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.

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Todd

My "universal powder" is.......Universal! or W231/HP 38. I actually use more W231.

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.

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it just needs more voltage

Titegroup will work well in every caliber you mention.

The Unique you have will work for all those as well.

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

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.

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!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

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.

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Heavily armed old man.

Am not experienced with 38 super, but use HP-38 for mild lead bullet loads in all the others. If wanting to step up to moderate loads, Unique.

I am a fan Titegroup and W231 and expect to leave this earth with plenty of those two pistol powders in full supply.

...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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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

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

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

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213th FBINA

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

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

Smokeless Powder - Powders & Primers - Graf & Sons

231 and hp-38

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.

Been loading some 44 Sp using W231 and like it. And the "Holy ****!" moment of my last range trip was touching off some W231 357's. Flash/bang made me thought I'd loaded Power Pistol! I know W231 is well-liked for 38 and 45ACP, even 9mm, so I'm seriously thinking about buying a bigger jug than I normally would and working towards a one-powder solution.

Otherwise I'm a Bullseye/Unique/2400 guy, nothing to complain about except availability.

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

While Win231 will work in almost every handgun cartridge, I find it is lacking in velocity even at max loads.

I like Alliant Power Pistol for 9mm, .38 Super, and .45 ACP, and Unique for .38 and .44 Special.

For the magnums I prefer 296 but 2400 is worth keeping around also.

I just looked at them on the same supplier and the HP-38 was $3 cheaper than the W231. Maybe the Winchester label is more expensive.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I use 231 a lot. For me it has worked well in 9mm, 38, moderate 357s, 40s and even powder puff 44s. The down side to 44s is there is plenty of room for double charges and probably even tripple charges. I have way too much H110. The wife bought it for me when it was hard to get and over ordered. The only thing I've used it for has been 44s. I'd love to trade some off for some 10mm powder. The 231 does probably 80% of what I need and it's very economical. My 231 is pretty old and I guess I need make sure it's not going bad. It's in the old 3lb metal cans. I did get one pound of CFE Pistol recently to try with 10mm.

I only acquired different powders when powder got scarce. Up until that time, like some have mentioned, I only needed Bullseye and Unique for handguns. I only got into magum powders later with 2400. Those three will do it all.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Ditto. I have more than 4 pounds of each plus some 2400 and Universal. I think if you get tired of the WW296 2400 will give you higher velocities with less flash.

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S&WHF #946
S&WCA #3824