The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

What powder are you using to reload and how well do you like it for metering? I'm trying to see if there is a good powder I can use across several calibers, primarily x39, x54R and .308

IMR 4064 or 4895 works across almost all 30 caliber rifle rounds. I load .30-06, 54R, 6.5 Swiss, 7.5 Swiss, 308, 8mm Mauser, 30-30 Win, and 7.7 Jap with 4064. It's stick powder so some metering devices don't like it but I load for accuracy, metering short and trickling to final load, so it doesn't bother me too much.

Very familiar with 4064 as I use it on my .30-06 loads...you're right it meters not very good.

Hogden H380 powder 50 grains
Sierra .311 DIA. 303 cal 150 GR. Spitzer

dolk wrote:Hogden H380 powder 50 grains
Sierra .311 DIA. 303 cal 150 GR. Spitzer

I use H380 in my 6.5x55 loads. It is a ball powder and meters well, but it is hard to set off when the temp falls to freezing or below. Not a big deal in summer plinking, but it could be an issue if one were loading a hunting round.

millman wrote:

dolk wrote:Hogden H380 powder 50 grains
Sierra .311 DIA. 303 cal 150 GR. Spitzer

I use H380 in my 6.5x55 loads. It is a ball powder and meters well, but it is hard to set off when the temp falls to freezing or below. Not a big deal in summer plinking, but it could be an issue if one were loading a hunting round.

Thats good to know because I live in an area where the winters are very cold and it often is below freezing for hunting and any winter time shooting

I have always favored the IMR powders like 4320, 4895 and 4064, although I use IMR 3031 exclusively for .30-30 Winchester and .303 British. 4895 is near perfect as a medium burning powder for 7.62x54r.

IMR 4895, IMR 4064 and H380. I prefer IMR 4895 for 8mm Lebel and 30-06 but will use H380 for 30-06 if IMR 4895 isn't available. IMR 4064 is for 303 British. Handgun loads are all Hodgdon Titegroup.

Metering? Metering? One doesn't load 7.62x54R on a Dillon RL550!

I have used IMR 4064 mostly, but have tried IMR3031, IMR 4350, Varget, and BL-C(2). I hand throw each charge, and use an RCBS Jr. single stage press. I don't trust powder measures, I check my scale frequently, I check powder levels in my cases before seating. My reloading regimen borders on OCD. I'm not about loading huge quantities of rounds, I shoot for (pun intended) accuracy and consistancy. progressive presses and powder measures defeat this purpose.

For all the calibers you mentioned, IMR 4064 is a good choice.

H4895 or IMR 4895 are my main go to powders for most of my rifle loads. I will also use IMR 4064 but tend to keep that for my .30-06. I'm a lot like entropy above, a bit OCD when it comes to my reloading. I have the Hornady auto-charge to measure out each one and I tend to double check what it claims against my Dillon scale every 5 or so charges too. I am reloading mine on a Dillon 550 though but that's just because it's what I've got. Yeah, I started out with more than what I really needed.

entropy wrote: I hand throw each charge, and use an RCBS Jr. single stage press. I don't trust powder measures, I check my scale frequently, I check powder levels in my cases before seating. My reloading regimen borders on OCD. I'm not about loading huge quantities of rounds, I shoot for (pun intended) accuracy and consistancy. progressive presses and powder measures defeat this purpose.

I use a single stage, handheld Lee press for reloading rifle cartridges myself. Only handgun cartridges get reloaded on the Dillon. I hand throw every charge after weighing on the Dillon electronic scale and check variances every time I use it. I tend to do things in stages-decap cases and clean in the ultrasonic cleaner after a trip to the range. Next stage is resize and prime cases. I have several bins with lids that are used for storage of cases that are primed and ready for charging. Charging and seating bullets is the final stage, after which the cartridges are bagged and labeled.

I still use the same Lee single stage that I got back in 87' & for the most part I don't load enough high volume & am just too cheap to get anything else, especially since it still works.

Power for the 7.62X54R I've settled on H414 & just keep the 4064 for the 30-06.

H4895 gives me excellent accuracy with a 150 or 168 gr bullet. I also like Varget, and for cast bullet light loads have used Red Dot.

For small to mid sized standard rifle cartridges (such as the .308, 7.62x54R, .303 Brit, and .30-06) you can't go wrong with good ol 4064 or 4350, I have also come to appreciate the consistency and smell (ya, I know, I'm weird) of Hodgdon Varget.

4064 is the most common powder found in my area and covers all my loading needs. I grab a pound or two each time I see it at Walmart and probably have more stored back than I'll ever need in my lifetime.

Jbob wrote:4064 is the most common powder found in my area and covers all my loading needs. I grab a pound or two each time I see it at Walmart and probably have more stored back than I'll ever need in my lifetime.

Your Wal-Mart has reloading stuff???

I'm going to have to have a talk with Rongo........