Making accurate loads ~ Understanding powders, Part I 

My Dad; reloaded for 40 years, he passed two years ago. My inheritance was his loading equipment and supplies. I grew up shooting and here I am at 40 years of age and knew very little about loading. I have set up and cleaned up all of my Dad’s loading equipment. When ready to ask questions on where to start I was at a loss. At a loss until I found these videos. I have watched almost 30 hours of video and cant tell you how many pages of notes I have taken. Your videos are amazing and inspiring. Thank you for taking the time to pass on your in depth knowledge. God Bless America and it’s citizens!!

I invite anyone new to reloading, veteran reloaders, and folks new to guns in general, to study this man's videos because he presents a wealth of knowledge in the most calm, pleasant, thorough and reassuring manner. I've been reloading for ~40 years(OK 38+). Just finished Primers and Parts 1 & 2 as a refresher course. I appreciate seeing so many powders together all at once for comparison. Certainly more variety of powders represented than I've experimented with. I've actually pared down my powder selections through the last decade(s) as my calibers have been long fixed, my bullet selections favored and my loads dialed in. Some guys are constantly tweaking their bullets & powder loads when a new powder is brought out. Too much extra fussing for me, and I think they actually do themselves a disservice by undoing all their previous work. But that is just me and they thrive on the change and extra work. Much the same as guys who are never done fiddling with their 1911s. I may try a new bullet but I seem to fall back on pretty much the same powders I've settled on for that caliber, often because I already have an 8lb. keg of it and geez powders are expensive nowadays. Listen to what he says about avoiding compressed loads or magnum primers if you can. I've never used either and I don't want the headache associated with it. Again, that is just me. I've also avoided the magnum calibers too because I don't see a great performance difference for all that extra noise and kick. Never had any elk more dead than my .270s, .308s,, or .30-06s have already laid out. Those long distance shooters sure love the .300 WinMAG but damn is it loud and it kicks like a mule. To wrap it up, this man is a real gem, and everyone can learn something from him. Well done good Sir, well done.

It's one thing to know something really well, but you have to be on another level altogether to know it well enough to help others understand it really well. Behold, the Master.

Wow, so erudite. I have such high respect for men who achieve this level of understanding in a craft or study. Artisanship will never die!

Thank you so much for posting your reloading video collecting ! I must say you truly are the Professor of the reloading ! I enjoyed watching and learning from your series. Thank you again!!!

Composite grouping, what a great idea to show the visual range in your records. Great video as usual, I know it took time and effort to tag and display each powder, Thanks for going the extra mile to educate us.

Not only is the video very informative able to share the benefit of decades of experience, but reading through the comments is incredibly valuable too. Thank you for this video and all your other content allowing others to benefit from your experience. Much gratitude.

Again, thank you! I thoroughly enjoy your videos and learn something new almost every time.

I favour sensible and your channel is so pragmatic and sensible it’s a joy to watch. Thank you for pulling this altogether, I can appreciate the significant amount of work and detail you’ve put in to making your videos. You’re like a firearms angel for me. 😊

I for one am truly thankful for all the work and time you put in to share such an incredible wealth of knowledge . Thank you sir

Love this man. He is like your best friend who is right there with you step by step.

Love your vids. Great info. I'd love to actually sit down with you. Your grandkids are very fortunate to have you. Thanks for the effort and the work you put into these vids

This man‘s videos are much more eye-opening to me than anything else I could find on the subject.

Love how much information you have in each video. I'm like a sponge with all of them.

