Currently load H110 in my 44 mag, longshot for my 10mm and Unique in my 45 Colt. Getting read to load some 38 special, 44 special, 38 super and 45 acp. The most obvious powders that I have that would do the majority of them are 2#'s of titegroup, 2 pounds of CFE Pistol and 1 pound of HS-6. I also have VV N320 and 330. Another option would be to go down to my LGS and get an 8 pounder of Bullseye for 3 bills. I realize that some powders work better for some than others, but I'd like to get a more universal powder for plinking, and down size the amount of various/misc powders that I have.
Help me on my powder choices please...
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My "universal powder" is.......Universal! or W231/HP 38. I actually use more W231.
venomballistics
Member
CFE Pistol has become a go-to at my bench.
I use it in 9, 38, 357, 45 ACP, and 44 magnum.
Stuff like AA#7, Blue Dot and HS6 has fallen out of general use, reserved for special collection.
I use it in 9, 38, 357, 45 ACP, and 44 magnum.
Stuff like AA#7, Blue Dot and HS6 has fallen out of general use, reserved for special collection.
Titegroup will work well in every caliber you mention.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
My go to handgun cartridge (non-magnum) powder is WW231. I stocked up and will never run out (Unless I live to 175!)
My Second choice is Unique, because you can load everything with it! The Copyright 1977 Lyman #45 has at least one load for EVERY cartridge available back then. Nice to have when a drought hits.
Ivan
My Second choice is Unique, because you can load everything with it! The Copyright 1977 Lyman #45 has at least one load for EVERY cartridge available back then. Nice to have when a drought hits.
Ivan
About the only powders I use are Bullseye, Unique and 2400, and of the three I use more Bullseye then anything. I rarely shoot any loads over mid-range.
STORMINORMAN
Member
8 lbs. of Bullseye should last one a l-o-n-g time...!
I have found that CFE-Pistol also works pretty well for everything from 380acp through 44 Magnum... And it is available as well!
Cheers!
P.S. They best way to "downsize" one's powder inventory is to load it up!
I have found that CFE-Pistol also works pretty well for everything from 380acp through 44 Magnum... And it is available as well!
Cheers!
P.S. They best way to "downsize" one's powder inventory is to load it up!
Bullseye, W231, and Unique for me, but have been playing with Universal, and have W296 for the magnums that I seem to not load very often.
Huskerguy
Member
I am a fan Titegroup and W231 and expect to leave this earth with plenty of those two pistol powders in full supply.
I have lots of different powders...
...from when things looked terrible. Now they are worse.
The handgun powders I use the most are:
Bullseye or Titegroup
Red Dot
Unique
HP38/Win231
I use Acc #7 for some special loads, 2400 for magnum loads (there are probably better magnum powders out than 2400)
I've wondered about Alliant's BE-86 but have never tried it. It seems useful, but I want a powder with a LONG HISTORY and a LOT OF DATA for all kinds of loads. Preferably some OLD data.
PS: Let me say that I use a WIDE variety of power in my reloads.
...from when things looked terrible. Now they are worse.
The handgun powders I use the most are:
Bullseye or Titegroup
Red Dot
Unique
HP38/Win231
I use Acc #7 for some special loads, 2400 for magnum loads (there are probably better magnum powders out than 2400)
I've wondered about Alliant's BE-86 but have never tried it. It seems useful, but I want a powder with a LONG HISTORY and a LOT OF DATA for all kinds of loads. Preferably some OLD data.
PS: Let me say that I use a WIDE variety of power in my reloads.
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I can honestly say I have never loaded any Bullseye for real shooting loads. Just never had a use for it. I loaded plenty of Win 230/231...Dupont 5066 Green and Red Dot Unique Herco and 2400. I have plenty HS-5, 296, L'il Gun and many others but my favs are 231 Unique/Herco 2400. My Bullseye loads were lead HBWC with from 3/4 gr to 1 1/2 gr to shoot in my granary with no shooting holes in if I missed a rat. 22 Short gallery worked almost as well with no holes in the metal
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Chubbs103
US Veteran
I like W231 as well. It even has a tendency of being available during dry spells.
I use Unique and Bullseye for most of my plinking.
I have several more, but the following are my most used alternatives:
231
Titegroup
296/110
Trail Boss
I have several more, but the following are my most used alternatives:
231
Titegroup
296/110
Trail Boss
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I'm with Madmike on the Holy Trinity of hand gun powders: Bullseye, 2400 and Unique.
Trailboss is near unobtanium of late. I only used it for smokeless loads in my old 32 and 38 S&W top breaks. It does well for full case 32-20 loads.
Would like to try W231 but can never seem to find it.
John
Trailboss is near unobtanium of late. I only used it for smokeless loads in my old 32 and 38 S&W top breaks. It does well for full case 32-20 loads.
Would like to try W231 but can never seem to find it.
John
8 lbs. of Bullseye should last one a l-o-n-g time...!
Assuming an average cartridge load of 5.0grains of Bullseye. That is 11,200 rounds loaded.
Rosewood
You probably know this, but HP38 is the same exact powder as 231, just different label.
Rosewood
.38SuperMan
Member
CFE Pistol and HS-6 will work quite well everything you’re loading. 38 special is the only cartridge I’ve not used either in but it will work fine there too.
I use both CFE P and HS-6 in 38 super, 44 special, 45 Colt and even moderate 44 magnum loads. HS-6 is the old ww540 that was popular for heave 38 super loads. Do not attempt his without a supported chamber but we were loading to 1400fps with a 124grain jacketed bullet. You’re in the 357 range with this but again you MUST work up to this slowly and shoot it in a properly sprung gun with a supported chamber. Those of us in the 90’s shooting IPSC shot these loads to reach major power factors.
When I quit shooting IPSC but continued shooting 38 super I backed off my loads and went with CFE pistol because there’s little to no flash with it vs WW540/HS-6.
I really like either in 45Colt, 44 special and 45acp. I’ve not bothered to try them in 38 special. I’m satisfied with what I’ve been using Accurate #2.
I used to exclusively use 231/HP-38 in 45acp and 38 special but for the lighter loads I shoot now it’s extremely dirty and inconsistent. I and others on the forum have reported extreme velocity spreads in minimum recommended loads. I’ve even experienced 2 occasions where the primer didn’t detonate the powder causing a bullet to lodge in the barrel. For moderate loads and up it ok but feel there are better powders now.
I use both CFE P and HS-6 in 38 super, 44 special, 45 Colt and even moderate 44 magnum loads. HS-6 is the old ww540 that was popular for heave 38 super loads. Do not attempt his without a supported chamber but we were loading to 1400fps with a 124grain jacketed bullet. You’re in the 357 range with this but again you MUST work up to this slowly and shoot it in a properly sprung gun with a supported chamber. Those of us in the 90’s shooting IPSC shot these loads to reach major power factors.
When I quit shooting IPSC but continued shooting 38 super I backed off my loads and went with CFE pistol because there’s little to no flash with it vs WW540/HS-6.
I really like either in 45Colt, 44 special and 45acp. I’ve not bothered to try them in 38 special. I’m satisfied with what I’ve been using Accurate #2.
I used to exclusively use 231/HP-38 in 45acp and 38 special but for the lighter loads I shoot now it’s extremely dirty and inconsistent. I and others on the forum have reported extreme velocity spreads in minimum recommended loads. I’ve even experienced 2 occasions where the primer didn’t detonate the powder causing a bullet to lodge in the barrel. For moderate loads and up it ok but feel there are better powders now.
