GOOD MULTI-CALIBRE RIFLE POWDER

[graysclassics]

As the title may suggest I am looking for a single rifle powder for all my reloading needs instead of buying two or more powders.

 

I am reloading .22-250, .243 & .308 Cases.

 

I am guessing that Hodgdon Varget might be the best all rounder? Anyone load these cases with a single powder?

[mikee]

varget would be suitable for all the calibers you mention

 

mikee

 

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_pw.asp?CaliberID=21&Powder=Hodgdon Varget

 

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_pw.asp?CaliberID=5&Powder=Hodgdon Varget

 

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_pw.asp?CaliberID=57&Powder=Hodgdon Varget

[swift]

for them calibres vit 140, R15,varget are good choices.

[coyotemaster]

Varget

[hambone]

Not reloaded 308 but use hodgdon h4895 for .243 and .22/250

[deershooter]

Varget :good: :good: :good: :good:

 

Deershooter

[Vince Green]

Just to add a balance Vhit N140. Can you get Varget at the moment?

[Redgum]

Varget is the one that will load all calibres but differant rifles seem to like differant powders, my 243 seems to be more accurate with a load that fills the case, viht 160 has proved to be the best, when you get up to the 100gr bullet wieght your not filling the case with varget. As for 308, well varget is pretty good right through the range of bullet wieghts, yes Varget will do the job in all three rifles especially 22.250 and 308, when you get to 243,will work well on lighter bullets but when you get to 95gr plus bullets its a tad fast and you will get less velocity for more pressure compared to slower powders like Viht160 plus Viht 160 is cheap.

[phaedra1106]

Another vote for N140, I switched to it from Varget as (in my rifle) I get better grouping, less recoil and use 15% less powder, It's also a lot cheaper, £186 for 3.5kg = £24.16 per lb

Edited November 10, 2011 by phaedra1106

[garyb]

Varget, Varget and Varget!

[garygreengrass]

I use varget in my 22.250 and .243.

[Ackley]

my take on this for what is worth having owned and re loaded all 3

calibers you list I would personally use Vit 140,Varget is a good powder for the 22.250 and 308 but I personally have had problems with varget plus a couple of others mates in our 243 had the same problem of a heavy build up of carbon

I also find the Vit powders work out cheaper and are cleaner burning

[graysclassics]

Thanks guys, I knew I was in the right place... that's narrowed it down to 2 powders anyway, I was going to use Varget but I am a tight sod and if it's a lot cheaper, Vhit 140 will be on the reloading bench..... thanks again.

[steve_b_wales]

Not sure about .308, but I use Hogdon H380 for 22-250 & 243.

[cooter]

I found Varget to be a very dirty powder and meant that I had to deep clean after every use.

I read up on it and it seemed that others had suffered similarly, with a common problem being a carbon ring at the start of the rifling causing increased pressure.

 

Changed to N140, which gave more consistent results, burnt cleaner with a lot less deep cleaning required, and gave more space in the case, so I could get more powder in should I feel the need.

 

The N140 was better with heavier bullets in the .223, but lighter bullets (less than 60grn) ran a lot better with N133 or N130.

I also tried N133 for the .308 with bullets up to 150grn and the results were very good.