warbirdlover

Which do you prefer?

I no longer reload but when I did (for many years) I found that the extruded powders were easier to develop a load but would not drop consistent amounts from my (benchrest) powder measure. I always had to hand measure them. The powder measure(s) I had would always drop perfect amounts of ball powder.

Then (after having some sooty looking barrels after only a few shots) I read that with ball powders you had to get the pressures up for it to completely burn. This I found was true. The higher the pressure, the cleaner the barrel. I watched the pressure by looking at the case for signs (flattened primers etc).

When I got a good load with the ball powder I really couldn't beat it with any of the extruded.

Any of you have similar experiences?

BCRules

Yea, about the same. Ball likes hot ignition and to burn hot. Not a rule, but generally.

I use both. I like BL-C2, which is ball. I like H380 also.

But for the most part for rifle, I mostly have extruded.

Mostly for pistol, I use sphereical. If for nothing else, for consistent powder drops from my progressive presses.

BCRules

What ball powders do you use again in your mag calibers?

BCRules

That WC 872 is what I was thinking of you used. You can't even get the stuff anymore can ya?

BCRules

I still have some H870. Never had luck with it. Thinking of trying 869. I still have a lot of retumbo left. Not a fan either.

warbirdlover

I ended up using alot of Winchester 760 because they didn't have 780 yet back then. The Hodgdon H414 and H380 stuff was okay but I still liked the 760 best.

Reloader 19 and 22 are great powders. My best .30-06 loads were using 19.

BCRules

I had several pounds of RL22 that was pure magic. Then I got a pound recently and everything is different. Lost up to 100fps. Accuracy went from 0.5MOA to little over 1MOA. Maybe its the weather, maybe its me. But Alliant powders seem so inconsistent. I had simular thing with RL25.

H1000 seems to be the powder I love the most for RUM's, and STW's.

charlie brown

I use IMR 4985 in my .223, which meters well in my RCBS meter. I had also used Win 748, but I didn't think I got any better groups with that. I use H4350 in my .30-06, which does well. I use the IMR 4895 in my .30-30 and 8mm Mauser as well. I have some H335, which I was thinking about trying in my 8mm, but I am waiting until I get new sights for it, or a scope set up. For my 45 ACP - I use Unique. Its a bit dirty, but it sure makes for nice practice loads with the 185 LSWC bullets.

ra18657

I've loaded my own ammo for more than 45 years, I do not have a single load with ball powder, I've tried it a number of times over the years and just flat don't like it (dirty burning and extended cleaning if I use it). I do have 748 and (RL 15, thought it was a single base powder but isn't). I've had outstanding sucess with H4831 for 243, 25/06, 270, 280, either IMR 4895 or 4064 for the 30/30, 307, 308, 30/06, IMR 7828 with the 7MM Rem Mag. I should add I use W231 for my 45ACP (burns clean) which is the only pistol round I load for! The only advantage I see for ball powder it meters well, for what it's worth I do not like to run my loads at or near max to enhance buring qualities. My .02 William

ihookem1

I do have to say 18657, the H 380 sure burn dirty compared to Varget. I did get the mil surplus h380 for 6 bucks a pound.