Another one bites the dust
- Thread starter Buford57
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Green Frog
Member
Back when I was shooting a lot of 38 Spl in PPC matches, Bullseye was the go to powder, but we also used a lot or HP38/231 (same thing) and also had good target loads with 700X and Green Dot. I should have enough of one or the other in my stash to meet my continuing needs.
Froggie
Froggie
For Target and mid range loads you can't beat 231/HP38. It's been my go to powder for nearly every handgun caliber for over 40 years. 4227 for magnum 44 loads is fine, but don't try to download it.
typetwelve
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100% I love W231/HP-38 for 38 spcl and pretty much use that (or Tightgroup) exclusively with those rounds.
I recently got a 550 Conversion in 32 S&W etc. 32 Long has such small charge I want to find a powder to use that will throw fairly consistent charges.. I happen to have beaucoup powders of all kinds but the flake powders are not very consistent. Even BE is not great(IMO). What would be a good powder to use in the 32s. As far as 2400, Bullseye and Unique etc.. I just bought a couple cans of each...metal cans. Yep it's old but works just fine10 dollars each...so far. Even got a couple 1 lb plastic cans of Herco for 15 dollars each at an estate /yard/garage sale. Herco is a great substitute for Unique. I tried using AA#9 in lieu of 2400 or 296. I found that it performed better with mag primers and higher end charges Heck with the powders in the metal cans when I get done using the powder I get 10-15 dollars for the empty cans on ebay
It is only a bad choice if unburned powder residues are a big issue for you.
4227 is a very soft-shooting powder that still produces respectable velocities in magnum rounds.
As long as you don't mind cleaning up some leftover, unburned granules of powder residue.
If that is an issue for you, then 4227 probably isn't going to be to your liking.
Nemo288
Member
The main situation I am sensitive to unburned granules left over, is when shooting revolvers.
(I am not much of a pistolero.)
When they get under the extraction star, that can bind up the whole gun.
Normally a minor annoyance, this can get to be a true bummer in any kind of contest.
(looking at you Unique)
As I have said above, 4227 is one of my all time faves, but I don't use it in rounds below magnum pressure.
One thing that has always made handloading interesting to me is the fact that many shotgun or pistol powders
can be made to work in the straight revolver cartridges if one keeps one's head screwed on straight.
I enjoy making a combination possibly no one else has tried work successfully.
(Or prove it's not gonna work and let folks know that too.)
(I am not much of a pistolero.)
When they get under the extraction star, that can bind up the whole gun.
Normally a minor annoyance, this can get to be a true bummer in any kind of contest.
(looking at you Unique)
As I have said above, 4227 is one of my all time faves, but I don't use it in rounds below magnum pressure.
One thing that has always made handloading interesting to me is the fact that many shotgun or pistol powders
can be made to work in the straight revolver cartridges if one keeps one's head screwed on straight.
I enjoy making a combination possibly no one else has tried work successfully.
(Or prove it's not gonna work and let folks know that too.)
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You don't want 4227....
... to replace Bullseye and BE-86. It's for magnum loading and doesn't like being reduced.
Though I still have a large stock of Alliant powders, I us a LOT of HP-38/W231. I don't have any Hodgdon Universal, but if I needed a medium powder it would be on my list. I really like the Accurate's powders, too. #2 and #5 would be good choices. I have some #7 but it seems to be a little specializedm almost a magnum powder because I don't find as many loadings for it as other powders.
Winchester has similar offerings if you prefer those. I've never heard anybody complain about Vihtavuori, but the price tag scares me.
Whoe!!! Prices have gone up so much on 'domestic' powders that some of Vihtavuori's powders look dowright reasonable at $45/lb from Powder Valley. Probably not the pistol powders you need though.
Update: If it's a true replacement for Bullseye you are looking for, I use Hodgdon Titegroup almost eactly like BE. Some people don't like it. They say it burns hot. They must shoot a lot more rounds in succession than I do.
NOW THIS WEIRD! I read that Titegroup is not compatible with Powder Coated bullets as it attacks the coating. I asked about Hi-Tek coated bullets that I use and it said Hi-Tek was ok.
... to replace Bullseye and BE-86. It's for magnum loading and doesn't like being reduced.
Though I still have a large stock of Alliant powders, I us a LOT of HP-38/W231. I don't have any Hodgdon Universal, but if I needed a medium powder it would be on my list. I really like the Accurate's powders, too. #2 and #5 would be good choices. I have some #7 but it seems to be a little specializedm almost a magnum powder because I don't find as many loadings for it as other powders.
Winchester has similar offerings if you prefer those. I've never heard anybody complain about Vihtavuori, but the price tag scares me.
Whoe!!! Prices have gone up so much on 'domestic' powders that some of Vihtavuori's powders look dowright reasonable at $45/lb from Powder Valley. Probably not the pistol powders you need though.
Update: If it's a true replacement for Bullseye you are looking for, I use Hodgdon Titegroup almost eactly like BE. Some people don't like it. They say it burns hot. They must shoot a lot more rounds in succession than I do.
NOW THIS WEIRD! I read that Titegroup is not compatible with Powder Coated bullets as it attacks the coating. I asked about Hi-Tek coated bullets that I use and it said Hi-Tek was ok.
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