Too many Powders

[walnutred]

I agree with the comments regarding BE and Unique, however I also keep 231 and Green Dot on hand. The Green Dot not only works well for many pistol ctgs but doubts as a powder for my 16ga. I used to joke that if I had to choose ONE powder for everything it would be FFFG. I can make everything except my Garand function with cast bullets FFFG. As an experiment I once loaded my 375 H&H with cast bullets and FFFG.

 

[cmort666]

since I discovered Red Dot (my b-in-law is a shotshell loader & gave me 1/4lb) I use it for all cast slugs loads in .32acp, .380acp, 9Mak, 9mm Para, .357mag and .45acp.

Red Dot makes an excellent gallery load for rounds like .30-06, 7.92x57 Mauser and 7.62x54mmR Russian, especially with cast bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I had to I could be happy with only W231, HS-6 and W296 for handguns and H4895 or Varget for rifles.

Right now I have:

Pistol Powders:
W231/HP-38
W296/H110
AA#5
2400
Clays
Lil'Gun
HS-6
Power Pistol
Unique
Longshot
TrailBoss

Rifle Powders:
IMR4198
IMR3031
IMR4064
IMR4895
IMR4350
H335
H4895
Varget
H4350

I know I can do with less but I feel if one powder does very well with a caliber I load why not just buy that powder. (when available) I see no difference if I buy 4 different powders instead of just one or two. You end up buying just as much powder no matter how many different types you buy. (although when you buy in bulk you save money)

 

[acl864]

For pistol I currently load 38/357 and 9x18 Mak. Will be starting on 32 S&W Long soon.
The powders I have:
Clays
Bullseye
W231/HP-38
SR-7625
Universal
Unique
SR-4756

For Rifle I'm just getting started with 270 Win and 30-30 WCF I have two powders:
H-335
IMR-4350

I'll definitely add some more powders as time goes on- especially some different rifle powders and some magnum pistol powders (maybe 2400 or H-110 for starters). Some folks can load for years and never use more than a couple powders. Personally I like variety. If I had to pick two for pistol it'd be Bullseye and Universal.

 

[Bat Guano]

Less IS more. Been using Unique since 1962. I have some 2400 on the shelf for the .44 Magnums I don't shoot anymore. AA2520 and pulldown 4895 for the "gas guns".

Oh, yeah, and some FFg.

 

[RV4driver]

W231/HP38, and Reloader 15 for .223. One nice thing about W231/HP38 is that if a load isn't listed under 231, the load under HP38 is the same thing.

I did pick up some WSF for .45, but haven't loaded any yet.
There is some 748 left over from before I used RL15. And some other misc. that just sit there.
Promo or 700X for shotshell. I go through A LOT of that these days. 8lb jugs seem to evaporate. (It's weird going through 8lbs in no time after having 1lb bottles last so long with pistol loads).

The RL15 seems to be immune to temp swings. 231/HP38 is good for both 9mm and .38 spcl. Beats stocking numerous powders.

Jeff
Semper Paratus

 

[fredj338]

I could probably do all 11 handgun calibers w/ Unique or WSF. I have too many powders on the shelf right now & need to load up some plinkers w/ the odd ball ones. Unique or WSF for med. burner, WST or W231 for fast burner & 2400 or H110 for heavy magnums loads. Someplace in there I have put Longshot or AA#7 for loading the 357sig & 10mm, also does well in the 40.
9mm - WST, W231, Unique & WSF
38sp - W231, Unique & WSF
357sig - Longshot
357m - Unique, 2400 & H110
40s&w -WSF, Unique & Longshot
10mm - AA#7, Lonshot & Unique
41mag - Unique, 2400 & H110
44mag - Unique, 2400 & H110
45acp - WST, W231 & Unique
45AR - WST, W231 & Unique
45colt - Unique & 2400

 

[kcoruol]

I got a good deal on 8lb of 700x so I've been using mostly that. My hornady powder dispenser doesn't like it so much and it makes a heck of a lot of smoke.

I just recently started using Ramshot's True Blue which I really like, meters very well and very little smoke.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Well, I'm down to several LBS of powder in only 2 kinds, IMR4350 & Unique.

I'm trying to make my life simple.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Because of competition with different powder companies,there is a vast number of powders on the market.For the most part,there is a lot of redundant duplication in all this.

