I want to simplify my reloading a little. I don't think I need all the different powders I have tried. Seems like I always go back to Unique, 2400, and Red Dot. I reload 38,357,44Spl,44 mag, 45Colt,45ACP and 40 S+W. I do keep some #5 for the 40. One could go crazy with all of the different choices available. Sometimes it seems less is more.

I do 99% of my loading with 231 and Unique. I use 2400 for the remainder.

Some people pick a few favorite loads and standardize.

Others want to try many powders for each caliber gun they buy.

Your choice.

Ain't freedom wonderful!

99% of my handgun loading is with Bullseye, the rest is with Unique, and that very recently, although twenty+ years ago, I used a lot more Unique. I have some 2400, but it was purchased to load some hunting rounds, which I haven't done yet.

I ONLY use IMR4350 for .30-06 and ONLY use Vihta Vuori N-150 for .308.

The latest shortage and unavailability of powders and primers has left me with a larger selection of powders than I really need. It has also given me loads that were better than what I had been using. Altho I have my old standby loads, I still enjoy the hunt for the "holy grail" of reloads.......

I've been reloading since I was old enough to sit in my Dad's lap and pull down the press handle.... I used to mess around with everything I could find just to "give it a try".... mostly because that's what he used to do....

But now, 50 years later, I've settled on Unique, Bullseye and to a lesser degree IMR-4227 for my handgun loads.

Unique for everything from heavy bullet, cast lead .38's to .45 Colts, Bullseye for .45 ACP and light .38's, 4227 for heavy .44 Mag Loads with jacketed bullets.

I buy it in bulk over the spring and summer then load like a mad man all winter long.

I still have small quantities of 2400, 296, H110, 231, Red Dot and others, but they don't get used much....

Funny thing is that both my boys play with these powders every now and again just to "give it a try"....

Same here, tried some different powders just to try the new stuff. Found that for most of my loading need's Unique, Bullseye and 2400 cannot really be improved on, and my chrono agree's!

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Stay safe people!

I bought 8lbs of HP 38. Works for every handgun load I shoot. Perhaps not the best fir everything but paper does not care.

I do have some 2400 for when I am in a Magnum mood

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Still Running Against the Wind

On another forum the question was asked about how many powders we have at our bench right now. My count was seventeen.

But these days about a dozen of them just languish.

IMR4227 was one of the powders I tried because I couldn't find magnum primers to work with H110. Found it to be an excellent powder for the .460 and also for the .357 carbine. It now sits to the front of my powder collection along with Unique and H110. 2400 doesn't work well for me in the .460 like H110 and now 4227, and it never gave me the accuracy and the magnum velocities that H110 does in .357 and .44. Had to buy some W231 last week because of a recent acquisition..........

My first powder was Green Dot. Every time I heard someone mention their favorite, I would get a can to try out. For my uses, I've found there isn't really a whole lot of difference from one to the next, and it is silly for me to stock a bunch of different ones.

I've tried: Green Dot, Titegroup, W231, Unique, Universal, Bullseye, VV-310, and 2400.

Once I get my half full cans used up, I plan to standarize on Bullseye for most everything (.38 special and .45 auto target through mid level loads) and 2400 for the occasional .357. I've found I don't have much use for the rest.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Right now I have the following:

2400
AA#5
H4227
HS-6
Titegroup
Trail Boss
Universal
W231

H322
H4198

If I had to, I could get by with HS-6, 2400, and Trail Boss for handgun and H4198, 2400, and Trail Boss for rifle, leaving me with 4 total powders. However, since I don't have any reason to limit myself that way, I don't. I would add Titegroup to the list if I wanted to add a 4th handgun powder.

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Hello Cleveland, Rock and Roll

#5, #7, and #9 do everything I need to do with handgun powder.

I load the same calibers as you except I do not have a .40.

