Powder for service rifle calibers

[Ark]

What's a go-to, affordable (or at least not outrageously marked up) powder that is suitable for use in a wide variety of full-power service rifle calibers (30-06, 8mm Mauser, 54R, 6.5 Carcano, etc)? Currently use Varget for my 30-06 loads with great success, but it's sometimes hard to get and seems to come with a significant brand tax.

4064 and 4895 seem popular. Again, my results with the Varget have been great, just curious if I'm overspending or otherwise leaving benefits on the table by continuing to use it for service rifle-y applications.

 

[spencer rifle]

Really like 4895 - wide range of applications, good temp stability.

 

[red_zr24x4]

BLC-2, 2015
If your just plinking with them I've had good luck 844 and 846 surplus powder

 

[AmmoManAaron]

IMR-4064. Exceptional accuracy in 30-06 Garand spec loads and very useable in all of the other calibers you listed. Other good options include IMR-4895 and IMR-3031. 4895 is very versatile as mentioned above, but I seem to use more 4064 and 3031 just because a few of my favorite loads use them. 3031 uses slightly lighter charges because it is faster burning, but still has good case fill. Over time, it will save you a little money because of the lighter charge weights. In my experience, it works very well in 6.5 Carcano with the lighter and medium weight bullets. It gives up a little bit of velocity with heavy bullets in all of the calibers, but it's not a huge loss by any means. 3031, 4064, and 4895 typically all cost the same per pound, so the only cost difference will be from your charge weights - pretty minor, but worth noting. If you start loading 7mm Mauser, don't overlook IMR-4320 - it's been my best performer in that caliber. If you don't mind powder diversity and aren't buying 8-pounders all the time, try a pound of each and see which one works best for you in your various calibers. Like me, you may find that you have a valued place for each of them.

BLC-2 can be good if you like muzzle fireballs (sometimes flash is fun!) and generally works ok in a variety of calibers...but best accuracy for me only seems to come near max loads and generally even that wasn't anything to write home about (except maybe 30-30, which you didn't list). FWIW, for some reason, my 7.7 Jap didn't like it at all (you didn't mention that caliber either, but it fits with the military theme).

 

[Robert Richardson]

4895 for me also.

 

[Leadeye]

3031 and WW 748 are my go to powders for auto/semi auto army type rifles. I didn't have much luck with 4064 in the M1A and over the years quit using it. Hard to describe, but it seemed to shake the receivers of the M1A and Garand.

 

[AmmoManAaron]

3031 and WW 748 are my go to powders for auto/semi auto army type rifles. I didn't have much luck with 4064 in the M1A and over the years quit using it. Hard to describe, but it seemed to shake the receivers of the M1A and Garand.

Hmm, interesting observation. I've actually never tried that powder in an M1A, but my particular Garand likes it - it's set up sorta like a faux M-1D. I never noticed the thing you describe, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Individual Garands and M1As can also be quirky...was it a tuning fork type ringing/shaking?

Certainly nothing wrong with WW 748 or BLC-2 in the M1A...seems like the smaller case capacity maybe makes the ball powder work better in .308 vs. 30-06.

 

[Leadeye]

Hmm, interesting observation. I've actually never tried that powder in an M1A, but my particular Garand likes it - it's set up sorta like a faux M-1D. I never noticed the thing you describe, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. Individual Garands and M1As can also be quirky...was it a tuning fork type ringing/shaking?

Certainly nothing wrong with WW 748 or BLC-2 in the M1A...seems like the smaller case capacity maybe makes the ball powder work better in .308 vs. 30-06.

It was a vibration that may have been OK, but was disturbing. It's an early M1A, but the Garand is straight WW2 surplus. I've never fed 4064 ammo to the BAR maybe it wouldn't make any difference there.

 

[billybob44]

^^^+1 here..For non sub MOA rounds these powders work fine..Bill.

Ha left this part off??=If your just plinking with them I've had good luck 844 and 846 surplus powder


PS: For med power loads: 844=H-335 powder.
846=BL-C(2) powder.

 

[55fairlane]

For my 03a3 I use varget for my RRA NM I use 8208XBR

 

[Michigan Slim]

H335 works in most of my rifle calibers. Been getting good results from H414 for my hunting rigs in .243 and .270.

 

[natdscott]

Currently use Varget...

...my results with the Varget have been great...

Varget.


RE-15 is also well received, especially if going with slightly heavier bullets.

 

[drm-hp]

Varget is my go to. Buy it at Camp Perry during the nationals for approximately $170 for 8 lbs. I use it for 5.56, 308, 30-06, 35 Whelen. This powder is less temperature sensitive than most in this burn rate. I have a friend who uses it in his NM Garand and Palma rifle.

 

[Ark]

I mean I'd like to keep using Varget but it's OOS every time I have money for powder and look for it.