Powder for 308, 30-06 and 300 WM

ahankster · 12-07-2007, 08:22 PM

Hey guys,
There may not be an easy or obvious answer to this question, but here it goes.
I reload a fair amount. Allot of 357, probably 2k a month on average, some 30-30, 308 and 38-55 as well. But, I have recently decided to start reloading for my 30-06 (an inheritance) and a newly acquired 300 WM. The question is....
Is there one powder that gives very good results in all three?
I know it is asking allot. I just finished off the last of some H4895 and need to get some more rifle powder and was wondering if there was a one type fits all with different amounts, and gives good accuracy, for all three.

If I have to have different, fine, but it would be nice, and cost effective if I could go with one.
Thanks
Hank

steve4102 · 12-07-2007, 09:11 PM

There are powders out there that overlap and can be used in all three. That doesn't mean that you will get peak performance and accuracyin all three cartridges using one powder. If I were to shoot for one do-it all powder for these three cartridges I would give IMR 4007 SSC a try.

12-07-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ahankster

Hey guys,
There may not be an easy or obvious answer to this question, but here it goes.
I reload a fair amount. Allot of 357, probably 2k a month on average, some 30-30, 308 and 38-55 as well. But, I have recently decided to start reloading for my 30-06 (an inheritance) and a newly acquired 300 WM. The question is....
Is there one powder that gives very good results in all three?
I know it is asking allot. I just finished off the last of some H4895 and need to get some more rifle powder and was wondering if there was a one type fits all with different amounts, and gives good accuracy, for all three.

If I have to have different, fine, but it would be nice, and cost effective if I could go with one.
Thanks
Hank

IMR4350 is going to aboutclose as you are going to get. But lousy velocity in the 308. Varget or 4064 would be great in the 06 and 308, butlousy velocityin the 300WM.

eldeguello · 12-09-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ahankster

Hey guys,
There may not be an easy or obvious answer to this question, but here it goes.
I reload a fair amount. Allot of 357, probably 2k a month on average, some 30-30, 308 and 38-55 as well. But, I have recently decided to start reloading for my 30-06 (an inheritance) and a newly acquired 300 WM. The question is....
Is there one powder that gives very good results in all three?
I know it is asking allot. I just finished off the last of some H4895 and need to get some more rifle powder and was wondering if there was a one type fits all with different amounts, and gives good accuracy, for all three.

If I have to have different, fine, but it would be nice, and cost effective if I could go with one.
Thanks
Hank

Good results, but NOT optimum! A powder with a burning rate close to IMR4350 would work. Maybe H414 or WW 760. IMR 4350 is a bit slow for a .308, and is on the fast side for a .300 Win. Mag., and is close to ideal in a .30/'06. H414 and WW 760 are pretty close to IMR 4350, but you can get more of it in the little .308 case, which will permit you to improve upon what would be possible with an extruded powder in that case. But in the bigger cases, you might end up with more empty space in the case than is ideal with H414/WW760.

Personally, I would use H380 in the .308, and RL 22 in both the .30/'06 and the .300 Win. Mag. So you could just about obtain max performance using two powders for the three cases.....

Pawildman · 12-09-2007, 12:05 PM

You're gonna have abit of a rough time finding that single magic powder that is going to produce acceptable velocity and acceptable accuracy in all three of those guns. As was said before, 4350 is about as close as I feel you can come. But there's always the probability that one or more of those guns just won't shoot it satisfactorily. Happens all the time. Just way too many variables to consider.
But, on the other hand, if you DO find it works for you for what you can live with, I guess that is what you're after. Good luck.....

Johnmorris · 12-09-2007, 01:22 PM

Look at Reloader 19 and 22 they may have some potential also winchester powders 760 maybe

backyardreloader · 12-10-2007, 12:03 PM

i would try imr 4320,4064,or 4350. ive had a lot of good luck with all three.

ahankster · 12-10-2007, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the input guys,
I am going to try some Varget for the 308 and I'll try something else for the 300 later when I get the dies.

I didn't figure there was a "magic bullet", pun intended, for all three, but I had to ask.

Thanks again.

Hank

backyardreloader · 12-19-2007, 01:38 PM

give imr 4064,4320,or 4350

The Rifleman · 12-19-2007, 03:10 PM

Trying to use one powder in several different designs of rifles is like trying to put super swamper tires on a Corvette.

They might all be 16 inch, but the super swampers is not going to clear the fenderwells.

Powder comes in 1 lbs cans and are usually around $14 - $16 a can.

But the powder that you need to reload what you are working on and don't worry about the rest until you need to reload for it.

I keep a 8 lbs keg of IMR 4350 for reloading 270 / 30'06 and 300 Winchester Magnum, but wouldn't think of using it for a .308 or 300 Savage or 30/30.

The smaller rifle caseslikesother powders like IMR 3031 and 4064.