Most used/favorite and least favorite gun powders?

[GrapeApe]

I have 1# cans of multiple powders that I try when doing load work-up and 8# jugs of the ones I use the most
Most used:

• Ramshot TAC
  H4895
  Hodgdon Li'l Gun

Least favorite:

• BLc (2)
  LeveRevolution

What are some of yours?

[Bigslug]

To each its application. In short, if it'll get me drunk, I'll drink it.

Mostly, any "dislikes" have been from where a burn rate doesn't suit the application - I went through several that were too slow to burn thoroughly/cleanly in the .45ACP (Unique & HP38) for example. Back during the moly craze, I had hopes for H1000 in a long barrel .30-06AI "X-rifle", but it proved too slow to deliver consistent speeds. When I ran into those duds on the learning curve, I've just used them up and moved on, saved them for use in a place they fit better, or passed them on to those who for whatever reason like the stuff.

For handgun, I'm not really playing with fire-breathing magnum loads anymore. Most of it has gravitated to Bullseye and its close equivalents, while Unique has become the go-to for revolvers creeping up to my comfort limit of recoil.

Rifle is usually an appropriate Hodgdon Extreme for when it really matters (hunting or the competition I no longer do). H4831 and H4350 have given way to Varget in the last two hunting primaries. Offhand practice cast bullet practice ammo usually consumes the leftover Ghosts of Projects Past.

LeverEvolution kicks ass - at least in the small span of rounds it was created for. Found it to be Nirvana for one Marlin .30-30 in which it gave killer accuracy with the extra speed they say it gives.

[Zee]

Most used:
H4350
H4895
H110

Least Favorite:
Varget
CFE223

[mitdr774]

Most used:
IMR4064
IMR4350
IMR4227
H4350

Least favorite but still have some use for:
Lil'Gun

Generally if its a powder that I try and dont like, I will move on whatever I have to someone that needs it. All my RL-15, 17, and 19 went to my dad since he had a use for it and I didnt have much luck with it. There are a bunch of others that I have uses for, but by volume they are lower on the list than my most used. IMR4227 is 42gr at a time in the little .458, and that sure is a lot of that powder in one case but it works well.

[jaywapiti]

Most used ,
IMR 4895
IMR 4350
IMR 4831
IMR 7828
All 2400
H 110
WIn. WSF
Least used
3031
4064
lil gun

FWIW All my loads were developed and proven before i retired in 2000, never tried any of the newer powders after 2000,

JAY

[breamfisher]

Favorite:
H110
H4895
TAC
Universal (sadly out of production)
Bullseye

Least Favorite:
Bl-C2
Unique (too dirty)

I admit I have limited powder experience. I generally find what I like and stay with it.

[mitdr774]

Favorite:
H110
H4895
TAC
Universal (sadly out of production)
Bullseye

Least Favorite:
Bl-C2
Unique (too dirty)

I admit I have limited powder experience. I generally find what I like and stay with it.

I use H4895 along with one of Zee's least favorite powders in the Grendel. Its amazing how long a pound of powder lasts with the Grendel compared to even the Creedmoor.

[Jay]

Favorites (8 pound jugs, top shelf) IMR4198 just there cause I got it cheap..indifferent
H4895
Accurate 5
Titegroup
W296
Also like Trail Boss

Dislike
CFE223
Unique

Starting to really like
LVRevolution
Benchmark

I also like 5744 for the Sharps

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[Zee]

Benchmark has always been exceptional for accuracy in the cartridges I use it in and I do like it. Only run (ran) it on 2 cartridges, though. So, not a high use powder.
H4198 has been great in my .30-30 Win and .30-30 AI. Just not a high volume cartridge.
H4831/4831sc is nice in the cartridges I use it in. Again, not high volume cartridges.

[Freezer]

IMR 4350 in the 280 and 6.5-06
Varget in the 308
W296 in the 357

I need to experiment with the 6.5-06 I miss the day when you could buy a variety pack with 4 oz containers. They were great for load work-ups.

[Zee]

I’ve used H4350 and Retumbo in my 6.5-06 A-Square. I believe H4350 gave best accuracy.

[mitdr774]

My top velocity 6.5-06 loads have been with RL-22 and RL-26. With 140-150gr bullets best groups have been with IMR 4350. H4350 is on the list to try though.

[Wambli Ska]

Everything I have in hand has a purpose that it works well for. I don’t have anything I don’t like and I really don’t “experiment” much. I tend to stick to recommended or classic recipes.. But I also don’t reload as much as many of you.

[mitdr774]

Everything I have in hand has a purpose that it works well for. I don’t have anything I don’t like and I really don’t “experiment” much. I tend to stick to recommended or classic recipes.. But I also don’t reload as much as many of you.

Book data for some things is really low (Nosler 6.5-06 142gr load actual velocity topped out around 2700 fps) and using other than recommended powders can some times give really good results. Some things like the Grendel have book data limited by the platform they were designed for. I use powders like AR-Comp, 2000-MR, H4895, Varget, Benchmark, and IMR 3031, but published load data is spotty for most of them in the Grendel. As I get loads sorted out I will start cutting back the experimentation.

[Wambli Ska]

Everything I have in hand has a purpose that it works well for. I don’t have anything I don’t like and I really don’t “experiment” much. I tend to stick to recommended or classic recipes.. But I also don’t reload as much as many of you.

Book data for some things is really low (Nosler 6.5-06 142gr load actual velocity topped out around 2700 fps) and using other than recommended powders can some times give really good results. Some things like the Grendel have book data limited by the platform they were designed for. I use powders like AR-Comp, 2000-MR, H4895, Varget, Benchmark, and IMR 3031, but published load data is spotty for most of them in the Grendel. As I get loads sorted out I will start cutting back the experimentation.

I really only reload for stuff that I can’t get commercially at all or at least without difficulty. Mostly Winchester “dash” cartridges and those I keep close to original specs as long as they shoot to what I think is the guns best capabilities.

Just about all my modern guns have already been matched up with commercial ammo intended for their purpose that gives me reliable sub MOA and I have a lifetime supply of those.


For the VERY few modern cartridges I do load I don’t push the envelope much and I know there are safety margins especially on the older stuff. I look for accuracy and consistency way more important than speed. So I start 5-10% under max and see where that takes me. I spend more time on consistency if load weight and cases, I seem to get the best bang doing that. Later this year I’m springing for a Garmin and we’ll see how I do from there.

[T'owd Mon]

Vhitavouri N160
Alliant Reloader 19
H4895 But best of all is the now out of production Nobel Rifle No. 1. I try to search out the odd tin when I can find it. Just used my last batch on some .375 H& H rounds. A very versatile powder. No real dislikes as I think most powders have some application somewhere where they work best.

[Kansashunter]

I use titegroup the most. It meters well for me and the things I use it for just put holes in paper. For rifles it seems like each one likes a different powder.

[CPJ 2.0]

My favorite is what works best in a particular round. Or even better, what works in multiple rounds with acceptable results.
There’s better stuff than CFE223.
But I’ve got a lot. And it works in multiple rounds.

I don’t try multiple powders on a particular round, mostly. I pick a powder and make it work. So far so good.