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  #1  
Old 02-06-2014, 03:06 PM
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Default IF YOU COULD HAVE 2 POWDERS

I have been trying to save more money on my reloading. As it is now I have 14 different powders that I use. I reload for 10 different calibers, mostly handgun. All of my powders have been bought in 1 lb. containers. I am going to buy in bulk to get the cheapest rates. I am going down to 1 or 2 powders for handgun and rifle.
The 2 that I have chosen for handgun are Unique and Bullseye. The 2 for rifle are Varget and Benchmark.
I have calculated the amount of reloads per pound for each powder and Bullseye and Benchmark are the most per pound. The way I calculated is there are 7000 grains per pound. For Bullseye the starting load for 9mm is 3.5gr. For 38 special 3.0. For 357 magnum 6.5. For 44 special 4.3. For 45acp 3.8.
For Benchmark I load for 223 and 308. For 223 the starting load is 22.7 and 308 the starting load is 37.
All of these starting loads are less than the other powders. I would like to know what powders you would be willing to go down to if you were going to chose only one for each, handgun and rifle.
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:09 PM
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I would go with Unique and Power Pistol. You can load damn near anything (handgun) effectively if not to optimum level with Unique.
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:14 PM
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bullseye and unique for pistol (38 spl,45 acp,45 colt and 44 mag) and IMR 4350 for rifle (30-06,30-30 and 243)
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:20 PM
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smokeless & black powder!!

Randy
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:35 PM
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This thread asks a great question! So far I like the answers since I have recently bought 1 lb Bullseye, 2 lbs Power Pistol, and 3 lbs Unique at $15 per lb.
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:41 PM
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Other factors affect my own decision on the very same question.

I don't claim to a depth of experience with the ultimate pros/cons of each powder/caliber.

A big reason I dislike Unique is the annoying variability metering in my 650 Dillon. I shot it for years in the Cowboy loads, and while it works good enough, so do a host of other powders. It would be hard to chose "just one" powder, as I have come to prefer by a huge amount, the benefits of Trail Boss in my large bore handgun calibers. Not claiming 'the best' etc, just that I prefer it's qualities. And it doesn't work all that well in the smaller cases, nor do I like it in either acp or buffalo rifle loads.

I've been impressed with Universal Clays enough to move to it the last few years, with no complaints, but haven't loaded it in the smaller calibers or autos.

I've recently enjoyed the virtues of Bullseye, somehow missing out on it all these years, but would far rather use it than Unique.

It is rather bewildering the astonishing range of powders available for our hobby. I've shot a wide range of them over the decades, but many simply don't seem to offer much advantage over the others on the shelf.

The demands of rifle powder is largely unexplored. I've only 2 caliber rifle loads, & there's many equally good powders competing.

I've tilted toward Varget for the 308 but it is rare to find locally of late. Once again, the multiple choices save me the turmoil of having to limit 'just one' whatever that 'best one' may be.

As I winnow through old stock I tend to not replenish those powders not showing clear advantage.....so my move to 'fewer powders' has been in progress for a decade or so. Maybe in another 10 years I'll have it down to 'just 2'....but I wouldn't count on it.

Good luck in your efforts.
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:46 PM
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for the hand gun I have go with unique and 2400, as for rifle I would stick with IMR 3031 and 4350
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:46 PM
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I did some calculations so you can see how many reloads you can get per pound on these powders. These are starting loads.
For Unique: 9mm=1591, 38special =1750, 357magnum =1000, 45acp=1186
For Bullseye: 9mm=2000, 38special =2333, 357magnum =1077, 45acp=1842
For Varget: 223=280, 308=170.73
For Benchmark: 223=308.37, 308=189.19
As you can see there is a significant difference in the amount you can reload from powder to powder. That is why I chose the powders I did. I use these loads for practice and not target shooting. I am sure everyone has their favorite for that.
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Old 02-06-2014, 03:53 PM
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For handguns I run W231 and H110/W296

For rifles I pretty much just use Varget and IMR4895. I have to admit that I did go through an 8 lb keg of H335 to use in .223 plinking rounds using the M855 projectile. It just meters a lot nicer than Varget which I use for 69-77 grain match rounds but trickling each charge is a pain.