Sir, I've been an avid reloader since the '80s-on a very small scale-loading 38, 357, 9mm, 223, 308, and some surplus rifle cartridges like 8x56R, 7.5 Swiss, 303 Brit. and your videos are the first that thoroughly detail powder selection, and the WHY of it. Well done and thank you. I see that these vids are a few years old, I hope you're still around and teaching!

this is my new favorite channel, i'm new to reloading, and your vids are incredibly helpful. thankyou

Hello GunBlue490, I've been loading for my handguns, rifles and shot guns now for about 4 years. I've performed a lot of viewing of youtube demonstrations and instructional lessons over the years. There are so many people out there that are such good teachers on the subject of firearms, loading and gun safety; however, you are by far the easiest to understand and listen to, you obviously know your subject and I would just like to acknowledge you, your efforts to share the wealth of information you possess, gained obviously through many years experience as a man dearly interested in this subject. I love the practice of loading all of my weapons simply because it appeals to my perfectionism. That's how it all started anyway... now-a-days I load on a single-load press when loading for rifle precision and on a progressive press for my pistols and some "fun" rifles. For shotgun I just use the simple Mec Steel-loader with the universal measure. For most powder measuring I use an electronic powder dispenser for most loading and a trickler to get it right on as you have stated above. All of what I know I have learned from watching videos and reading articles, yes, granted not every bit of instruction is absolute or even sometimes correct; that's why I cross-reference and double-check everything new I undertake! It's a wonderful world of information and knowledge out there these days; all you need do as an individual is to check your data, proceed with caution and common sense and always put safety first, there's no second-guessing an accidental outcome, that's why they're called "accidents!" One last time I want to let you know from my heart; from one elderly 66 year old to a fellow elder (looking of course a bit younger than I) but still elder enough to obviously have studied, derived information and followed with a good strong measure of common sense to arrive at your conclusions, and then to share that knowledge and experience with the rest of us... I salute you Sir! You are a fine example of an American through and through! W.R. J. Henriksen

Fantastic information, well presented. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Such a wealth of knowledge, Glad I found your channel

Thank You, Sir. Really appreciate the way work you have put into this.

Thank you sir. You are a great teacher that I don't come across very often. I highly enjoyed this lesson and look forward to watching others on your Channel.

I'd like to thank you for your in depth and obviously time consuming research and data. I was out of the reloading game since the early 90's and have just started again. Mainly 444, 45-70 and 44 magnum. I was really surprised at the number of powders available currently. I did in deed have to get a more current reloading book (Lyman) as my old Hornady book was from the early 70's. I appreciate your video's.

An excellent wealth of knowledge and information in this video. I am preparing to start reloading and am doing my research before I begin. Thank you for sharing.

Another outstanding video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. Salutes from Brazil.

Thank you very much for your great reply. I will do exactly what you said. it will be a great start for my reloading. I do already have some 125 grain RNFP cast, but will get the 148 wadcutters and the bullseye or red dot. I just bought the Lee manual last week and have Lyman 49. I will put these to use for my Blackhawk and hopefully my Henry lever action. God Bless

This was an excellent video. The individual attention and visuals of each powder was terrific. You provide a lot of good information to reloaders. One issue, and perhaps the most perplexing is choosing a powder. There are so many factors to consider in selecting a powder it would be nice to have a chart that rates/ranks the powders based on these many criteria. Here is a list of things to consider when it comes to powders: 1.burn rate best suited for bullet weight, 2. performance, ie velocity., 3. Accuracy/Consistency which includes low SD and good ES numbers, 4. Temperature sensitivity, 5. Metering ease ie. extruded, spherical, ball 6. Cleanliness is it clean burning or dirty, 6. Easy on barrel ie. non-corrosive, 7. Easy on cases for longer case life, 8. Size of load where smaller sized necessary loads equals more loads per pound, 9. Usability over a wider range of bullet sizes or calibers, 10. Cost per pound, 11. Availabilty. There may be more factors to consider than listed here but it would be nice to see a chart where these factors were evaluated for each powder (even just for the 223 as a base point due to its populariity). With your existing knowledge and experiences it shouldn't be too hard for you to come up with such a chart. It would of great value to reloaders trying to decide on powder(s).

