If you had to settle on one pistol powder?

[buckshotshorty]

This question might have been asked before, but in light of the current scarcity of pistol powder, I was wondering if you could order only one powder for most of your pistol needs, what would it be?

I'm thinking if things free up a bit I will order an 8# jug of something.

 

[Moonman]

Bullseye or Unique.

 

[OKFC05]

This question has been asked countless times, and the short answer is no, unless you are willing to restrict yourself on what powers (speed) you load. You can come pretty close with 2 powders, one medium /fast and one for magnum loads.
Unique will load a lot, but not a full-house .357 Magnum hunting load, for example. Bullseye is a fast powder unsuited to heavy loads.
I try to keep HP38/WIN231 and WIN296/H110 on hand to load the full range from .38 wadcutters, 9mm, .40, .45 all the way to .357 Magnum hunting rounds.

 

[Broker50]

I began handloading in March 1973. I started with 38 Spl 148 gr wadcutters over a light charge of Bullseye. I bought a 1/2 lb can then. I just used the last of that can up, because I ran out of Unique, 2400, SR4756, & every other pistol powder I had, & can't find any powder to buy. I don't have any idea how much Unique I've burned over the last forty one years, but, it's a lot! As has been said, Unique won't do everything, but, it will send a bullet downrange from most any pistol cartridge.

 

[mtgianni]

I reload for 3 32's, 3 38's,9mm, 40, 2 44's and 2 45's. Red dot will make all of them go bang but I could limit myself to RD, Power Pistol or Unique and AA9 if pressed.

 

[pete950]

I stick with BE, HP38 and some unique

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 3 powders I use most are W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).

If forced to pick only one it would be W231/HP-38...

 

[Rule3]

Yep, HP 38/W 231.
You can load pretty much anything with it. Not the best magnums but good enough.

I pick that over Unique as it meters better.

 

[29aholic]

IMR 700X hands down

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

UNIQUE & 231.

 

[mrrick]

I like Unique.

 

[m657]

That's a big "if" on "just one" powder.

If it really came to that, serious consideration to the Holy Black as choices of various other supplies would be likely as well.

 

[Cdog]

Universal Clays.

Near identical with Unique in burn rate and application.

Meters so much better and burns more efficiently though.

It's the most pistol/loader friendly non magnum powder I've used.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Don't use whatever Yosemite Sam used. It's non-lethal.

Sorry!

If I dood it I get a whippin'!........I dood it!

 

[OFT II]

I guess that it would have to be Unique.

 

[Culina]

If I could only pick one it would be W231/HP-38, if I had the option of picking a second one it would be H110/W296. Those two are what I have settled on a while ago and that's all I use. I still have enough for a while but I understand finding any is a real problem these days. I have a buddy that just spent $800 on a new reloading setup and I took me two weeks to find him an 8lb jug of W231. I got a tip about an online retailer that got some in but didn't update their website yet.

 

[shot1971]

Definitely Unique!!!

 

[gwpercle]

For many, many years I got by with Unique. And it wasn't until a few years ago I bit the bullet and bought Bullseye for target 38 and 45 acp loads. Now I have Bullseye and Red Dot for light target but I could still do well with just Unique.
It's also useful in cast bullet rifle and of course shotgun shell loads.
Gary

 

[JBnTx]

The idea of using only one pistol powder is the same as only eating one kind of food.

Why would you even consider it?

Even if you did use only one pistol powder, or eat only one kind of food, you'd soon see the error of your ways and quit that nonsense real quick.

 

[gregintenn]

Goex FFFG.