That was before the craziness, these days I will use whatever I can find which hasn't been much lately. I think I need to get into black powder and 50BMG since that's about all you can find these days.
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Old 02-06-2014, 04:07 PM
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2fg and 3fg black powder.
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Old 02-06-2014, 04:11 PM
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2400 and 4350 for me, if I could only have one of each.
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Old 02-06-2014, 04:37 PM
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I prefer W231 for 9mm, unfortunately I haven't seen any for sale (in a store or online) for about 6 months. I've only got enough for maybe 1500 more rounds so I'll be out at the end of next week. I have Titegroup, Autocomp, and #5 as backup but would sure like to find some 231, it's hard to change old habits and I've been shooting 231 for a long, long time.
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Old 02-06-2014, 04:40 PM
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Default It depends on your needs

With .38, Bullseye and Unique were all I needed.

With .357 magnum, my needs changed but not so much. I would put 2400 in the mix for .357, but I believe I can get what I need out of high loads of Unique as I could from low loads of 2400. Since I'm only plinking and punching paper that's about all I need for pistols. Plus the fact that I can use both BE ad Unique in my 9mm.

For my 30-06 I don't shoot full blast loads anymore. I feel I could do most everything with 4895 (It can do much reduced loads very well). If I shoot lead out of my rifle I like to use 4759 for loads under 1800 fps. Those two powders cover all of my needs very well.

If I had to reduce to one. It would be Unique for pistols and 4895 for rifle.

Note that my selections aren't best at any one scenario, but are extremely versatile for just about anything. That may not work for some, but it works for me just fine.

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Old 02-06-2014, 04:48 PM
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BKreutz, you do know that HP38 is the same powder as W231? Made at the same factory, just a different label. Most of the time you can get it cheaper too!
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Old 02-06-2014, 05:15 PM
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For what it's worth, considering eventually getting into reloading, a few weeks ago I did a non-scientific study of this same question by searching for similar threads archived here and determined that Unique and 2400 seem to be the most popular and recommended, by quite a margin, powders for pistols.
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Old 02-06-2014, 05:40 PM
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Just one for each!

Handgun = Bullseye.
Rifle = Reloader 7.

Just 21.5 grs. RE-7 under a 55FMJBT gives me 2885 fps average out of 16" barrel AR, measured by chrono. Hard to beat.
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Old 02-06-2014, 06:16 PM
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IMR 4350 and AA #5 (meters better, and for all intents and purposes is Unique, but approximately one grain slower).
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Old 02-06-2014, 06:45 PM
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Handgun: 231
Rifle: 4895
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlay View Post
BKreutz, you do know that HP38 is the same powder as W231? Made at the same factory, just a different label. Most of the time you can get it cheaper too!
I know, but haven't seen that either. (Hodgden and Winchester are the same company now too, my thought is maybe they'll stop printing the W231 labels, but who knows). Thanks for the thought though.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:09 PM
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Varget and Unique.

That was easy.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:23 PM
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unique & imr 4064
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:24 PM
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Quote:
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Varget and Unique.

That was easy.
+1 to ^this.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:26 PM
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Universal Clays for the straight walled and Varget for the bottlenecks.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:33 PM
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Red Dot and 2400 for handguns, 4831 and 4320 for rifles.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:37 PM
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Blue Dot and HP38
BenchMark and Varget.
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:43 PM
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Pistol: Accurate #5
Rifle: Accurate 2230
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Old 02-06-2014, 07:50 PM
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I'll do you one better; I could reload everything I have with just 3 powders - IMR700X, 2400, and IMR4895. IMR700X for 12 gauge, .380 ACP, 9mm, .38 Spl., .45 ACP, and light loads for .45 Colt. 2400 for .30 Carbine, .357 Magnum, and heavy .45 Colt loads. IMR4895 for my .30-06's (both Garands and boltguns), .308 Win, and 6.5 Swede.

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Old 02-06-2014, 08:05 PM
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unique and 748
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:06 PM
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For all the complaints about metering and it being dirty, Unique will make effective, if not always optimum loads in just about every handgun cartridge. It is certainly my go to powder for service loads in .38 Special, .45 ACP and smokeless loads in the the cowboy cartridges. For rifle, it's a bit tougher as IMR 4895 does the job in most of the stuff I shoot, but I would not feel slighted if all I could find was Reloader 15.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:09 PM
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I could get by with Unique for handgun and cat sneeze .30 caliber loads, and then 4895 for full power .30 caliber loads.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:12 PM
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BC & Goodies
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlay View Post
I have been trying to save more money on my reloading. As it is now I have 14 different powders that I use. I reload for 10 different calibers, mostly handgun.
One of the biggest fallacies is that anyone ever saved a dime reloading. We all shoot more once we start reloading because we can shoot for less, therefore, it costs us more.

