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It is a primitive, outdated replica of stranded cordite.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.