I find the 231 works really well with pretty much everything. 9mm, 38spcl, 44mag/spck, 45acp etc. The best loads so far for my 357s are 12.3gr of #9. I've had good results with bullseye for my 38's. ( 3.3gr with 158wc )

I want to experiment with other powders such as red dot, wsf and powder pistol. Anyone have any advice on these or should I just stick with the ones I mentioned ?

Any other tips are most welcome.

I've really gotten excited about Power Pistol since I setup my 1911 to shoot 45 Supers & bought my first bottle of P-P for it. Since then I've loaded it in my 9mm, 45ACP/45AR, & 40S&W at +P level & we really like it. Also loaded some 38 Spcl.+Ps for my snub nose that I like also. Burns pretty clean with a full load & has a bright muzzle flash, if you like that (I do). Never tried it in my 44Mag. as there are better powders for the big case guy.

I like Red Dot for reduced power cast loads in the 44 mag. I have loaded thousands of them with 6 to 6.5 grains over a cast 240 / 250 grain semi wadcutter for 900 to 950 fps. Consistently accurate in most all my .44's, and clean burning. As with any fast burning powder in a large case, visually check for double charges prior to bullet seating.

Larry

As the name implies, "Universal" is my "go to" powder. It has all the virtues of Unique without its drawbacks.

It meters well, yields very good load densities, burns cleanly, and delivers excellent accuracy.

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Winchester W231 (which is the same exact powder as Hodgdon HP38 only a dollar more so you get the picture of the pony) is a very good choice. You may try a pound of Alliant Unique. Kind of like cooking with salt, I find it good-for-everything-but-not-excellent-for-anything. Some find that it doesn't meter well but I have no issues.

Alliant 2400 is the classic powder for magnum loads. If you're onto old reloading manuals, this stuff has been around for a loooong time.

Another big time Win 231 user. I've found that I also really like Win WSF. If I load magnum then I load with 2400. Rifle is mostly Win 748 or 760 depending on the load in use.

My main handgun powder is 231. I like Hodgon's CLAYS for reduced loads, I haven't tried it for anything else, but the info is on their website so you can see if it is worth trying. Ivan

I suppose I am too old to experiment with any "new" powders. I have been loading for over 40 years and use 231 and Unique. I have some 2400 for the magnums I load every 15 or 20 years.

Thanks all. Think I'll order some wsf and universal. I'll load some 44spl with some Unique tonight and test them tomorrow.

Another 'Universal' fan here. I use it a fair amount in handgun reloading.

I started using Universal this last year for 38,357 and 12 trap loads. I used it first with the 12 Ga and was surprised by the difference in VOLUME between the two for the almost same velositys with a Rem STS hull and w209 primer.
My Mec J1 bushing held only 21.0 grs of Unique while it held 24.2 grs of Universal Clays.
I did notice that less Universal would do just as good in my 38 and 12 Ga loads and, yes, it dropped better and burned cleaner at the upper ranges.