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Best powder for reloading

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manseroad View Drop Down
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    Posted: November 09 2018 at 6:56pm

Was the propellant used in ww1 and ww11 cordite even if not what modern day powder comes close for 150 and 174 projectiles.

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42rocker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 42rocker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2018 at 7:34pm
Check out this website for the old loads.  
 
 
This link is in the threads in this topic area posted by others not me. Thanks to all of those that posted great stuff for us to see. 
 
Later 42rocker
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manseroad View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote manseroad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2018 at 7:45pm
Thank you .
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Goosic View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2018 at 8:41pm
Originally posted by manseroad manseroad wrote:

Was the propellant used in ww1 and ww11 cordite even if not what modern day powder comes close for 150 and 174 projectiles.

 Thanks manseroad
I'm not sure of the question. The original loading was a 215  jacketed bullet and a compressed charge of black powder and then  in  1892 extruded nitrocellulose/cordite was developed. The standard bullet used in both world wars was the 174 Spitzer bullet.The closest powder today to match the ballistics of the cordite is IMR4320.The black powder loaded rounds rarely exceeded 2100 fps. Depending on the actual bullet used the cordite rounds rarely exceeded 2500 fps. Today's loads will normally produce a muzzle velocity between 2300-2450 fps for a 174 HPBT and between 2300-2700 fps for a 150 .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2018 at 9:14pm
The best powder for reloading your Enfield will be whatever you find to your liking. We all have our favorite. If you're just getting into reloading get yourself a good reloading manual and read it. For me, I started with IMR 3031,IMR4320,IMR 4350,and IMR 4064,which I still use. My powder of choice is NORMA 202. Everyone has their own powder of choice and will eventually share that with you. I do not recommend you buy one of every powder. Again,for me,I chose the IMR powder to start with. IMR is a suitable powder for both the 150 and 174 grain bullets,also including the 180 grain.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 10 2018 at 9:10am
All British (except for early Mk1) was Cordite right up through the end of production of the MkVII (7) load.
The only exceptions were loads ending in a "Z" suffix (Like Mk8Z), or overseas production like the South African R1M3Z.
Most of then "Z" suffixed ammo was loaded with the canister form of IMR 3031.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Duster340 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 11 2018 at 6:29am
I have settled on IMR3031 and IMR4895 for all of my 303 loads. Both work very well behind the 150-180 hunting bullets I use to drop WI white tails. 
Avid hunter & Fisherman. Love the old Milsurp weapons, reloading and general shooting sports. Also a big time "Gear Head"...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote manseroad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 16 2018 at 7:53pm
Thanks folks much appreciated.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lucas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2018 at 2:21pm
I don't know why over the years, I have neglected BLC-2, but it is a great powder for the Enfield, turning out very good velocities at very low pressures.  I also have developed a very comparable load with Hodgdon's LVR.  The dilemma is that the Enfields that I have (one tuned for 200 cast, and the other tuned for 150 Hornady SST's or Interlocks), need around 15 rounds through them to achieve best accuracy.  The 150 gr. starts out a around 3moa, and tightens down to 1 moa or better after around 15 rounds...They love dirty bores.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2018 at 4:27pm
Lucas, your quite right about that.  Hodgdon website shows max load of 46.5 gr BL-C(2) for .311 174 gr. Bullet at 2616 fps and 42,900 CUP, that’s impressive.  

Service loading velocity would be 43.0 gr at 36,400 CUP.  I’m going to have to try this powder.  I have some, but is probably 40 years old now and I should spread it over the front lawn.  










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Lucas View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lucas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2018 at 4:38pm
Don't throw it away!  Spherical powders will last indefinitely with any reasonable care.   I am using a can that is over 40 years old right now with excellent results.  I have only had one can of powder go bad and that was IMR 4198 and that was decades ago.  It was easy to tell because it gets a rusty color and acrid odor.  I am using the 44 grain load at around 2560fps with Hornady SST's which should make a great all around up to mule deer cartridge.  Just shot a 5 shot group that held in 1 1/4" (moa).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pukka Bundook Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2018 at 5:57pm
I think my favourite powder for 174-180 gr. is  Norma #202.
 
V nice powder for this calibre.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Goosic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 21 2018 at 6:40pm
I use the norma 202 exclusively 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dimonic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 22 2019 at 11:51am
Any suggestions for 303 in a P 14 full length barrel? Would I be wrong in thinking that a slower burning powder would still allow high velocity with moderate pressure?
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