µ... micro, Micro, MICRO! think small, to GROW BIG! (part 3.2) Reloading: gunpowders.
Gunpowder is one of the things you should start stacking NOW, it is not cheap (think ~$24 per pound) and there were shortages that lasted almost as long as the Great 22LR Shortage in some areas! Here are my brief thoughts on stacking maybe 1 to 3 commonly used, nearly universal application powders that are, well, Universal! :D
We will try and show that this range of powders can be reduced down quite a bit!
Pistol Powder:
Seems there are several "universal" gunpowders for nealry any caliber, there is one named UNIVERSAL, wide applications, Titegroup gets good reviews, but "Unique" seems to have ALL Bases covered, there is load data for basically anything you can name, I have seen it listed for all from 38 Special to 44 Magnum, 9mm, 45 ACP and 40 S&W, so this would work (but probably not be "optimal") for my 10mm and 460 Rowland Loads. I have a good friend who uses Unique a lot, says the biggest drawback is that the powder burns dirty... but you should clean your guns every time you shoot anyway. Great to have on hand in quantity if the SHTF breaks out!
Rifle Powder:
Lots of guys really like H4895, and IMR 4895, Hodgdon and IMR both make this Mil-Spec powder that is useful in anything from an M-16 (or civilian AR-15) up to the mighty AR-10 (.308 or 7.62 x 51) and more. So it is quite adept at "prepper" uses, as this set likes the semi-auto versions of the military hardware. I do too :D
Varget gets a lot of mentions for a universal rifle powder, but I've seen that mainly in hunting loads, like the bolt guns. You need to DYODD but this is just a guide to "narrow it down" to a few for each application. But H4895 was originally a 30-06 powder for military use, even though that cartridge is now mostly a hunting round. The 30-06 is a longer case version of the .308 cartridge. Actually, the .308 is a shorter version of the 30-06!
As you can see there are a few powders that can "do it all" for some people...
This is what would be preferable for SHTF. You could buy a minimal selection, in large quantity, to minimize headaches and mistakes. Reloading is quite an art, it is a Scientific Art but I do not recommend getting too "ARTISTIC". Stay with the book loads, the secret is to get a good ACCURATE Load for your application, not the hottest or fastest. 55 and 62 grain bullets are very common for 5.56 ammo, and the military spec stuff is plenty hot. Staying "middle of the road" is safe, economical, and sensible. Plus it is easier to find the proper components. Having common and cheap(er) components is a key in the SHTF preps regimen, it will also make it easier to barter in a situation where these items ar scarce. Just be extra careful dealing away something that can be used against you!
But that is a whole other discussion.
Next installment will cover the rest of the ammunition components, Brass (preferably your reclaimed cases) primers and bullets.
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Image: spyderarms.com
keep stacking to grow ti big a step today is a movement tomorrow :D
Indeed! I like that, sounds like a good quote?
@originalworks
hahah :D
i liked your thinking man always good to see your post
Thanks for the post. Have the reloading equipment from my farther. And have all the components. Now I need the ambition.
Most expert reloaders recommend a tray of 50 rounds. But if you had maybe a revolver (I like wheels guns a lot but have mostly autos) you could load up 6 light, 6 medium, 6 stout, etc. They recommend, for the novice reloader, to stay strictly with the "book loads". These being recommended loads from a manufacturer. It gets so complex, rather it gets so man y layers of things to check, that I say pretty much best to stick with a middle of the road mixture, and for a few reasons.
There is a lot of extra prep and attention required if you go into "load research", even in the recommended ranges, if looking for that magic bullet formula for your exact setup. Especially so if you want "Max Power" loads. This is where everyone says "PROCEED WITH CAUTION!"!
Thanks @underground, I have a bunch of loads Dad made with all the power and weights. Shouldn't be to hard other than following the books and taking it slow.
Oh, I want you on my team...
There are so many reloaders around here, I really ought to get someone to teach me a little about it!
Nice! Yes, online can really only go so far, which is fine for starting up. BUT, you will get down to certain problems on specific equipment and just maybe, someone on youtube will have that same configuration and problem. After I finish up with brass, primers and bullets, I move on to presses. You can get an AP that does everything with each pull of the lever. AP stands for "auto-progressive". Most AP Presses can be motor driven as well ;)
I'm honored to be on your team! :D
Great idea. I will be adding gun powder to my preps. I never thought of it before. Thought of bullets but never powder. Thanks.
Yeah! gotta have something to propel the bullet! Even if you bought too much powder, you could trade components... Like I said, next up is primers, bullets and cases. Best thing to so is use your own once-fired cases. For several reasons ;) You can reload them more than once, however.
your post is great and interesting for me ... I like your post. thank you for sharing your experience.
thx onsteem! more to come...
You sound like you stack all kinds of powder... *atchoo!
*prick
:D lol
:P
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