Best Powder For Paper Targets

HANDGUN POWDERS

All my handgun barrels are now 4" or less. I believe in faster powders for shorter bbl.'s. Ball powders do seem to meter better. On hand now I have some bullseye, 2400, titegroup & the most of unique. Bullseye is saved for 38 special 148gr wc's, 9mm gets titegroup, 357, 40 & 45acp gets unique. For 357 hunting loads I would use the 2400 for it's excellent velocity & accuracy, but I hate the ^ noise & recoil.. If you want 1 powder for all your calibers it could be done, just expect to spend more time working up your loads & a chrono would be a big help, almost a requirement. Let us know what you find & good luck.
 
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Unique is a great powder but not at its best below midrange load levels. I used red dot for years in the big 45colt for light loads. Also works well in any caliber for that app. Terrific accuracy with lead & coated bullets. Other good choices are WST, Ramshot comp, green dot, all are high loft fast burners.

I have a lot of Unique but keep it as a back up-- for the range these days and for quite some time the call has been W231, and Red Dot for 45 colt, 9 mm, etc. 41 mag. etc., 800X will get the call for serious hunting loads. Just works for me. :)
 
I am under the impression 231/HP38 being discontinued. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

I had been told that Bullseye and 231 were very expensive to produce due to the residue, and I had read somewhere along the line in the past few months that they would most likely be discontinued.

I justify visited the Powder Valley site, and while the had many powders listed as out of stock, there seemed to be a lot more that were listed as out of stock/no back order. I called and was told it was more likely that those powders would be a long time from future delivery as opposed to their being discontinued. At this point, I don't know what to believe. I have found Powder Valley to be a good barometer of powder availability.
 
I use w231, but when I couldn't find any during the shortage, I started using Red Dot, and what difference in accuracy. The Red Dot is much better in my 9mm, and .38 spl . I would never have believed it.
 
I use Titegroup for both 38 and 40 and these loads are very accurate on the low end and managable to shoot. I shoot both lead (my own pour) in my 38's along with some plated bullets. With the 40 I use only plated bullets so far. I started using W231 a couple years ago in my 38's with good succes but overall I like the TG better. I find 231 a bit more dirty at the low end I shoot. I shoot for accuracy first, comfort second. Both meter well and are available in my area.
 
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I had been told that Bullseye and 231 were very expensive to produce due to the residue, and I had read somewhere along the line in the past few months that they would most likely be discontinued.

I justify visited the Powder Valley site, and while the had many powders listed as out of stock, there seemed to be a lot more that were listed as out of stock/no back order. I called and was told it was more likely that those powders would be a long time from future delivery as opposed to their being discontinued. At this point, I don't know what to believe. I have found Powder Valley to be a good barometer of powder availability.

Going forward, many old fav powders will be discontinued. It's mostly economics. If it cost more to make, they'll make something else. Why I tell reloaders to have more than one load for each gun/caliber, you may find out your fav is no longer made. W231/HP38 could be on that list. If you find some, I suggest you buy all you think you need, not just 1#.
 
Unless you have really heavy duty paper targets and need more power;) Give either Bullseye, or 231/HP-38 a try, on another forum somebody mentioned WST but I have not used that one.
 
target loads

I like Trail Boss for 38 spl & 41 mag. , or 231. Both great powders.
 
I have found Titegroup to be an excellent powder for both .38 Spec full wadcutters and .45 ACP semi wadcutters for low velocity powder charges. It burns very cleanly. BUT-it is very caustic when it comes in contact with plastic or paint. I use a Hornady progressive that came with a polystyrene powder tube. After loading 250 rnds I poured the Titegroup back into it's container, but powder was stuck to the inside of the tube. I tried swabbing it out with alcohol-no luck. I removed the tube and washed it with hot water and soap. No luck. The Titegroup had adhered to the inside of the tube. I called Hornady and they said it was static electricity, which was simply untrue. Powder had also adhered to the inside of the hopper, which is painted. I couldn't clean it, either. I ended up using paint remover and Q tips to clean the inside of the hopper. I also bought plexiglas acrylic tubing to replace the Hornady tube. It is impervious to Titegroup. I left the inside of the hopper bare metal. I use Sprayon SP610 anti-static spray on the outside of the tube.
 
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