HELP...I have never reloaded a single round, but for two years now my boss has offered me the use of his reloading press. Well, last week I finally got around to openning his still unopened boxes containing a Dillon 550B press and accessories. After a few days of research both online, including reading all seven pages of "Reloading" on this site, and talking to friends, I do understand the basic mechanics of reloading. The part I am having a hard time with is all the powders available or maybe I should say unavailable. I am not asking for recommendations or recipes and I understand different powders may be for specific objectives. I would like to know what caliber(s) you are reloading and the specific brand of powder and model?? number you are using for that caliber, I guess kind of a survey. I will eventually start by reloading 45 acp, 357 magnum and 38 special but would like to reference all pistol and rifle calibers. I am hoping there will be enough postings that I (and maybe other beginners like me) will have a better Idea of what powders should be considered and what has been available locally. Mahalo!!!

HELP...I have never reloaded a single round, but for two years now my boss has offered me the use of his reloading press. Well, last week I finally got around to openning his still unopened boxes containing a Dillon 550B press and accessories. After a few days of research both online, including reading all seven pages of "Reloading" on this site, and talking to friends, I do understand the basic mechanics of reloading. The part I am having a hard time with is all the powders available or maybe I should say unavailable. I am not asking for recommendations or recipes and I understand different powders may be for specific objectives. I would like to know what caliber(s) you are reloading and the specific brand of powder and model?? number you are using for that caliber, I guess kind of a survey. I will eventually start by reloading 45 acp, 357 magnum and 38 special but would like to reference all pistol and rifle calibers. I am hoping there will be enough postings that I (and maybe other beginners like me) will have a better Idea of what powders should be considered and what has been available locally. Mahalo!!!

aloha d-man
check pms

I am not sure what exactly you are looking for or how it will help you? But here goes:

Pistol:
9mm: I use Sierra 125gr JHP and Montana Gold 124gr JHP. I use mostly Hodgdon's Titegroup powder but I have found Vihtavuori N320 works very well. I think I like the Vihtavuori powder better for this round but need to do more testing.

357/38: I have found my magic loading for my revolver. I use .357 cases with Titegroup and 125gr Montana Gold JHP running at 38 +P velocities. The Vihtavuori N320 is not a good powder for 357/38 in my opinion. It works but Titegroup offers much more accuracy. Probably due to the excess open volume in the case.

For a true .357 load at true .357 velocities I like using Hodgdon's H110 powder. What I like most about the H110 is that I reach the velocities I am looking for but the recoil is mild for a true magnum load.

45 Colt: I am still experimenting with the 3 powders I have for pistol mentioned above. But I prefer the Vihtavuori powder for a light load with a locally produced 250gr LSWC. I prefer the H110 for a hot load with a locally produced 300gr LSWC with gas check. With that said I also have some IMR Trail Boss powder and it provides the most accurate light load with a Oregon Trail 250gr LRNFP. The hot load with the H110 and 300gr LSWC provides the greatest accuracy but kicks pretty good. And I can hit out to 100yds with the hot loads.

Titegroup and H110 are currently available locally. I load for 7 different rifle cartridges. Most of which you will probably never reload for. I hope this helps you.

Practical advice first...
 get a loading manual. They have lists of powders like what you seek.
Last time I was at jhara they had titegroup. $40 per lb.
Grab a bottle if you can. A little goes a long way.
As you already know, what you actually end up doing is limited by what is available.
Hook up with a friend that reloads already. Much easier to learn like that.
There is a huge gap between basic mechanics and actual execution.
...
45 acp. :-)Ww231, hp38, wst, be, trap100, red dot, clays.,,,,, for the 45acp most any very fast powder will work.
Same list for 38 spec

357 mag...h110, ww296, blue dot,,,,slow burn powders will get you that magnum effect.
....
Btw today I am adopting my first dog. A totally new experience.
Since I was at the humane society in kaimuki, I stopped at jhara.
They still had titegroup there.

For 9mm, 45acp, .38/357 I use Bulleye.  Cause thats what I have.

For .357/.38 I also use Trailboss (target load no magnum here. I have factory magnums if I want that)

For .308 I use IMR 8208 XBR or VARGET

For .30-06 I use AA2520 OR VARGET (Garand safe loads)

Check reading manuals and verify any handload info before loading. Always verify your powder you are using and burn rates. Lots of powders have similar sounding names.
Really like Titegroup for pistol powder as it is not position sensative. Use it for 9mm, 45Acp & 45LC meters very well too.
Good luck and have fun. 

I am not sure what exactly you are looking for or how it will help you? But here goes:

Thanks guys  , that's exactly the information and advice I am looking for. I can't explain it, but now when I go back to the older reloading topics, I can better relate when a reference to a powder is made that is mentioned here.

Since I was at the humane society in kaimuki, I stopped at jhara.
They still had titegroup there.

Thanks OF, I went and picked up a bottle, they still had at least one bottle left.

Btw today I am adopting my first dog. A totally new experience.

Congrats on the new family addition sending pm

...For .30-06 I use AA2520 OR VARGET (Garand safe loads)

Varget works well in my .30-06 Garand as well. I have also had good luck with H4895. Both powders using 150gr JSP bullets. Tomorrow I am testing Varget with 165gr and 180gr JSP bullets. Also, I made up a few rounds up with 180gr lead bullets with gas checks and H4895. I hope they work as a cheaper alternative to jacketed bullets. I tried loading some 150gr JSP bullets using H335 but my Garand would not cycle completely. The cases would not fully eject and get stuck in the bolt. As well as this the clip would not eject due to the bolt not cycling back completely.

9mm:  147 MG CMJ with Titegroup and Vhit N320.  Both were low recoil, low smoke, the N320 was super clean, TG fairly sooty.  Prefer N320 due to being cleaner and it fills the case better.
147 SNS LFP with N320 in the past, but have switched to SNS coated bullets with the same powder.

.40 S&W:  180 MG JHPs, 180 SNS coated and Bayou Bullets with N320, Ramshot Competition and TG.  I prefer N320 and Ramshot Competition over the TG loads.  The coated bullets are way cheaper and with N320, just as clean as the JHPs at a fraction of the cost.  In my M&P, the coated fed with no problems, in my 2011, have to use a FCD to help minimize chambering issues.  TG didn't smoke very much with the coated bullets, smoked like you wouldn't believe with lead.  TG also was way dirtier no matter what bullets I used.

.45 ACP:  200 SNS LSWC with N320.

.38 Super:  124 MG JHPs with Vhit 3N38 and 3N37.  Loads are used in pistols with comps.

50 cal    =      219.5 gr H50BMG  powder with South African surplus bullets 690gr

50 cal    =      219.5 gr H50BMG  powder with South African surplus bullets 690gr

I knew I could count on you for valuable reloading information.

I knew I could count on you for valuable reloading information.

haha   z'all right !