Again, be careful not to exceed loading data when using Bullseye. I used to use it as a pistol powder. As I recall, it is not all that clean burning, and is dirty, but I may be thinking of something else
Bullseye Powder
- Thread starter Skeet 028
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Again, be careful not to exceed loading data when using Bullseye. I used to use it as a pistol powder. As I recall, it is not all that clean burning, and is dirty, but I may be thinking of something else
gwpercle
Member
Used "The Three" for handgun loading from 1967 until the shortage of 2013 ...got by just fine ...then they evaporated .
Which actually wasn't a bad thing because it forced me to try Red Dot and discover the line of Accurate Arms and Hodgdon powders... All good and versatile ...I started buying any and every handgun powder that appeared on my dealer's shelves !!!
But as soon as Bullseye made a reappearance on dealer's shelf I bought 3 containers ... As good as other powders are , Bullseye can't be beat when making up lead wadcutter target loads ... in the 38 special ... it's the Absolute Best !
Red Dot is good in larger cases like the 41 special/magnum lead wadcutter target load...But It doesn't Beat Bullseye !
Gary
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Huskerguy
Member
There is a lot of Bullseye in my area but it is a powder I have not used. Several years ago I was researching and ending up going with Titegroup which I was happy with. Then someone gave me some W231 to try and that has turned into my go-to powder for 9, 38 and 45. Still have a bunch of 40's loaded with TG.
I know both TG and BE are low charge powders and I am careful.
Both are relatively fast powders and I am not concerned about extreme velocities.
So, for those who have actually compared both, how do they match up? I have lots of TG and W231 on hand but it is always nice to have other powders in stock and if they perform better, that is even better yet!
I know both TG and BE are low charge powders and I am careful.
Both are relatively fast powders and I am not concerned about extreme velocities.
So, for those who have actually compared both, how do they match up? I have lots of TG and W231 on hand but it is always nice to have other powders in stock and if they perform better, that is even better yet!
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I shoot Bullseye in my Uberti Henry, 1866, and 1873. Very happy with its performance in the Cowboy style shooting sports in my 44-40 and 45 Colt revolvers as well.
It is also my go to powder for 32 S&W!! Let's see, 1.1 grains of Bullseye per cartridge - four pounds of Bullseye will load 28,000 rounds!
It is also my go to powder for 32 S&W!! Let's see, 1.1 grains of Bullseye per cartridge - four pounds of Bullseye will load 28,000 rounds!
Green Frog
Member
Since we've expanded this discussion to "other" powders, I'll relate that in "the old days" addition to BE, I shot a lot of Unique and 2400, along with Green Dot for shotguns (and occasionally 38 MRWCs) until I got into the schuetzen game and expanded to specialty powders intended for rifles. Those powders are for another discussion, though.
Back to the ancient BE though, it does indeed have two major drawbacks.. its lack of bulk makes it easy to throw a double or sometimes even triple charge into a big case with disastrous results, and it is very sooty... we used to call it "flaming dirt" for that reason. Drawbacks or no, it's hard to find a more versatile powder to load light to medium power ammo for most handgun calibers. It's always in my loading cabinet regardless of what other powders come and go.
Froggie
PS If all the Bullseye powder in the World disappeared in a puff of smoke, I would grab all the HP38 and W231 I could find. Not quite as versatile as BE, but it works well in my 32s and 38s.
Back to the ancient BE though, it does indeed have two major drawbacks.. its lack of bulk makes it easy to throw a double or sometimes even triple charge into a big case with disastrous results, and it is very sooty... we used to call it "flaming dirt" for that reason. Drawbacks or no, it's hard to find a more versatile powder to load light to medium power ammo for most handgun calibers. It's always in my loading cabinet regardless of what other powders come and go.
Froggie
PS If all the Bullseye powder in the World disappeared in a puff of smoke, I would grab all the HP38 and W231 I could find. Not quite as versatile as BE, but it works well in my 32s and 38s.
I got a metal 3 lb can of BE in an estate about 10 years ago. I still have a few ounces left. If it smells like other powders use it up.
I like it best in medium and low pressure cartridges, ie 32's, 38 and 44 Specials. 45 acp is another. I didn't find it as accurate as AA2 in the 9mm but it will make serviceable loads. 9 is a higher pressure round and it may be more sensitive than the others I listed.
I like it best in medium and low pressure cartridges, ie 32's, 38 and 44 Specials. 45 acp is another. I didn't find it as accurate as AA2 in the 9mm but it will make serviceable loads. 9 is a higher pressure round and it may be more sensitive than the others I listed.
Bullseye and wadcutters in .38 is the classic. Got a 4-pound bottle (can?) early this year, just as the shortages kicked in. Slowly rolling out 2.7 gr loads with 148gr HBWC's and my remaining Federal primers. 30 years ago it was my go-to target, plinking, and "it will hit what I point at" handload. If it doesn't "smell funny" it's good to go for lots of loads.
I've used Bullseye, W231, and Titegroup in .45 auto (230 gr hardball and 185 gr semi-wadcutter) and .38 HBWC.
I rank them 1) Bullseye 2) W231 3) Titegroup.
I don't think titegroup is as versitile as the others. In .45 hardball I don't think it can reach full power loads, which both Bullseye and W231 can, and I didn't find it as accurate either.
My experience with Titegroup and lead wasn't good. Titegroup burns very hot and leads worse than the others.
No complaints with W231, I just found Bullseye to be a little more accurate. I also think it meters better in my Hornady powder measure.
Bullseye is very dirty, but IMHO too much is made of that. The 'dirt' is a very fine ash that cleans up quickly. It has not actually caused any malfunctions.
That's for sure. I used to love Bullseye in my 45 acp target loads, but a maximum load virtually disappears in a 45 acp case. A double or triple charge could be easily overlooked.
I began reloading many years back [1954]. First was for my 30-30 then my 38 Spec. I used BE for the 38's since then. All OK.
(Don't want to hijack the thread).......
Does anyone have a Bullseye Recipe for 9mm 135gr Round Nose to meet IPSC minimum Power Factor?
Does anyone have a Bullseye Recipe for 9mm 135gr Round Nose to meet IPSC minimum Power Factor?
(Don't want to hijack the thread).......
Does anyone have a Bullseye Recipe for 9mm 135gr Round Nose to meet IPSC minimum Power Factor?
Does anyone have a Bullseye Recipe for 9mm 135gr Round Nose to meet IPSC minimum Power Factor?
