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Posted: 4/14/2009 7:47:31 PM EDT
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I am starting to reload and have been reading the books, reading here, and also have looked up load data as well before even resizing a round. but now that I am getting near the point of actally reloading a round I find myself wondering what powder should I use??
Granted there is so much load data out there for so many bullets and brass and pistols/rifles what would you guys think as a good powder to start to relaod 308 and 40 cal with?? also what brand of primers has proven more reliable CCI, magtech, remmington? just as many components as there are cars out there almost. granted I could go with a specific brand right away and think it is the best , but I would rather have made a good load that is reliable rather than buy something that I don't need as yet? |
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Honestly, if you have none, these days the answer is: whatever you can find/afford.
I'd get a load manual and make a list of all the powders listed for the calibers you wish to load. Go from there. It's a perfect time to start reloading––which makes it the worst possible time to start, as enough others are doing the same thing to fill a stadium. The supply is fairly inelastic, so shortages and high prices are the norm now. This will not settle for a good while. 
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Think of the .308 like a jet plane and the 40 cal like a dragster. One uses very little fuel, small tank, burns fast, travels a short distance. One is just about all tank, uses lots of fuel, burns slow, travels long distances. You cannot run both the dragster and the jet plane on the same fuel very well. So it is with powder, slow for the .308, fast for the .40 cal., slow for the rifle, fast for the pistol, slow powder, fast powder. That is just the way it is.
A great read is ABC's of Reloading, 7th or 8th ed. It takes you from the beginning to the in-depth look at how to put them all in the same hole at 600 yards. It covers pistols, rifles, shotguns, antiques to hand cannons. |
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.........I find myself wondering what powder should I use??
First………bust out your re-loading manual(s) and go over the calibers you want to load for. Note the powders that are mentioned again and again, for the weight range of bullets that you’ll be using. Might be something to that? Humm.....maybe. Now, go back and read the mfns descriptions/recommended applications for the powder(s) you picked. Do you feel comfortable with your decision? Start your “testing” by purchasing the 1 lb. container. Once you’ve found what your firearm likes, then consider an 8 lb. keg of powder. It's a PIA......to make up a good load and run out of powder. I use to live in Hawaii......powder selection was dismal and sometimes the shipping of powder was spotty. You could be facing a "dock strike" or your store could be sold out on any given day. It was common for me to "stock up," on all components. Of course, IF you buy in bulk via the internet and pay hazmat......that may work. How YOU choose a powder is your decision. For ME......here are some of my criteria....... 1) Does it meter well? I prefer Ball powders. Because, I don't get the "Ka-chunk," like when loading with a "stick powder." 2) Is it available in 8 lb containers? 3) Is it widely available and usually in stock?? 4) Am I paying a "premium" price? 5) Can it be used with multiple calibers and firearms? I'd hate to have a powder that will only be used in one firearm. 6) Is the gas pressure curve correct for my gas guns (very important with an M1)? 7) Is it known to be accurate in that caliber? 8) Is it dirty? 9) How does it fill the case? I don't like to mess with compressed loads. 10) Have I heard of problems with it? Take it FWIW......it's just my .02. Aloha, Mark PS........I load my Match 7.62 rounds with W748 powder and Federal 210 std. large rifle primers. But, there are many other choices. |
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When you get powder and primers only buy small amounts to work with, for me I don't experiment much I found what worked for me and just built up my supplies
for .308 it was RL15 or IMR 4895 for 9mm it was Titegroup or Powerpistol primers for .308 are WLR or Fed 210 and pistol have always been CCI 500 |
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When you get powder and primers only buy small amounts to work with, for me I don't experiment much I found what worked for me and just built up my supplies
for .308 it was RL15 or IMR 4895 for 9mm it was Titegroup or Powerpistol primers for .308 are WLR or Fed 210 and pistol have always been CCI 500 |
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