Powder Choice

[mattiooo]

I know rifles are picky about what types of projectiles they like / don't like. Does this extend to powders? Do I have to experiment with different powders as well as projectiles?

If not, what are the criteria for selecting a powder?

[CS1983]

Might help if you say chambering/caliber you're thinking of.

For some, there are definite go-to loads that work fine and any experimentation beyond them is on one's own anal retentive need for scientific perfection. For others, there are definite combos to avoid.

[sellersm]

Do you have a more specific caliber/application in mind? That may help the answers...

Generally speaking, yes, sort of. Powders have burn rates: faster to slower. Powders have temp sensitivities: some are inverse. Powders tend to have their applications regarding bullet weights and types: heavier vs. lighter, plated vs. cast. Powders also have pressure ceilings/boundaries: some will get to higher pressures than others (often related to their burn rate).

With rifles, my experience is that some powders like certain bullet weights better than others. For example, in .223, powders like H335 tend to do better with lighter- to mid-weight bullets, as opposed to heavier (77+). TAC tends to like heavier bullets.

If you look at the manufacturer's (both powder and bullets) loading data, you can see which powder tends to do best with which bullet weight, based on their testing. Internet searches may also help refine the data, but I wouldn't rely solely on the interwebz...

[XC700116]

It's also very dependent on your purposes and uses. If the gun is going to be shot in a wide variety of temperatures, I highly recommend going with one of the Hodgdon extreme series of powders (Varget, H4350, H4831, etc) as they are typically more temperature stable than most. I've seen loads with various ball powders that perform vastly different due to ambient and chamber temperature. Some will spike pressures dangerously high in hot temperatures from a load that was fairly mild when developed at temperatures below 50 degrees.

I had a load in my 6 Grendel that shot great below 50 degrees, but go above about 60 and it grouped horribly.

Like mentioned above, give us an idea of the cartridge(s), bullet and and usage, and we can point you in the right direction.

[mattiooo]

Might help if you say chambering/caliber you're thinking of.

For some, there are definite go-to loads that work fine and any experimentation beyond them is on one's own anal retentive need for scientific perfection. For others, there are definite combos to avoid.


Do you have a more specific caliber/application in mind? That may help the answers...

Generally speaking, yes, sort of. Powders have burn rates: faster to slower. Powders have temp sensitivities: some are inverse. Powders tend to have their applications regarding bullet weights and types: heavier vs. lighter, plated vs. cast. Powders also have pressure ceilings/boundaries: some will get to higher pressures than others (often related to their burn rate).

With rifles, my experience is that some powders like certain bullet weights better than others. For example, in .223, powders like H335 tend to do better with lighter- to mid-weight bullets, as opposed to heavier (77+). TAC tends to like heavier bullets.

If you look at the manufacturer's (both powder and bullets) loading data, you can see which powder tends to do best with which bullet weight, based on their testing. Internet searches may also help refine the data, but I wouldn't rely solely on the interwebz...

Thank you both.

I'll be loading .223 and .243 for bolt rifles for long range target shooting. I'm planning to begin with Hornady ELD bullets for both (75 grain for the .223 and 108 grain for the .243). I have a pound of H4895 I was going to start with and was wondering if I needed to test that against other powders.

I have a 1:9 twist on the .223 and I'm not sure about the 75 grain bullets, but I wanted to start somewhere close to where I thought I'd like to end up.

[earplug]

Look at a loading book for your cartridge and bullet combination. Figure out what you want to get done. Target, hunting or ? Pick a bullet that will do your game best. Check the powders that are listed for that bullet load in the manual. Buy that stuff.

[bobbyfairbanks]

By some Reloading books and read them. You will be surprised what you will learn. That being said stick powders rock but don’t meter well. I love H4895 go to powder for lots of different cartridges 45/70 to 223 for me. I don’t use it for batch loading as powder hoppers don’t like it but my chargemaster does

[mattiooo]

By some Reloading books and read them. You will be surprised what you will learn. That being said stick powders rock but don’t meter well. I love H4895 go to powder for lots of different cartridges 45/70 to 223 for me. I don’t use it for batch loading as powder hoppers don’t like it but my chargemaster does

Thanks Bobby. I have the Hornady and Lyman books.

Good to know about the H4895. I'll be loading single charges, but I don't have the coin yet for a Chargemaster.

[Colorado Osprey]

In both your caliber choices you are shooting heavy for caliber. You will notice that very small power changes in the heavy for caliber weights will produce major changes in pressure and velocity as well as POI. If you get closer to average bullet weight you will find that most of the spreads will calm down and you will probably be able to produce more consistent shot to shot groups without working too hard at it.

For example you are choosing the 108 grain 6mm bullet which is one of the heaviest bullets even available. If you tame that down to a 85-87 and you will probably notice a more consistent grouping. You probably also need a 1:9 or 1:8 to shoot that 108 but a standard 1:10 will shoot 90's and smaller well. Same goes for the 223. You probably need at least a 1:8 for that 75 grain.

But, that said not all guns are the same and you won't really be able to tell without trying. My 243 is a 1:9 and likes 90-100 grain bullets and 4064 powder.

[Delfuego]

The answer is yes, unfortunately. Sometimes the bullet shoots great with one powder and ok with another. Powder may have as much or more influence on accuracy as the bullet. I usually start with a few different powders and a few different bullets. You should also figure out what seating depth (jump/jam) the bullets like. Different bullets will prefer different jump. There are couple ways to get there. You can play with the jump first and then fine tune the charge or vice-versa. I think Varget is good powder for 223, and I have done well with BLC2 and RL15 also. I have ever reloaded 243, so I cannot help you there. I wouldn't pin my hopes on using a specific bullet, unless your gunsmith used a reamer designed for or known to shoot that specific bullet. Get a few different bullets (ask for a handful from your buddies) and a few different powders to test them. You never know what it's gonna like!

[00tec]

My .223 powder is Accurate 2200, although, I am shooting on the other end of the weight spectrum.
(1:12, 26" barrel, 40gr Nosler ballistic tip, 25gr of 2200, 3715fps)

[Zombie Steve]

H4895 will be great for .223. Probably too fast burning for .243.