asking for 2 or 3, not one to cover all:

4350 is being left out of the discussion (H, IMR, Accurate all close) H is less temp sensitive but I use IMR as its available and H is not)

It will do 30-06 and 6.5 well and 308 decently.

others as noted.
 
H4895 not IMR because the H is temp stable and the IMR is not. I tend to gravitate towards H4350 but in the OP's case H4895 would cover it all until he gets to the point where he want's to improve certain cartridge loads. At that point he'll join the club and have more powder in his possession than anyone ever needs. LOL.
 
If one of the rifles is a Garand, pick a powder for that first, and the powder selection is important. (I think the NRA published a reloading guide for the Garand, and there are several good powders to choose from) Whatever works in the Garand will probably kinda work for everything, but you'll want one or two other powders too; a faster one and maybe a slower one.

Your first post said you're looking for 2 or 3 powders; that's the right target :)

I said Varget earlier, but I think it's just a little too slow to work well in the Garand; not sure but I think it hammers the op rod too much.
 
I'm afraid i'm in 300Whspr's boat.
While i like Alliant RL17 for most of my rifle loading, i also use IMR4350, H414, Hybrid 100V, IMR 4451, PP2000, PP4000, RL15, RL16, RL19, RL22, RL26, WIN748, H4895, IMR 4831.

I need a bigger shelf!!
 
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