I use 231 in 45acp and 38,Unique in all the others. 12ga. gets Promo,20&28 get Unique,and 296 in the 410. My Contender in 35Rem gets H322.
I just like to keep things as simple as possible is all,all powder with the exception of H322 is bought in 8lb jugs.

For handguns I generally reach for: Bullseye, Unique, and H110 even though others are available on the closet shelf.

I also like 2400 pretty well.

Years ago I prided myself on staying up with all the propellant powders and trying every new offering marketed. So many have been introduced in the past twenty years that I've fallen far behind. What's more, I don't even care.

+1 Wayne.............. You could not go far wrong with only AA 5, 7, & 9 and mostly 5 at that.
I do like and use VV 340, 350 & 3N37. There are lots more on my shelf, all of which were purchased to solve problems that it turned out I didn’t have.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Sir, I hear ya--I also value simplicity and try to keep my powders down to the bare minimum. Luckily for me, the few cartridges I load for (.44 special and mag, .45 Colt and ACP, .308, .30-'06) do not require a vast array of different powders to find a good "recipe."

If Unique metered well, that's probably the only pistol powder I'd keep. It doesn't, though, so I've been experimenting with a couple other things. For rifles, I keep IMR 4895 and 4064 for the gas guns and IMR 4350 for the bolt guns.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

If you are really trying to limit the number of powders, I'd throw another vote for Bullseye and Unique. With those two powders you can load just about everything, including the 40 S&W. Those powders are not the best for every load, but they sure are adequate for most.

When my Dad taught me how to reload about 40 years ago, he told me that Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 would handle anything I wanted to load in a handgun. They still do the job real well.

since I discovered Red Dot (my b-in-law is a shotshell loader & gave me 1/4lb) I use it for all cast slugs loads in .32acp, .380acp, 9Mak, 9mm Para, .357mag and .45acp. the BullsEye I previously used sits on the shelf to use in .45acp 200 gr jacketed loads.
I use Power Pistol for jacketed in semi-autos and AA9 for .357mag hot loads.

I agree with the comments regarding BE and Unique, however I also keep 231 and Green Dot on hand. The Green Dot not only works well for many pistol ctgs but doubts as a powder for my 16ga. I used to joke that if I had to choose ONE powder for everything it would be FFFG. I can make everything except my Garand function with cast bullets FFFG. As an experiment I once loaded my 375 H&H with cast bullets and FFFG.

Red Dot makes an excellent gallery load for rounds like .30-06, 7.92x57 Mauser and 7.62x54mmR Russian, especially with cast bullets.

If I had to I could be happy with only W231, HS-6 and W296 for handguns and H4895 or Varget for rifles.

Right now I have:

Pistol Powders:
W231/HP-38
W296/H110
AA#5
2400
Clays
Lil'Gun
HS-6
Power Pistol
Unique
Longshot
TrailBoss

Rifle Powders:
IMR4198
IMR3031
IMR4064
IMR4895
IMR4350
H335
H4895
Varget
H4350

I know I can do with less but I feel if one powder does very well with a caliber I load why not just buy that powder. (when available) I see no difference if I buy 4 different powders instead of just one or two. You end up buying just as much powder no matter how many different types you buy. (although when you buy in bulk you save money)

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

For pistol I currently load 38/357 and 9x18 Mak. Will be starting on 32 S&W Long soon.
The powders I have:
Clays
Bullseye
W231/HP-38
SR-7625
Universal
Unique
SR-4756

For Rifle I'm just getting started with 270 Win and 30-30 WCF I have two powders:
H-335
IMR-4350

I'll definitely add some more powders as time goes on- especially some different rifle powders and some magnum pistol powders (maybe 2400 or H-110 for starters). Some folks can load for years and never use more than a couple powders. Personally I like variety. If I had to pick two for pistol it'd be Bullseye and Universal.

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Andy

Less IS more. Been using Unique since 1962. I have some 2400 on the shelf for the .44 Magnums I don't shoot anymore. AA2520 and pulldown 4895 for the "gas guns".

Oh, yeah, and some FFg.

