On Being a 2-Powder Reloader

Back in 2006, I was in the process of pulling in my horns. There were signs they might close the plant. I wanted to get down to the bare minimum, expecting a layoff. One thing I bought was an 8lb keg of Hodgdon H4895. I was pretty well already set up to run with one rifle powder. The kids were still small, and I had been using H4895 for their Yute Loads as well as all my deer loads.

See Making the Switch to H4895

It has been 12 years. I finished off that 8lb keg only a few years ago.

See Now THAT was 8lbs of Powder

I still use H4895 in most of my rifle loadings. I am now loading for a lot more firearms and loading a lot more chamberings. My powder cabinet should be brimming with 1lb canisters.

Nope.

I still mostly load H4895 for rifle and Hodgdon Universal Clays (AKA “Universal”) for pistol. I have a few outliers, but mostly it is those two powders I choose. Do not confuse H4895 with IMR 4895 These are not the same. Do not substitute these 1 for 1. H4895 is close enough to IMR 4895 that you can start with the starting load of either and work up. Ditto for the starting loads of Alliant Unique and Hodgdon Universal Clays. MAX loads are not interchageable. And substituting Unique for Universal or vice versa at near-MAX might make you a pipe bomb instead of a pistol load. I normally stay well off the MAX anyway, and that is one reason these two powder work so well for me.

For a beginning of this discussion, go to Hodgdon’s Reloading site and look up your preferred chambering. I bet a load of H4895 (rifle) or Universal Clays (pistol) is listed. It won’t be for every chambering, but if you stick to the middle of the path, you will probably find it. These also will probably not be the absolute best performers. However, they will be able to provide a good working load, doing so with less pressure than the top-performers.

Here is a current list of the rifle chamberings that use H4895:

.223 Rem
25-06 Rem
30-30 WIN
.308 WIN
30-06 Springfield
7.62X54R
7.5X54
8X57 Mauser
35 Whelen

Here are my pistol chamberings:

.357 Magnum/38 Special
9X19
.44 Magnum/44 Special
.45 ACP

. . . and all can be done with only 2 powders.

Now for the provisos and such:

.223 REM. For discrete loading on a single-stage press, I still use H4895. However, BL(C)-2 meters better going through the Hornady LNL AP progressive press.
25-06 REM I now prefer H4831SC. However, it does not meter well. H4895 works, but the results end up being more like a stiff .257 Roberts.
30-30 WIN Hodgdon Leverevolution is a superior powder by far. However, for general purpose loads, cast bullet loads and Yute loads, H4895 works very well.
.308 WIN Varget is a hair better in the deer loads in my Savage 99, but mostly I shoot H4895. The deer cannot tell the difference.
30-06 SPR I really should use H4350 for my 165 grain load, but it’s became unobtanium during the Obama era. H4895 is fine for what I want to do.
7.62X54R It took 10 years for me to really dial in a good load for Angus’ M44 Mosin Nagant. H4895 over Speer 180’s ended up being the best deer load for it.
8X57 Mauser This is the newest addition to the deer battery. H4895 gave me just what I wanted: a 200-yard deer gun with moderate recoil, lobbing a middle-of the road bullet.
35 Whelen I shoot 200 grain Remmie SPCL’s and now 200 grain Gas-Checks hard lead. Both responded the best to H4895.

357 Magnum If I really want to rock the house, I can use H110, but everyday carry loads are Universal.
9X19 I tried Universal and never looked back.
.44 Magnum If I tried to build a deer load again, I’d go to H110 or Win 296 However, for everyday shooting Universal works fine.
.45 ACP: Universal is great. Titegroup works as well for me.

So why H4895?

1) I started using H4895 for the M1 Garand. Then the kids started shooting and I needed a powder for Yute Loads.
2) Minor variations in powder weight do not show up on the Chronograph.
3) H4895 has a pressure curve that minimized felt recoil in a lot of chamberings
4) When cooking up a lot of my loads over the years, I found the smallest round-to-round deviation in velocity shooting H4895.

Why Universal?

1) Alliant Unique is a more common choice, but Hodgdon Universal is more likely to be available when there are shortages. It certainly was available during the last shortage.
2) I switched from Unique to Titegroup years ago, because Titegroup used far less powder per round and is a heck of a lot cheaper. Unique is dirty. Universal is about as clean burning as Titegroup.and meters better than Unique.
3) As long as I am not trying to push the envelope, Universal works. H110 is great for shock and awe, but for normal everyday shooting, I can do without the fireworks show. H110 has a lot of recoil, muzzle-flash and smoke.

Universal Rifle Load

I’ll put a bug in your ear. I don’t want to give you too much, because you might go out and try this yourself on my say-so. Don’t. Don’t trust anything you read regarding loads you find on the Internet– not even what I write. Having said that, I have heard that 10-11 grains of Unique or Universal will produce a working plinking load in just about any centerfire rifle. We’re talking just enough velocity to punch paper. I have not tried this myself. I mention it, just to get you researching it on your own if you are interested. I heard about his recipe on 24hourcampfire.com and elsewhere. On the former source, look on the “Ask the Gunwriters” subforum.

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