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View Full Version : Is there a good powder for multiple pistol cartridges



milsurpcollector1970
12-27-2014, 08:56 PM
I shoot 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and .357/38 special.

Is there a powder that I can use for all of them. I just target shoot, but I am thinking about doing idpa with the 40 cal

btroj
12-27-2014, 09:02 PM
There are multiple powders that can work. Red dot would be good. It won't load 357 mag to its fullest but it will be fine in all of them.
Bullseye, Unique, Clays, Win 231, Titwgroup, and about all the other fast to medium burn pistol powders.

JD74
12-27-2014, 09:04 PM
I run Winchester Autocomp in my 380, 9mm, .40 and 45acp. I show load data for the 357 also. Bullseye is another good powder for most pistol calibers.

RobS
12-27-2014, 09:11 PM
A ball powder will meter the best with the smaller charges. I would look toward those and decide which powder is best for the ranges of velocities you are wanting from each caliber.

Sgtonory
12-27-2014, 09:15 PM
I use Red dot and Longshot. In all of the above.

tazman
12-27-2014, 09:22 PM
Hodgdon CFE Pistol is a good powder for all of those as is Accurate Arms #5.
If they had not stopped production, I would also recommend IMR 4756.

Jupiter7
12-27-2014, 09:22 PM
Aa5 and aa2 will also work with edge to aa5 for versatility. As above, unique, bullseye, etc...

KYCaster
12-27-2014, 10:29 PM
http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp


Anything on that list from #10 (Bullseye) to about #98 (Blue Dot) would be a potential candidate. Plenty to choose from.

Jerry

NavyVet1959
12-27-2014, 10:51 PM
I use Alliant Promo (Red Dot equiv) as a starting powder for everything. I've used it for everything from 9mm to .223 to .45-70. It might not be the best for everything, but it can probably be made to work unless you are shooting a semi-auto rifle. If I don't get numbers that I like, I go to another powder from there. For some semi-auto rifles, they end up being a single-shot rifle if you are using it though. When powder is scarce, you make do with what you can get.

John Allen
12-27-2014, 11:04 PM
My go to for most pistol are bullseye, tite group and unique

opos
12-27-2014, 11:08 PM
W231 (or HP38) is my go to on all...just caught a Unicorn..found an 8#jug of 231 so things will continue for the year.

Blackwater
12-27-2014, 11:31 PM
The best all around powder for most pistol calibers, if ya' ain't wed to maximum velocity, is, always has been, and likely always will be Unique. However, it appears to be made of unobtainium right now. When you get a chance, give it a try. They don't call it "Unique" for nothin'.

dragon813gt
12-27-2014, 11:57 PM
Unique, jack of all trades but master of none. I think I'm the only person on this site that doesn't like it. When you add 357 Magnum to the mix you can't use just one powder. You will need at least one magnum powder if you want to load to it's potential. There have been a lot of good suggestions. I settled on W231/HP-38 a long time ago and have been happy ever since. Only using one pistol powder allowed me to stock up before all the nonsense started.

bangerjim
12-28-2014, 12:02 AM
I use TiteGroup for all, but I say use anything you can find in this powder shortage. Do NOT be picky!!!!!

bangerjim

Moonie
12-28-2014, 12:17 AM
Unique, picked up an 8 pounder a few months ago.

hickfu
12-28-2014, 12:20 AM
W231 (or HP38) is my go to on all...just caught a Unicorn..found an 8#jug of 231 so things will continue for the year.

I had been looking for 231 for over 2.5 years and still cannot find any! Its the reason I bought titegroup and power pistol... so I had something to load with. Good find!

brown bass hunter
12-28-2014, 12:21 AM
Titegroup if you can find it. It burns very clean, consistent velocity, and meters great for me. I picked up 4 lbs about a month ago at LGS for $18/lb - glad I got it, as my 8# is running low.

btroj
12-28-2014, 12:39 AM
Unique, jack of all trades but master of none. I think I'm the only person on this site that doesn't like it. When you add 357 Magnum to the mix you can't use just one powder. You will need at least one magnum powder if you want to load to it's potential. There have been a lot of good suggestions. I settled on W231/HP-38 a long time ago and have been happy ever since. Only using one pistol powder allowed me to stock up before all the nonsense started.

I wouldn't say I don't like Unique but I don't seek it out. It does work but I just prefer other powders. I bet I haven't purchased 5 pounds of Unique in 30 years of reloading.

rsrocket1
12-28-2014, 03:04 AM
Don't buy Unique. That leaves more around for me [emoji14]. I've gone through about 10 pounds in the last couple of years in 9/38/357/40/45/.308/7.62.54R and will use more in the future so long as it's available. If not, then I will tap into my shotshell powder stash and use Red Dot.

varmint243
12-28-2014, 08:14 AM
I use WST (Winchester Super Target) sometimes it's easier to find than pistol branded fast powder
It will work and I have used it in 9, 40, 45, 38 special
Probably not the best choice for high velocity 357 magnum loads
It is similar to any other fast ball powder

Lefty Red
12-28-2014, 08:20 AM
I did some searching when I was trying to standardize everything for ease of longistic.
Seem that WW is about the only thing I can find constitantly. So its 231 or Auto Comp.

