Choosing a powder...

[meles meles]

So, oomans, encouraged by some of you, we're now into pawloading. Santa brought us a press and some dies, a set of scales and a few other bits and bats. What we're unsure about now is how to choose a powdah ! We have a tub of viht N560 that we're going to use for our 7mm Rem Mag AI because that was what was recommended to us by the chappy from whom we bought the 7mm Rem Mag. However, we have lots of other bangsticks, mainly 7.62x54R, 7.62x51 and 6.5x55 Swe. How do we go about choosing a powdah (or powdahs) for them? Does one powdah fit all ?

Do we need ball or extruded? Single or double base? Is Ramshot as good as the expensive stuff?

[lapua338]

I use powder based upon price and availability. No fancy unobtainable or double base powders for me.

We don't have the availability (and variety) of powders that the American's have so I've stuck with TR140 (based upon N140 data and worked up from that) for .223Rem, .308W, .303, etc, and N160 for the 6.5x55 SKAN.

Will probably give N160 a try in the .260 too (once it's been fixed).

[Dannywayoflife]

I love ramshot powders badger! I use wildbore magnum big game and tac

[Alpha1]

I am using ramshot powders at the moment for .308 and 6.5x55. I was using vit N140 in my .308 .303 mas36 and 7.62x54 and vit N160 in the 6.5x55. I use vit N320 in 7.62x39.
In .357 or 38 special I use bullseye or unique or 2400 or vit 310.
For my reduced full bore loads for indoor 25 yard ranges I use bullseye or the fast burning vit powders. I'm looking at developing a load using a Ramshot powder for indoor use once I get my hands on a tub of tac powder.

[FredB]

You actually asked how to go about choosing a powder---not a run down on what other shooters use. The only way is to collect loading manuals--the powder manufacturers, bullet makers and reloading specialists such as Lyman. Then start thinking about where you use the different calibres. There is no point in loading for high velocity on short ranges, up to 300yds. In fact, you will get good results with lead bullet loads for short range. Long range requires lots of know-how or jacketed bullets. Use the manuals---compare different ones and never start with high pressure loads; work up. Load development is addictive and it pays to specialise in both calibres and distances.
Fred

[Alpha1]

Decide what calibre you are going to reload for and look it up in any reloading manual. Choose your bullet weight then use the data in the book to reload.
http://www.lapua.com/upload/reloading/r ... rt2011.pdf

[meles meles]

Hmmm, but therein lies the confusion. Reloading manuals are full of recipes for lots of powdahs, and we're wondering how best to choose betwixt 'em. One manual we have suggests that we can use Ramshot Magnum, N160 and several others, all for the same bullet but with different charge weights. Ideally, if the powders are interchangeable (albeit with different charge weights) we'd like advice on how to select a powdah, perhaps taking into account factors such as availability, affordability and so on in addition to the outright performance.

[phaedra1106]

Suitability, availability and price.

2013-14's .308 shooting I used N140 as I bought a load of it at £55/Kg. For the next 18-24 months I'll be using Lovex S062 as I got it for £30/Kg. Both are well suited for the .308 and for the distances I shoot, 100-300m with the odd 600 thrown in.

[meles meles]

We've heard good things about Lovex on another thread here, and it seems cheap and available. Once our tub of Viht N560 runs out we may give Lovex a try if they do a similar sort of powdah.

[Sim G]

IMR 4350, IMR 4831, H4831, H1000, and RL-22 are all recommended powders across a 140 to 168 bullet range. See what your local dealer has on the shelf and what he can easily get. Order it, load some, shoot it. You're going to have to do all the development yourself I'd reckon, as it's not a particularly popular caliber in the UK, so "favourite loads" from someone else as a jump off point are going to be thin on the ground....