One powder for everything

[gregintenn]

I've noticed several posts in which the op has stated the desire to use "one powder" for multiple calibers. What's a can of powder? $20-$25? If that is important, why would you own more than one gun, or more than one caliber? I assume this simply comes from inexperience. Do you have another reason?

 

[71firebird400]

I think the desire for one type of powder is for simplicity, not cost savings (as you wouldn't necessarily be going through any less).

 

[rwsmith]

I got by for years....

I got by for years using only Bullseye and Unique. If I had to pick one, it would be Unique.

Since the shortage I now have too many different kinds of powder.

 

[Hansli]

Some people are on a budget, want to simplify the situation or just can't find powder. However some of us (myself included) prefer too many choices. Unique, Red Dot etc. will do a pretty good job in most calibers, they sure used to sell a lot of it.

 

[racknrider]

I use Titegroup in both 9mm and 45. I even load the same charge weight in each cartridge. I like simple. Plus I can never load any of my ammo with the wrong powder.

 

[scooter123]

Different strokes for different folks. Some people want simplicity even if they won't get optimum results. I typically keep 2 to 3 powders for each caliber on hand so I can load low recoil range loads when needed and high energy SD practice ammo that matches the ballistics of my carry loads. I also have 4 different powders for 357 Magnum so I can have an optimum burn rate for whatever weight bullet I'm loading with.

However, if I wanted to simplify things a lot I could load every single one of my handgun calibers with Unique and get pretty good results. The price I would pay would be more residue in the lower pressure calibers like 38 special and excess muzzle flash with Magnum and higher energy semi auto loads. The other price would be a result of Unique metering like dog poop and I'd have to hand weigh every single charge.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Best powder for most applications would be Unique. If there is any one powder for all occasions I would like to know what it is.

 

[series guy]

I load .32 S&W long, .38spl., .357mag., .41mag., .44mag., .45acp, and .45 Colt all with Titegroup. It's the only powder I own. Meters well and is very accurate.

 

[jonesy814]

Maybe the desire to load many calibers with one powder is due to lack of availability. I am fairly new to reloading and finding a lot of different pistol powders that will work for what I am loading isn't easy.

 

[H Richard]

While you can get by and create loads in all kinds of calibers with a single powder, they will often be compromise loads. Optimum loads are created by powders developed for certain calibers. Take advantage of them, there isn't much difference in price, (if you can find it).

 

[epj]

Universal Clays has replaced Unique for me. The load data is almost interchangeable in many instances, though not quite. Burns cleaner and used to be readily available. Have t looked lately.

 

[MasterTech1960]

Universal Clays is my powder of choice. It works great in the Lee auto disk powder measurer. Meters better than Unique and shoots cleaner too.

However it is not the only powder I load.

 

[JBnTx]

Using only one powder for multiple calibers takes the fun out of reloading.

Would you only eat one food all the time?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Until the late 1880's the was only one powder for all loads. It was called gun powder. Then the whole Nitro cellulose/dynamite thing happened. Now we call that same powder: Black Powder. It will work is every cartridge for pistol, rifle, or shotgun. [In shotgun I would limit this statement to case lengths from the old old days.] You will not get the velocities you are use to, you may or may not get a semi-auto action to function and you will need to clean you firearm soon after firing. However it will be safe in any firearm (that is otherwise safe to shoot). You cannot over load any cartridge with Black Powder. However if you want to make you more modern firearms perform the way they were meant to you need to use your brain and your wallet (and now days a lot of patience) and buy the proper range of powders for you cartridge. A 45-70 case full of Unique, is call a bomb, but reduce it to the proper powder charge and it becomes an old stand by. Without the proper loading data some idiot is going to hurt himself or his equipment. The best data for Unique that I have ever seen is the 45th edition of the Lyman reloading manual. But even in that you cannot use every bullet weight for every cartridge there is at least one load from 25 ACP up to 460 Weatherby Mag. And most of the time they will be faster than a Black Powder load. But I don't know about loading shotgun with Unique.