W231/HP38, and Reloader 15 for .223. One nice thing about W231/HP38 is that if a load isn't listed under 231, the load under HP38 is the same thing.

I did pick up some WSF for .45, but haven't loaded any yet.
There is some 748 left over from before I used RL15. And some other misc. that just sit there.
Promo or 700X for shotshell. I go through A LOT of that these days. 8lb jugs seem to evaporate. (It's weird going through 8lbs in no time after having 1lb bottles last so long with pistol loads).

The RL15 seems to be immune to temp swings. 231/HP38 is good for both 9mm and .38 spcl. Beats stocking numerous powders.

Jeff
Semper Paratus

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

I could probably do all 11 handgun calibers w/ Unique or WSF. I have too many powders on the shelf right now & need to load up some plinkers w/ the odd ball ones. Unique or WSF for med. burner, WST or W231 for fast burner & 2400 or H110 for heavy magnums loads. Someplace in there I have put Longshot or AA#7 for loading the 357sig & 10mm, also does well in the 40.
9mm - WST, W231, Unique & WSF
38sp - W231, Unique & WSF
357sig - Longshot
357m - Unique, 2400 & H110
40s&w -WSF, Unique & Longshot
10mm - AA#7, Lonshot & Unique
41mag - Unique, 2400 & H110
44mag - Unique, 2400 & H110
45acp - WST, W231 & Unique
45AR - WST, W231 & Unique
45colt - Unique & 2400

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I got a good deal on 8lb of 700x so I've been using mostly that. My hornady powder dispenser doesn't like it so much and it makes a heck of a lot of smoke.

I just recently started using Ramshot's True Blue which I really like, meters very well and very little smoke.

Well, I'm down to several LBS of powder in only 2 kinds, IMR4350 & Unique.

I'm trying to make my life simple.

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NRA Benefactor Member

Because of competition with different powder companies,there is a vast number of powders on the market.For the most part,there is a lot of redundant duplication in all this.

When I began reloading,there were not that many powders available and frankly speaking,there is little advantage today.There is a good side to lots of variety but also a down side...it creates confusion,especially among newcommers....there is the perception that there will be one that is the holy grail.

What powders one should stock up on will be entirely dependent on what he shoots the most.It's that simple.

For my own personal loading/shooting,the following can serve quite well...

Handgun.....Unique & W296/H110

Rifle.....4895 & 4350

Shotgun....Longshot

Throw in some FFFG and that's all I'd ever need.

I use Unique in just about every handgun I own. I agree that it's becoming confusing with all the powders out there (especially the Clays.. how many are there now?) There may be better choices for a specific application, but give me Unique and I'm a happy camper.

A friend of mine just gave me a 12# keg of Red Dot, so guess what I'm working up loads with? free is good.

I started reloading for handguns with a pound each of Unique and AA#5. It was soon evident that Unique was cleaner and more accurate. I've used it consistently (and sometimes exclusively) ever since. I have more powders now than ever before, but you are right - only a few will do. Simplify . . .

I do like Trailboss for .44 Spl pinking loads. Currently have Unique, Trailboss, W231, H110, and 2400. I load for .38/.357, .44 Spl and mag, and .45 ACP. Bought the H110 for 7.62x39 and liked it for .44 mag.

I have too many rifle powders and don't even begin to have the time it would take to compare them all. I load for 30.06 Garand and bolt gun, 7.62x39 and .300WSM. I have 4320, 4350, 4895, and Varget. I think the 4350 is probably all I need.

Win 231 for all handguns.

.45 ACP
.45 Auto Rim
.40 S&W
.357 Mag
.38 Spl
.38 S&W
9MM
9MM Makarov

Rifle Powders

Varget
IMR4895
H4895
IMR4064
Win 296

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regards....roger (no sig)

Either the majority of responders to this thread are old timers like me, or the youth of today is far more savy than I imagined. It must be running 80% or better for this combination:

Bulleye, Unique and H-110 or 2400

They handle each and every target, midrange or magnum load in all my 38/357, 44 special/44 mag, and 45 acp firearms. While I imagine there are a number of superior powders available today that weren't available even 10 years ago, I have no motivation to change or try any new ones.

