How To Pick a Powder???

[CaptnC]

I'm not sure if I'm lazy, cheap or just need to educate myself more on powders properties.

I normally look at Nosler load data because it's easy to look up on the internet. That said; I'm trying to find one powder to cover four different calibers. 300wm 300wsm 264WM and 6.5-06 and I have found that Reloader 16 is on all four calibers and rated at or near top velocity for most bullets weights that I use. Also all calibers velocities are similar 3,000+ to 3200 fps...

Any thing wrong with my thought process?

Also...I don't own any R16 so I will have to go get some...I have all the usual suspects IMR4350 IMR4831 H4350 H4831 H4895 R22...just like to thin down herd a little.

Is there such a thing as one powider that fill all needs?

 

[RockyMtnMT]

You can probably make it work. Problem is rifles don't always do what is on paper. Point being that two identical rifles may not like the same load.

I totally understand where you are coming from. Trying to figure this stuff out can make your head swim. And just when you think you have it figured out turns out you are wrong.

Steve

 

[therifleman556]

Is there such a thing as one powider that fill all needs?

No.


But you can cut down on overlap by picking either the IMR or H series powder. Unless I'm missing something I see no need to keep both versions of 4350 and 4895 around. I myself have had good results from the RL series (except 22 for some reason). RL 16 sounds like it would be a bit fast for that family but I guess I never looked for them either. I know whatever I've tried RL 19 in (when appropriate) has shot very well.

 

[Edd]

The bullet weight you choose will have an influence on the powder you choose. I don't think you will ever get one powder to work to your satisfaction in those four cartridges. If you carefully select your bullet weights you can likely get good results with two powders. I would use H1000 as a baseline for the research.

 

[Plinker147]

I have had real good loads with IMR and H 4831 in 6.5-06 and 300win. 4831 has always been my "go to " powder I currently use it in 25-06, 6.5-06, 8x338 win mag. H1000 is a good choice too

 

[tbrice23]

300wm 300wsm 264WM and 6.5-06

IMR 7828ssc MIGHT work for all four cartridges .
But you might have better luck winning a lottery than having all four cartridges loving the same powder with your chosen bullet.

You might be making more work and disappointment than making a short cut.

 

[Dosh]

You can probably make it work. Problem is rifles don't always do what is on paper. Point being that two identical rifles may not like the same load.

Would be great if you could pull this off, but as mentioned magnums and non-magnums are usually not easily a match for powders. You have a few powders you could try. Perhaps spend a few hours researching each caliber, use the search here, Google and other forums. Good luck

 

[3stooge]

RL26 might work for all those cartridges.

 

[Barrelnut]

RL22 will probably work very well in all of them. It is a great powder for mag/over bore type cartridges, which all of them tend to be. Use something you are failure with and have on the shelf and then look from there. If I were to try a new powder for those cartridges, I too would give RL26 a try. It might get you better speed across the board. But for accuracy and working well across those cartridges, I would try RL22.

I have used it in 7 RM, 300 WM, 300 WSM, 243, 25-06, 30-06 with excellent results.

 

[CaptnC]

RL26 might work for all those cartridges.

humm...that one doesn't make any of Noslers listed powders for each caliber...

I will readily admit I don't know a lot about burn rates of even the powder I use. I tri=y powders I have that work with other caliber and so far it has worked ok. I normally only loaded to "MOA of dead deer". I have just recently tried to better than that.

 

[ragsflh]

not all rifles shoot same,powder etc.example 308ai like 1 load and bullet weight.other 308ai won t even shoot that load.trial and practice.

 

[CaptnC]

RL22 will probably work very well in all of them. But for accuracy and working well across those cartridges, I would try RL22.

I have used it in 7 RM, 300 WM, 300 WSM, 243, 25-06, 30-06 with excellent results.

I have been using R22 in my 6.5-06 and 300wsm as well.I was pleased with the both shot too...I have some 300WM loaded waiting for the flood water after Hurricane Harvey to drain from the shooting ranges.

 

[CaptnC]

I'm sure I'm over simplifying this thought process, but I thought that barrel harmonics is what this game is all about.

For example...if 3025 fps was your best group it would be very close to that regardless which powder you used. I know the bullet will change things more, but i was thinking the ignition and the bullet exiting at the muzzle at the right second was the key.

 

[Barrelnut]

Good hear you were able to keep your powder dry. I used to live in Houston, many moons ago. Hope you guys recover quickly.

I'm sure I'm over simplifying this thought process, but I thought that barrel harmonics is what this game is all about.

For example...if 3025 fps was your best group it would be very close to that regardless which powder you used. I know the bullet will change things more, but i was thinking the ignition and the bullet exiting at the muzzle at the right second was the key.

One thing that affects consistency is case fill. The more the powder fills the case, usually the better. 85~90% or better is usually good.