Greetings
Ive got an odd question here. But usually I can get some qualified opinions in this forum.
I do not have to tell you that all of a sudden powder is getting almost impossible to find here in Colorado. I'm reloading for .223, 7.62-39, and 7mm magnum. My question is if i can only find one can of powder which is the most versatile for all 3? The closest info i've been able to get so far is 4895 or r-15. I like shooting 139g. out of my 7 mag. But the pertinent info is hard to find. Unless I spend hours on researching this maybe you can narrow it down for me? Then I'll test your wits with .38-.357 and .45acp. But I don't want to start a brawl over that one yet.
Thanks
Bullthrower

I'm not sure where you are gettin that powder information but RL15 is way slow for the 7.62x39. It's also very fast for the 7mm even with the lightest bullets, same with the 4895. I don't see a way that you could get the best from those cartridges with just one powder.

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Well, the BEST thing, if we could only have ONE powder across the board would be Trail Boss. You can load all of those calibers you have listed, even the pistol ones and never have to worry about pressure problems.

In fact, you can run lead bullets in all of them too! Trail Boss is GREAT for that and the way they tell you to get a maximum load is simple: Mark the case were the base of the bullet goes and fill it up to there, period.

Oh, performance will be terrible but, remember, a little bang is better than no bang if the stuff hits the fan!

I talked with Hodgdon awhile back and what they told me about H4895, not the same as IMR or AA 4895, is that it can be loaded to 40% of the maximum load for any rifle caliber for lead or youth/wife types of loads. Now THAT is something to remember!

un-possible. You need three.

A1680, H4895 or Varget, H4831

For the .38 and .45 ACP... HP-38 or Universal.
For .357... 2400

I bet I can find data for all three of those rounds, cast bullets and 2400! Might have to dig a bit! I KNOW I can find data for the pistol rounds and 2400!

It sounds like 2 kinds of powder will be necessary but at the moment I can't even find one! I know from my research that 4895 can be used in .223 and reduced loads for 7mm mag. typically for real light bullets. So I would think it would practical but not ideal in a 7.63-39 case. I know a lot of people will be wanting to know why reload for this case in the first place with the availability of so much cheap ammo out there. Well I'm keeping the cheap ammo for when the ***t hits the fan and will shoot reloads at the range. I know reloading for an ak is almost futile because they are so abusive on cases. Dented cases are common but its kind of fun trying to get more than 3 reloads out of each case! I pitch them if they look suspicious. You know I would not have guessed I would be unable to find 4895 and I have a hunch cheap imported ammo is going to be the next thing to go? Anyway its better to be conservative at this point. I'm not out of powder because I was stockpiling before it became fashionable! But I do a lot of shooting anyway Im still in the game.
Bullthrower

With the heavier bullets, H4895 could be "made to work" for 7.62x39...but it's really too slow to give you good performance. You'd be better off using it for cast bullet loads in that cartridge. You could also use it for reduced recoil or cast loads from the 7RM. It's also slower than I would use for 223.

When the current hysteria dies down and the ammo hoarders have enough to sustain their special kind of crazy for a while, powders, components and loaded rounds will be available again. Be patient while others are panicking and you'll be able to get the right powders (plural) for the guns you're loading.

IMR4831SC for the 7RM, H335 for 7.62x39 and 223 Rem.

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