Range of test powders.

[Ledd Slinger]

I do a lot of reloading for wildcats and improved cases by using known data along with burn rate charts for unlisted powders. So every year I go thru my copy of the Annual Hodgdon Reloading manual and highlight the powders I have on hand for testing in the burn rate chart.

I’ve never thought of counting them, but decided to count today. I have 30 different powders available for testing! That’s kinda crazy, but I have everything from small varmint rifle and pistol rounds to large magnum rifle rounds and lots in between. Also sold a bunch of different powders off a year ago so used to have even more. I like my options I guess

Below is a pic of all the powders highlighted in the burn chart that I currently have. How many powders do you guys keep on hand for testing?

 

[nakneker]

Hi, I’m Ledd and I’m an addict…..

and I’m right there with you, lol.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I do a lot of reloading for wildcats and improved cases by using known data along with burn rate charts for unlisted powders. So every year I go thru my copy of the Annual Hodgdon Reloading manual and highlight the powders I have on hand for testing in the burn rate chart.

I’ve never thought of counting them, but decided to count today. I have 30 different powders available for testing! That’s kinda crazy, but I have everything from small varmint rifle and pistol rounds to large magnum rifle rounds and lots in between. Also sold a bunch of different powders off a year ago so used to have even more. I like my options I guess

Below is a pic of all the powders highlighted in the burn chart that I currently have. How many powders do you guys keep on hand for testing?

View attachment 1568945

LOL. . . I've got half as many different powders and I only reload 2 rifle calibers!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Wait…I just found I have 2 powders that aren’t listed in the Hodgdon burn rate chart. I also have IMR High Score-800X and VV N568.

So that’s 32 options

 

[GLShooter]

That's a start..

 

[kyotekiller25]

I keep it fairly simple. AA#7 for 9mm, H110 for 357/44, Benchmark and N540 for 223, and H4350/H4831/H1000 for 6 creed thru 7/30/338 mags.

 

[Fuj]

Between rifle, pistol and shotgun, about 13. I really weeded out quite
a bit the last five years. Probably be down to 8 by the end of next year.

 

[1K6BRA]

H4895/6BRA
H4350/6.5x47
H4831/25-06
N160/6.5x284
R15/250-3000
R15/IMR4064 220Swift
That’s it,I’m done. I won’t pay the ridiculous prices anymore. Thank God I have enough (lots of it) to last me the rest of my shooting career for each of the above at yesteryears prices!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah I wouldn’t be buying all this powder today at these prices

 

[6.5 forever]

I do a lot of reloading for wildcats and improved cases by using known data along with burn rate charts for unlisted powders. So every year I go thru my copy of the Annual Hodgdon Reloading manual and highlight the powders I have on hand for testing in the burn rate chart.

I’ve never thought of counting them, but decided to count today. I have 30 different powders available for testing! That’s kinda crazy, but I have everything from small varmint rifle and pistol rounds to large magnum rifle rounds and lots in between. Also sold a bunch of different powders off a year ago so used to have even more. I like my options I guess

Below is a pic of all the powders highlighted in the burn chart that I currently have. How many powders do you guys keep on hand for testing?

View attachment 1568945

You are now on a official government watch list....

 

[SecondsCount]

I have not counted but I have a good variety. Recently, I added about 6 or 7 more because a friend was getting rid of some. I tried one that I never would of thought would work and it did better than expected.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have not counted but I have a good variety. Recently, I added about 6 or 7 more because a friend was getting rid of some. I tried one that I never would have thought would work and it did better than expected.

That’s why I like having a large variety. Some powders rarely work out, but when they do, I’m glad I had it on hand.

The one powder I could never get to outshoot other powders is Retumbo. Tested that powder for many years. No matter what, I could always get a different powder to shoot better. So I think I ended up just giving away the last remnants of Retumbo and I personally will never purchase that powder again.

