I need powder for .308/7.62 .303 and 44 magnum help me spend

[Pesty]

Dear all i'm p*** off so i'm going to spend some cash to cheer me up long day at work

I have my basket filled with reloading gear but didn't realise i could order power online ( not got my licence yet but apparently i can order the powder according to the shop on the phone, police visit soon)

my club only has 50 yards maximum for most days but i hope to be getting out to a 600 yard range at strensall frequently when it sunny

so 50 mainly but up to 600 on the 308

44 will mainly be 25/50 and 303 will mainly be 50 yards maybe odd trip to 300 at strensall

one more question the 303 dies are full length forming i was under the impression for this cartridge once fire formed neck only was the way to go.?

edit im not expecting to do all with one powder

[mag41uk]

303 and 308 N140. Its always available and relatively cheap.
Vectan AS for your 44 and you could use it in your 303 for 50yds.
I neck size all my full bore cases.

[hobbesy]

I use Unique in my .44 Winchester and it performs stunningly

[Pesty]

place i was going to order from doesnt stock vectan but it does do unique can that be used in 303 for teh shorter ranges? ill take a look at their website edit apparently not

i suppose sticking to 2 powders makes things simpler.

does stock 140 but in 1kg bottles

[Alpha1]

I think you need to slow down. You need to do your home work a good reloading manual should be your first purchase. Read it then read it again. Buying powders that you don't know will work before you have even got your certificate is just wasting money.
Unique is used for cast bullets in .303 normally. For .303 jacketed and .308 N140 is a better bet. Unique will work in the .44. You should read up on burning rates and familiarise yourself with the use of different powders before spending any money
You can neck size but some were along the way you will need to push the shoulders back. I neck size for most of my calibers with dies I make my self. After every fifth firing I full lentgh size with out the decaping rod to reform the case. I then check the case lentgh and trim to lentgh. It's a long learning curve don't spend money you don't have to learn your craft first.

[saddler]

...does stock 140 but in 1kg bottles

ONLY comes in kg bottles, or 40kg drums

[Pesty]

I think you need to slow down. You need to do your home work a good reloading manual should be your first purchase. Read it then read it again. Buying powders that you don't know will work before you have even got your certificate is just wasting money.
Unique is used for cast bullets in .303 normally. For .303 jacketed and .308 N140 is a better bet. Unique will work in the .44. You should read up on burning rates and familiarise yourself with the use of different powders before spending any money
You can neck size but some were along the way you will need to push the shoulders back. I neck size for most of my calibers with dies I make my self. After every fifth firing I full lentgh size with out the decaping rod to reform the case. I then check the case lentgh and trim to lentgh. It's a long learning curve don't spend money you don't have to learn your craft first.

good advice
loading book right next to me lymann 29th edition been reading the Lee one too for months and on here and elsewhere i applied in February :). thats why i thought id ask here so i dont buy one that doesn't work. I realize that these things would bring lots of opinion on powder the thing is you cant get it from the manual because it gives several different options of makes for each weight bullet so i thought id seek an experienced view doesn't talk about distance either.

uniquie and bullseye seem to be the favourites with the under lever crowd. only one guy brings a Lee enfield but not seen him in a while all kind of powder used for the 308.


good info regarding re sizing. I think Im pretty close to understanding from a beginers point of view on the process watched lots of youtube vids too or thought I was got confused when looking at dies. The only neck sizing ones I could find were that lee one you use with a hammer.

A club member has offered to show me through his process been buying bits and pieces for months so im prepared when i can finally go out with my own although shooting other peoples ammo has its benefits

ps im not looking for recipes yet plenty of those around will start low and work up. not looking for fireballs out the end of teh barrel like some members accuacy and repeatability for me i need all the help I can get

[Alpha1]

The Lee ones you use with a hammer are excellent and a great way to learn about reloading. I have at least six sets in different calibers I use them regulary. And they are cheap. I recommend them for neck sizing the .303 or the .308.

[zanes]

...does stock 140 but in 1kg bottles

ONLY comes in kg bottles, or 40kg drums

I thought the drums were 20kg from when I was looking at putting together a club order- have they changed?

[phaedra1106]

.5Kg (N3xx and Tin Star), 1Kg, 3.5Kg and 20Kg :)

https://www.hps-tr.com/en/vihtavuori-powders-2