Best Substitute for Bullseye?

[AJ]

What is the best substitute for Bullseye? I have been using Bullseye for years and find it to be a bit elusive lately. TIA

 

[Rule3]

Any off the powders close to the same burn rate that you can find. I go further down the list and just use HP 38/W 231



https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/burn-rate-color.pdf

 

[max]

I switched to 231 40 years ago and am still using it.

 

[Old_Cop]

Plus one more for WW231.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Guess that depends on what you are finding.

Here's a burn rate chart. Find one close to BE..Powder Burn Rate Chart NEW | Load Data Article

 

[glenwolde]

I was pleasantly surprised at the results with WST. 700-X is also an option but most reloaders swear AT it due to difficulty metering it. I get it to work but it requires finagling.

But I was a diehard W231 guy for a long time. I've grown, but it's a good option.

 

[Johnnu2]

Keep it simple........ Started with Bullseye; then went to W-231; I'm done searching.
IMHO,
J

 

[Bastogne71]

Titegroup is a very good substitute for Bullseye with similar burn rates and both designed as a fast burning pistol powder.

But in today's market you probably will have to get whatever you can that will work in your pistol. Yesterday at Sportsman's Warehouse the shelves were nearly bare of powder and bullets especially for the most popular calibers. The loaded ammunition situation was worse.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I used 231 for a long time. A lot of cowboys I shoot with use clays.
Love it and haven't looked back. Very clean.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I would also suggest Red Dot . It's a bit slower burn but bulkier so you can use your BE loads . It's an old favorite as a replacement for BE . Regards, Paul

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

FOR WHAT CALIBERS?JP

 

[mikerjf]

I keep hearing people say Unique is very versatile, and can work with almost any caliber. I've barely used it myself, just got my first pound.

Up to this point I've been a Bullseye guy like you, but have started with Unique and Power Pistol.

 

[Old Corp]

IIRC, my first 'large batch' loading using a used, new to me Dillon was for 9mm FMJ range ammo.
I was low on Bullseye, and a local shop had good prices on WW231.
Noticed how nice it metered through the measure and was clean.

Been using ever since.

 

[schutzen-jager]

FOR WHAT CALIBERS?JP

i use red dot for .25acp , .32 acp , , .32 s&w , .32 s&w long , 9mm , .38 s&w , .38 special , .38 super .357 mag. , + .45 acp in handguns - 12 ga. in shotguns - + .308w , 30/06 , +30/30 lead bullet rifle loads -

 

[MyDads38]

I would also suggest Red Dot . It's a bit slower burn but bulkier so you can use your BE loads . It's an old favorite as a replacement for BE . Regards, Paul

When I couldn't find Bullseye, I found a 4 lb container of Red Dot and it kept me shooting until I could get Bullseye again.

I also bought TiteGroup to try and now use it for 9mm & 40 S&W loads with plated bullets.

When powders came back from the last shortage (and prices came back down to normal), I started buying 8 lb containers-Bullseye, TiteGroup, 231, Red Dot. I vowed NOT to be caught short of powder again! I don't have to be concerned again.

 

[DWalt]

Any of the faster handgun/shotgun powders are in the same bracket as Bullseye - Clays, AA#2, 700-X, Red Dot. Not necessarily interchangeable by charge weight, but close.

 

[rockquarry]

I've yet to find a real need to stray from Bullseye, but there is a glut of powders available today. With a little load development work, it's likely that several other powders would perform as well as Bullseye.

 

[scattershot]

I use both 231/HP38 and Red Dot, with good results. Promo is good, too, cheaper than Red Dot, and you can use the same charge BY WEIGHT.

 

[Bronco89]

I think Tightgroup is a good substitute, for a really fast powder. In my opinion, powder choice is personal, as people want diffrent things out of loads. Tightgroup burns clean. But I like powders that fill the case a little better for my 38's and 44's. So, I use Universal.

 

[bulletslap]

700-X has worked well for me since 1976, and Red Dot has also done a great job.

Truthfully I load more 700-X than Bullseye.

 

[38SPL HV]

Another one who likes WW231...I use it in standard velocity 38 Spl using 148 gr DEWC and 158 gr SWC/RNL bullets. I can also see it easier than Bullseye down in the cases when I double check my powder drops. Bullseye kinda looks lonely down there in those deep cases!

 

[LAWMAN662]

Midsouth Shooters Supply has it in stock.

 

[Benchrest1]

I'm a big fan of 231 and use a lot of it. However Titegroup is closer to Bullseye.

 

[RobertJ.]

During the last shortage, I found I hadn't stocked up enough BE. I found some 700x, and found it to shoot as good or better than BE. I have lots of both now.

 

[rwsmith]

I use a LOT of HP 38/232....

...it's slower than Bullseye and that ilk and has a bulkier load but not quite as slow as Unique and is much cleaner and meters better than Unique. Although Unique has a special place for versatility.

 

[AJ]

Thank you all for the replies.

AJ

 

[stansdds]

Bullseye is a great powder, but a tad bit smokey. I found that HP-38/W-231 is a very good substitute for Bullseye. It meters well and is a little less smokey.

 

[DWalt]

One good thing about the faster powders is their economy due to the low charge weights required. Many more shots per pound.

 

[Engieman]

Another vote for Red Dot. Started using it years ago as it was all I could at the time, now use it all the time. Favorite for .45ACP. .38 Special, .380, and sometimes 9mm. Still favor BE for .44 Special, and Power Pistol for 9mm. Semper Fi Marine

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Any off the powders close to the same burn rate that you can find. I go further down the list and just use HP 38/W 231



https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/burn-rate-color.pdf

YEs indeed. I only use W231 for every day loads. In forty years or so I have never had a can of Bullseye in the shop. However if you are ever up this way, there is a nice little shop off I 81 in Falling Waters W VA that has it. 8# was $151.00 I believe a couple weeks ago when I was there. 5000 win primers, $162 w/tax. not bad these days.