Large Magnum rifle powder recommendations

[creophus]

Looking for powder suggestions for loading the BIG magnums.

Calibers that I'd like to consider would be:

375 H&H
338-378 Weatherby Magnum
340 Weatherby Magnum
416 Rigby
416 Taylor

Basically all the big stuff just under 50 BMG.

What do you guys like/suggest?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Looking for powder suggestions for loading the BIG magnums.

Calibers that I'd like to consider would be:

375 H&H
338-378 Weatherby Magnum
340 Weatherby Magnum
416 Rigby
416 Taylor

Basically all the big stuff just under 50 BMG.

What do you guys like/suggest?

The 375 h@h can run as slow as 4350 class powder and that is about it- it simply doesn't have case capacity for slower. I personally run I 4320 and I 4350 with mine using jacketed, and rl7 with lead.
the 338-378 will take retumbo, rl25, and the 50 cal powders
the 340 wby will go to 7828 and rl22, maybe a bit slower, but not that much
the 338 win wasn't mentioned but I use rl 19 in mine with a 225 and get the same speed as most books show for either the 338win OR 340 wby-- go figure
the 416 rigby takes a rather slow powder because of the cavern they put on it because of cordite. rl22 and 4831 work well here.
The 416 taylor is similar to the 416 rem and 375 h@h with 4350 as slow as you go.
I's rather own a 338(either win or rum) or 375 rum than most of the above save the 375h@h. The 416 rum wildcat (whatever they are calling it I simply don't care) would be a great 416, but the rigby would be good too.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Another great large cartridge for the they will bite back crowd is the 470 Nitro. I fired a custom one once at the local range, and it was odd. With the low pressure it reminded me of a shotgun with slugs.
The worst recoiling rifle I've ever fired was a liteweight 416 rem with a liteweight leopold 1.5X4 on top. Under 9 pounds full of ammo if I remember right. Heck of a shove-back in that one. It made a fifty bmg look like a pop-gun.
My 375 is a liteweight (8# scoped) and it has heavy recoil(it will literally scoot you back in prone) but it isn't as bad as the 416 was.

 

[creophus]

Thanks for the info Lefty. Can you narrow it down to 1 or 2 powders that might work across all of those calibers? I plan to go shopping this weekend.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Thanks for the info Lefty. Can you narrow it down to 1 or 2 powders that might work across all of those calibers? I plan to go shopping this weekend.

Well, I'd look at one of the 4350's for the mid calibers. (the 375, 416tayler)
I'd look at rl22 or I7828 for the more overbore rounds and the Rigby.
You aren't going to get the best speed with the 338-387 until you get pretty slow stuff in it, but 7828 or rl22 will work.
I'm not sure on powder charges for most of these, but data for most of 'em is a few mouse-clicks away. How many of these are you loading for??

 

[creophus]

Well, I'd look at one of the 4350's for the mid calibers. (the 375, 416tayler)
I'd look at rl22 or I7828 for the more overbore rounds and the Rigby.
You aren't going to get the best speed with the 338-387 until you get pretty slow stuff in it, but 7828 or rl22 will work.
I'm not sure on powder charges for most of these, but data for most of 'em is a few mouse-clicks away. How many of these are you loading for??

I'll be loading for the 375H&H first. At some point in the future the other calibers may get loaded.

Just didn't want to buy 8 pounds of something and NOT be able to use it in other great big cartridges.

I have some XMR-4350, so maybe RL-22 will be what I get.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I'll be loading for the 375H&H first. At some point in the future the other calibers may get loaded.

Just didn't want to buy 8 pounds of something and NOT be able to use it in other great big cartridges.

I have some XMR-4350, so maybe RL-22 will be what I get.

rl22 is a good choice for many rounds. The 300 win and 7rem love it, and it works in the 270 class rounds if compressed. Basically anything more overbore than an '06. Even an '06 can use it with 180's if compressed enough.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

No powder will work well with all those. The 338-378 throws the biggest curve which needs super slow stuff with H-870 being the best. Retumbo will work in it but not as well and will work in the 340 wby but not as well as powders just a little faster like 7828. The large cartridges you listed need something faster. You are trying to do the impossible and will defeat the purpose of your chosen cartridge with the wrong powder. Of all those listed all you need is the 338-378 wby which will significantly outperform all the others and by far the best. Unless you go to Africa with caliber minimums.

 

[creophus]

I decided upon the H-4831SC and IMR-4831.