Powder and primers

wigmaster0 · 09-18-2008, 04:52 PM

I am new to the world of reloading and I am curious about the numerous brands of smokeless powder. I will be starting out reloading 308 winchester and I was wondering what is the best for the buck? Eventually I will be reloading 10mm auto, 7.62x39, 9mm and 9.18 makarov. But for now if anyone has any preferences for powder and primer types for the 308 I would be much obliged. FYI I will be using the ammo in a Saiga 308.

billy · 09-18-2008, 05:53 PM

i like varget powder in my 308 saiga because it is readily available and fairly forgiving.

big boomer · 09-18-2008, 06:13 PM

For pistol of all calibers I like Win. 231 its clean and works in just about anything. for rifle I like the IMR powders they have proved themselves over the years. PS just so you know the Markerov takes a special bullet its not a regular 9mm.

Jersey Jailer · 09-18-2008, 06:55 PM

I have been using "Clays" in 9mm, 38/357, and 45 ACP & LC, it's almost as accurate as bullseye but much cleaner. Check the IMR site it will give you load data for Winchester, IMR and Hogden Powders.

wigmaster0 · 09-18-2008, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the info, and in response to the Makarov I knew that as I am a regular visitor of makarov.com but thanks for the tip anyway.

Ken in Iowa · 09-20-2008, 08:42 PM

I'll second Varget as a good 308 powder.

WW 748 ball powder, IMR 4064 and IMR or Hogdon 4895 are also excellent.

I normally use Remington 9 1/2 primers in my 308. Stay away from magnum primers in that caliber.

BTW, what bullet(s) are you looking to use?

lefty o · 09-20-2008, 08:58 PM

this is like asking whats your favorite food. my general all around rifle powder is IMR 4064, works good in just about anything.

blaster · 09-21-2008, 12:04 AM

^ mine too

gandog56 · 09-21-2008, 12:32 AM

The powder I would use depends on the bullet weight I would be reloading. I would probably use H4895 since I use that for a few other calibers.

DWARREN123 · 09-21-2008, 07:05 AM

Check out the bullet and powder company web sites to get an idea of what is suggested for the rounds you want to reload. Also read and heed reloading manuals and start low and work up. Also different type of actions can require different components, loadings and procedures of reloading.

DaTeacha · 09-22-2008, 12:41 PM

The most interesting aspect of reloading is all the variables. Using the manuals properly and doing a little math, you can find a powder that will give you the most shots per dollar, the most fps per dollar, etc. Then you can figure out by experimenting which one gives you the best accuracy, the cleanest bore, the least muzzle blast, the least flash, the least recoil, or whatever.

Of course by the time you've gone through all the available loads, someone comes out with a new bullet or a new powder, and you get to try some more. If you finally get it all perfect, you've worn out your gun and need to buy a new one and start over! That's what makes reloading fun.

wigmaster0 · 09-24-2008, 04:45 PM

in response to Ken in Iowa's question about what bullets I will be using. I will be using remington 147 gr FMJ's Eventually I will load a few with some core lokt for hunting. But 80% of my reloads will be with the before mentioned FMJ's.

gandog56 · 09-24-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

this is like asking whats your favorite food. my general all around rifle powder is IMR 4064, works good in just about anything.

I can't find a 4064 recipe for
7.62X54R 150 gr. bullet
8X56R 205 gr. bullet
.223 Rem 55 gr. bullet

Which is too bad, because the surplus 4895 sold by GIbrass is supposed to be equivalent to IMR4064. I just passed up buying 8 pounds of it and getting H4895 from Graf and Sons instead.

jimkim · 09-24-2008, 07:05 PM

I found this on the Internet. It is from Lee Modern Reloading.
7.62x54R
150gr Jacketed,
IMR-4064 37.5gr,
Starting load.

IMR-4064 41.4gr,
Velocity 2574fps
Max Load
Hornady, and Sierra also have load data as well as the Reloaders nest. Load 10471 detail in caliber 7.62x54R Russian

As far as the 223 goes, look at the Hodgdon site. You can also find load data for that combination in the Speer 14, and Sierra V, manuals and here as well. 3 loads available in .223 Remington with powder equal IMR 4064

For the 8x56R go here. 8X56 R Hungarian @ www.reloadersnest.com

billy · 09-24-2008, 07:35 PM

Handloading Cost Calculator

bltefft · 09-28-2008, 10:30 PM

To wigmasterO,

I wait until I'm low on powder and primers to visit the web site of Powder Valley and load up. I've found that each lb of powder is about 5-6 bucks cheaper than at the local gun shop. The primers are even cheaper. I tried the Wolf primers and am very satisfied with them - they went bang, when they were supposed to.

Powder Valley applies a hazardous materials surcharge, but if you buy enough supplies, you'll still save a lot of $$$.

