Powders to learn with

[oldRoger]

Roadranger, based upon my 50 years of experience I am now prepared to declare you officially ready to use Bullseye! .............................................. Enjoy!

Red Dot may not meter particularly well, but its low density makes it very forgiving of the +/_ .1 gr range seen from most powder measures.

 

[BruceM]

IMO, there is no such thing. Some mistakes are amplified by the propellant used but selecting one based on the notion of a "recoverable oops" is not good operating procedure. When learning reloading, the idea is to develop procedures and habits which preclude mistakes.

Something for consideration.

Bruce

 

[Smitty500Mag]

Learning powder?? That's like shopping for a learners parachute! You damn well better get it right the first time or it could be your last!

Smitty

 

[Brander]

Developing procedures and habbits that are safe is, of course, basic when learning reloading. But, everybody is more prone to mistakes when learning something new, despite the best teachers and careful habbits. I think it is wise to use a powder that fills most of the case when beginning, as a backup safety measure. I have seen a couple of KB's from beginning reloaders that were from double loads, and both these guys turned out to be excellent reloaders.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Let me shed some light on the "learner's powder" thing.


I think the term is being misunderstood.

If you were just starting out loading what powder would be the best one to use, should be the question.

The answer then is not a certain powder but rather powder type, configuration.

Should someone start out with a Lee Auto Disk with Unique, 800x or some other powder that is difficult to meter at times, (at least in the 4-5gr ranges anyway) or AA#2, Bullseye, HP-38/W231?

The "powder to learn with" would be the one, at least in my opinion, that would keep subsequent problems from cropping up, like bridging or leaking or squibs and such like.

I think that is the inference made by the OP.

 

[duckloads]

I agree with Joni that between those two, I'd go with 231.

However if you're not opposed to buying another propellant, I'd suggest using TrailBoss. It is almost impossible to double charge a case with TB. Works well with a wide range of cartidges and lead bullets at moderate "cowboy" level loads.

Good suggestion

 

[oldRoger]

+1 for both Smith Crazy and Brander, This is not the case of training wheels on the bicycle.

The best choice in a first powder is one which helps to form those good habits which will lead to a lifetime of using your own fingers.
In previous posts I have seen advocated the idea of weighing all charges when you start handloading, in my view a first class idea.
I advocate using a loading block, and before placing the bullet checking the case for powder. This is another time when a less dense powder helps because it shows up better in the case and an under or over charge is easier to spot.
I would like to develop the habit of always looking in the case before handseating the bullet, even when graduating to a progressive w/powder cop. It is very good I think to know what you are looking for at this point.
I started with Bullseye, at the time, most people did, I believe the only commonly available pistol powders in my neck of the world were Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 then. But, I do not think fast burn rate dense powders are a good way to start.
I very much like the AA & VV powder lines and they are about all that I use anymore.

 

[Zackary]

Thank you for the great advice, esp. Brander and crazy smith for clarifying my post, ie learning the process correctly by minimizing room for error. I have a very healthy respect for what I'll be doing. I'm wise enough not to " make the mistake of all mistakes", thinking that I can't make a mistake. Again thanks.

 

[BE Mike]

I started out with a Lee Loader and used the dipper to load Bullseye for .38 SPL target loads. This was about 1972 and I haven't had any major problems and I shoot a lot. As long as you are careful and don't have any distractions while reloading, you won't have any problems. Alliant Bullseye is the most popular powder for reloading pistol cartridges. It's accurate for target loads and cheap. Believe me, it's not the powder, it's the loose nut behind the reloader that you have to worry about. Go slow and get it right. If something goes wrong, you really can't blame anything or anyone but yourself.

 

[johngalt]

My first powder was Green Dot, it meters very poorly and was a horrible experience. I would chose something that meters well. When first learning to reload, you have enough problems to worry about without creating artificial ones.

I use both Bullseye and W231, but prefer Bullseye. I think Bullseye meters better but either will work well.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
How are you going to measure your charge,
if by scale there are many
if by dipper there are fewer
if by power drop measure fewer yet...
The faster you go the more important the powder type gets.
I started with a lee loader and a dipper, use there charts and all will
be well [built in fuge factor]
weigh your charge is best but takes time [you can make what you want.
droping is the fastest but you can get light drops or with the wrong
powder double charges..
Of the two I would use the 231 as it will be easy to measure and use
the most space in the case.
The other is more of a special use powder as it takes very little
to get in trouble [best for target or low cost loads]