I have been seeing some no HAZMAT fee ads for powder and am considering stocking up if the prices are right. I have a variety of pistol powders on hand, but have never really considered pistol powder to be that important. I'm not into serious marksmanship, and usually just buy what is available. I have Bullseye, Tightgroup, Zip, Unique, and maybe more. I probably need to standardize on just one powder, but I really don't feel a preference. I do notice that the hotter loads tend to use a certain group of powders because of burn rates. Because of this, I may need 2 powders. Any recommendations?
Best Powder For 38 spl, 357, 44 mag, 9mm, 45acp, and 45 Colt?
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With that spectrum of calibers, it would be difficult to pick one powder that is optimum in all those.
If I had to pick one that you COULD use in all of those mentioned would be Unique.
As you said, loading the magnums at magnum velocities would merit a magnum powder like 2400 or W296/H110.
Target loads would benefit from fast powders like Bullseye or Tightgroup. Truly there is no one do-it-all powder, but IMO Unique would be a good choice if you had to go with only one powder. But why standardize? Reloading is all about versatility. That is why they sell more than one brand/type of pistol powder.
If I had to pick one that you COULD use in all of those mentioned would be Unique.
As you said, loading the magnums at magnum velocities would merit a magnum powder like 2400 or W296/H110.
Target loads would benefit from fast powders like Bullseye or Tightgroup. Truly there is no one do-it-all powder, but IMO Unique would be a good choice if you had to go with only one powder. But why standardize? Reloading is all about versatility. That is why they sell more than one brand/type of pistol powder.
What MP-5 said. I use mostly Titegroup for light loads, Unique, and H110 for the heavier stuff.
rhodesengr
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Take a look at Accurate #5. I have used that for 38spl, 357mag, 9mm, and 45 ACP. I will leave it to you to check the other calibers. It generally very available and will do typical plinking speeds (1000-1100 fps). It won't do "full power" 357mag for instance for which I use H110 but I rarely shoot full powder loads.
Skyhunter
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That great American "experimenter", cowboy, hunting guide, magnum handgun aficionado, and all-around outdoorsman Elmer Keith recommended 3 powders for handguns - Bullseye (target or plinking loads), Unique (for mid-range loads), and 2400 (for those magnum loads). That pretty much covers the basic reloading needs.
However, in today's world of shortages, you may not be able to find those powders.
I still have a goodly supply of Bullseye, so I haven't researched and substitutes.
I also have a good stock of Unique, but have tried BE-86 as a "midrange" substitute and it has proven to be a viable substitute for Unique, at least for me. And coincidentally, I have frequently seen it available.
A magnum level powder can be more of a challenge. I've used both 2400 and W296/H-110 for years with good results. Recently, I've been testing AA #9 with good results. And Accurate powders are more readily available in my AO.
So that completes the list of my most frequently used handgun powders.
WYT-P
Skyhunter
However, in today's world of shortages, you may not be able to find those powders.
I still have a goodly supply of Bullseye, so I haven't researched and substitutes.
I also have a good stock of Unique, but have tried BE-86 as a "midrange" substitute and it has proven to be a viable substitute for Unique, at least for me. And coincidentally, I have frequently seen it available.
A magnum level powder can be more of a challenge. I've used both 2400 and W296/H-110 for years with good results. Recently, I've been testing AA #9 with good results. And Accurate powders are more readily available in my AO.
So that completes the list of my most frequently used handgun powders.
WYT-P
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I'd spend the time to review several paper load manuals, at least three or four to get the best answer for your situation. One powder for everything is too much of a compromise. You're right; two powders would work, but three would be better. Using cast and/or jacketed bullets adds another dimension to your dilemma.
It needs to be said if anyone isn’t aware… if all you are asking is that it goes BANG when you squeeze the trigger, then yes, you can make all of these with one powder.
However, if you actually want the ammo to do what the chambering “promises” the round will do, you need the proper powder to make that happen.
