ball,flake or stick, One better?

[Tactical30]

Im new to reloading and was wondering what is the difference between the powders (ball,flake,stick)?
I am going to be mostly loading .223 ammo for target and picked up some Hodgdon Benchmark and IMR4195(thats all the local gun store had in stock) and noticed the IMR is stick. Is there any difference in what powders you use? Any one better than the other?
What would be good in .223 loads?
.300 Win Mag loads?
Also what about pistol loading, is there a difference, any one better to use than the other? The pistol cal I will be loading is 45ACP and 50AE. Any tips? Thanks!

 

[our gang]

Re: ball,flake or stick, One better?

Ball works thru a measure better. Flake can "bridge" in a measure like the Lee automatics that use a sliding chamber design.
I find in a 223 set up for 55-60 gr bullets, BL-C2 can produce dime sized 5 shot groups from a RCBS measure. 4198 is the "God" of 222 Remington powders and will work with light bullets in the 223. In my 222, I weigh every charge with 4198 (RCBS electric unit) and it does make a difference.

Have a look at:

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

lots of info for free.

 

[Downzero]

Re: ball,flake or stick, One better?

I have just one tip...buy a reloading manual.

 

[desertHK]

Re: ball,flake or stick, One better?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have just one tip...buy a reloading manual. </div></div>

1+. The Lyman reloading manual is a good place to start. It explains all of that in the first few chapters.