Is there an "All around powder?"

[Bush Buck]

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

I could be happy with nothing but Hodgdon powders.

Varget is very useful for the 4 cartridges you mentioned.
It is not optimal for heavy bullets in 30-06 but it works up to about 165 grain.

I prefer H4350 for 30-06 bullets 165 to 180 grain.

Always check published sources to confirm the information you receive on the forum - typos and mis-remembering are not rare.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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.

@Deepfork
I have used CFE223 in temps from -6 to over 40 degrees Celsius. Never had an issue as I do my load development in the heat of summer plus I only use standard large rifle primers. Never had a gang fire in the cold or a pressure excursion in the heat.
My max loads contain 70gn and never a worry
Bob

 

[rookhawk]

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

If you load for large bore rifles, or you're an end of the world prepper, IMR3031 is the most versatile powder on the planet.

It is a primitive, outdated replica of stranded cordite. You can find load data for it for virtually every cartridge, although you might have to source a 1950s reloading manual.

Is it temperature stable? No. Is it renowned for exceptional accuracy? No. Is it easy to find? Yes. Is it a very popular choice for vintage british double rifles and bolt guns, everything from 500NE down to 303 Brit? Yes.

Reloader 15 and 19 are very useful powders that are accurate in many, many things. Same for 4350. Same for Varget.

 

[steve white]

If you load for large bore rifles, or you're an end of the world prepper, IMR3031 is the most versatile powder on the planet.

It is a primitive, outdated replica of stranded cordite. You can find load data for it for virtually every cartridge, although you might have to source a 1950s reloading manual.

Is it temperature stable? No. Is it renowned for exceptional accuracy? No. Is it easy to find? Yes. Is it a very popular choice for vintage british double rifles and bolt guns, everything from 500NE down to 303 Brit? Yes.

Reloader 15 and 19 are very useful powders that are accurate in many, many things. Same for 4350. Same for Varget.

I like it.

 

[PARA45]

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

For those two cartridges, you can't go wrong with IMR-4350. Go into the Hodgdon website, and you'll find load data for the cartridges you currently have.

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[rookhawk]

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

IMR3031 is a popular choice for 3006 and 375HH. Any old or storied cartridge tends to have a lot of data for 3031.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

To me, when someone says "all around powder", it means a powder that can be used across a wide selection of calibers with good (not necessarily stellar, but servicable) loads. For me, that powder is IMR 4064......I reload everything from my .223 to my 375 H&H magnum with said powder, with acceptable accuracy (and sometimes stellar) accuracy in all the calibers I shoot.

 

[Hedge774]

To me, when someone says "all around powder", it means a powder that can be used across a wide selection of calibers with good (not necessarily stellar, but servicable) loads. For me, that powder is IMR 4064......I reload everything from my .223 to my 375 H&H magnum with said powder, with acceptable accuracy (and sometimes stellar) accuracy in all the calibers I shoot.

Thank you Sir. As a reloading newbie, I've got to get good at the basics before I do anything else.

 

[Rare Breed]

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.

For me I like RL15.5 as it seems to work in everything I shoot. Having said that in addition I have ample amounts of IMR4350, H4831SC, Ramshot Big Game

 

[Sarg]

YES - Black Powder it works in everything but excels in none really !

Sorry couldn’t help it but as said here before I use 2208/Varget in a lot of calibers, 223 to .458 & as also stated way way back used IMR 3031 in near all as that’s all I had back then !

 

[Rare Breed]

If you load for large bore rifles, or you're an end of the world prepper, IMR3031 is the most versatile powder on the planet.

It is a primitive, outdated replica of stranded cordite. You can find load data for it for virtually every cartridge, although you might have to source a 1950s reloading manual.

Is it temperature stable? No. Is it renowned for exceptional accuracy? No. Is it easy to find? Yes. Is it a very popular choice for vintage british double rifles and bolt guns, everything from 500NE down to 303 Brit? Yes.

Reloader 15 and 19 are very useful powders that are accurate in many, many things. Same for 4350. Same for Varget.

I too love IMR3031!!! Easy on the shoulder as well!!!

 

[Hififile324]

I recommend buying powder(s) that have demonstrated good availability so you can repeat your loadings once developed. That said doing it with one (1) powder is a tall order. I suggest a two (2) powder solution. If I had to be limited to 2 powders I would buy Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon H-4350. You can create accurate, dependable cartridges covering mice to moose!

 

[Woodcarver]

For a lot of years, I lived on just 2 rifle powders, IMR3031 & IMR4350. From 223, 250-3000, 270, 30-06, to 300WM. While I could usually find a load that a particular rifle liked, not always. Then I realized, there's no reason to limit myself to just 2 of the dozens of powders out there. Not sure of the exact tally at the moment, but I'm pretty confident there's at least 15-20 different powders in the cabinet now. We have options, we should use them; our rifles deserve it.

 

[Azklmsr]

Pistols. Power Pistol. Normal case bore to volume CFE223. Great on 223-416 rem. Loves 375 HnH and 416 REM. Faster stuff. Superform

 

[Choupique]

Trail boss!

 

[samson7x]

What are you all using successfully with 375 H&H and 300gr bullets? Bonus points if it’s for a shorter than factory barrel.

 

[Azklmsr]

Hogdon Superform. 82 g gives me right at 2700 fps with a 300 gr TSX in my Model 70. 1 ragged hole groups are the norm off the bench. Clean shooting

 

[C.W. Richter]

Proven winners: IMR 4350 for the '06 and RL15 for the 375 (w/ CCI primers)

 

[atrious]

Varget: My number 1 choice in 223, 55 to 80 gr. bullet weights. "Mid-range" bullet weights in 6BR.

 

[MS 9x56]

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

I reload all but the 375 and have been having good results from CFE223. If you are going to be using all copper bullets it will be your best friend as it really helps lessen copper fowling. It is a fairly newer powder but you can find loads of info searching the web.