Powder selection,... how do you choose?

[rogina]

I have a question about how you pick a powder for a "new" caliber. I'm not listing any caliber because I don't want suggestions, I want to know how you came to your choice. Everybody posts "let the gun tell you what it likes" How do you know without trying everything, maybe it likes what you haven't tried better than what you have?
Besides the obvious like books and the net, friends using this one or that one what is the procedure on finding the right powder. Anybody that has been loading for any major length of time will tell you that the powder makes the load and bullets make the distance. You know what want bullet you want to use, primers are easy enough to tune but which powder? Here is your predicament....
New caliber (to you, whatever it may be but something you have NOT shot before)
Your choice of bullet (brand and weight)
Primers on hand
Brass prepped and ready to load.
You pick out your book/books and find the caliber only to see that a huge selection of powders is listed for your bullet weight and it covers the whole spectrum from fast to slow (example LT-32 all the way to Varget). Your using the same length barrel as the book and the book has your weight of bullet, so do your start at the fast end or slow end in the list? Do you try all that you have on hand? I'm curious how some of the top tier shooters on here make their selection and why?
(BTW this is the stuff you think up when family can't come over for Christmas because of Covid)

I shootmany calibers. When I worked up loads for them, I not only learned the caliber but, also learned the powders I was trying. That is very valuable in my choice of powders for new calibers. Oh, I have been doing this since 1970. This not something you learn overnight. I never suggest a powder to someone unless I have had a lot of experience with it. That is one reason this forum is so valuable.

 

[rogina]

Developing any load for a custom case, or even a new chambering for you, is mostly common sense.
As was said, the easiest thing to do is find a case that has a similar capacity, and start with that load data. A Chronograph is essential.
You already have a good idea what velocities you are looking for, so approach this figure, keeping an eye on what the rifle is telling you. Bolt lift and the outside radius of the primer are still good indications as to what is happening.
As far as powder goes, the general rule is the powder that gives as close to 100 percent density at the velocity you are looking far gives the best results. As a good example, in the 6PPC, 133 continually gives great results. The loads most of us shoot have to be loaded with a long drop tube at a slow trickle. That is 100 percent density. That’s what works.

In the 30BR, shooting 112 grn bullets, 4198 continues to be the go to powder. My favorite load is 34.8 grns behind my 112. The bullet is touching the powder when seated.”

I am also working with my regular 6BR, .060 throat. Bart’s 80’s in a 1-12 twist barrel loves Accurate 2495, 33,5 grns. This is getting close to a 100 percent density load. With my own 103 grn in a 8 twist, I was surprised when I tried N150. It should be too slow, but 30.1 grns gives a flat 2900 FPS with great accuracy. It is not a 100 percent density load, which leads me to believe that it is a little faster than the Burn Rate Charts indicate.

Keep in mind. The laws of physics don’t get repealed with every new idea. If you develop a case that has the same capacity as an already existing case, you are not miraculously going to find another 200 FPS with all other perimeters being equal. You can develop something with a little more efficiency, but velocity is still achieved by a certain amount of pressure behind a certain bullet out of a given length of barrel.

Jackie, I agree with you, but I would like to see more newer shooters figuring out their own loads so they could learn more. I don't like it when they ask for pet loads. We know every barrel is different. There is a lot of satisfaction in figureing out your best loads.

 

[fatelvis]

I use Quickload. I plug-in A desired velocity with the cartridge and look at the list of Powders. I look at the pressures, fill percentages, velocities and Percentage burned.They are rated from fastest velocity, to slowest velocity.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Lot of great replies and some of you are just as confused as me on this very subject. If I'm going with something I have shot in the past its (sometimes) easy, pick a know load and just retune for the new barrel. However going with something totally new (to me) I'm finding data spread out across a whole spectrum of powders for this caliber and I'm afraid I'll have the barrel shot out before I find the best powder and high accuracy. A few I have contacted have gave me loads to try but the results were not ideal, there again different gun, different barrel. I'm not going to list it as I dont want to jam this thread with load suggestions. It is really interesting in how some of you find loads... Thanks for the input.

 

[Evan]

Jackie, I agree with you, but I would like to see more newer shooters figuring out their own loads so they could learn more. I don't like it when they ask for pet loads. We know every barrel is different. There is a lot of satisfaction in figureing out your best loads.

I agree. It also encourages component and resulting load diversity and new discoveries. H4350 and Varget aren't the only powders that shoot small and if everyone just takes the same regurgitated pet loads, there is no chance of discovering anything better and advancing the sport.

 

[HTSmith]

There's some irony here. A lot of us are just going to make what we have work

 

[rogina]

There's some irony here. A lot of us are just going to make what we have work

I found out a long time ago that if you tell a barrel what powder it has to shoot, it will tell you how good it will shoot. All you have to do is give the barrel some variety. If you don't care how it shoots, then do it your way. I personally like to get the best accuracy. Finding it is what I enjoy. Take the time to figure it out or buy factory ammo.

 

[HogWild]

After I find the theoretical OBT accuracy node for my rifle, I use quickload with a bullet / powder combination that I have in hand to look for a start load about .8 to 1.0 grain below my target MV/BT and then progress up in .2-.3 gr increments until I have 10 loads. I load 2 cartridges per load and test them in front of my Labradar, looking for confirmation of the node.

