Reloading Advice

[Bballhunter11]

Im going to order powder and bullets for reloading my 30-06, 222 Mag and 7-08 and was looking for some advice. What types of powder would you recommend for these calibers? i would like to be able to use one powder for at least 2 of the 3 and 3 of 3 would be perfect. 

In the 30-06 i will be shooting 180 gr Nosler Accubonds

In the 7-08 140 gr Nosler Accubonds or Federal Fusions

In the 222 mag probably 55 gr

[bubba]

I use omr 4064 in the 06 and varget or imr 4895 in the 7-08.  I never loaded for 223.  I would say the luck of having one powder for all or even two will unusual

[Pygmy]

You have a pretty wide spread of cases sizes and bullet weights to pin down a couple of powders....

However, for 180 30-06 and 140 7mm 08 you can probably do fine with 4350.  If you had specified the 150 grain 30-06 and the 140 7MM08 I would have say 4895 or 4064...I suspect that those powders are a trifle fast for the 180 grain bullets..

Those powders are pretty slow for the .223/.222 mag.... The only small case I ever loaded for is the .222 Rem, and a good place to start with that is 4198 or BLC 2..

If you pinned me down for one powder for the 3 I would suggest 4895, but you may not be obtaining optimum performance with any of the 3 with that powder..

I guess that is why there are so many different powders with different burn rates..

[Bballhunter11]

Yea i figured powders wouldnt be interchangeable just thought i would ask. I guess i would like your recommendations by caliber then thanks for the quick responses guys.

[Lawdwaz]

A couple hours worth of cruising the powder company web sites  for loading data may help you nail down some more ideas if those already offered don't cut it for you.

I'd also check out the Nosler site for data.

[Mr VJP]

I use 4064 in my .30-06 and 7mm-08 loads, but I'd have to check the book to see if it works in the .223.  Being that it is a stick powder rather than ball, I think it would be a little harder to work with in the .223 case.

[Bballhunter11]

Thanks for the advice guys i printed out a bunch of reloading data from Hodgdon for all three and found several powders that will work for all three but will probably only use a common powder in the 7-08 and the 30-06. Havent nailed it down to two powders yet but thanks for the help.

[bpb]

I'd figure out how much shooting you plan on doing before paying $$$$$ for a reloading set up. You may find it's just as cost effective to purchased $500.00 worth of ammo than to reload dependingn on how much you plan on shooting every year.

[WNYBuckHunter]

I fixed your spelling bpb 

[Lawdwaz]

I'd figure out how much shooting you plan on doing before paying $$$$$ for a reloading set up. You may find it's just as cost effective to purchased $500.00 worth of ammo than to reload dependingn on how much you plan on shooting every year.

I didn't start reloading 20 years ago to save money. 

[bubba]

you truly do not aave money reloading, well at least not much anyway. I reload to make produce the most accurate loads for my gun.  Pie plate groups at 100 is not acceptable to me.  1 inch groups is. 

[Pygmy]

I am currently using RL-15 in my 7mm08, but I've been loading 120 Grain bullets for the last few years..When I was loading 140s I had excellent results with IMR  4064... Never tried the RL 15 with with 140s, but it should work OK, since it has a similar burn rate as 4895 and Varget, which are popular powders in the 7mm08 with 140s..

4064 also works very well in the 30-06 with 150 and 165 grain bullets..I never loaded any heavier bullets in the 06...  My own 30-06 loads are for my Garand M1 and I load H4895  and 150 grain bullets to match the original military load that the M1 was designed for..

I do load 150s and 165s in the 06 for a couple of buddies ...I use Imr 4350 for them....

[Bballhunter11]

bpb i agree i wouldnt save any money buying a reloading set up, but a friend of mine owns the set up and all i have to do is order the components and use his set up. and you cannot buy 222 magnum loads except a few places around the country have to reload them.

[bpb]

bpb i agree i wouldnt save any money buying a reloading set up, but a friend of mine owns the set up and all i have to do is order the components and use his set up. and you cannot buy 222 magnum loads except a few places around the country have to reload them.

I understand that as I do the same fo rmy hunting partner. 

[Bballhunter11]

Ok another question for you guys where do u get you powders? I was going to order them on midway but there is a 28 dollar surcharge for Haz Materials. I have a couple places around me that sell some just curious what else is out there.  I am probably going to go with 4064 for the 7-08 and 30-06 not sure about 222 mag yet have to see what dealers have in stock.

[Pygmy]

I have always bought my powder and primers at local gunshops because of that hazmat charge on mail orders... I usually buy bullets mail order from Midway, Natchez Shooters Supply or other mail order wholesalers.. I try to find them on sale .... Hazmat charges don't apply to bullets, although shipping & handling can be expensive.. Often it's a wash just buying them locally...

[bubba]

same as above

[fasteddie]

Biekirch's is a good place to buy powder / bullets , etc .. I agree that sometimes buying mail order might be less expensive but you get hammered with the shipping cost .........