Powder
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I sympathise with the desire to keep the number of powders in stock to a minimum, but IMO you'll need to brace yourself for a long and ultimately unsuccessful search unless you increase your target number of powders from one to at least two. Unless your choice of bullet for the .308 is phenomenally light-for-calibre.
I await post from more-experienced reloader with interest. I reload for .38/.357 and .308, but not the other one.
I await post from more-experienced reloader with interest. I reload for .38/.357 and .308, but not the other one.
I guess it depends what you want to do with the loads. In theory you could use trail boss in all of them. But in practice unless you're after reduced power/recoil loads then I wouldn't.
I am by no means a reloading guru but I think as Dalua said, you're going to be needing 3 different powders for the best results.
From briefly looking at load data for 7.62x39 there are lots of good powders to choose from but I don't think there is much cross over. You could use N130 for 7.62x39 and 308 but as previously stated bullet choice for 308 is very light (around 125gr).
For 38spl and 357 magnum I use N340 which works great, especially for subsonic cowboy loads.
For 308 I use N550 and CFE223. Both work well, although I get slightly higher velocity with the N550
It's nice if the stars align and give you a one size fits all but I think in this situation you're probably better off biting the bullet and picking a suitable powder for each calibre.
All the best
Ben
I am by no means a reloading guru but I think as Dalua said, you're going to be needing 3 different powders for the best results.
From briefly looking at load data for 7.62x39 there are lots of good powders to choose from but I don't think there is much cross over. You could use N130 for 7.62x39 and 308 but as previously stated bullet choice for 308 is very light (around 125gr).
For 38spl and 357 magnum I use N340 which works great, especially for subsonic cowboy loads.
For 308 I use N550 and CFE223. Both work well, although I get slightly higher velocity with the N550
It's nice if the stars align and give you a one size fits all but I think in this situation you're probably better off biting the bullet and picking a suitable powder for each calibre.
All the best
Ben
gonzo
Well-Known Member
I agree.
You can use pistol type fast powders for light 308 plinking loads. But a suitable slow burning rifle powder for full power loads. N135/N140 etc. N135 may be a good compromise for 7.62x39 and 308win.
For 38S&W special and light load 357S&W mag, then powders in the unique/bullseye/N340 class are good.
Once you start using multiple powders, a very strong warning, to anyone reading this.... Only ever have one pot open on the bench at any time. When done loading, empty the powder measure completely back into that pot and put it away.
Getting powders mixed up, will at best be expensive. And that is only if you realise in time! A full load 308win with a wrong/mixed up powder, and you are going to get hurt.
If leaving powder in a measure (if you have multiple measures) put a piece of card inside with the powder name in big writing, against the side wall, so you don't get a mix up.
We recently had soneone mess that up on our range. Not all the gun was found, and some bits were pulled out of the range wall (metal sheeting) with pliers. Somehow only teh shooter on the next bench got hurt and not seriously.
You can use pistol type fast powders for light 308 plinking loads. But a suitable slow burning rifle powder for full power loads. N135/N140 etc. N135 may be a good compromise for 7.62x39 and 308win.
For 38S&W special and light load 357S&W mag, then powders in the unique/bullseye/N340 class are good.
Once you start using multiple powders, a very strong warning, to anyone reading this.... Only ever have one pot open on the bench at any time. When done loading, empty the powder measure completely back into that pot and put it away.
Getting powders mixed up, will at best be expensive. And that is only if you realise in time! A full load 308win with a wrong/mixed up powder, and you are going to get hurt.
If leaving powder in a measure (if you have multiple measures) put a piece of card inside with the powder name in big writing, against the side wall, so you don't get a mix up.
We recently had soneone mess that up on our range. Not all the gun was found, and some bits were pulled out of the range wall (metal sheeting) with pliers. Somehow only teh shooter on the next bench got hurt and not seriously.
I load both .308 and .357 and I haven't found a common powder (yet). Hodgon HS6 works great in my .357 with PPU 158gn FMJ or lead rounds (compared to Titegroup, Ramshot Trueblue and Hodgdon H-110). I've so far only tried H335 in the .308 but will have to find an alternative (been told N130 is a good option) once I finish my current stock.
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