Help me on my powder choices please...

[mikerjf]

Been loading some 44 Sp using W231 and like it. And the "Holy ****!" moment of my last range trip was touching off some W231 357's. Flash/bang made me thought I'd loaded Power Pistol! I know W231 is well-liked for 38 and 45ACP, even 9mm, so I'm seriously thinking about buying a bigger jug than I normally would and working towards a one-powder solution.

Otherwise I'm a Bullseye/Unique/2400 guy, nothing to complain about except availability.

 

[elgatodeacero]

While Win231 will work in almost every handgun cartridge, I find it is lacking in velocity even at max loads.

I like Alliant Power Pistol for 9mm, .38 Super, and .45 ACP, and Unique for .38 and .44 Special.

For the magnums I prefer 296 but 2400 is worth keeping around also.

 

[rwsmith]

For some reason...

You probably know this, but HP38 is the same exact powder as 231, just different label.

Rosewood

I just looked at them on the same supplier and the HP-38 was $3 cheaper than the W231. Maybe the Winchester label is more expensive.

 

[oink]

I use 231 a lot. For me it has worked well in 9mm, 38, moderate 357s, 40s and even powder puff 44s. The down side to 44s is there is plenty of room for double charges and probably even tripple charges. I have way too much H110. The wife bought it for me when it was hard to get and over ordered. The only thing I've used it for has been 44s. I'd love to trade some off for some 10mm powder. The 231 does probably 80% of what I need and it's very economical. My 231 is pretty old and I guess I need make sure it's not going bad. It's in the old 3lb metal cans. I did get one pound of CFE Pistol recently to try with 10mm.

 

[rwsmith]

The Triumvirate...

I only acquired different powders when powder got scarce. Up until that time, like some have mentioned, I only needed Bullseye and Unique for handguns. I only got into magum powders later with 2400. Those three will do it all.

 

[Model19man]

My go to handgun cartridge (non-magnum) powder is WW231. I stocked up and will never run out (Unless I live to 175!)

My Second choice is Unique, because you can load everything with it! The Copyright 1977 Lyman #45 has at least one load for EVERY cartridge available back then. Nice to have when a drought hits.

Ivan

Ditto. I have more than 4 pounds of each plus some 2400 and Universal. I think if you get tired of the WW296 2400 will give you higher velocities with less flash.