This is good advice. I typically do lots of 100. I don't mind that they are light loads. Luckily I was shooting the Ruger. I just know not to use them in the Model 19 now.

I am still pretty new to this, but 100 rounds of .357 cost me about $9. So i don't mind having them. It wasn't unpleasant to shoot, just wasn't what i expected. I suspect if/when i ever get into developing more intricate/powerful/purposeful rounds, i will do smaller batches as i develop it. At this point, its more like its sub 1/3 the cost to go throw some lead down the range.

Good tip though. I appreciate it!

You will take the suggestion to load only a few more seriously when you get a load that is not only unsatisfactory but which cartridges are not usable at all.

I started with Unique, but since it meters like corn flakes, I quickly moved over to w231/hp38. Now I am using BE-86 for all my handgun loads. Meters great, and I get good results with it.

Unique meters great for me...no complaints.

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RCBS Charge Master 1500

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Waiting for the break of day

Amen!

I was given 32 147gr 0.355 bullets that I wanted to try out. Most of my 9mm rounds are 115gr bullets, so this was somewhat new to me and so I started at the concensus starting load from several reloading manuals. The first two rounds were all I needed to fire to know that the load was too hot, so I had to bring the remaining 30 home and buy a 9mm collet for my bullet puller. I'll try again this summer.

I used Unique for nearly 40 years - great powder and I respect it as "Apple Pie." I've replaced it with Power Pistol in 38 Spl high velocity loadings and mid range 357 Magnums. Power Pistol measures great...gives me good velocities with lead and cast bullets and burns cleanly.

2400 is my powder for 357 magnum velocities. If I had a 38 Spl revolver, I would use HP38/231 or Bullseye with 158 gr lead or cast bullets at standard velocity loadings.

Good luck

BE-86 and Universal, for sure. I haven't tried AA5 yet. Power Pistol for .38 +P and higher pressure loads (read semi-auto cartridges).

I've had better results with BE-86 than Universal in my 9mm. The two are equal in the .38.

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an actual conservative

I must be jaded or something because after reading the OP I thought I knew how this thread would unfold and that's basically what happened although I got a few small points wrong.


Mike, there have been scant few sightings of American Select since the beginning of the great powder shortage. I saw some last fall but like a vapor on the horizon it was gone. I like American Select for handgun loads but I have moved on due to availability issues. This is what I think is the good aspect of the shortage, it forced us to look at things that we might never consider using.

For 38spl and 45acp is use WST . Not many people seem to use it as it was more available through the great powder shortage . It gives me respectable velocity for what I call " standard loads " and burns clean . I stumbled onto it when Bullseye and Red Dot was not available , month after month . I haven't looked back . I agree on American Select as it was another one that just disappeared for about 7 yrs , hence I looked elsewhere .

dupe dupe sorry

How long has it been since you have turned around to see what is behind you? Seems odd. You never know when a long cool woman in a black dress is in your rear view mirror.

I've used Unique for many years as my all everything revolver powder. For the last two years I have replaced Unique with BE-86 and WSF. They both meter well, clean burning, and close in burn rate (marginally slower). Maybe even an little better in performance too. Just makes it easier when one powder can be used over so many pistol/revolver calibers.

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NRA Endowment Member