Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powders for : 223/260/30-06

Im looking at reducing the amount of powders on my bench

I load for my 223 Rem, 260 Rem, and 30-06 (all bolt action M700)

I am thinking of keeping the powders on hand to :

Hodgdon Benchmark
Hodgdon Varget
Hodgdon 4350
Hodgdon 4831sc

Benchmark for 223 loads

Varget for 223/260 varmint loads/30-06 up to 165 gr.

H4350 for 260/30-06

H4831sc for 260/30-06 with heavier bullet loads


what do ya'll think? (I stick with H powders for temp. insenstivity, and I can get them cheaper than anything else)
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

To go to the ridiculous exreme, you could load all three with just one powder, like Varget, H-4895, IMR-4064 or RL-15. Might not give the best accuracy or performance in all 3, but probably could work up useable loads. But where is the fun in that? I think you really could get by with just two, though. Pick one for the .223 and H-4350 for the other two.

All you need is Varget and H4350.

What Brad said or just go Varg and or R15 for all of them.

It could be done with one powder with a bit of giving.

Mark D

I realize I could do it with just Varget or RL15, but like said, wheres the fun in that? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

right now I just have multiple powders in same burn rates (imr4831/h4831 - H1000/Retumbo) that basically duplicate the other. Just looking for some input on reducing them down to a select few. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I want to get out of load development and more into shooting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Gotcha, no problem, was just trying to help simpifyyour life being as I can't attain it for me.......grins

Mark D

I have been trying to thin my powder selection down to 1 or 2. I have great success with Varget, and it is temperature INsensitive.

I have great results in .223, .22-250, 7mm-08, .30-06. Results in my .243 are not in just yet.

When I first started reloading I had 15 or so powders in order to get the best load. Well, I did just that but the process was exhausting to say the least. I then devoted one powder to a particular caliber (Varget) and worked it up. What I found more than satisfied me. People have told me again and again about 4350 in the .30-06. I am going to hunt PG in Africa and started working up loads for the Barnes 168TSX. Had better luck with Varget than the 4350. The velocities were very close so my decision was easy. That very same powder allowed me today to shoot 50Gr Hornadys at 1/2 MOA from my .22-250 and 1 MOA with the 7mm-08 using Sierra 100Gr. Now that's what I call versatile. Might not work for others, but it does fine in my guns.