Starting up reloading (powder question)

J

jimmyg75

New member
Hey guys I've had my reloading set-up for about 4 months now and havn't had time to really get into it until the last month here. I have not reloaded anything yet, I have read 2 books and watched several videos over the past few weeks just learning the basics on reloading, safety and terminology(sometimes it seems overwhelming)LOL. I think in the next month or so I may feel comfortable enuf to give it a go. The guy I got the setup from also said he would come work with me for a few hour s to get me going wich is nice. I only plan to load for 4 calibers for the time being, I need to purchase some powder and there are so many brands and numbers. My question for you expirienced guys is what are some good powders for these calibers for me to start off with I know there are variables ,rifle, bullet, ect... just looking for a good starting point on powders for these calibers I will find what works best for me as I get my feet wet.
The calibers are .223, .243, 22-250, 6.8spc. Thanks guys for your opinions.

Jim G.
 
If they are available, also consider Winchester 748, Ramshot's TAC and Reloader 15...I use W-748 in my .223, TAC should be good in the .223, .243, and 22-250, The Rl-15 is good for your heavier bullet weights and those with longer barrels..
 
Originally Posted By: tnshootistWhat Turtle said. I am finding TAC to be a real good powder.

I haven't used TAC but I keep hearing good things about it. I may have to try some myself. How temp sensitive is it?
 
Originally Posted By: IAyoteHNTROriginally Posted By: tnshootistWhat Turtle said. I am finding TAC to be a real good powder.

I haven't used TAC but I keep hearing good things about it. I may have to try some myself. How temp sensitive is it?

It isn't.
 
Originally Posted By: jimmyg75
The calibers are .223, .243, 22-250, 6.8spc.
Jim G.

Jim,

First the 6.8 SPC. I have rifles in both 1:10" and 1:11.25: twist, for the 6.8 SPC. There are a number of suitable powders, but by far in my 6.8 SPC load work, the best is Reloder 10x. If you have a 1:11-1:12 twist barrel, you can even go a bit faster with Reloder 7, but RL-10x is about as good as it gets for a good powder in 90-110 gr. bullets in the 6.8 SPC.

My 223s love Varget, for an extruded powder, and Win. 748 for a Spherical powder. Actually there is one other powder, for the 223 worth noting...Vihtavuori N133. A little hard to find, but well worth the search. My Tikka T-3 in 223(1:12) loves 50 gr. VMax bullets, driven with VV N133.

I don't load 243 Win, so I will defer to those that do. For my 22-250 Rem. I load Vihtavuori N140, although I would consider Hodgdon Benchmark, Varget, or H4895, in that order, too.

Squeeze

P.S. Take the guy up on his offer to help you get started. It always helps to have a good mentor when starting out hand loading.
 
What bullet weights you plan on loading would help.

Without said info, specifics/recommendations are hard to give...........
 
Thanks everyone for your opinions keep em coming... helps to see some of the same powders coming up on multiple peoples list. As for what I will be loading... My rifles and I seem to lean towards hornady bullets. Right now I shoot all factory ammo and have found in the factory stuff Hornady tends too shoot the best for me. I like the 55 and 58 v-max in my .223 Hunting AR, 55gr federals in my 2 plinking .556 ARs, 110 vmax in my 6.8 AR, tikka .243 58 to 80gr. Also I have about 4000 once fired .223 brass I want to reload for just plinking and fun shooting for my kids ARs 58-62gr what would you recogmend for cheaper yet reliable powder/bullet combo for this purpose. Thanks alot guys I will be going this weekend hopefully to look for powder and see what is actually in stock.
 
Another Vote for Varget with 223, have had pretty good luck with that powder in 55 gr, and 69 SMK. As for 243, 58 to 80 gr, I have no experience, I shoot H4350 with 105 Hybrids, in 6mm and it does pretty well. I don't know what to tell ya with the 22-250 and 6.8. Good Luck
 
223- Benchmark not only has it shown superb accuracy for me it meters as well as a ball powder.

22-250- H4895, meters fair and has shown the best accuracy.

243- Varget, for lighter bullets and H4831SC for 87 gr and above. In general people do not consider 4831 a 243 powder but accuracy with 87, 95, and 100 grainers has been phenomenal.



I have no experience with the 6.8. Many other powders will give superb results, these are just the ones that work best for me.
 
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Haven`t loaded for 6.8SPC cartridge.

H4895 would cover all cartridges mentioned pretty well according to data. And have used H4895 in 223/22-250/243 with good results.

Haven`t seen Varget for sale anywhere in over 2 years here in central Ohio. Went with IMR4064 instead for 75gr VMax in the 243Win.Agree with FairChase93 on IMR4831 on the heavier bullets in 243Win for sure.

H4895 or IMR4895 would be my first pick for mentioned calibers and bullet weights. Certainly a very good choice for many calibers if available.
 
This is what I use, and keep in mind that different bullet weights prefer different powders, as well as rifles. For example, you and I might have identical rifles, but yours would shoot one particular load differently than mine would.


223...I use surplus WC846, W748, H335, Benchmark, TAC, with 50-55 grain bullets.

22-250......I use Varget with 40 grain bullets, and H380, W760, and IMR4064 with heavier bullets.

243........Every 243 I load for absolutely loves W760 with bullet weights from 58-85 grains. For
heavier bullet weights I also use IMR4350, IMR4064, and AA4350.

6.8SPC.......When I first started reloading for this caliber, H322 was THE powder. AA2200 and RL-10
have gained a lot of popularity. I use H322 in bullet weights of 90 and 110 grains, and
get excellent results. The plus factor of using H322, is that it will also work in the
223. Maybe not as well as other powders, but it will work.
 
Another good powder for 223 is h322. I have a great load using it and Speer 52 grain hp.




22-250 I vote again for varget. Using 53 grain match bullets


Just started 243 and am finding imr 4350 is working good for me with 70 grain bullets
 
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