[Reloading] Most Useful Powders

[Todd Enders A262 857-3018]

With at *least* "57 varities" of smokeless powder on the market these
days, it can be almost impossible to determine which powder to use for a
given application. However, there are powders that can fill broad roles,
so one can obtain good results without having to keep "one of everything"
on hand. Here's what I consider "most useful" powders:

Use Powder Comments

Pistol (target) Bullseye Often imitated, never quite duplicated. A
very good choice for target/low velocity
loads. Dirtier burning than some, but not
bad.

Pistol (general) Unique Probably the most flexible handgun powder on
the market. Burns rather dirty. Unique and
Bullseye are the *only* smokeless powders
currently on the market that have been in
production over 90 years.

Pistol (magnum) 2400 The original magnum pistol powder. Still does
a good job.

Rifle (tiny) AA 1680 For very small cases (.22 Hornet, .218 Bee,
.30 Carbine, etc.). Also good in 7.62x39.

Rifle (small) H 322 A favourite with benchrest shooters. Good
for smallbore cases like .222 Rem, 6mm PPC,
etc., and large straight-walled cases like
.375 Win., .45-70, etc.

Rifle (medium) IMR 4895 Works well in medium capacity (25gr.<n<50gr.)
cases.

Rifle (large) H 4831 Most magnums and other overbore cases (i.e.
.25-06, .264 WM, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 WM, etc.)

Rifle (cast) SR 4759 *The* cast bullet/reduced load rifle powder.
A very flexible powder in this application.
May be difficult to find.

I'm sure someone will throw darts at this list. A wonderful idea, I
think... :-)

Todd end...@warp6.cs.misu.nodak.edu