Best metering powders for pistol

[just jim]

I haven't seen powder in the stores for months.

 

[Freischütz]

HS-6, CFE Pistol, SR7625, and 296 have metered well for me.

 

[NJM15]

I was using unique, but it would never meter with repeatability, so I switched to titegroup, and it meters very consistent and burns very clean compared to unique, however it does not fill the case well. Can anybody recommend a powder that burns clean, meters well, and perhaps has some more case filling capacity?
I have heard the winchester powders meter well and burn clean.
Thoughts? I load for .38, .357, .41,.44, and normally load on the light end of the spectrum. I understand that no single powder is best for all the posted cartridges, and have no problem using and keeping more than one powder in the cabinet so fire away.

Tite group for me use it in 9mm,40,45 colt except for 357 sig use power pistol for that "a little goes a long way"

 

[Green Frog]

I hesitate to get into this discussion because there are so many variables about type of measure, technique, and other factors besides the powder itself, but "Fools rush in..." so here I come. If you want an easy to meter powder, even at the expense of clean burning and accuracy, just go with the smallest ball powder you can find. I'm using Accurate #7 and a long discontinued proprietary equivalent of #9 in my 327s for instance and am getting great results, but I can't do the same for their weak sisters, the 32 S&W Longs because they seem too slow. OTOH, I work carefully with appropriate measures such as the Little Dandy or Accu-Measure with fixed rotors to dispense Bullseye and Unique, etc. This works for me, YMMV. Technique, technique, technique!

Froggie

 

[daboone]

Which powder meters best? That depends on which powder measure you use. Unique meters very well in a 55 for <6g loads.

 

[johnc486]

Daboone, I agree when using the 55 as well, it is very consistent when repeating the same technique for each throw. I use it when loading on the Redding T-7 turret press.

 

[ChiefStealth]

I recently picked up some Bullseye. It meters very well in my Lee Perfect Powder measure. Very consistent throws. Does not leak from the side of the measure. Small problem is that the BE sticks in the output tube a bit more than some other powders. Not a problem. I just give the measure an extra tap. Works fine.

 

[lhump1961]

Daboone, I agree when using the 55 as well, it is very consistent when repeating the same technique for each throw. I use it when loading on the Redding T-7 turret press.

^^^right there. I use the 55 and if a person raps and taps consistently it will throw consistently. I think that with any powder or meter you can get variation depending on how you throw it. I don't use flake powders like 700x in pistol applications for this reason...too many other choices that are easier to use...but it's my go-to powder for trap loads at 18g. Power Pistol meters/performs well and I use it often but it's not quite as economical as some powders like 231. My Lyman 55 does as well as any as far as I can tell. IMHO it's more the powder and the technique than the brand of meter. I like and use Bullseye, PP, 231, HS-6, 2400, H-110 and their brand equivalents but have used others with good results. I recently used SR-4756 for 45acp and was happy with it. As a side note with 45acp I can't tell any difference between large and small primed cases in terms of range results. YMMV.

 

[Moe Mentum]

My RCBS does very well with the flake powders, +/_ 1or 2 tenths of a grain. I stay below max so it works for me.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, I just picked up a pound of HP38 today (stealth gloat). First I have seen in over a year. I loaded up about 30 development rounds and was very pleased with how well it metered. After the first 6 or 7 throws, every one was spot on.

 

[AveragEd]

Along with the other ball powders already mentioned, AutoComp also meters nicely. I use it for target loads with lead bullets in my 1911s chambered for .38 Super (125-grain Missouri IPD #6) and .45ACP (185-grain Precision Delta HP) and it is plenty accurate enough for me. But like a lot of semi-slower powders, it doesn't burn well in revolvers, I guess because of the pressure drop induced by the barrel-cylinder gap.

Ed

 

[Warren Sear]

My RCBS does very well with the flake powders, +/_ 1or 2 tenths of a grain. I stay below max so it works for me.

Same here. I have used Unique in an RCBS measure since 1980 with superb results.

I think there is an over emphases here on perfectly uniform propellant charges. My own testing has proven that flake powders provide very uniform velocity and accuracy, even with deliberate and measured changes in the powder charge. This is not true for ball powders. Since I learned this I do not use ball powders at all; only flake for all my pistol loading.

The proof is in the results of actual range testing. I suggest trying it for yourself.