 

[Webster]

I have a question about how you pick a powder for a "new" caliber. I'm not listing any caliber because I don't want suggestions, I want to know how you came to your choice. Everybody posts "let the gun tell you what it likes" How do you know without trying everything, maybe it likes what you haven't tried better than what you have?
Besides the obvious like books and the net, friends using this one or that one what is the procedure on finding the right powder. Anybody that has been loading for any major length of time will tell you that the powder makes the load and bullets make the distance. You know what want bullet you want to use, primers are easy enough to tune but which powder? Here is your predicament....
New caliber (to you, whatever it may be but something you have NOT shot before)
Your choice of bullet (brand and weight)
Primers on hand
Brass prepped and ready to load.
You pick out your book/books and find the caliber only to see that a huge selection of powders is listed for your bullet weight and it covers the whole spectrum from fast to slow (example LT-32 all the way to Varget). Your using the same length barrel as the book and the book has your weight of bullet, so do your start at the fast end or slow end in the list? Do you try all that you have on hand? I'm curious how some of the top tier shooters on here make their selection and why?
(BTW this is the stuff you think up when family can't come over for Christmas because of Covid)

In recent years I have always chosen a well known caliber that is known for accuracy. I have no interest in inventing a weird caliber and spending time and money trying to make it shot. I shoot a lot of bench but I am a varmint hunter. Ten years ago I shot a 6mm Rem. After reading this website info I now have a 6br and a 6BRX. Both have a 14TW Kreiger barrel on a Rem 700. Both shoot under .400” with any bullet or powder. Makes life simple.

 

[Sandstorm]

Just a short addition to all the great info here.
I put a new barrel on my 6.5x47 in a Kreiger 4 grove 28 inch. ( Midrange gun )
A friend said his 4 grove Kreiger loved the 140 BTLR and I should try it.
An article i read mentiond the top shooters were using 36.6 to 36.8gr Varget and pushing140gr
bullets and winning Matches.
Well you know that was the extent of my load development for that barrel.
It shot a Clean 200-11x last time out with that load.
Now if I could just be as precise behind the trigger more often, I might win some as well...lol

 

[cheek9075]

I am trying to find powders that I have on hand that work well for all calibers I shoot. If you try and work a load up you might be surprised on how many calibers like one powder. Example, 2506, 270, 260AI, 243, will all shoot h4350 for me, may not be the fastest but I have found good accuracy with all of them. 223, well I find cfe223 will work and give me consistent accuracy for alot of rifles. Lt30 and lt32 work well with 3 of 4 bench rifles and would probably work for my 4th but haven't worked up a load because I haven't needed to yet. I hunted for a long time for different powders and have a lot of 1 lb bottles which I haven't touched in years and rely on a select few that I keep coming back to.
Just me but it is easy to keep a few powders on hand that I find works in many different calibers. Red dot seems to be a go to powder for pistol in what I load for. I buy when I can and keep some in my stock with my goto powders.

 

[Laguna Freak]

I keep it simple. I don’t compete on paper. I’m a hunter who shoots targets for load development, to keep me tuned from varied shooting positions, and for fun so my starting priorities have evolved to be;

1) Relative temperature stability of the powder.
2) Book and other sources of documented accuracy, velocity, and ballistic performance for the proposed powder : bullet combination I’ve chosen.

An example with regard to 1); lots of folks say the 4350’s are “one of the most temperature stable powders”. Historically this is no doubt a true statement. My experience indicates their performance wanes in comparison to RL16 and they burn faster too. At least in a 23.6” barrel 30-06 pushing 150 gr Noslers from 2900 to 3100 fps.

I also like a powder that is suitable for more than one cartridge that I shoot.

 

[Longtrain]

I have shot and reloaded many cartridges over the past 40+ years. Currently, my two main competition rifles are in 223AI and 6 Dasher.

In choosing a powder, I had to determine how I was going to use the rifles, what bullet, projected FPS, SD, ES and accuracy were benchmarks to hit.

In the 223AI, a mid range F Class and Iron Prone rifle, a Berger 80.5 bullet was chosen to match up with barrel length, twist with a moderate speed powder. Varget, Reloder15 or Norma 203B (same as Reloder15) were in my stock for testing.

Gross testing weaned out the possibilities and eventually Reloder15 won out. A moderate load, not the fastest gave me 2940 FPS, and SD under 6 and 100 yard groups of just over 1/4 MOA. There probably is a accurate higher node, but this one doesn't give me any pressure signs. It seems that my most accurate loads seem to fall into that 2950 FPS range.

The same was done for the Dasher with a chosen 108 Berger and N203B. It is so accurate, it's stupid, it's not the fastest, but again, in that speed node and just consistently accurate.

 

[leclairk]

I feel your pain! I did a 300PRC early on. Reloader26 was, according to some "experts" THE powder. After sourcing 16 lbs of it and not getting the accuracy I wanted. I sold it.

Don’t tell me this! I’ve got 15lbs of RL26 to use when I get my 300PRC.

 

[moondog]

Don’t tell me this! I’ve got 15lbs of RL26 to use when I get my 300PRC.

I was getting hangfires caused by 70% case fill. My buddy shooting a 300 win mag has the same problem. Different lot # of powder. I tried several different primers and no bueno. Good velocity and accuracy with 215s, maybe cold weather issue? I just couldn't get it to work for me. Others are having good luck. Maybe yours will be fine. I ended up with a real good Retumbo load and the 215s @ 2975fps and good out to 2000. Sold the 26 to a buddy that uses it in his 6.5 PRC with good luck. Fortunately I've got enough Retumbo to last for the 3 barrels I've got for it.

 

[TMB]

There's some irony here. A lot of us are just going to make what we have work

Yup, the first thing I usually ask myself is what's in the powder cabinet that'll work to get started...amazing how a guy can get by if he keeps CFE223, 4895 and 7828 on hand...if I'm not liking the results, I try something else. Of course I ordered myself a copy of QuickLOAD for my birthday next Saturday, figure it'll be useful for load development...going to wring out an 8mm Gibbs and I'd hate to start out with unsuitable powders.

 

[jamesh]

I use Quickload and pick a powder from the list that has low temperature sensitivity.