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  #51  
Old 07-06-2017, 06:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
It's stupid and dangerous to try and make one do it all. The powder that makes slugs move in massive-large revolver rounds will stick bullets in the "little .380" and the fast burning powders are train-wreck awful and half the required idiocy for detonating the large magnum rounds.

It's a lousy idea, it's poor handloading, awful performance at best and catastrophe at worst.
I think that is over stating things a bit. As long as one is willing to compromise performance, you could load 380-500 with any medium burner, Unique to HS6. It will be a total compromise but certainly can be done safely.
Alliant data has loads with Unique for 380-480 ruger. The 500 is right there.
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  #52  
Old 07-06-2017, 07:39 PM
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For pistol I like Unique
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  #53  
Old 07-07-2017, 07:25 AM
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I like using one powder for all my pistol loads: .38 Special, 9mm, .45ACP, and .45 Colt. When Winchester 231 disappeared I went in search of another. My buddy gave me a can of Unique to try. It worked well in everything I tried it in. I didn't think it was too dirty. It leaves some fouling/residue but it's easy to clean up.

Had pretty good results with 700X too. I jumped on a 4lb jug of Universal, thinking it could replace my favorite, 231. Turns out it doesn't work so well in .38 Special. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to using Unique as my only pistol powder.
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  #54  
Old 07-07-2017, 07:33 AM
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Unique does have difficulties with some powder measures.

Unique does meter consistently in the Dillon, Lyman 55 and Lee's PPM, Classic, Deluxe and Autodrum with loads greater than 2gr to 12gr. That's as far as I've tested in these measures.
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  #55  
Old 07-07-2017, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by daboone View Post
Unique does have difficulties with some powder measures.

Unique does meter consistently in the Dillon, Lyman 55 and Lee's PPM, Classic, Deluxe and Autodrum with loads greater than 2gr to 12gr. That's as far as I've tested in these measures.
I find that with my Dillon RL550B, if I weigh charges while I am adjusting the powder die I can get it to throw charges that vary + or - 0.1 grains. After getting this result 3 or 4 times in a row, I quit measuring and go for it.
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  #56  
Old 07-07-2017, 03:36 PM
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Unique
HS-6
Hi-Skor 800-X

...will all work in all three cartridges.

I like 800-X despite the fact it "meters like corn flakes" because I load on a single stage press and so throw all my charges light and trickle them up to the proper weight, so I benefit from its versatility.
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  #57  
Old 07-07-2017, 08:57 PM
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Unique got its name because that's what it is. There is a useful Unique load for every caliber, but not necessarily the optimum load. If there were no powders other than Unique available, Unique would certainly suffice for reloading all calibers - and even works well for light loads in some CF rifle calibers.
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  #58  
Old 07-08-2017, 01:01 AM
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Another vote for Unique, but I do use a lot of 231.
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  #59  
Old 07-08-2017, 05:50 PM
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Asking for a unique powder to cover the 4227 possibilities between different calibers and bullet weights to all shoot them in a titegroup right in the bullseye using handguns with either open sight or red dot is a big tall order.I don't think such a universal powder for pistol does exist.If it would,you'd certainly not see it often at a promo price!
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  #60  
Old 07-10-2017, 12:45 AM
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On Original Topic- If you wish to load 10mm to anything vaguely like its potential, that is a niche requirement, that won't be suitable for .38spl . If your 10mm reloading requirements will be sufficently covered with loads not much different from top end .40s&w , then the above quoted powders.

In General - If old guys and those mentored by old guys swear by Unique , then middle aged guys, and those so mentored will swear by 231 .

But despite the old guy love , Unique remains the most versitile and flexible powder. Dirty ? Clean your gun every 3-400 rds , and don't obsess. Metering? Not the worst, but subjective to your priorities .

Revolvers are more forgiving of powder selection. (Excluding magnum level compressed loads) , revolver loads simply need to not exceede max pressures, and burn reasonably well . Case capacity is rarely an issue of having enough room. Semiautomatics have concerns with pressure curves for cycling, and sufficient density .
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Old 07-10-2017, 04:10 PM
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I have been using Blue Dot in 10mm and 40S&W and it works very well for top end loads. I picked up some CFE to try in the 10 also. I have plenty of Unique and use it a good bit but mostly lead. Gonna work with WSF and Power Pistol in the 40.
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  #62  
Old 07-10-2017, 06:40 PM
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And there you have it folks!.

Glad that decision has been made and everyone agrees!
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  #63  
Old 07-11-2017, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulWVa View Post
Ha!....I was thinking the same thing when I read the first post...I thought.. "Man you're going to get a hundred "best" answers."
There are still a good bit of new powders that has not been mentioned and that's kinda what I was looking for. I guess in one way or another if it works use it or if it ain't broke don't fix it. I'll just stick with what I been using.
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  #64  
Old 07-12-2017, 07:19 PM
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I've used many of the powers mentioned, but for the last few years I've been using Shooters World Clean Shot exclusively. It fits my needs for handguns very nicely. Meters well, burns clean too. I picked up another pound just yesterday for $19.99, which seems very reasonable to me. Check it out and see what you think.
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  #65  
Old 07-22-2017, 11:10 PM
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There is one new powder that I'm aware of. That would be Alliant BE86.

