Powders….. new to reloading

[basschsr]

Have read H4350 is good for 6.5cm and 308win but looking at hodgdon’s site, 308 is not listed with h4350. Also on hodgdon’s site a 129gr hornady bullet is not listed. Is this just a difference in reload manuals? I went with the hornady lock and load classic and haven’t received it yet so I haven’t looked it up in the hornady manual but trying to do as much research as I can before I start actually reloading. Will mainly be doing 6.5cm, 308, 300bo and 9mm. Will I be looking at a different powder for each of these or just 2 different powders? I know the 9mm will be different.

[Drycreek3189]

Generally speaking, use the loading manual whose bullets you’ll be using. It’s better to have several manuals that will cover what bullets you’re using as welll as being able to compare to each other. Manuals from powder companies can be used also. You can’t have too much good info.

[Rswan13]

You will likely be looking at a different powder for each caliber. If you want to start looking ahead before you get your manual, look up a reloading powder burn rate chart. The standard powders for 308 fall in different areas of the burn rate than the 6.5cm. There may be a little overlap, but that’s not usually where you find the best results. Read that manual and compare their listed powders for each caliber to the burn rate and it will start to make sense. I’ve loaded 308s with Varget and IMR 4064. My 6.5 cm has been loaded with H4350, Alliant Reloder 16 and StaBall 6.5, all with great results.

[dbaio1]

Reloading manual for a beginner is the only recommendation I would give. Start there. If you are going to use various bulllet brands you can get information on the manufacturers web site. Barne, Nosler etc. I have always followed the bullet load data versus a powders. I like how they test several for you. Of course each gun will have its own preferred load.

[Chase4556]

You will be using different powders for 308/6.5creed/300blk/9mm. I’d start keeping an eye out for IMR4064, varget, cfe223, 8208xbr, reloader 15 or h4895 for 308.

H4350, Reloader 16 or IMR4451(being discontinued probably won’t find it) for the 6.5creed.

H110, Lil Gun, CFE BLK for the 300bo.

9mm any of the powders suggested for 9mm will work. Just depends what you can find.

I don’t worry about finding the EXACT bullet I am loading for. If you can, that’s great, but using data for other similar construction bullets in the same grain weight range will do fine. IE: You are using a 129gr, assuming 6.5mm, Hornady. Probably an interlock. So the 130gr nosler accubond data that Hodgdon has would do fine.

Also, don’t forget that companies have apps on your phone to use for data. I have Sierra and Hornady apps, use hodgdons website, Speers website plus two paper manuals.

[Artos]

Varget is always a good bet to start off w/ 308...little more expensive but have had excellent results with them over the years.

https://www.vihtavuori.com

[Chase4556]

Also grab a manual like a Lyman or Lee. It’s a more general manual that uses projectiles from all manufacturers. Excellent reading material as well. A couple bullet manufacturers manuals plus a Lee or Lyman should cover you for the vast majority of your loading.

[McClain]

Keep in mind that several powders may be suitable for a given cartridge depending on bullet weight and barrel length. Generally, heavy for caliber bullets and longer barrels can accommodate a slower burn rate powder (within reason). For example, I use H4350 in my 6.5 creed with heavier bullets (139 grain scenars) and Varget for lighter bullets (110 grain HH).

[basschsr]

You are using a 129gr, assuming 6.5mm, Hornady. Probably an interlock. So the 130gr nosler accubond data that Hodgdon has would do fine.

Yes this is what i was seeing and wondering about. Great info guys, thank you. I was hoping that I wouldn’t need a bunch of different powders

[Chase4556]

Yes this is what i was seeing and wondering about. Great info guys, thank you. I was hoping that I wouldn’t need a bunch of different powders

I wouldn’t say a BUNCH, but you will find that experimenting with different powders even with the same projectile will change how it shoots. In the end once you find the load your rifle likes, you end up with some random powders that you don’t use as much. One example, I had a couple pounds of imr3031 that I didn’t end up using in my loads. During COVID my dad’s buddy couldn’t find 30-30. Guess what is a great powder for 30-30? Yep, IMR3031. So I finally found a use for it and was able to load him up some without using powders I needed for what I load.

[critter69]

Varget is always a good bet to start off w/ 308...little more expensive but have had excellent results with them over the years.

https://www.vihtavuori.com

Varget works in the 6.5 creed also

[basschsr]

So here I am just starting to get into reloading, getting all the necessities…. Bullets, brass, looking at powder choices in the manuals, and large rifle primers are out of stock everywhere! So in essence, I can reload a 1000 rounds but none will go bang!!

[fish4food]

Set up alerts at all your trusted web sites. They come up often.

[Chase4556]

So here I am just starting to get into reloading, getting all the necessities…. Bullets, brass, looking at powder choices in the manuals, and large rifle primers are out of stock everywhere! So in essence, I can reload a 1000 rounds but none will go bang!!

Where are you located?

[basschsr]

Seven Points but go to dallas and ftw often