Two or three powders

7

7003006

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
333
Reaction score
5
Location
mn- the state where nothing is allowed
Starting to get back into reloading a bit.I wasn't realy into it before but loaded a little for 38/357.
What two or three powders can you recomend to cover everything from light 38 target loads to heavy/hunting type loads for 44 mag/45lc
I have some Unique and Bluedot.Maybe those and 2400 or H110?Or maybe something totaly different?
Don't know how much difference it makes but temps here can range from 100 down to -20 although I usualy try to stay inside during the extremes.
 
Register to hide this ad
Starting to get back into reloading a bit.I wasn't realy into it before but loaded a little for 38/357.
What two or three powders can you recomend to cover everything from light 38 target loads to heavy/hunting type loads for 44 mag/45lc
I have some Unique and Bluedot.Maybe those and 2400 or H110?Or maybe something totaly different?
Don't know how much difference it makes but temps here can range from 100 down to -20 although I usualy try to stay inside during the extremes.
 
I could get by very nicely with two powders for handgun use.Unique (which you have)and either W296 or H110 for full power magnum loads.

Blue Dot has a reputation for pressure spikes in cold weather.
 
Bullseye for light target loads. Maybe W-231 instead.

Unique for intermediate loads.

2400 for magnums. Maybe 296 instead.

Three of those five would cover me for everything I will ever shoot in a handgun round.
 
Unique is great, I use it in everything from .32 ACP to .500 S&W.

Winchester 296 and H110 are the same powder just marketed by two different companies. Great powder for 101% top end loads but can not be reduced because of pressure problems.

I can get by with just those two...

Bob
 
Again, you do not get what is commonly thought of as pressure problems with reduced loads of W296/H110 but rather incomplete/incorrect burning which results in squib loads.

Bruce
 
For magnum max loads, WIN296/H110.
For everything else in .38/.357, I use HP38/WIN231.

The Unique is probably the ticket for 45 Colt.
I personally don't like Bluedot in handguns, but it will work for moderate magnum loads if you use enough to keep the pressure up.
 
A lot of folks like Unique. I don't except for a few specialized applications where it excels; it does not meter particularly well. But, it is a very versatile powder. You'll find lots of folks who will give you lots of load advice using it too.
HS6 and Power Pistol are good general purpose mid-range pistol powders and meter much better.

WST or WSF meter great, are very consistent and I think are some of the absolute best powders for 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP. I use WSF for mid-range lead bullet target/plinking loads in 38SP, 357 Mag, 44SP and Mag, and 45 Colt too. It's become my "Unique".

Trail Boss is great if you like low velocity loads and are concerned about double charges. It has been a very accurate powder for me.

I am in the "likes Blue Dot" camp, but it's warmer here and you could have some issues in winter. It's hard to beat 296/H110 for wide ranging all-around heavy loads in .357 and .44 Mag.
 
I switched over from Unique to Universal Clays quite a few years ago for my target loads. Similar burn rate, but Universal burns a lot cleaner than Unique. Versatile powder that I use for my target/practice loads in .357. .40 S&W, .44 Mag, .45 ACP & .45 Colt.

Titegroup is also another powder I have used for the same purposes. Just don't get it confused with Titewad like I did one day at the store and end up with a pound of powder sitting on your bench that really doesn't have much use.

For magnum loads I use 296 and H110.
 
i use unique for midrange loads though it is a bit dirty i get good consistency. 2400 for magnums. h110/296 gives the highest velocity at the cost of the worst flame cut.
 
I use Unique and 2400 in my .357 magnum and .44 magnum revolvers and carbines. I am content with the results I get with just these two powders and see no need to experiment with others.
 
Well, I will take you a whole new direction.

While I am trying to switch over to all Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR powders, I can tell you that the Accurate Arms line of powders will suit you very well. AA#2 for those "plinking" type of rounds, AA#5 or AA#7 for those up the next level and AA#9 for all true magnum level loads.

There isn't another line of powder that can cover you any better nor meter with more consistency. None. They are all spherical ball powders and muzzle flash is minimal with AA#9.

If I was to stay in the Hodgdon line I suppose HP-38/W231 for target loads, SR4756 for those in the next range and into magnum territory, Lil' Gun for true magnum performance. The more I use the latter the more impressed I get. The pressure is less but the velocity is higher. Great stuff in the 44Mag & 500S&W especially for carbine loads. Lil' Gun is well suited for those longer barrel lengths and makes full use of them.

The old standbys mentioned by others still work and always will, nothing wrong with them.

FWIW
 
And I'll go down another road, at least the one I went down. I use V V N310, N320 and N340. Clean, works well and meters like a dream.
 
+1 for Lil'Gun for serious magnum level velocity at lower pressures.

HOWEVER, it does seem to favor heavy-for-caliber bullets and longer barrels. My results with light bullets and short barrels have been inconsistent.
 
I use Unique and 2400 almost exclusively for all my handgun loading. 38sp, 357mag, 44mag, 45Colt. Only 45acp gets Bullseye.
 
Handgun wise my choice is pretty simple Winchester 231 and 296 have been working for as long as they have been around.

Now, that doesn't include my "Jet" loadings but then that's a whole different World!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
handgun powder replacements
Replies
16
Views
1K
.38SuperMan
.38SuperMan
M
Let's talk 1970s K frame magnums
2 3
Replies
47
Views
4K
Riposte1
R
flyfishinjunkee
  • Locked
44 magnum load data needed
Replies
16
Views
2K
Cdog
Cdog
J
using Hodgdon H110 powder in 357 magnum
Replies
6
Views
593
HankB
H
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN -- Collection reduction: 40 guns (15 S&W + Colts, etc.)
2
Replies
26
Views
11K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson

Latest posts

Back
Top