Consolidation to 3 Calibers

[Italianusmc_ny]

Hello all.
I'm looking to focus on the following 3 calibers for all my competition and F-Class desires.

-.223
-.308
-6 Norma BR

I'm looking to try and find 1 powder for all 3 calibers as well.
I've narrowed it to Varget, IMR 4064 and N540.

I'm the type that likes to minimize the items I have to buy.
All my pistols are .45, 9mm and 22lr. So I only have 3 types of ammo to buy or load.
All my shotguns are 12ga... etc...

So I'm looking for your input while at the same time I will be testing the "sweet" powder for all 3.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I can’t speak for the 6 Norma but know that Varget will satisfy your needs with the .223 and .308.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

According to bullet weights those are extremes trying to get one powder. It will be a poor compromise in 2 of them whatever you choose. How about ditching the 308 and only having 2 calibers then youll only have 2 bullets and 2 powders

 

[ShootDots]

I have never used N540 in the .308, although I have no doubt it would work very well. I have used Varget in all 3 and it works very well. I would never use IMR 4064 for ANY competition! Way, way too temp sensitive. Great powder for hunting>>>but not so much for competition. You could not go wrong with either N540 or Varget. N540 will produce quite a bit more velocity.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Varget is great for all three. In the 308 with 155 grain bullets for Palma. In the 223 for all bullet weights. In the 6BR with a 105 Berger. I shoot all three and there is 30+ pounds of Varget on my shelf waiting to be used.

 

[K22]

I've also under taken some down sizing and simplification of my shooting / reloading. I consolidated to three rifle calibers:

1. 223 Rem - varmints / predators and lots of range target shooting practicing shooting off the shooting sticks.
2. 243 Win - predators and deer.
3. 308 Win. - deer.

I could actually live with just the 223 Rem and 243 Win.

While there are a several powders that can work for all 3, I've found that Varget and H4895 works best for me in all three calibers provided I keep the 243 bullets 85 grains and under. IMR 4350 works best in the 243 for bullet in the 90 to 100 grain range. I settled on H4895, purchased an 8 lbs jug a year ago and all is well.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Varget is pretty versatile but its not an end all winner in those 3- but the bullet weight is still a factor

 

[rsmithsr50]

the military did something similar for the 7.62x51 sniper rifle ammo
lets find something the works "well" in all the rifles.
in the end that have just that ok but not the best.
why even consider competing if you know you only have so-so ammo ?
not a good plan

 

[biggun2869]

Just to touch on it I have a ton of experience with a 22-250 and 35 gn 4064 from 0 degrees to 95 and I usually hit what I'm shooting at.

 

[Zero333]

If your loading 69 to 90 grainers in the 223 then varget will work good in all 3 cartridges.

Even H-4895 is a good choice.

 

[wa11abee]

I cant imagine the will power it would take to consolidate to 3 calibers. While I see the sanity of it. It hurts me even thinking about.

Mark

 

[Zero333]

I cant imagine the will power it would take to consolidate to 3 calibers. While I see the sanity of it. It hurts me even thinking about.

Mark

Yeah no kidding. I just looked at my powder inventory and I have 24 different types of rifle powders, and 4 different pistol powders.
If I only had 3, I'd have a panic attack.

 

[AckleymanII]

I resemble that!

ADD + CRS = I am working on 6 at one time!

 

[savage308]

I HAVE MORE POWDER than most stores I walk into and still want more.

 

[Bob3700]

Varget is great for all three. In the 308 with 155 grain bullets for Palma. In the 223 for all bullet weights. In the 6BR with a 105 Berger. I shoot all three and there is 30+ pounds of Varget on my shelf waiting to be used.

You could also look at RL15 for those three. It is so similar to Varget u should not have any issues.
Walt is correct that in 308 u need to limit bullet wt to 155 max.

 

[AJC]

You could also look at RL15 for those three. It is so similar to Varget u should not have any issues.
Walt is correct that in 308 u need to limit bullet wt to 155 max.

If your looking at rl-15 why not choose ar comp?

 

[Herzo]

I've been reducing my calibers also ......I have it down to 18.

 

[CharlieNC]

I think you will be leaving quite a bit of potential performance on the table if you limit yourself to only one powder.

 

[D.Stone]

H4895 is another good option for all of the above calibers.

I really liked H4895 for 308 Winchester, and I'm pretty sure the stuff I used to shoot at Perry was loaded with H4895 with a 75gr bullet.

 

[jds holler]

How bout 8208. jd