Blue's video are for the most part excellent for both the experienced and novice. And, it was fun to listen to his comments about many of the powders I use. But, I would add one point. And, I'm not sure Blue intended to this message to be conveyed, but I've had both new precision rifles and older commercial and milsurp rifles that do respond significantly to changes in loads in the order of 0.2 grains. It's one of those "whoa" moments when you look back at the POIs after every shot. What I mean by this is perhaps a 0.5 moa shift, or the occurrence of more frequent flyers. That generally tells me fairly high frequency harmonics. I frequently run into this after the best load has been established, in addition to the best freebore or "jump" for the specific bullet. So, again, every rifle is different (even from the same manufacturer); sorta like kids in the same family. Everyone needs to establish the loads, and tolerable variance of loads, that gives rise to the tightest consistent groups with the powder, brass and bullet.

Very thorough description of an often neglected subject. Well done, Gun Blue! Thank you. Similar powder numbers can certainly be a problem. I once asked for "4895" and got the wrong one. Failed to realize it until I'd beaten my shoulder pretty bad. Luckily, the action withstood the punishment far better than my shoulder and I pulled the remaining bullets and fixed the problem. The Max load I was typically able to use with IMR was actually a couple grains over max with H! I've used that same trickler for many years. Maybe I'm a little OCD, but I weigh every load, pistol or rifle, and "top it off" with that trickler. Speed isn't important to me, just consistency.

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Good Job!

What a great video! I live near the old DuPont powder mills on the Brandywine. Hagley is still open for tours, sad that DuPont turned away from the business that got them started.

A great Vlog on powder/s variants. Thank you!

A nice summary for the new reloader. I agree with most of your main points from my modest 4 years of reloading experience.

Thanks for all your knowledge and wisdom. Great information.

Without saying you completely explained the law of diminishing returns. Great vid! Thank you so much.

Exceptionally well done and informative. Volumes of research in very interesting and enjoyable format.

Great video...after year's of watching shooters and reloaders, this is the best compendium of what they explain.

Outstanding video sir. Thank you so much for your time.

One of the most useful video I have seen yet! Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us, I have benefited greatly from this.

Love your apron! It’s my go to Muffuletta stop in New Orleans. Great video on powders. Thanks sir!

Well done! Excellent! Couldn't have done it better myself! Upvoted big time! Highly recommended to all newbie reloaders out there these days!

Thank You for sharing your knowledge. I'm gaining on reloading and gun knowledge by watching your videos.

Thank you, that was a really interesting and as always educational video. I always appreciate your down to earth as simple as possible methods.

Excellent video. The composite targets were particularly interesting.

Best information on the Net ! Thank you

Outstanding! Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you sir make us all better for doing so.

Thank you very much for the presentation and taking the time to pass on the knowledge and wisdom to us younger guys. Its unfortunate that the majority of the younger generations aren't paying more attention to things like this they would rather just throw money at the problem. I'm learning about loading and reloading because I am going to start my own ammo business for the crowd that just want to throw money around. Just do us another favor and hold on as long as possible because some of us younger guys care and want you older guys to stick around because we need you more than you know. God bless.

Thank you for making the difference in powers understanding that one power is not the same as another. I understand now why your choice may differ from one place at 2350 ft. Above sea level and the same cartage will be different at sea level. Even the same cartage and load to each other. Thanks for that.

Thank you for taking the time to do these videos.

In the 70’s we had one store within 20 miles that sold components. 3 or 4 types of Hercules powder for pistol & Shotgun, and about 1/2 dozen DuPont powders for rifle.

This video should have a link printed on every label of Powder. WOW! GREAT JOB!

Thank you for the powder review, that was very helpful in the powder field

great video so much knowledge you haveb I have watched a lot of your videos and have been re-educatied on quite a few things thanks for sharing your knowledge it's great information.

Thank for this video and the time you put into making them.

I know this is an old posting but I find myself referring to it often. Thanks Cap for another great, timeless video. I'm always interested in powders and how they perform. It's the one thing most shooters don't go into detail explaining.

Sir, you are so awesome!! I appreciate your vast knowledge on the subject matter. The ease with which you present this information, in such a calm manner. I have learned so much from you and will be sure to pass it on to my nephew that is just getting into long range precision shooting. Thank you!!

