I am just getting into reloading and need some advice. I am going to be reloading 22-250, 223, and 25-06 to start with. All of these guns like Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets so that is what I will start with. Now for my question, I realize that they all might like a different powder, but is there one powder that will work in these calibers that I could begin to work with? If so please make a recommendation.
Thanks,
Darrell

My reloading manual recomends to start with H-380 for the .22-250 and my .25-06 likes IMR 4350 for 100 gr. bullets.

Best thing you can do is get a good reloading manual and pick a powder that they recomend.

Also, If you're not terribly concerned with accuracy you can get a powder that will work in all 3 calibers. I have loaded .22-250 with both the H380 and IMR 4350 and likewise with my .25-06.

Both produced satisfactory groups for hunting purposes. It just depends on how much effort you want to put into getting great groups.

Also you could got to Hodgdon.com and look around at some loading data.

Since you are using Nosler Bullets you can find all your loading data needs at their site.
http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data.aspx


What were the weight of the bullets you were looking at shooting out of the .223, 22-250, 25-06? This would effect the powder chooses
You probably will not find 1 powder that is perfect for all your calibers and bullet weights but you can study reloading data manuals and find a compromise that might work well in all 3 calibers.


http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp


These powders can be used in your calibers you listed, depending on bullet wt.
IMR 4064
IMR 4320
IMR 4350

Just a suggestion. Pick up a couple of reloading books or the free loading data from manufacturer, or look at there latest and greatest online data. Study these chart and selected the weight of bullets you want to use in each caliber. Check all this against your loading data and try to find your compromise powders. Reading and understanding a powder burn rate chart will also help you select a list of comp. powder to try. GL and Welcome

I have found that IMR 4064 is listed and works in most of my rifle loads over and including .243 bore and very well in .30-06 and 8X57mm Mauser. It's pretty much my stand-by powder and I include it when working up most of my rifle test loads.

If you just want the gun to go "bang" when you pull the trigger, then, yes, you could make one powder work for all three. If you want to get the best results from each cartridge, you will need to optimize the powder choice for each.

I would buy to powders. It all has to do with the rate of burn. The bigger the bullet the slower burning powder you want. The idea is for the powder to have just burned up as it exits the barrel. It takes less energy to push a .22 caliber than a .25 caliber. The smaller the granulation the faster burning the powder.

For the .25-06:
IMR 4350

.22 calibers
IMR 4198

Since you are only shooting a 100 grain .25-06 bullet, you might look at a combination powder for in between that might work for both guns.

IMR 4895
IMR 4064

Here is an IMR chart from fastest to slowest. I would use the IMR's.
http://www.imrpowder.com/rifle.html

JJH and Jeh7 said it well.

I like the Hodgdon and IMR powders, helps that they have loads already listed online so it can help in making a wide variety of decisions. Plus I've had great results with IMR and Hodgdon

Good information for all of us.


And a printable numerical Fast to Slow chart
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

Like JJH and Jeh said you can find one powder that will "work" with all these, will it be optimum for each probally not, possibly satisfactory for your needs.

In a given caliber general rule is the heaver bullet selected the slower burn rate powder will usually provide the best results. Not always but is often the case.

The peak pressure occurs in the first couple inches of bullet travel. Within that distance movement starts, rifling is engraved into the bullet for the entire legnth of the bearing surface.

Modern powders are usually either single (nitro cellulose) or double based (Nitro cellulose and Nitor Glycerine), with a burn retardent to regulate the burn rate of the powder. The burn rate is controlled by the retardent not the shape or size of the powder granulation.

If looking for one powder foa all these I would look at Hodgdon Varget or IMR 4064 , both are simular burn rates .

True, the retardants and acid neutralizers are big factor in the burn rates.

But: shape, size, design of the changing surface area as powder burns all effect the burn rates. Very much the part of engineering a powder burn profile and controlling peak pressure.

A ball powder has a decreasing burn surface area. A hollow cylinderical has a increasing burn rate surface area. Hollow flakes are another.

It even effects your black powders. Most all the BP use the same mixture and the rate is controlled by the size of powder grind. FG, FFG, FFFG, FFFFG

Jeh as usual you are 100% correct. I appologize to all on that. There are many variables into which the burning rate of smokeless powder burns. Shape, size, chemical makeup including retardents being a few.

The statement from another menber of "The smaller the granulation the faster burning the powder." holds true for Black powder but not necessarly for smokeless.

The best thing we can do is to follow the published burn rate charts provided in reloading manuals and from the powder manufactures.

I maybe about half right if you consider the introduction of the SC and SSC as of lately, and they are saying use the same data??
Maybe they changed the % or make up of the NG in the mix to keep from effecting burn rate?