You can make both .357 and .44 Mag with very fast burning powder, and it will go BANG, but what you hear, what you feel and what the bullet does is going to be a shorter percentage of what .357 and .44 Magnum actually does.
What you will get is less bang, less recoil, less noise, less bullet speed but ALL of the max pressure associated with that load. In some cases you may also get erratic performance because you have only a pinch of powder inside a cavernous space.
You also need to ensure your process at the bench is perfect, because double charges are absolutely possible, even a triple charge with some powders.
When you use a proper slow burning powder in a magnum revolver round, you actually don’t even have enough space to make a dangerous round. When you try and be thrifty and use fast burning powders in magnum rounds, the potential for failure is evident.
Penny wise and pound foolish? Buy two different powders and make ALL the loads replicate full power factory ammo.
However, if you actually want the ammo to do what the chambering “promises” the round will do, you need the proper powder to make that happen.
You can make both .357 and .44 Mag with very fast burning powder, and it will go BANG, but what you hear, what you feel and what the bullet does is going to be a shorter percentage of what .357 and .44 Magnum actually does.
What you will get is less bang, less recoil, less noise, less bullet speed but ALL of the max pressure associated with that load. In some cases you may also get erratic performance because you have only a pinch of powder inside a cavernous space.
You also need to ensure your process at the bench is perfect, because double charges are absolutely possible, even a triple charge with some powders.
When you use a proper slow burning powder in a magnum revolver round, you actually don’t even have enough space to make a dangerous round. When you try and be thrifty and use fast burning powders in magnum rounds, the potential for failure is evident.
Penny wise and pound foolish? Buy two different powders and make ALL the loads replicate full power factory ammo.
I'm hearing some good stuff here. I like Seven's discourse on case capacity. I am getting low on my 8#s of unique and have lots of tightgroup. I just remember when all powder disappeared and don't want to get caught short. I had forgotten that H110 was good for magnums. I have plenty of that for 300 BO. I have been just looking in my load manuals for loads for the powders I have on hand and stock back up with your best recommendations for what's available at the best price maybe If I plan ahead and don't wait till i"m out of any of my supplies. I guess that's what most of you are saying.
cowboy94916
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The revolver cartridges,unigue is the most useful, i buy it in 8 lb kegs. For the semi auto calibers my standard is WW-231 also in buk. I keep a couple of others around for magnum loads in revolvers usually a lb at a time
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Since Unique is difficult or impossible to find at the moment, I'd eliminate it from consideration on your list until it again becomes available again. There are substitutes; more powders now than ever before with many of them available.
I like powders that meter nicely and burn cleanly. For that reason I was using W231 for 9mm, .38special, 40S&W, .44special and .45ACP until the great powder shortage of 2015, I couldn't find it so reluctantly bought some CFE pistol, which burns a little slower so you can get a little more velocity for the same pressure but it still meters nicely and burns cleanly. For magnum loads I just use W296/H110, it meters nice, but does leave a bunch of soot and if you don't load it hot enough or shoot it out of a shorter barrel, you get lots of partial burned powder.
I sort of miffed at Alliant for changing Unique as I had spent so many years loading it in so many handgun cartridges and I had grown used to it. Still, with a few modifications to loads it is likely a good powder for all the cartridges listed and you could add .32 S&W Long and .32 auto as well.
Today, I load a lot of SR4756 - which is the perfect powder for loading .38 Spl. from target loads to super hot snub loads and great for pushing a 230 gr. bullet in .45 Auto to 1040 fps. Sadly it has been discontinued but fortunately I have 24 lbs of the stuff!
Mind you I have a lot of various powders stockpiled and am not above tuning a specific load for a specific purpose but, as the OP said, Powders are expensive these days and shipping is worse so it is not a bad idea to minimize the powder magazine!
I find I don't really need those maximum effort loads to kill 4 legged game in my region - so the middle range of powders will work for me.