Thanks for the video I appreciate all the information you do a great job explaining

Very informative. Thanks for the video!

GunBlue490 Thanks for taking the time to make this Video and explain the various characteristics of different Powders. I just load a few Rifle Cartridges. 30 06 Springfield, 7.5X55 Swiss, .308 Winchester, 30 30 Winchester and 8X57 Mauser. On all of These Cartridges I use either IMR 4895, H4895,orIMR 4064 except on the 8X57. On both of My Mausers for some reason, I get very nice, accurate loads with H380 and a Magnum Primer. I don't know why My Mausers Groups better with H380 , They just do. Thanks again for making this Video, and God Bless You too Sir.

I watched him setting up a lee load master following every step he’s such a great teacher

Thank you sir. You are a wealth of knowledge to shooters / handloaders of all calibers.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Theres alot here i havent learned from any other source.

I've recently had a renewed interest in reloading and had begun buying everything needed for rifle/pistol about a year ago. Unfortunately, I've had to buy primers and powder that I did not prefer but at least I could get them with Lyman published load data. I'll just have to be careful with temperature and double ball powders such as Accurate 2700. Thank you for this very informative series!

Excellent observation on impact and group size versus charge weight increase. This is something I learned over 10 years ago after realizing variations prior to scale recalibration. I then avoided digital scales because of this, yet, surprisingly accuracy and bullet strike were generally unaffected. Considerations of scale calibration being offset by barometric pressure changes was also a concern, but something perhaps benchrest shooters might consider. My aspirations of one day becoming an avid F - class rifle shooter hasn't been influenced by such paranoia for now. Returning to the analog, standard mechanical scale was easy for me after a brief go on the electronic version. Although, I plan to re-enter modern times and improve efficiency in the loading process with a digital powder measure on the next set up.

Thank you for the video.

Used a powder thrower for cast bullet matches at the bench for a number of years. It tossed the powder I was using at +/-.1, and did that consistently, and I couldn't tell the difference on the target at 200 yds in a hot or cold throw. Bullet was a 210gr 32cal @ 1450fps. The wind and occasionally the temps made more difference than the thrown charge. In winter at -20F, I upped the charge .1, with a bit of wind, .2 maybe. In the summer in 75F , may up it .1 for wind. The thrower is mounted on a Jorgensen woodworking clamp that I bent up to suit, and will mount to 95% of the benches at various places I've shot at. Mine is a micro-adjustable Redding, I tested what it threw at home with various powders before ever gong to the range with it, to make sure I knew what it did with those powders and could trust what I was doing with my technique on throwing those charges. Once you have that data and the technique down pat, write it all down, just set the thrower to the numbers on the dial and use it. There are powders I would not take to the range like that, but, by checking it that way, you learn what they are. Personally, I use spoons to trickle, can't stand the twist to operate ones, gave mine away. Far and away, even though I own a Chargemaster and have owned and used electronic scales for various purposes for 30yrs, I still have a balance scale, still use it to check the thrower and the electronics. But where possible and practical, I will set up and use a thrower as a first choice.

Great video. Many of your displayed powders are mine as well.

Thank You GunBlue490.

Thanks for a very informative video (as always) I have been reloading for about 30 years and you confirm some of the conclusions I have come to over that time, especially those concerning charge weights with extruded powders. Maybe it would make a difference weighing these precisely for extreme long range cartridges i.e. out past say 1000 yards? I don't know. It would be interesting to try and find out. However for 99% of us shooting say 400 or less I agree it makes little if any difference. I had never thought of shooting a composite group though. Great idea, and the results confirm what you are saying and what I suspected. Thanks so much for that. Here in New Zealand we use a lot of ADI's powders which I believe are marketed by Hodgdon in the US

Great video. going to see part 2.great info.

Love your videos. You are the best!!!!!

I know this is older, but what a great wealth of knowledge!