When I began reloading,there were not that many powders available and frankly speaking,there is little advantage today.There is a good side to lots of variety but also a down side...it creates confusion,especially among newcommers....there is the perception that there will be one that is the holy grail.

What powders one should stock up on will be entirely dependent on what he shoots the most.It's that simple.

For my own personal loading/shooting,the following can serve quite well...

Handgun.....Unique & W296/H110

Rifle.....4895 & 4350

Shotgun....Longshot

Throw in some FFFG and that's all I'd ever need.

 

[scattershot]

I use Unique in just about every handgun I own. I agree that it's becoming confusing with all the powders out there (especially the Clays.. how many are there now?) There may be better choices for a specific application, but give me Unique and I'm a happy camper.

A friend of mine just gave me a 12# keg of Red Dot, so guess what I'm working up loads with? free is good.

 

[bubbajoe45]

I started reloading for handguns with a pound each of Unique and AA#5. It was soon evident that Unique was cleaner and more accurate. I've used it consistently (and sometimes exclusively) ever since. I have more powders now than ever before, but you are right - only a few will do. Simplify . . .

I do like Trailboss for .44 Spl pinking loads. Currently have Unique, Trailboss, W231, H110, and 2400. I load for .38/.357, .44 Spl and mag, and .45 ACP. Bought the H110 for 7.62x39 and liked it for .44 mag.

I have too many rifle powders and don't even begin to have the time it would take to compare them all. I load for 30.06 Garand and bolt gun, 7.62x39 and .300WSM. I have 4320, 4350, 4895, and Varget. I think the 4350 is probably all I need.

 

[rewster]

Win 231 for all handguns.

.45 ACP
.45 Auto Rim
.40 S&W
.357 Mag
.38 Spl
.38 S&W
9MM
9MM Makarov

Rifle Powders

Varget
IMR4895
H4895
IMR4064
Win 296

 

[Jimmymac46]

Either the majority of responders to this thread are old timers like me, or the youth of today is far more savy than I imagined. It must be running 80% or better for this combination:

Bulleye, Unique and H-110 or 2400

They handle each and every target, midrange or magnum load in all my 38/357, 44 special/44 mag, and 45 acp firearms. While I imagine there are a number of superior powders available today that weren't available even 10 years ago, I have no motivation to change or try any new ones.

One note- I always seem to get a small amount of unburned powder when using 2400 and not so with H-110/296. This is with or without magnum primers, heavy or medium crimp, and with near max loads. Anyone else. Just interested.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Jimmy,

A small amount of unburned powder seems to be the nature of the beast with 2400.Still,it's an excellent powder and I will always keep some on hand.

 

[johngalt]

I don't get any unburned 2400 when loading for .357 (160 gr LSWC on top of 14 gr, standard primer). I find it to be MUCH cleaner than unique. I've never used H-110/W296, so I can't compare it to those.

 

[uncle norman]

I've been furiously working up loads for my 629-6 .44 mag. What I've settled on is Blue Dot for 750ft/lb loads for Grandma, AA7 for 850ft/lbs for Gramps and AA9 for 950ft/lbs for hogs, dogs and Big Foot. My gun loves these loads but doesn't like W296. Interestingly, the hotter I loaded the 296 the better the groups got and the dirtier they started to shoot. At the end they seemed almost as dirty as the Winchester White Box (Q4240). With the above three powders I can shoot light, medium or "normal."

 

[Step N. Mud]

sounds like lots of info here.
I too could be happy with Unique, Bullseye, 231 & 2400 and nice to be able to have so many choice's. I had purchased a 8lb. jug of 231 several years ago for loading up 38s, but still have a lot left, but then end up with a teaspoon of Unique or Bullseyes in one lb. bottles. One thing about Unique is I can use for .38s,44,45, 38-55 & 45-70 and be happy with accuracy for my abilities. But then I've really become a fan of Bullseye lately for 44s, It never seems to end.

 

[Noah Zark]

For my needs in handgun powders, W231, Unique, 2400, and 4227 do the job. I've played with a can of Titegroup, but I don't see a discernable difference in performance between it and Unique in 45 Colt and 44 Magnum, at least in the loads I use.

Noah

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Noah,

Has anyone ever told you that you bear an amazing resemblance to the late Robert Palmer?It's really quite amazing.

Incidently,I like your name very much....AND NO,I'm not sucking up because you're a moderator.