Which powder

[Carbin86]

Trying to figure out which powder to get started with gunna be loading 223 308 and 300 savage. Any advice would be great thanks guys.

[wolfspotter]

IMR 4064, 4895, Varget, work great in my 308 and 223. Military pull down powders like WC-844, WC-846 also work well when available.

[Carbin86]

I purchased a pound of varget and a pound of 2520 to test out

[DukeInFlorida]

You really need to refer to tested and published data provided by one of the powder manufacturers (Hodgdon, Alliant, Ramshot, etc), one of the bullet manufacturers (Speer, Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, etc), or other sources which actually test the loads, and provide safe limits for powder use. Use an up to date book. Or, use any of the above mentioned web site based data. Or, call the manufacturer and ask for safe load data.

DO NOT rely on heresay type data from the members of forums, who might have the best of intentions, but might miss the name of the powder, or the amount of the powder, etc.

The powder is the most important part of the reloading process. Mistakes with powder can hurt guns and shooters and bystanders.

The process starts with bullet selection. So, pick a specific bullet, and then seek out reloading data (including which powder to use) for that specific bullet.

[Shooterontheline]

You really need to refer to tested and published data provided by one of the powder manufacturers (Hodgdon, Alliant, Ramshot, etc), one of the bullet manufacturers (Speer, Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, etc), or other sources which actually test the loads, and provide safe limits for powder use. Use an up to date book. Or, use any of the above mentioned web site based data. Or, call the manufacturer and ask for safe load data.

DO NOT rely on heresay type data from the members of forums, who might have the best of intentions, but might miss the name of the powder, or the amount of the powder, etc.

The powder is the most important part of the reloading process. Mistakes with powder can hurt guns and shooters and bystanders.

The process starts with bullet selection. So, pick a specific bullet, and then seek out reloading data (including which powder to use) for that specific bullet.

Excellent Advise. This is good information to follow!

[gandog56]

My go to rifle powder is H4895. I reload anything from .223 REM to 8X56R with it. In a pinch, if I can't find any H4895, I look for IMR 4895. Which despite the same number, and the fact that Hodgdon owns both brands, are NOT a grain for grain equivalent powder. In a pinch I've used H4198 for .223, and H4350 for the big boys.

[Jedman]

I like WW 748 . Jedman

[Rapidrob]

BL-C(2) will work well in the three calibers you listed. IMHO it is one of the ideal powders for the .223.
I've been using it for more than 40 years and will continue to use it.

[swette]

Trying to figure out which powder to get started with gunna be loading 223 308 and 300 savage. Any advice would be great thanks guys.

2520 has always given top velocities in my 10.5" barreled 5.56 AR, 1 in 9" twist, 60 gr bullets. It can be expensive and hard to find, but I normally just practice with ball ammo. It's not worth reloading the fmj bullets, in my book. You wind up working for free.

[Leftyfixit]

Some reloading manuals also give loads that seem to work better, are more accurate, function better, Etc. It's like baking a cake, when everything is matching it's great but one bad load can leave a nasty taste in your mouth so to speak.