opinions on powder

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TommyW

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I really haven't found the info I was looking for in past threads.

After about 2 decades, I decided to pull my reloading equipment out of mothballs.

Considering the constant changes in technology, I'm looking for some opinions on a good "all around" powder to use for calibers ranging from 38 to 45.

Thanks
 
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I don't think it's very "hi tech" but Unique is still one of the best all around powders out there. It's good in about anything.
 
If you are loading light loads, use a powder with a fast burning rate. For field loads or mid range loads, use a powder with a medium burning rate. For magnum loads with heavy bullets, use a slow powder.

Fast powders are like Red Dot, Bullseye, AA2, and such.

Medium are Unique, 4756, AA5 and such.

Slow powders are 2400, AA9, WW296, H110 and such like that.
 
I think Bullseye and Unique are both in that Jack of all trades, master of none category. But they both make decent handloads. Unique is known to be a pain to measure out though, FYI.
 
I too am fairly new to reloading. I have been doing it for approximately 3-4 months and have around 2000-2500 rounds produced. I have always heard that Unique is a pretty good all around powder. Works good to really good (in some cases) in the calibers that you asked about. W231, HP-38, Titegroup, Universal Clays, Bullseye and many others will also work. Pull out the loading manuals and check out the bullet/powder combinations for the intended use (target, hunting, etc...).Try a few different loads until you get one that works for the gun you want to use it in.
Good luck, be safe and have fun!
 
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If restricted to only one, it would be Unique. It does at least OK with most common calibers and excels with a lot.
 
I have just done the same. Most of my guns and reloading equipment were bought in the early 70's, including about 5# of Unique.
I have found that with older hands and eyes the hardest part of reloading is adjusting the scale and powder measure.
After reading, loading, and firing I have settled on 8 grains of Unique in both the .41 mag with 212 grain lead SWC, and the .45 LC with 255 grain lead RNFP. This really simplifies things for me.
When I get to where I can shoot as well as these loads I will start adjusting, but this may be never!
By the way, I am really enjoying doing this again. I have also recently purchased a 617 that I put about 50 rounds a day thru. This is really fun to shoot. I had never had a .22 handgun before.
 
I started using Unique back in the late 60's,it has served me well over the years. I use it in 20ga,28ga,38,357,44spec,44mag,45acp and 45colt. About 12 years ago a friend got me to try 231 in 45acp,I did and liked it.
Recently I started trying 231 in 38 with some light loads,it seems to do well for me.
None of my loads are barn burners if I need that I have some 296 on hand.
If I had to choose just one it would be Unique.
 
I use HP 38/Win 231 for everything.
32, 380, 9, 40, 45, 38, 357, 44, 44 M

It will not give the true Magnum loads but for the few of those I load, H110 or 2400 covers that.
 
I used to use a lot of Unique and like it for all but really light loads. Recently I have discovered Universal Clays. It is very close in burn rate to Unique, to the extent that load data is ALMOST (but not quite) interchangeable. It meteres well and is clean burning. UUnique has a reputation for being dirty. It is if loaded below optimal levels. The "new" Unique is a bit less dirty. All powders are dirty to some extent, so I wonder how much this reall matters.
 
My cover-everything pistol powders are 231 for moderate to light loads and 296 for magnum.

Recently I bought a pound of Unique for the .45lc just because and it's good, but I could live without it.

I used it 20 years ago, but found 231 and the rest is history.
 
For the calibers you mentioned and target loads, Bullseye.

750fps to 850fps and you just won't find a better powder. Some as good, none better.

The other choices mentioned are good as well and really, just as good as Bullseye in target loads. HP-38/W231 is a favorite of mine for small cases, 38/45ACP. SR4756 for those +P type of loading in those calibers and W296/H110 for pistol magnums and Lil' Gun for those calibers that are fired in a long gun.

Unique has been on the scene for a long time. I only used it once and was under impressed.

That being said, I do use it for large caliber handgun loads. 44Mag (light) and 45Colt (heavy) ones.

FWIW
 
I've been delighted with Unique ever since I lit off my first handloaded .38 Special fueled by it back in 1976. I've used it in a greatly expanded list of handgun cartridges since.
 
"I think Bullseye and Unique are both in that Jack of all trades, master of none category."

I don't know about Bullseye but that pretty much nails Unique. It's not that versatility is a bad thing. You can do a lot of good things with Unique but it invariably isn't the best for any one particular application except for being versatile.

:)

Bruce
 
+1:

W231/HP-38: .38Spl; 9mm; 40S&W; 45ACP

For progressive setups, W231/HP-38 Flows like water = Meters VERY Very Well.
 
I only reload for 45 ACP currently so, my top choices depend on bullet weight. For 230 gr bullets I like HS-6. It gives good velocity, meters well and in my pistols is very accurate.

The 200 gr bullets HS-6 again or Universal is a good powder. With the lighter weight 185 gr, Power Pistol or AA #5 both meter great and very accurate. These are good powders if you reload for the 40 S&W as well.
 
For many years my go to powders for handguns were 231, for light loads or smaller cartridges, Blue Dot, for medium loads and larger cartridges and H110 for magnum loads.

After looking at some older Ideal loading manuals and being disatisfied with how dirty 231 is, Blue Dot shouldn't be used in .41 magnums and Hodgdon is taking any powder Winchester or IMR made and is sticking their own labels on them, I switched all three.

Now my three favorites are Bullseye, Unigue and 2400. The comment about Bullseye and Unique being the jack of all trades and master of none doesn't hold true for me. For the best accuracy in a light load I use Bullseye. For the best accuracy in a self defense load I use Unigue. And they work with a wide range of calibers so they have mastered those uses as far as I'm concerned.
 
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