To save money, I started to buy my powder by 5 or 8lb. caddies. I now have nine different powder types in big jugs.

I went from buying 100 count containers of primers to 1000 count bricks to 5000 count cases. I have seven different primer types and sizes in stock.

Besides, why would you wish to limit yourself to two powders for pistols and two powders for rifles when chances are that the powders you choose are not the best for more than a couple of loads? There is a reason there are hundreds of powders on the market.

It is, however, a useful intellectual exercise to imagine that it would be possible to limit the powders a reloader would need to have on hand. It's like limiting yourself to the two most useful firearms.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:32 PM
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231/HP38 (same powder in different cans) and 4895. Actually pretty much all I buy now when I find any.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:34 PM
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Bullseye and Unique.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtgianni View Post
Red Dot and 2400 for handguns, 4831 and 4320 for rifles.
I found Alliant Promo loaded at the same weight as Red Dot for both .38 and .45. Cheapest on the market right now and, so far, works well for me. A bit dirty but most clean guns after every use so who cares. Oh, it only comes in 8 lb containers. When you're loading both the cartridges I do it'll last till the fat lady sings.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:46 PM
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I use four. Bullseye,Unique,for handguns. 4198 and 4064 for rifles. When I can't get Unique I use HERCO.
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Old 02-06-2014, 08:49 PM
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bullseye & 748----or 231 & varget----or unique & 4895

Last edited by 4barrel; 01-08-2015 at 12:11 PM.
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Old 02-06-2014, 09:21 PM
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My thought as to why only 2 powders was if I bought bulk at least 8 lbs., then I saved on the price because the more you buy the cheaper it is. And if I only had 2 powders to ship I save on shipping. I know you still pay the Hazmat fee but if you could buy the powder for all your handgun or all your rifle in one powder, you save!
As it is now to find all the powders you need you have to shop at many different places paying all the fees and shipping.
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  #39  
Old 02-06-2014, 09:55 PM
Pocketfisherman Pocketfisherman is offline
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W231 for Handguns and Varget would cover it for me. In reality, I use 4 powders that covers 90% of my loads; W231, W296, Varget and VVN310.
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  #40  
Old 02-06-2014, 10:02 PM
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W231 for handguns. Since I have rifles in my pistol calibers, W231 for rifle. And, if I don't find some more pretty soon, then I'm just moving to another hobby.
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Old 02-06-2014, 10:04 PM
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I could get by with Unique and H4895.
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Old 02-06-2014, 10:12 PM
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I'd go with Unique and 2400.
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Old 02-06-2014, 10:30 PM
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WST & W748
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  #44  
Old 02-06-2014, 10:51 PM
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The two would come down to Unique and H4895.........

Since I have pistols, revolvers, along with large and small bore rifles and don't forget my shotguns !!
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Old 02-06-2014, 11:07 PM
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I know just two but I gotta have four, Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol and 2400. But if the apocalypse occurred I guess I would have to go to Unique and Bullseye.
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Old 02-06-2014, 11:58 PM
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Unique & Unique...

Only loading pistol rounds (.44mag & .40 SW). I do like Bluedot in the .40, and H110 is my choice for full-on .44 Mag loads. But overall, I use Unique more than anything else.

Be well folks.
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  #47  
Old 02-07-2014, 12:14 AM
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scented and un-scented
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  #48  
Old 02-07-2014, 09:09 AM
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For my handguns the 2 I keep around are Universal clays and H110, covers everything.
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:26 AM
dkizer22 dkizer22 is offline
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Unique is also a good shotgun powder in 20 gauge and heavy 12s
Clays is great in light 12 gauge and most light pistol.Unique will work in 45-70 loads.
If I had only one powder it would be Unique.
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Old 02-07-2014, 10:48 AM
S&WNUT S&WNUT is offline
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Unique & IMR4350
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