You can only have 6 powders for everything. What are they?

[vincewarde]

OK, here's what I actually stock:

Red dot - for really light pistol loads.
Unique - can cover most pistol cartridges, shotgun and even light rifle loads.
AA9 - Magnum pistols and my .30 Carbine
Varget and IMR 4895 - can be used in a variety of non-magnum rifles rounds from .223 to 45/70
SR 4759 - for reduced loads and my primary 45/70 powder - discontinued

So, those are my 6 powders.....

[Rastus]

So what are you going to do to replace 4759?


Also, where do you guys usually find powder the cheapest?  I get the flyers from Wideners but with their new website they went up in price.  And, I wander over to Grafs now and again.

[alfsauve]

I think getting this down to 2 powders.    For me I could do all my handgun ammo with Tight Group and any of the numerous rifle powders, say H4895, for .223 and .308.   Are these the best powders for every load? No, but I could make do with them.

Here's some of my bookmarked reloading suppliers.
Of course you can check Ammo Engine (now WikiArms) for supplies and suppliers https://www.wikiarms.com/



http://www.precisionreloading.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PRE
http://reloadingunlimited.com/
http://www.jmreloadingsupply.com/
http://www.butchsreloading.com/shop/55-hodgdon
http://powdervalleyinc.com/
http://www.lohmanarms.com/default.asp
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ammunition/handgun-ammunition.html

[les snyder]

Powder Valley has WSF in 8# for $139.... small pistol primers for $28/1000... hazmat is $28.50 so make the order worth while

[PegLeg45]

I'm a minimalist when it comes to calibers...... I only load for .30-06 and .308win for now. My pet loads for each both use the same bullets (for now) and both use Varget. It is clean and accurate.

I just finished my first AR pistol (thanks to Alf and Les for posting photos a while back, I caught the bug.... and if I'd known building an AR from a box of part was so easy, I'd have started a long time ago LOL). I may order some dies and build up some custom loads for it (7.5" bbl).

Titegroup fills the bill for handguns at the moment since I only load .45ACP and .44mag/.44spl. It also goes a LONG way since it doesn't take a lot per charge (.44spl is around 5grs....I don't have my load data with me....on vacation and am sitting at a Ft. Clinch SP picnic table).

I keep some IMR4350 for loading my younger son's pet hunting load in .243win and in a pinch I think it works well with .308win.

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

...on vacation and am sitting at a Ft. Clinch SP picnic table).

Oh, man. My favorite place on the Atlantic side is AI.   Wish I could be there.   We usually go during schools fall break, but can't afford it this year.

[Bidah]

Some other choices or thoughts.  I went through this the last time, so I stocked up on the basics.

HS-6 for 9mm and 20ga (slug and shot loads)
American Select (12ga Shot, Slug, and .45acp)
Ramshot TAC .223 and .308

In the past I have used 2520 for .223, .308, and .30-06.
Can also substitute Clays for the American Select.

Are there better powders, sure, if I can get them.  Overall I do not use more than 6 powders though.

[PegLeg45]

Oh, man. My favorite place on the Atlantic side is AI.   Wish I could be there.   We usually go during schools fall break, but can't afford it this year.

The only way we can afford it is her "cake money"....we stay at the state park Labor Day week and five nights cost $150.

[Solus]

Just need two powders.

A very fast clean burning powder and a very slow clean burning powder.

Then you just blend them to get the characteristics you need for a load.

Sure, it's a bit risky at first, but if you live through the learning curve, you're set.   

[alfsauve]

Sure, it's a bit risky at first, but if you live through the learning curve, you're set.

Here!  Hold my beer.   What could go wrong.