Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What powders to stock

So I decided to do something different this yr. Every two weeks when I get my paycheck, I buy a lb of powder. That way I should be able to stock up some. I reload primarily 260 rem, 7mm-08, 358 win, 338-06, with some 243, 35 rem and 308 in the mix but not as often. So far I have on hand H and IMR 4350, 3031, 4064, 4198, 4895, R 19, Win 760 and 748, H 100V and unique for reduces cast loads in 358 win. Looking at that list, what else should I be getting? I keep seeing BL-C 2 for under 40 a lb, tempted to get some. Other thing I am concerned about Is my 260 does pretty well with R 19, and am brown to my last lb or so. I have seen a 5 lb jug, but at 289 couldn't make myself buy it. I am thinking I may need to replace that one. Some other powders I have been thinking of getting are 4831, maybe 7828 for heavies, and H 414. I get at my local places so I don't need to pay shipping, and they don't carry Ramshot powders. One does carry some Acci, been thinking of trying 2700. So any powders I should be buying at this point that I am missing? Thanks!

Do yourself a favor and buy some StaBall6.5 for your 243win, 260rem, 7mm08, and heavy bullets 338-06 loads.

BL-C2 will be good in the 35rem and 308. IMR 4064 would be good for the 308, and 338-06.

CFE223 would be good for your 308, 338-06 and some 7mm08 loads

FWIW, I don't blame you for not dropping the coin on the Reloder 19, Alliant has become ridiculously priced and once I burn mine up, I'm not buying anymore.

I'm sure I missed some and others will give you there input, but these will give you some other options

Varget will work in 260, 7mm-08, 308.

Not a bad idea. One thing to consider is lot to lot variance in some of the powders if you are spreading out purchases.

I try to work up loads with similar powders and keep track of what I shoot the most. For me I burn a lot of imr4350, h4350, Alliant 2000MR, and tac(I know you said you can’t get ram shot local).

Other thing to consider is primers. Some of those listed a guy can find small primer brass, that will change some of the useable powders with the lower flame. Helping a guy now with a 22creedmoor fighting hangfires. Small
Primer brass and ball powder(other issues at play as well) but I would rather have a bunch of powder I know works for my chosen uses.

Good luck on stocking up and more for thought than many have.

Don't agree buy 8 lbs a whack fug the small time bullchit. Buy lr's when you find them. Primers first priority the powder, bullets brass..mb

no point in looking for H414 or A2700... it's the same as your Win760... i'd be looking for Big Game instead... and maybe? Hunter instead of 4831... possibly some Reloder23 instead of 7828, although i don't know if either apply to your cartridges? ...

243 and 35 Rem as well.

I reload 410-12 shotgun, 9mm-45 pistol and 5.56-4570 rifle.

I’m always looking for Reddot, IMR 3031, H110, Unique,
IMR 4895, and little gun. if I could ever find it again Trail Boss and clays.

OP, really, you can do all of the rounds you listed with H4350 & either StaBall 6.5 or RL--16.

Add TAC & you're covered down to 223.

MM

I've been "investing" in 8#'ers in H4350 and W748...
I have a lifetime supply of primers now and with those two powers I can easily cover from the .204/.223 to my .358 and all the other .308 based stuff in between...

IMR-4064 & 4350 will cover all of your bases.

If ball powders then TAC and Big Game.

For the calibers that I load IMR 3031, 4064 & 4350 take care of my needs. These powders produce accurate loads in .257 Roberts, .30-06 and .35 Whelen amoungst many others.

Agree on both counts of a faster & slower powder that covers a lot of bases. You could add H4895 that is on either side of 3031 and 4064, but that's hard to get now so when it's all for me I'll move onto something else.

I've always been a heavy user of IMR powders......got a fair amount yet but in light of recent prices I've seen on IMR powders I'll be going a different direction with those also when I've used up what I got. Ramshot and Accurate are the best options here as far as pricing.

I agree about adding Varget. I’d also suggest Big Game. I’ve suffered through different lots requiring me to start over with loading efforts so I do try to purchase jugs. I’d also suggest you get a little looney and consider what you might want to buy new cartridge wise in the future, and stock up on go to powders. I think powder will always hold value if it’s stored well.

Agree with buying the 8# jugs. Started doing this years back and glad I did. When I open one I buy a replacement. Always have at least a few years on hand.

In my lifetime I might buy one more 8 pounder of RL7 , H4895, and 5744 but won't need anything else. Don't really need them but I do want them. If I find someone selling older powders and I got the money I will also buy W680 and IMR 4320 , two that they should have continued making.

I'd like to try Varget in my 260 but haven't seen any in a long time. Same with RL-22! Have most of a 8# can of H414 left from the last shortage as it was about all I could get then. The H414 really works well in my 243! I've though that most the powders for the 308 also work well in it and suspect they might also in the 260 but, where do you find the stuff that it doesn't break the bank? I'd try IMR 3031 and IMR 4064 in my 260 if I had any! Got the 5# can of RL-19 off the internet but paid out the nose for it! Prices ever get decent again and powder available I'm gonna hoard my favorite powders. Won't be that bad though as I'm up there in years and don't shoot anywhere near as much as I used to!

I buy IMR 4198, H335, Varget, StaBall Match, H4350, H4831SC, and H1000 and that covers the gamut of rifle cartridges I shoot. For pistols, Sport Pistol covers my 9mm and .45 ACP. I also keep H110 for .300 Blackout and .44 Rem Mag.

8lb of IMR4895

H 4350 should cover the .260 very well.