What is a good versatile all around rifle powder?

Varget. I started using it in my .223 bolt gun about a year and a half ago, and use it exclusively now in that rifle. I also now have a load I use all the time in my two 30-30s; probably won't ever change that load, no need. I also have loads for one of my '06s, and my 6mm Rem. that are great. Probably won't change powders in those, either. Until I got my .223, I was using IMR 4350 in all my '06s (3), and my 6mm. I used IMR 3031 in my 30-30s. All good there, too.

I'm starting to believe these days that for my reloading, Varget would/could easily be my "one for all" propellant in all my hunting rifles. If you haven't yet, try a pound and see for yourself. Good stuff (IMO). I use the site below when reloading using Varget:

www.hodgdonreloading.com
 
When you try to make one powder work for several cartridges you often end up with decent performance with one, and mediocre performance from the others.

The best way to limit the number of different powders you have to buy is to limit the number of cartridges you load for. I've owned a bunch of rifles chambered for a bunch of cartridges but can accomplish everything I need to do with a 308. But not all from the same rifle. I have a 308 with a long heavy barrel and big glass for precision shooting. I have a 308 with short 18" barrel and low powered optics for heavy brush hunting. I have a 5 lb bolt action 308 for steep rugged high altitude hunting. And a standard size and weight all around rifle in 308.

Nothing magical about 308, that is just the one I picked. I could do the same thing, hunt the same animals, shoot the same targets with a 7-08, 6.5 CM, 270, 280, 30-06, or even one of the magnums if I were willing to tolerate the recoil.

But by concentrating on one cartridge and choosing different platforms to launch the bullets it really simplifies reloading. 308 isn't the only cartridge I own. I have a couple of 30-06's with too much history to let go and I've jumped on the 6.5 CM bandwagon. But I can use the same powders in 30-06 and 6.5 CM and still get optimum performance. The 308 needs a different powder, but uses the same bullets as 30-06. I can keep 2 different powders on hand and 2 different caliber bullets to reload and cover all my bases.

Not the only cartridges I shoot. But the others are cheap enough to buy that I don't bother loading for them.
 
I will state again the OP said he was looking for 2-3 powders to cover his needs.

As 4350 hits two of them very nicely, he still has room for the others with two more powders.

Limiting your calibers is heresy . Powder limitations are bad enough.
 
IMR4064 gives more consistent accuracy than either 4895, in .30-06(is not a Win cartridge) and .308. It'll do for the Creedmoor, but not the 7.62 x39(probably too bulky). The .45-70 will depend on the rifle, but it'll do for a Trap Door or Lever. Not so much for a Modern rifle. Hodgdon's site has no on-line data for those and 4064. Only one load for the .444 too.
Manuals may have data.
"...reading books!..." Buy a manual. Suggest the Lyman book due to its versatility.
 
Limiting your calibers is heresy...
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This made me smile. I certainly can understand some folks who would make life simpler by choosing one or two calibers and buying rifles with different capabilities using that same caliber. Not only would it be less expensive, but one could REALLY fine tune that caliber on the bench. Personally however, I love guns and their history and their many different capabilities. I wanted a collection of as many calibers as my wallet would allow. Everybody has different goals with guns, and what they buy and why. Currently, not including shotguns, I have 36 different calibers in ammo cans, the majority of which I COULD reload, but like many of us, don't. When 9mm is around 10 cents a round, unless you have other reasons to, it's not cost effective to reload. While possible... am I going to go through the trouble of reloading 22 rim-fire when I can buy it for 3 cents a round? Then... calibers like 25 and 32 Auto, or 38 S&W that I fire so infrequently, are not going to be on the list. I've has some experience reloading on my bro-in-laws setup, but I am just starting on my own bench. SO... at least as a beginner, only going to reload starting one caliber at a time, probably 45-70 or .444 Marlin first, since that's what I have the least of on hand and because they are pricey, reloading those two would bring the most immediate and biggest savings. Also want to start casting 45 Colt from all that lead I've collected, so that's high on the list.

