Man, there sure is a selection of smokeless powders these days. I can’t really say that one company is consistently better than the others. The problem is that there is too much selection. Different combinations of components that promise one-hole accuracy can overwhelm the reloader (and overwhelm his pocketbook).
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I have decided to make this section of my reloading web better and easier to navigate. After all it is these basic component questions that seem to be very popular topics most everywhere on the web. I see a lot of varmint hunters for example repeating the same questions. "What is the ultimate <fill in blank> load?" I am here to tell you kids, I don’t know…
Every time I think I got all figured out, I have a real bad day.
I will say this though, "I will not bullshit you".
Get a chronograph, find a 300-yard range, take all your reloading stuff out the field, and start shooting. I have a lot of definite opinions on what does what. These would include: the effects of moly, bullet seating, stick vs. ball powders, primers, etc. Most of my opinions have been formed only recently. I am not a competitive bench shooter, nor am I an experienced high-power shooter. I am just a regular Joe who hates to miss, ever!
There are some very simple premises that I like to follow:
 | Target loads should be accurate and predictable (duh). |
| " " should be reliable in semi-auto mode (duh again) |
| Varmint loads should be fast, flat and use a polymer tipped bullet. |
| Sight in a 200 yards and Kentucky estimate using "hogs and dogs". |
| Noslers, Sierra’s, and Hornady’s are equally good. I have had good luck with all three. |
| If all elese fails try a Sierra match bullet in the appropriate weght for your twist. They always shoot... |
| Speed kills! If you are not pushing 4000 fps-you got a popcorn fart. Use lighter bullets if you have to. |
| If you don’t here a "Wap!" at impact, change bullets. |
| The .223 is generally less finicky than the 22-250. |
| Win 748 is not the only .223 powder, despite what you may hear… |
| Lake City Military .223 brass is better than most commercial, and thinner! |
| Try different primers. Read the RCBS load manual, don’t be afraid of magnum primers. |
| Ball powders get a magnum primer in the large cases. Have not seen a need in .223. |
| The .223 is best suited to long periods of rapid fire (like p-dog hunting). The 22-250 gets too hot! |
| The .22-250 is the "Wap!" rifle. |
| Listen to Walt Berger and 25% of the Sierra bullet techs. |
| Moly makes cleaning an afterthought (almost not necessary) |
| The AR-15 is the finest military rifle I have ever shot (ArmaLite’s kick ass!) |
| Buy at least 500 at a time. 1-lbs. cans of powder is fine. |
| Don’t buy an 8 lbs. can of powder unless you are familiar with the lot (this is maybe the best advice here)-been there done that! |
| If I had one company to choose for everything, it would probably be Winchester. |
| If I had to pick one supplier it would be Championshooter’s Supply (I live right down the street). |
| Everything I have ever gotten from Midway was prompt and of excellent quality. |
| Accurate powders are coming on strong! |
| Varget
is the
most
flexible
powder
I have
ever
seen,
but it
does
not
really
excel
at
anything... |
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