One note- I always seem to get a small amount of unburned powder when using 2400 and not so with H-110/296. This is with or without magnum primers, heavy or medium crimp, and with near max loads. Anyone else. Just interested.

Jimmy,

A small amount of unburned powder seems to be the nature of the beast with 2400.Still,it's an excellent powder and I will always keep some on hand.

I don't get any unburned 2400 when loading for .357 (160 gr LSWC on top of 14 gr, standard primer). I find it to be MUCH cleaner than unique. I've never used H-110/W296, so I can't compare it to those.

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Common sense isn't so common.

I've been furiously working up loads for my 629-6 .44 mag. What I've settled on is Blue Dot for 750ft/lb loads for Grandma, AA7 for 850ft/lbs for Gramps and AA9 for 950ft/lbs for hogs, dogs and Big Foot. My gun loves these loads but doesn't like W296. Interestingly, the hotter I loaded the 296 the better the groups got and the dirtier they started to shoot. At the end they seemed almost as dirty as the Winchester White Box (Q4240). With the above three powders I can shoot light, medium or "normal."

sounds like lots of info here.
I too could be happy with Unique, Bullseye, 231 & 2400 and nice to be able to have so many choice's. I had purchased a 8lb. jug of 231 several years ago for loading up 38s, but still have a lot left, but then end up with a teaspoon of Unique or Bullseyes in one lb. bottles. One thing about Unique is I can use for .38s,44,45, 38-55 & 45-70 and be happy with accuracy for my abilities. But then I've really become a fan of Bullseye lately for 44s, It never seems to end.

For my needs in handgun powders, W231, Unique, 2400, and 4227 do the job. I've played with a can of Titegroup, but I don't see a discernable difference in performance between it and Unique in 45 Colt and 44 Magnum, at least in the loads I use.

Noah

Noah,

Has anyone ever told you that you bear an amazing resemblance to the late Robert Palmer?It's really quite amazing.

Incidently,I like your name very much....AND NO,I'm not sucking up because you're a moderator.

I've been reloading for five years and take a different approach. I've shot 15,000+ rounds down range practicing and participating in USPSA, NRA action pistol, and steel challenge matches. I've listened to experienced competitive shooters, some world-class, about the powders they use. While we shoot target strength loads in these competitions, I can safely say that none of the top ranked (or even middle-ranked) competitors use Bullseye, Red Dot, Unique, Blue Dot, or similar Alliant powders. (Caveat: Jerry Miculek may use Bullseye in his .45acp. FMJ loads.)

Here are my choices.

.45acp

230 lead and plated loads:

Vithavouri (VV) N-310 - match loads
Hodgdon Clays - practice loads.

200 gr lead:

VV-N-320
Winchester Super Target
Alliant American Select
Solo 1000

200gr plated:

VV-N320

9mm:

115gr FMJ

Winchester Super Field
Hodgdon Universal

124gr FMJ

VV-n-320
Titegroup
Hodgdon Univers
VV-N340

124gr lead or moly-coated:

VV-N320

147gr lead or moly coated:

VV-N-320

.38spl

lead bullets

Hodgdon Universal

.357 magnum

plated bullets:

VV-N340
Titegroup

lead bullets:

Hodgdon's Universal
VV-N-340

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Having a number of powders available doesn't bother me in the least. I've tested all the powders mentioned above with a chronograph and in matches.

If I had to choose one brand of powder, it clearly would be Vithavouri. It is very consistent, burns clean and cool (single base), meters extremely well, is accurate, and has relatively low flash. Although it is more expensive than the old stand-bys, it costs only a fraction of a cent more per round.

My 2 cents.

Chris

Shows you how much I know. Didn't know Robert Palmer was late!