I've never used it but Alliant has load data for those cartridges. I would suspect that it would be at least serviceable.

I don't experiment with very many powders. If I find something that works I stay with it. I have three powders for everything I shoot. Only two for my hand guns. I buy my powder in 8 lb jugs. I don't shoot 40 or 10mm so I'm not much help.
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  #66  
Old 07-23-2017, 08:38 AM
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Default + 1 for Unique..............

I have been handloading for more than 40yrs. and during that time have tried many different powders. Unique is all I use currently for my own shooting, I do keep a little Bullseye to make up loads for new shooters, juniors and ladies.
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  #67  
Old 07-23-2017, 12:51 PM
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Bingo!!
Been saying it for 2yrs, but there is a lot of deaf ears in this building..

Quote:
Originally Posted by LostintheOzone View Post
There is one new powder that I'm aware of. That would be Alliant BE86.
I have used a ton of it.
It works from Bullseye up, and comes real close to 2400/4227, not that many people use 4227 in handguns anymore.
You have to go to 300mp at twice the charge to beat it in 357, and then by not much. It gives higher velocities than 2400 in that particular round.

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  #68  
Old 08-04-2017, 10:58 AM
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In my humble opinion.......Unique.
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  #69  
Old 08-04-2017, 01:41 PM
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Quote:
Jul wrote:
For 38Special, 40S&W and 10MM. I'm looking for medium to upper medium loads for jacketed bullets in all weights that's clean burning and consistent metering. Looking for 1 powder that does it all.
Hi-Skor 800X

There are published loads for 800X in all three calibers using jacketed bullets. If used with a heavier bullet and a good crimp, it will burn fairly clean. Okay, it doesn't meter well, but that can be addressed to some extent by technique. I have had good luck with giving the powder measure a healthy slap on the top of the reservoir and a second slap to the side of the reservoir prior to dispensing each load and the drops are consistent enough.

Of course, I load on a single stage press so I normally just skip the powder measure abuse and just throw the charges light and trickle them up to the desired weight.
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Old 08-04-2017, 02:34 PM
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Hi-Skor 800X

There are published loads for 800X in all three calibers using jacketed bullets. If used with a heavier bullet and a good crimp, it will burn fairly clean. Okay, it doesn't meter well, but that can be addressed to some extent by technique. I have had good luck with giving the powder measure a healthy slap on the top of the reservoir and a second slap to the side of the reservoir prior to dispensing each load and the drops are consistent enough.

Of course, I load on a single stage press so I normally just skip the powder measure abuse and just throw the charges light and trickle them up to the desired weight.
No amount of technique will fix 800x metering. At best, you might get 2/10 gr accuracy. Which may be enough if not running the top end. I have tried it in 10mm, the darling of those that like to hotrod, I find it very hohum accuracy wise vs others. Certainly not worth the metering issues. JMO.
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  #71  
Old 08-04-2017, 04:11 PM
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Default Best All Around Powder

Many options. For me , W-W 231 for handguns, 4895 for medium rifles. Subject to interpretation.
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Old 08-04-2017, 08:05 PM
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There is no best, but Unique comes close.
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  #73  
Old 08-04-2017, 09:53 PM
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It has been a long time since I have done any reloading... Still, I got sucked into this thread. Who can choose just one powder. I reloaded 44spl, 44mag, and 44/40 ranging from powder puff target loads to decent hunting loads. Yes I started with Unique. It was great at producing the target and mid power hunting loads with good results. But Unique for me it was more scoop friendly. As others have said, it metered poorly.
Switching up to high gear and more potent projectiles I gave W231 and Vihtavouri 3N37 a try and loved the results of each. Both metered easily with the nod going to the 3N37 as the smoother of the two. Both burned cleaner by a long shot. If I started up again my first power purchase would be the Vihtavouri 3N37. It just seemed more versatile across the spectrum.
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  #74  
Old 08-04-2017, 10:16 PM
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If I could only have a single powder for all applications I'd be enthused to choose Unique.
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  #75  
Old 08-05-2017, 08:49 AM
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So, Jul. Surely by now you must have concluded that you need 2 different powders for your 38 and 40 caliber handguns.

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  #76  
Old 08-05-2017, 10:29 AM
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And if you get a Lyman 55 Powder Measure and set it up correctly you can use Unique and every other powder in it.
I see people whining about how Unique measures and I've never had a problem .....Oh..wait...I use a Lyman 55 !
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  #77  
Old 08-05-2017, 12:02 PM
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Unique is in fact very versatile. I have found that Universal Clays is almost a direct replacement and burns a lot cleaner.
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  #78  
Old 08-05-2017, 01:33 PM
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BE-86 is more modern than Unique.
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Old 08-06-2017, 01:01 AM
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When I wasn't able to get any Unique I switched to Universal. Like EPJ, I'm so happy with it I may stick with it.
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