Reloading questions

[BTLowry]

Picked up a press and a powder dropper at a garage sale this morning. I reloaded before but it was with someone who was setup and shooting the same ammo and he provided the powder.

How do I determine which powder to use for what caliber?
I have an older reloading manual (Speer I think) that I need to find. Does it tell?

I will be reloading .270, 6.8, .223/5.56, .243 and possibly .357, 9mm and .380


Figure the GS can point me in the right direction

[aftex99]

I use Hodgdon H4831 SC for my 270 win

[cwill37]

Buy a couple of new manuals. There are lots of new powders out that were not out where your older manual was printed.

[ducks-and-bucks]

buy a new manuel. you will need more equipment too.. a powder dispenser works fine for pistol.. but rifle rounds you will want to weight out each charge, much safer that way.

[JakeGraves]

The sierra manual is in my opinion the best there is. I would get a manual to match the bullets that you are wanting to shoot. 6mmbr.com is a very good source of information as well.

[Buck-N-Rut]

I use Winchester 748 for .223 and hp38 for my 380,9mm,38 special.

[BTLowry]

buy a new manuel. you will need more equipment too.. a powder dispenser works fine for pistol.. but rifle rounds you will want to weight out each charge, much safer that way.

IF a dropper/dispenser is dropping a set amount of powder each throw how does pistol and rifle differ?
Different types of powder act different through dropper or what?
I saw a progressive press with a dropper on it, can it only be used for pistol loads?

Definitely need a lot more equipment and will buy a new manual.

Any recommendations on manuals?

[treestand]

You need a scale to set the powder dispenser in the first place. Once set, it will drop the same amount more or less. Yes, some powders meter more consistently than others. Those that look like flakes meter more consistently than extruded powders which look like little tubes. When you are loading for accuracy, you want to weigh more often if not every charge. Not as important with pistol charges as they are inherently less accurate to begin with.

[DirtyDave]

I weigh every charge for rifle. Pistol, just set it and go.
Hodgdons website has lots of good load data.
Get a routine down and keep everything consistent.

[JimGun]

I agree with DirtyDave. I have never had a problem using Hogdon's website ://www.hodgdonreloading.com

[SmTx]

IF a dropper/dispenser is dropping a set amount of powder each throw how does pistol and rifle differ?
Different types of powder act different through dropper or what?
I saw a progressive press with a dropper on it, can it only be used for pistol loads?

Definitely need a lot more equipment and will buy a new manual.

Any recommendations on manuals?

My RCBS powder thrower doesn't meter exactly each time.

I set it just lower than my intended charge then trickle in the last few grains.

[BTLowry]

Got it
Thanks for the explanations and advice

[sir shovelhands]

IF a dropper/dispenser is dropping a set amount of powder each throw how does pistol and rifle differ?

The issue is a dispenser has a percentage of error for each throw. Say it's +/- 2%. On a 4 grain charge for 9mm, that's under 0.1 grains variance between loads: not a problem.

You bump up to 40 grains for a 308 load and now your loads can vary up to 0.8 grains: unacceptable if you load for accuracy or if you hot load.

[LWolken]

reloadersnest.com has some good load info always start low and work up.

[BTLowry]

Thanks to all for advice and links

From what I understand, pretty much all dies interchange between press brands?