THANKS to the many people who posted here last couple days, I now have a handle on powders. I have 4 I'm going to start off with. Unique, 4895, 3031 and Reloder 7. Perhaps 5, Varget if I'm there and they have it and I'm in a generous mood to spend more money than I perhaps have to.
 
O/P , plain and simple there is NO way you will come up with a solid "do all" powder for the calibers you describe. The problem is 7.62x39 which requires a relatively fast powder such as RL7 or 4198. You've got too wide of a "burn speed" matrix of calibers. Not sure what specifically your intent is with 45-70 but the lower 1250 fps velocity 405 gr cast load also favors 4198, RL7 or AA5744 . I can't speak for your .444 Marlin caliber as I have no experience loading this caliber.
 
Road_Clam said:
plain and simple there is NO way you will come up with a solid "do all" powder for the calibers you describe.
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Thanks... as a newbie reloader, thanks to all the good advice here, and others I've talked to since, I get it. Did some digging into powder speed, and why some cartridges don't work well with the wrong speed, or even to a degree whether the powder is flakes, balls or rods. As posted in my last thread, I've settled on FOR NOW STARTING OUT:

Unique (pistol rounds eventually)
4895
3031
Reloder 7

6.5 Creedmoor
.308 Win/7.62 NATO
30-06 Win
7.62x39
.444 Marlin
45-70 Govt

I'm aware these MAY not be ideal for that list of cartridges I've decided to start with, but from what I gleaned so far, one of them will work adequately to get me putting bullets down range without losing a finger, eye or an expensive firearm. I'm one of those scary meticulous guys when it comes to serious stuff like this, so I'm taking it VERY slow and cautious for now.
 
I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf.:D I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!
 
Colorado Redneck said:
I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf. I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!
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+1. I started out my handloading journey with one pound of Win 748 to load 223 and 308. Current inventory is 31 different powders totaling about 322 lbs. !
 
Road_Clam.....yikes! Well, that makes my accumulation look kinda puny. Ha! I started this hobby to save money. It's gone the other way. A couple hours making loads or working brass is excellent therapy. Someday, I'm going to have to get rid of some powder. :o
 
I think you're taking the wrong approach to this question. If you want to keep your powder selection limited, first pick the powders then pick the calibers that would work well with those powders and serve what ever function you require.
 
jetinteriorguy said:
If you want to keep your powder selection limited, first pick the powders then pick the calibers
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That may work for some...especially if you're starting out and have that foresight, but in my case, starting to build my gun collection way before I ever thought of reloading, I'm past that point. Now at this point, with 36 different calibers, I want to get into reloading for the pure fun of it. Yes also to be able to go the range with rifles that have expensive bullets and instead of shooting up $100 worth of ammo, feel better about shooting up only $25 worth. Few of us have bottomless pockets, and yes I have already spent serious dollars on equipment etc, but at some point in the future it will eventually pay for itself. Anyway, in doing so I wanted to start simple and perhaps eventually get more serious, thus my query on this forum of what powders will "cover" the calibers I wanted to start with. Folks here have been very helpful in that. It's that simple.
 
I haven't seen them in a while, but Hodgdon used to sell an experimenter's pack of 4 each of 4oz bottles of powders. Packs were grouped by fast/med/slow range - I think in rifle only. I still have 3 of the small bottles of H4895, H414 & Varget left. IIRC, the 4th bottle was H4350. Cost was only slightly more than buying a pound. I suggest you contact Hodgdon & see if these packs are still available & where to get them.

There are so many new powders now I wish all mfg's would do this!
 
Colorado Redneck said:
I oughta post a picture of the powders on my shelf. I started with 4064 in 22-250. Then things went off the rails. Shooting and hand loading becomes an obsession. Cruising the reloading department in sporting goods stores becomes a habit. The quest for better accuracy or hotter loads is always on my mind. lol But, it sure is fun! Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Road Clam said:
+1. I started out my handloading journey with one pound of Win 748 to load 223 and 308. Current inventory is 31 different powders totaling about 322 lbs. !
Click to expand...

OK, you guys made me go and count how many different powders I have...

I'm ashamed to admit that I counted 42 different speeds in my cabinet... But Road Clam, you have me beat on quantity... I only have about 70 lbs total.:o
 
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