Great content, plain explanation, thanks, subbed

great video u have just confirmed many of my experiances

Your videos are the best! I am so glad I found your channel and subscribed. My dad was from Springfield Massachusetts, and you sound so much like him. It's almost like having him back! If you can, do a video devoted to 800X. It's a really good powder, but it's a pain to meter accurately.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

First class. Thanks for doing this.

green dot was the first powder i ever used then unique and blue dot. love them all

I’m getting into reloading. I’m buying a Dillion progressive press. Components are hard to come by right now. I find you extremely knowledgeable and I’ve learned a lot from your videos. Thank you for sharing it. 😀

I’m brand new to reloading. Very helpful information. Thank you sir.

I have the Lee book. I do the ladder thing through the safe range of powder. My M1A prefers lighter bullets with the powder charge in the middle. My pistols don't care probably because I'm not shooting them very far. I do get better groups with hand loads than most factory loads. I noticed a crazy difference in my little 911 380. Reloading is weird because guns have their own preferences. You can make the perfect round for your gun. Another gun, same caliber won't like it. You have to form a bullet recipe for each gun you own.

Definitely a science behind reloading and finding that combination the weapon responds best to.

Very informative. Thank you

You do an excellent job of explaing things , very informative. Getting ready to load up some 30-06 using Hornady 165 grain SST boat tail bullets to use in my savage 114 bolt action rifle for white tail deer this coming season here in Wisconsin. Rifle has a 22" barrel. I have on hand IMR 4064 and IMR 4350. Which of these powders would you recommend and at what velocity ?. Thanks! and keep up the good work..

Fantastic presentation sir👍👍👍👍

Dude doing the video at 2:00am. Now that’s commitment.

Fascinating. Thanks!

Thanks and God bless you as well!

I can see that weighing out gunpowder takes even more skill than weighing out flour to bake a cake (yes im a girl!) there are lots of flours out there, and you have to use the right one to get the right texture, but worst case scenario is you get a crumbly cake. with cartridges, there's a lot more at stake!

Great video sir!

I'm new to reloading 9mm, and will be using Hodgdon CFE Pistol. What's nice is, their website allows you to enter the bullet type and weight, and they'll tell you the starting and maximum loads, so there's no need to look up data in a book.

I look for a powder that loads the case at least 65% at minimum charge, has good velocity compared to the others that are also listed in the reloading manual, and is also listed for as many of the other cartridges I own. My main focus is having a double charge be obvious and so the powder has never got a level surface with an exposed primer when held horizontal. Shotgun reloading had given me more issues as some of the load testers seem to have a favorite wad and fail to test a wide variety of other wads.

I started reloading in 1983 using my own press. Before that I had been given a single caliber reload rig that you tapped the brass in with a Mallot or small light hammer. I was reloading .38 cal wadcutters. This was in about 1978or so. Then even if you had a big press A power named Bullseye was used almost in all handgun loads. 9 MM wasn't on the seen yet' you either loaded revolver rounds or 45acp. And in the seventy ar-15's wasn't out yet. I've almost stopped I don't get to the range hardly anymore.

I friggin love this guy......

Gunblue490, thank you for the videos, they're very concise and informative. I'm hoping that you can help me out. I'm trying to find a load for my 308, the trouble is it only has a 20" barrel. Can you recommend a powder with a burn rate right for that barrel? I'm trying to run 168 SMK's. Any help that you can give me would be appreciated. Thank you

I think you must know more about guns and ammo then any 50 men combined. I am amazed at the information you dispense. IMR = improved military round....never heard that before. Its like you have all the details that escape so many of us. Thanks for making these video's and May God Bless You.

great video

I love your perspective on the reloading powder choices. i have found some clarity on certain urban myths within your videos

Very helpful. Thank you.

Thanks for this excellent tutorial! I did n’t realize there were so many types of powders! Do ammo manufacturers keep their powder types and characteristics for specific cartridge cases/bullet combinations secret for competitive reasons or are they published somewhere? Thanks.