I have use Herco, HS-6, Longshot and Universal Clays to good results. Right now I'm fooling with a surplus (not a "pull down") powder called 10B101 which is supposed to be like Herco but I find it to be closer to Blue-dot in my .44 Spl.
Honestly I use a lot of Trail-boss in .44 spl and .45 colt and .45 Auto-rim (mostly shot in my shaved Webley Mk.V.)
Riposte
Today, I load a lot of SR4756 - which is the perfect powder for loading .38 Spl. from target loads to super hot snub loads and great for pushing a 230 gr. bullet in .45 Auto to 1040 fps. Sadly it has been discontinued but fortunately I have 24 lbs of the stuff!
Mind you I have a lot of various powders stockpiled and am not above tuning a specific load for a specific purpose but, as the OP said, Powders are expensive these days and shipping is worse so it is not a bad idea to minimize the powder magazine!
I find I don't really need those maximum effort loads to kill 4 legged game in my region - so the middle range of powders will work for me.
I have use Herco, HS-6, Longshot and Universal Clays to good results. Right now I'm fooling with a surplus (not a "pull down") powder called 10B101 which is supposed to be like Herco but I find it to be closer to Blue-dot in my .44 Spl.
Honestly I use a lot of Trail-boss in .44 spl and .45 colt and .45 Auto-rim (mostly shot in my shaved Webley Mk.V.)
Riposte
If just wanting target loads, Hp-38 works for all those listed. In addition, it makes a good 115 fmj load in 9mm and can duplicate Speer's old 200 gn gdhp load in 44 mag.
Unique also, but usually upping the power level. And getting close to max in 38 special, 9mm and 45 acp.
As others already mentioned, adding a slow powder gets you max loads in the larger hunting rounds.
Unique also, but usually upping the power level. And getting close to max in 38 special, 9mm and 45 acp.
As others already mentioned, adding a slow powder gets you max loads in the larger hunting rounds.
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If you have a need for full power loads in large / magnum cartridges, #2400 is the best (based solely on my own results in .357 and .44 Magnums), but it's unavailable right now. Consider Accurate #9 over H110/296 unless you enjoy lots of blast and fireballs. I find H110/296 to be a very objectionable powder for that reason, but accuracy is often the equal of #2400, or close to it.
sparkyvega
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For what I can get where I shop these days, I'd get HP38/ W231 and AA #9.
Ditto; I used H110/296 for decades (only in hot loads since they warn not to go low) and I certanly agree (except in things like a .30 Carbine or a .300 Blackout in a rifle or SBR).
I am back to 2400 for maximum effort - but sadly I don't shoot many maximum effort loads anymore but at least 2400 will work when slightly reduced, not when drastically reduced it starts leaveing a lot of unburned powder.
BTW they can't stop messing with 2400 - I always used Elmer's load but reduced a gr. to 22 gr. - I bought a new can some years back and found 20 gr. in a .44 Mag with a 250 Keith got the same velocity as the old 22 gr. load (same gun, same chrono but years apart)!
Found the same with new Unique, but the numbers are less of course.
My cousin tried some H110 in the 7.5" Ruger .45 Colt back around 1972. He couldn't find a starting load back then and used lower end .44 Magnum data - the gun spit and spewed and the bullet barely made it out the barrel! Later Ross Seyfried listed some heavy loads and we found the cousin had used the same charge Ross listed for 350 gr. bullets for his 250 gr. loads - no wonder it didn't work!
Just Ramblin
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David Sinko
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I'm seeing powders mentioned that are very difficult to find. I've used more 231 than anything else and it has made actual service grade loads for me in everything from .25 ACP to .45 Colt. And it's still available.
A do-it-all powder for 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 44 Magnum, and 9x19mm? I used to recommend Unique as being the closest to a do-it-all, but Unique is difficult to find these days. Alternative powders would be Accurate Arms #5 and Hodgdon HP-38/Winchester W-231. None of these will get you true magnum velocities, but are really good at creating reduced power magnum loads.
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