Just one powder for reloading pistol?

[Waldo]

I have been reading the thread about Unique powder. I started reloading about 1975. I have always used Bullseye for .45ACP/Auto Rim, and Unique for .38 Special, .357 Mag., 44-40, .44 Special and .45 Colt. I try to duplicate factory loads in everything but the .357 Mag, which I load just a little hotter then .38 Special. I use cast bullets. I do not worry about working up the best load for each individual gun. I have a number of guns in each caliber and just want a satisfactory load for each caliber. I am just about out of both powders and will need to buy more. I keep hearing about new and better powders, easier metering, cleaner burning. But I do not want to have a bunch of different powders around. Has anyone here settled on one powder for all pistol calibers that is better than Unique? Not just in one caliber, but for all pistol reloading? Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[series guy]

I use nothing but Titegroup. Some folks don't like the fact that it is physically possible to double or triple charge a case but if you practice normal reloading safety there should be no problems. I have personally used over 12lbs. of it without issue.

 

[Arub01]

Alliant Green Dot. I use it for 9mm, 45acp, 44mag, 357mag, 40S&W and .45Colt. Have used it for .38spl but went to loading 357mag on the weak side to standardize brass.

 

[squidsix]

2400 for me. I load magnums more than anything else, sine its outrageously expensive out in the world.

 

[nachogrande]

DO YA ONE BETTER.

For pistol & shotgun (IDK about rifle, maybe???) UNIQUE, BAM. FINAL ANSWER.
Since I'm not limited & not up to date on the "latest/greatest" but want to keep it reasonable unique, Bullseye, Titegroup, 2400 & DO NOT feel at a disadvantage.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Winchester 231/Hogdon HP38 will do them all. Best for light to heavy target loads. Recoil is a bit sharp with magnum loads.

 

[oysterer]

agreed...if I can only have one then W231. Its can do all cartridges I load for very well.

I use it a lot.

Since I am not limited I also use:
For magnums HS-6
For 9mm and 38 spl: Titegroup
Only 3 powders I use

 

[Eddietruett]

If I had to use only one powder it would probably be Universal but since I do like to load my own hunting rounds I do use H110 and 2400 as well

 

[342ti]

I’ve stuck with Bullseye for the past 10yrs, exclusively. Tried W231, Green Dot, 700x, HS6, W571, and a few others, but always went back to Bullseye. I don’t load 357mag anymore, but used 2400 when I did, preferred it over H110. I only load 45acp, 9mm and 38spl these days, Bullseye does the job nicely, out of my Dillon 550 press.

 

[Engineer1911]

Accurate Arms #5 for mild loads, AA #7 or AA #9 for hot loads. #5 has a milder recoil impulse than #2.

Unique and Bullseye are dirty with cast bullets and don't meter as good as AA powders in a Dillon powder measure. AA powders are usually cheaper per # or 8# jug.

 

[BigMuddy]

It used to be Unique for me, but now if I had to go to one powder for all of my handgun loading it would be Power Pistol.

Dan

 

[nachogrande]

WHERE'S MY VIOLIN?

Shooting cast & having clean hands? What fun is that?

 

[Willyboy]

Handgun powder

I also just use HP38/Winch231 for 38spcl,357,45acp, 45Colt, and soon 44spcl. I know there are better powders for specific uses, but for my informal target shooting at low velocities it works fine. Willyboy

 

[Aegis]

have been using Hodgedon CFE pistol powder it is quite versatile for most of the loads I use.

 

[Wrangler Rich]

I have a variety of powders, but HP38/231 are my "go to".

 

[epj]

If I had to use only one powder it would probably be Universal but since I do like to load my own hunting rounds I do use H110 and 2400 as well

Another vote for Universal.

 

[fredj338]

Look at a burn rate chart, thriw a dart from unique up to hs6, they will all do about the same, 380 up thru 500 s&w.

 

[Kiwi cop]

[quote=series guy;140381599]I use nothing but Titegroup. Some folks don't like the fact that it is physicallyi possible to double or triple charge a case but if you practice normal reloading safety there should be no problems. I have personally used over 12lbs. of it without issue.[/quote]

I too like Tightgroup for all but the micro loads (.32 auto, .38 S&W).

Unfortunately I have found that I cannot make IPSC/USPSA power factor in my guns with 200 gn plated flat point bullets in .45 ACP unless I go a fair way over maximum listed load. For that reason I now use W231in .45 Auto, and Tightgroup in everything else except those small cases.

I could get by with just TG if I did it hvebthat PF floor to make with some buffer room.

 

[alwslate]

Another vote for W231/HP38. Great metering, very low ESs, no pressure
spikes and works in all pistol ctgs from small to large.

 

[sheppard]

For years I've used nothing but 231/HP38 for .38 special, .45 ACP and 45 auto rim.