Help a reloading noob?

[scruff]

Can anyone help the noob? My dad just gave me all of his reloading gear and components, but he couldn't find his recipes. I also got some powder from a friend. How might you match these powders to these calibers?

Hodgdon Benchmark
Hodgdon HP-38
IMR 4895
Alliant Bullseye
Alliant American Select
Alliant 2400
WC-846
Blue Dot
Alliant Unique

30-06
30-30
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
9 mm
.380
.44 Magnum
.45 ACP
.223

[TooBigToFit]

Most of the powder manufacturers will have load data for their powders, which should tell you some of the different calibers you can reload with each one.

(Several brands fall under Hodgdon, including IMR, and Winchester)
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

[Delkal]

Just going from memory here so make sure you check first.........i am sure i made some mistakes.

Hodgdon Benchmark- no clue
Hodgdon HP-38- pistols except for 44 mag
IMR 4895 rifles 30-30 and Garand 30-06 loads. maybe .223
Alliant Bullseye- fast pistol powder for light 38 and 45
Alliant American Select- no clue
Alliant 2400- 44 mag, maybe max .357
WC-846- a surplus military powder originally for 308. Good powder that can be used for your rifles but this is not a canister grade powder. Each lot can have a different burning rate so all loads MUST be worked up over a chronograph.
Blue Dot- slower pistol powder, 357?
Alliant Unique- same applications as HP-38

[Noah_Zark]

HP-38 and W231 are the same powder and can use the same data. Excellent for 9mm and 45 ACP.

Noah

[DukeConnor]

Hodgdon great load data on line.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

Buy and read ABC"s of reloading.

I like the Hornady reloading manual for jacketed bullets.
(Also has service rifle data) and Lyman for cast bullets

[DucatiRon]

Benchmark is 223-30-06.
American select is 45 colt or shotgun
Blue dot is magnum pistol powder
2400 is magnum pistol powder (my personal favorite)


Hey. You live close enough to me. Just stop by one night.

[fats429]

Hodgdon Benchmark .223

Hodgdon HP-38 9 mm, .45 ACP , 380

IMR 4895 30-06

Alliant Bullseye 45 ACP

Alliant American Select

Alliant 2400 357, 44

Blue Dot 9, 38, 357,44

Alliant Unique .357 Magnum 44 Magnum


You will find very good load data from the powder manufacturers IMHO Hodgdon has the best layed out web sight

[R L Suehr]

Pick up the Lyman 50th reloading manual off Amazon. It should have data for almost all those. I have a few reloading manuals, but Lyman is my favorite. It also will give you some tips and techniques in the beginning.

[scruff]

Pick up the Lyman 50th reloading manual off Amazon. It should have data for almost all those. I have a few reloading manuals, but Lyman is my favorite. It also will give you some tips and techniques in the beginning.

I do have a couple of reloading manuals, and I know manufacturers have data online, but all of the comments on the more popular/best suited uses for these is a big help. Thanks guys!

I've got plenty of components to keep me busy for a good while. With an ammo shortage in full swing, are components even available right now?

[TooBigToFit]

I do have a couple of reloading manuals, and I know manufacturers have data online, but all of the comments on the more popular/best suited uses for these is a big help. Thanks guys!

I've got plenty of components to keep me busy for a good while. With an ammo shortage in full swing, are components even available right now?

Primers are the hardest to find component. Depending on caliber, standard plinking bullets are hard to find but the premium stuff is available. Powder seems to be relatively easy to get.