Same goes for Winchester primers. I’ve tested them against Federal, CCI, and Remington for many years as well. Never once has a Winchester primer won out on accuracy. So i don’t waste time and components testing Winchester primers anymore either

 

[Fuj]

That’s why I like having a large variety. Some powders rarely work out, but when they do, I’m glad I had it on hand.

The one powder I could never get to outshoot other powders is Retumbo. Tested that powder for many years. No matter what, I could always get a different powder to shoot better. So I think I ended up just giving away the last remnants of Retumbo and I personally will never purchase that powder again.

Same goes for Winchester primers. I’ve tested them against Federal, CCI, and Remington for many years as well. Never once has a Winchester primer won out on accuracy. So i don’t waste time and components testing Winchester primers anymore either

All the powders that don't get it done, I use specifically for just
fire forming. Same with the Winchester primers. Just used them
for fire forming. Minute of berm, so to speak. When I started
to use mule barrels, I'd get the cheapest pull down powder I
could find. Jeff Gates sold me some old lot Data 4065 that
traced back to Royal Scot powders. That was my new fire forming
powder until I seen it shot like Varget ?? It does have questionable
temp sensitivity though.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Same here. I had most powders available except a few magnum powder in the VV line. The list of powders I was testing in various rifles was long but it pays dividends. I've since downsized ridding myself of everything but VV powders. I have all their powders but 170, 568, 570

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Same here. I had most powders available except a few magnum powder in the VV line. The list of powders I was testing in various rifles was long but it pays dividends. I've since downsized ridding myself of everything but VV powders. I have all their powders but 170, 568, 570

Yeah I’ve only been dabbling in VV powder for the last handful of years. But the more I use VV, the more I like it. Good temp stabilities, excellent accuracy, and great speed if you want to dial it up.

I used to always turn to Alliant Reloader powders when I wanted extra speed out of a rifle, but most of the RL powders suck for temp stability. So I would go to Hodgdon if temp stability was more important. In testing, VV powders seem to do great for both speed and temp stability so that’s a big win in my book

 

[209jones]

Certainly believe that having a few different powders suitable for certain cartridge size options and bullet weights pays off. Having at least 3-5 lbs min of ea has got me thru some shortages, made load development pretty easy. Have been contemplating selling more of it off lately, keep what I know works already for what I have in cartridges I will still use. Have way more than I'll ever use up nowadays, lot of it is leftovers from various guns that I bought it for, as it "would work" in it, for the purpose.

 

[46and2]

I do a lot of reloading for wildcats and improved cases by using known data along with burn rate charts for unlisted powders. So every year I go thru my copy of the Annual Hodgdon Reloading manual and highlight the powders I have on hand for testing in the burn rate chart.

I’ve never thought of counting them, but decided to count today. I have 30 different powders available for testing! That’s kinda crazy, but I have everything from small varmint rifle and pistol rounds to large magnum rifle rounds and lots in between. Also sold a bunch of different powders off a year ago so used to have even more. I like my options I guess

Below is a pic of all the powders highlighted in the burn chart that I currently have. How many powders do you guys keep on hand for testing?

View attachment 1568945

My might have you beat by a couple. H414 and h380 aren't on hodgdon chart.

 

[LCazador]

Wow I'mmm embarrassed to say the least. After 50 years of reloading I have to say I have way too many. I have always stocked more than enough of everything. I never 'panic' bought anything but I bought and paid the recent prices for VVN570-565-560 and RL33-26. Thanks for posting this "awareness topic"!

 

[Oso]

Remember when Vihtavuori Powder was so pricey that it felt like you were buying Powdered Unicorn Horn. Now it feels like a bargain purchase as $45-$50 as compared to majority of other powders trending up toward $65.

Maybe now is the time to upgrade your powder selection on the cheap...

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've got so many different powders on hand that it's just silly. I have tried to consolidate my inventory, but new powders are always coming out and work against that idea.

My shooting buddy passed a few months back. His wife contacted me and asked if I would come take all of his reloading components which will never be used or sold. Somehow, I think my inventory of powders is about to expand.