Me I load some black powder rounds and a lot of smokeless rounds. I have also found that some famous loads do not work well in some guns. IMR-4064 is traditionally the powder for 308 Winchester, my Savage 10-BAS doesn't like it at all. But when I load it with Varget I get great groups. Most guns have a "Favorite" load the quest is to find it. That won't happen with only ONE powder (Except maybe Black). That is why I try to keep close to 40 types of powder on hand. Ivan

 

[JBnTx]

... Most guns have a "Favorite" load the quest is to find it. That won't happen with only ONE powder (Except maybe Black). That is why I try to keep close to 40 types of powder on hand. Ivan

^^^^ Best answer yet.

 

[dickttx]

When I started reloading I accumulated more than 20 different powders. When I started reloading again after a 40 year layoff, I researched the load manuals and came up with HP38, which had not even been created when I previously reloaded, nor had W231. I do have a can of W230P from back then.
I have used the HP38 for 9mm, 38, 357, 41 Mag, 45 Colt, 45 ACP and 38 Super. However, 99.9% of my loading is for 45 ACP and 38 Super, which I use to try to make holes in paper or knock over plates. I buy it by the 8# jug and once I find a load I like, that is what I set up for.
For MY purposes it does everything I need to do and keeps powder stocking and use simple. 8# of powder and 10K of primers just about even out.
This is where most of my old powder ended up:

 

[Maximumbob54]

I think it's mostly a new reloader thing to wish for just one powder. All the different options and variables seem daunting at first and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Having just the one powder may initially feel like an easy button has been found. I admit there was a time where all I would buy was Win 231 and for pistol it did every single one of them. No, it didn't do them all at the highest velocity but it let me buy one pound at a time until I had reloaded several different cartridges to figure out I not only saved a buck (at first before I went gear crazy) but I also found I enjoyed the work more as a hobby. When I found I wanted more from my loads I finally bought my first pound of 2400 for .357 and .44 and it's been a slow descent into the madness ever since. Now I hesitate to show my ammo room as it looks like a reloading stuff dirty bomb went off in there...

 

[chaparrito]

When I started reloading I accumulated more than 20 different powders. When I started reloading again after a 40 year layoff, I researched the load manuals and came up with HP38, which had not even been created when I previously reloaded, nor had W231. I do have a can of W230P from back then.
I have used the HP38 for 9mm, 38, 357, 41 Mag, 45 Colt, 45 ACP and 38 Super. However, 99.9% of my loading is for 45 ACP and 38 Super, which I use to try to make holes in paper or knock over plates. I buy it by the 8# jug and once I find a load I like, that is what I set up for.
For MY purposes it does everything I need to do and keeps powder stocking and use simple. 8# of powder and 10K of primers just about even out.
This is where most of my old powder ended up:

Good looking display but please, ditch the Riunite Lambrusco bottle.

 

[JBnTx]

This is where most of my old powder ended up:

Those old powder cans sure do bring back memories.

 

[fredj338]

As noted, it's not about saving $$ but simple logistics. I could get by loading all 12+ handgun calibers I shoot with unique. Problem, if I didn't stock enough unique, I am in trouble. One powder for all can be a blessing or curse in times of shortage like today.
So I have at least 3 acceptable loads for all 20+ calibers I load for. That gives me options as many powders can be used for diff calibers. I could get by with 2 handgun & 2 rifle powders, but there would be compromises.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As noted, it's not about saving $$ but simple logistics. I could get by loading all 12+ handgun calibers I shoot with unique. Problem, if I didn't stock enough unique, I am in trouble. One powder for all can be a blessing or curse in times of shortage like today.
So I have at least 3 acceptable loads for all 20+ calibers I load for. That gives me options as many powders can be used for diff calibers. I could get by with 2 handgun & 2 rifle powders, but there would be compromises.

EXACTLY!!!

I can get along with only 3 handgun powders but I like to load what I think is the very best choice for each cartridge. If I could only get W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110) I would be just fine but I'm glad I can get more than those 3, especially in a shortage. It's good to know Zip or Green Dot will load the .38 Special similar to W231.

