Is there an "All around powder?"

[DaddyFlip]

I would pick H4895. As many or more compatible carts as Varget from 17Rem to 458Win Mag and you can use Hodgdons 60% rule to lighten the load if desired.

 

[Daryl S]

Some have gone down to 50% for reduced loads with cast bullets. I've seen somewhere in print that Hodgdon recommends down to 60% for reduced loads.

 

[Tex .416]

Some have gone down to 50% for reduced loads with cast bullets. I've seen somewhere in print that Hodgdon recommends down to 60% for reduced loads.

Here:

Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet.

Take the maximum H4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy.

This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895 is not shown.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads-2.pdf

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

No....

HWL

This
Gumpy

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey gang,
I just got my Franklin Armory reloading set up and I'm in the process of getting components. I read a lot. Probably too much. It seems that reloaders go through 3 to 4 (or more) brands of powder before one is settled on for a load. Is this the case? I've noticed that Varget seems to pop up the most often, then IMR, and Hodgson. Is there a powder that is "generally" a good all rounder?
Thanks as always,
Hedge

@Hedge774
Depends on the cartridge nd bullet weight you are loading but every cartridge has its optimal bullet weight, type of powder and charge weight.
In my humble opinion one of the best powders around at the moment is CFE223.It can be used in calibres from 17 REM to 458 Winchester.
It may not give the best velocity or accuracy in your rifle but in the cartridges I have used it it gave higher velocities at lower pressure and outstanding accuracy.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm starting out with 3006 then 375 HH. I plan on reloading 9.3x62 and 35 Whelen as well.

@Hedge774
H4359 for the 30-06
CFE223 for the other three especially the Whelen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You're spot on most reloaders burn through 3-5 powders testing before locking in the one for a load rifle. Availability, temp stability, metering, and velocity nodes all play in.

Varget is the king of all rounders for a reason super consistent, temp stable, meters like water, and works killer in .223, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06, etc. with 130-180gr bullets. It's the safe bet 90% of precision guys end up on.

Other strong all round contenders:

H4350 Hodgdon edges Varget on velocity in overbore stuff 6.5 PRC, .28 Nosler, still temp stable.
RL15/RL16 Alliant great mid range, forgiving
IMR4064/4895 classic, cheap, accurate in everything.

Start with Varget if you can find it it's the generally good powder that rarely sucks. Grab a pound, work up a ladder, and you'll probably stop there. Happy reloading!

@Hsk
Varget/2208 is a very versatile powder but I have found anything it does CFE223 does it better and helps with copper fouling.
Bob

 

[Doug Hamilton]

For cartridges from .270 up IMR 4831 and IMR 4350 will shot very accurately. They may not be the most preferred but will do the job. Believe Varget to be real close to IMR 4831 on burn chart. I also use it in some cartridges and love it. I use 4350 probably most

I get pretty good accurate loads for everything from .22-250 up to .300 Win Mag with IMR 4350. So I buy that the most. Handguns require a completely different type powder and I use another for th .458 Win Mag. So it depends on which guns you want to reload for, but if most of your reloading is for varmints, deer and elk, etc. IMR 4350 seems like a good place to start.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Varget is the closest thing to a universal answer, especially if you're focusing on .223 Remington and .308 Winchester—the two most common centerfire rifle cartridges.

@Vividwest
You really need to give CFE223 a go.
Gives top velocities in the 08 and 223.
My sons 308 gives just over 2,900 fps with 150grainers and sub moa. With the accubonds it also gives 0.3 inch groups. That's a bog standard Howa with a 22"barrel . Max load with 150s is 50 but start at 46 and work up
In the 223 27 gn behind a 55gn face outstanding accuracy in my mate Savage axis.
Use a good reloading manual and work up loads watching for pressure signs..
These loads were safe in the rifles tested but use caution when reloading.
In my 222 with 55gn I get over 3,200 fps and half inch groups.
Works beautifully in the Whelen as well
Bob

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Winchester loaded near all of their factory rifle ammo with 748 and 760.
But no there is not a good all round powder, and I would not try to find one.
If I had to pick 5 for rifles it would be benchmark, 4895, 4064, 4350, and 4831.

 

[Tex .416]

@Hsk
Varget/2208 is a very versatile powder but I have found anything it does CFE223 does it better and helps with copper fouling.
Bob

What are your temperature ranges there?

 

[Green Chile]

For pistol/revolver, I can almost always find a good result with Bullseye or Unique. For hunting rifles, I use a lot of H1000, H4895 or H4350.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

What are your temperature ranges there?

Don’t know exactly for bob, but -4 (24*F) to 51.5 (125*F) where I live, too dry for snow and rain seems to be a distant memory
Gumpy

 

[Tex .416]

Don’t know exactly for bob, but -4 (24*F) to 51.5 (125*F) where I live, too dry for snow and rain seems to be a distant memory
Gumpy

On average, we have the same temp range about ten degrees F lower on the top and bottom end. Good info on CFE 223. Thanks Bob and Grumpy.

 

[112Savage]

Unique for pistols
Varget
H4350
H4831 for rifles.
With four powders you can optimize most center fire pistols and rifles.
Once you specialize into progressive presses or more specialized cartridges other powders may have advantages, but I could pare down to these four and still have 99% of my shooting covered.

 

[steve white]

Varget has been recommended by several here. I only have one question.....is it true in your experience that Varget deposits a heavier carbon ring at the chamber? I have heard of that.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What are your temperature ranges there?

@Tex.416
Ive used it in temps from minus 6 to 41 degrees Celsius
Bob

 

[steve white]

I DID see one example of an all around powder in a meme--a man's girlfriend had mixed all his half jars of powder into one jar to save space....

 

[Deepfork]

I have over 60 powders on hand, and have worked with those and quite a few more.

Off the top of my head, standouts to me that give respectable performance in a lot of calibers: Varget, H4350, RL16, CFE223, 2000MR and Staball 6.5.

Varget, H4350, RL16 and Staball 6.5 are all very temp stable which is a big consideration but would be a even bigger factor to me if I only had access to one or very few powders. CFE223 and 2000MR are very similar and very versatile but are very temp sensitive.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I have over 60 powders on hand, and have worked with those and quite a few more.

Off the top of my head, standouts to me that give respectable performance in a lot of calibers: Varget, H4350, RL16, CFE223, 2000MR and Staball 6.5.

Varget, H4350, RL16 and Staball 6.5 are all very temp stable which is a big consideration but would be an even bigger factor to me if I only had access to one or very few powders. CFE223 and 2000MR are very similar and very versatile but are very temp sensitive.

What do you use the RL16 in mostly?

I’m right in line with all the folks saying Varget as close to any possible universal powder, and if I could only have a handful it would be H1000, H4340, Varget, and RL15.