Best powders for common calibers .223, .308, and 9mm

Richie

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Sep 25, 2025
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I started reloading and now I'm staring at a shelf of different powders like I'm some kind of mad scientist....I am pretty sure I bought way more than necessary, what powders do you all actually use regularly for common calibers like .223, .308, and 9mm?
 
That's easy...for reloading, just remember the classics; Hodgdon Varget is king for both .223 and .308, giving you top accuracy. For 9mm, stick with Hodgdon Titegroup, it meters perfectly and keeps your practice cheap
 
I started reloading and now I'm staring at a shelf of different powders like I'm some kind of mad scientist....I am pretty sure I bought way more than necessary, what powders do you all actually use regularly for common calibers like .223, .308, and 9mm?
I have been reloading for many years now; like 62+. One of the most accurate powders I have found for the .223 & .308 WInchester is AR COMP. It meters well and the accuracy/fps in my rifles has been extraordinary. The attachment is a ladder load target shot with my 1968 WInchester model 88, 165gr Barnes TTSX. For the 9mm, 10mm and .45 Colt I use Power Pistol. For the .45 auto I use Unique. I have a 5 pound, steel can of Unique that I have been whittling at for 20 plus years now. Theres nothing wrong with having a good selection of various powders on hand. Sometimes the well dries up and what you have on hand will have to suffice until you can find another supply for your go to powders. Plus different rifles in the same cartridge may like a different powder if you are loading for accuracy. Even a bullet change could shoot better with a different powder. My fo to powder for the “06” is IMR4350 that can also serve to charge other cartridges. I’ve had the best performance in the .270 Ackley Improved with RL19.
 

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I started reloading and now I'm staring at a shelf of different powders like I'm some kind of mad scientist....I am pretty sure I bought way more than necessary, what powders do you all actually use regularly for common calibers like .223, .308, and 9mm?
Welcome to the powder cult, for .223 I lean Varget or AR Comp and for .308 I keep H4350 or IMR 4064 on the shelf...for 9mm I use Titegroup or Power Pistol, you can test what your rifle likes, save receipts
 

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