Hack

09-18-2008, 04:52 PM	#1
wigmaster0 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 151	Powder and primers I am new to the world of reloading and I am curious about the numerous brands of smokeless powder. I will be starting out reloading 308 winchester and I was wondering what is the best for the buck? Eventually I will be reloading 10mm auto, 7.62x39, 9mm and 9.18 makarov. But for now if anyone has any preferences for powder and primer types for the 308 I would be much obliged. FYI I will be using the ammo in a Saiga 308.

09-18-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 14,235 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	i like varget powder in my 308 saiga because it is readily available and fairly forgiving. __________________ "I would never die for my beliefs because what if I'm wrong?"- Bertrand Russell

09-18-2008, 06:55 PM	#4
Jersey Jailer Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SOUTH Jersey Posts: 516	I have been using "Clays" in 9mm, 38/357, and 45 ACP & LC, it's almost as accurate as bullseye but much cleaner. Check the IMR site it will give you load data for Winchester, IMR and Hogden Powders. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Austrailian Shepherds are like potato chips... You can't have just one

09-20-2008, 08:42 PM	#6
Ken in Iowa Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 89	I'll second Varget as a good 308 powder. WW 748 ball powder, IMR 4064 and IMR or Hogdon 4895 are also excellent. I normally use Remington 9 1/2 primers in my 308. Stay away from magnum primers in that caliber. BTW, what bullet(s) are you looking to use? __________________ Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!

09-21-2008, 12:04 AM	#8
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 545	^ mine too __________________ peace through superior firepower

09-18-2008, 06:13 PM	#3
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 1,238	For pistol of all calibers I like Win. 231 its clean and works in just about anything. for rifle I like the IMR powders they have proved themselves over the years. PS just so you know the Markerov takes a special bullet its not a regular 9mm.

09-18-2008, 07:39 PM	#5
wigmaster0 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 151	Thanks for the info, and in response to the Makarov I knew that as I am a regular visitor of makarov.com but thanks for the tip anyway.

09-20-2008, 08:58 PM	#7
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,103	this is like asking whats your favorite food. my general all around rifle powder is IMR 4064, works good in just about anything.

09-21-2008, 12:32 AM	#9
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 5,617	The powder I would use depends on the bullet weight I would be reloading. I would probably use H4895 since I use that for a few other calibers.

09-21-2008, 07:05 AM	#10
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 857	Check out the bullet and powder company web sites to get an idea of what is suggested for the rounds you want to reload. Also read and heed reloading manuals and start low and work up. Also different type of actions can require different components, loadings and procedures of reloading. __________________ Have a nice day!

09-22-2008, 12:41 PM	#11
DaTeacha Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: near Funk, Ohio Posts: 510	The most interesting aspect of reloading is all the variables. Using the manuals properly and doing a little math, you can find a powder that will give you the most shots per dollar, the most fps per dollar, etc. Then you can figure out by experimenting which one gives you the best accuracy, the cleanest bore, the least muzzle blast, the least flash, the least recoil, or whatever. Of course by the time you've gone through all the available loads, someone comes out with a new bullet or a new powder, and you get to try some more. If you finally get it all perfect, you've worn out your gun and need to buy a new one and start over! That's what makes reloading fun. __________________ Teach

09-24-2008, 04:45 PM	#12
wigmaster0 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 151	in response to Ken in Iowa's question about what bullets I will be using. I will be using remington 147 gr FMJ's Eventually I will load a few with some core lokt for hunting. But 80% of my reloads will be with the before mentioned FMJ's.

09-24-2008, 07:05 PM	#14
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,288 Blog Entries: 15	I found this on the Internet. It is from Lee Modern Reloading. 7.62x54R 150gr Jacketed, IMR-4064 37.5gr, Starting load. IMR-4064 41.4gr, Velocity 2574fps Max Load Hornady, and Sierra also have load data as well as the Reloaders nest. Load 10471 detail in caliber 7.62x54R Russian As far as the 223 goes, look at the Hodgdon site. You can also find load data for that combination in the Speer 14, and Sierra V, manuals and here as well. 3 loads available in .223 Remington with powder equal IMR 4064 For the 8x56R go here. 8X56 R Hungarian @ www.reloadersnest.com __________________ "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum."

09-24-2008, 07:35 PM	#15
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 14,235 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	Handloading Cost Calculator __________________ "I would never die for my beliefs because what if I'm wrong?"- Bertrand Russell

09-28-2008, 10:30 PM	#16
bltefft Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 78	To wigmasterO, I wait until I'm low on powder and primers to visit the web site of Powder Valley and load up. I've found that each lb of powder is about 5-6 bucks cheaper than at the local gun shop. The primers are even cheaper. I tried the Wolf primers and am very satisfied with them - they went bang, when they were supposed to. Powder Valley applies a hazardous materials surcharge, but if you buy enough supplies, you'll still save a lot of $$$. Hack Last edited by bltefft; 09-28-2008 at 10:33 PM.