 

[alwslate]

Nothing wrong with simplicity. I'm sure that many handloaders shoot
purely for fun and relaxation and aren't concerned about optimal loads
for each cartridge. Any of the fast burners that are used for shotshells
and can be found in 8 lb jugs could be used to load all the common
handgun calibers. One overlooked advantage would be economy.
Promo is sold only in 8 lb jugs and is cheap. Anyone could buy several
jugs when available and be set for the next 20 yrs. One powder, a
scale and a few dippers is all a handloader actually needs to keep
his guns in ammo. Many of "us" would not be satisified with that
approach of course but there's nothing wrong with simplicity. It's
all in what you want.

 

[fredj338]

8 lb jugs could be used to load all the common
handgun calibers. One overlooked advantage would be economy.
Promo is sold only in 8 lb jugs and is cheap. Anyone could buy several
jugs when available and be set for the next 20 yrs. One powder, a
scale and a few dippers is all a handloader actually needs to keep
his guns in ammo. Many of "us" would not be satisified with that
approach of course but there's nothing wrong with simplicity. It's
all in what you want.

Correct, if the point is to just make the gun go bang. Maybe for a casual shooter, that works fine. If hey only consumed 16# of pistol powder over 20yrs, I would call that pretty casual. Btw, I like promo, just not available around here like the rest of he sg/pistol powders.

 

[OFT II]

I got by for years using only Bullseye and Unique. If I had to pick one, it would be Unique.

Since the shortage I now have too many different kinds of powder.

Mr. Smith, I'm with you but I like to keep some 2400 around also.

 

[SMSgt]

I hate to break the hearts of those who think only new reloaders seek one powder, but I've reloaded since 1975 and use one powder in all three handgun calibers I reload. Why? Because I want to. My HP-38 works well and does what I want.

Never used a chrony, never change powders once I find what works, and when they go where I aim, that's good enough.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I hate to break the hearts of those who think only new reloaders seek one powder, but I've reloaded since 1975 and use one powder in all three handgun calibers I reload. Why? Because I want to. My HP-38 works well and does what I want.

Never used a chrony, never change powders once I find what works, and when they go where I aim, that's good enough.

I agree with you but I don't like doing that. If I had to I could also get along with using only W231/HP-38 but I choose not to.

I use nothing else in the .38 Special and 45 Auto but I moved away from W231 in the 45 Colt in favor of HS-6. While i can get good performance with W231 in the .357 Magnum I get much better performance with W296 instead. Like I said above, I can load anything handgun with 3 powders and do it very well instead of just OK.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

As posted above, I just like simplicity.

I can load .380, 9mm, .38 Special, and .45 ACP with 231/HP 38 so that is what I use.

296 will load both .357 Mag and .30 Carbine so those calibers get that.

748 loads both .223 and .30-30.

 

[lebomm]

I would be confident that FFFg would propel any bullet from any gun that new reloader has, large caliber or small, handgun OR long gun.

 

[MyDads38]

Just plain and simple and easy to be able to use one powder for all your loading, if you can do it. I'm fortunate enough that I can, and that makes me happy

Bullseye is my "go to" powder of choice. I only load cast bullet plinking loads for my 38 Spec, 9mm and 45 auto. Until the "shortage", I had no reason to use/try anything else. I now have several different powders on my shelf out of necessity :-(

Last week, I was finally able to get an 8 lb. jug of Bullseye; first I had found since last fall! Besides the Bullseye, I now have 11 lbs. of various powders that can be used, but I really have no desire to work up loads with all of them. I may sell some to other reloaders who don't have much/any powders so they can continue to shoot as well. But for me, one powder just makes sense.

 

[Hook686]

Certainly different strokes for different folks. I use two powders ... Unique and 2400. I use the Unique for most everything except magnum revolvers, M1 carbines and Marlin Carbines, though I could use the Unique with the Marlins also if need be. I use these two simply because they cover well all my handguns and carbines (including the USGI M1 Carbine) and I cannot confuse the two powders ... easy for me to visually tell them apart. If I had to limit myself to only one powder, it would be the Unique.