Jerry

Boyscout
12-28-2014, 09:08 AM
Win 231 for my 45 ACP, 38 special and lite 357 Magnum. Win 296 for 44 Rem Mag and hot 357 Mag. Keeps things simple. I found a 4 lb. can of Win 231 last spring; still unopened.

harley45
12-28-2014, 12:18 PM
Unique and Autocomp works for me.

Shiloh
12-28-2014, 01:02 PM
BullsEye, Unique, AA#5
Higher or full power loads in 357 will require something a bit slower.

Shiloh

W.R.Buchanan
12-28-2014, 01:33 PM
I use W231/HP38 for all of my light to Mid Range pistol rounds including Mid Range .44 Specs and Mags, and H110/296 for Heavy Mag Loads in 44's for my Rifles and Revolvers. If I didn't want some heavy loads I wouldn't need it for the .44's either.

I have a pound of Bullseye I have used on and off for 30+ years I still have about 3/4 left.

Really for pistols you can get by quite nicely with one powder. W231 is my choice but there are other ones that will span the pistol rounds easily.

Not so much the case with rifle rounds. You need several to cover the bases for them.

Randy

brad925
12-28-2014, 08:32 PM
imr SR7625 and Unique are one after the other on the relative burn rate chart.

AFK
12-28-2014, 11:04 PM
My vote is for W231/HP38. I use Titiegroup for 9mm, but for an all around powder I like W231. I only use Unique in 20 ga. sporting clays loads.

scattershot
12-28-2014, 11:58 PM
WW 231/HP38 will work well in all of them.

Ranger185
12-29-2014, 03:49 PM
+1 for this
WW 231/HP38 will work well in all of them.

ballistim
12-29-2014, 04:44 PM
Good powder choices mentioned by all, just want to throw Green Dot into the mix. I've used it in 9mm, 45acp, & 13gr. as a substitute for Red Dot in "the load". Promo was another powder available a while back in 8 lb. & it can be substituted for Red Dot by weight (not volume).

Seeker
12-29-2014, 09:05 PM
Another nod for Titegroup. I use it for .45 Colt, .45 Acp, .40 S/W and 9mm.

scottfire1957
12-29-2014, 09:16 PM
Actually, your answers are in EVERY reloading manual available. You do have some manuals, yes?

runfiverun
12-29-2014, 09:28 PM
even with manuals it's nice to be able to ask others experiences.

i'll throw out another couple of overlooked but still quite useful powders in those rounds.... American select and clays.

but really anything you can find between herco and bulls-eye will do nicely.
the 357 will want a slower powder to go to or near full potential if that's what you want.
I use herco in the bulk of my 357 rounds and will for the next 5 pounds I have on hand, but I got some loaded with clay's,231 and 2400 sitting on the shelf too.

Buck-N-Rut
12-29-2014, 09:55 PM
Try HP38

TXGunNut
12-29-2014, 10:29 PM
Pistol powder? What is this thing you speak of? Other than some CFE I've seen very little of any of it for a long while. I've loaded all the cartridges you mentioned with 231 to good effect.

Big Steve
12-30-2014, 12:57 AM
Nuther' vote for Unique. Great for 9mm, .40, .45, and .38. OK for mid range .357's but the best .357 velocity you're gonna get with a 158 LSWC is about 1100 fps from a 4" barrel.

scottfire1957
12-30-2014, 02:19 AM
I shoot 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and .357/38 special.

Is there a powder that I can use for all of them. I just target shoot, but I am thinking about doing idpa with the 40 cal

1: Respond in threads you start.

2: Buy some manuals and read them, make notes also.

3: Thank the people who have responded to your question.

NavyVet1959
12-30-2014, 03:31 AM
These days, it's not a question of *what* powder is best, but rather what powder you can *find*.

An advantage of having an assortment of calibers in your firearm collection is being able to have *something* to shoot regardless of what powder you happen to find.

GP100man
12-30-2014, 05:16 AM
I`ve turned renegade & changing over to Alliants 20/28 , no published data but did find some loaders using it.

I use uniques data <5% & have loads for 380 40 45 38 357 & 20ga shotshells.

It`s small flaked or flattened ball like 231/hp38 & flows thru the measures I have like water.
Clean, low smoke in it`s workin range.

I trusted my research & handloading skill/exp enuff that I knew I could make this shotgun powder work in some kinda range. My goal was to push the NOE 360-180 rnfp 1k fps & I stopped at 1150fps with no pressure signs( measuring new case heads with a veneer caliper)

GP

ballistim
12-30-2014, 08:47 AM
[QUOTE=runfiverun;3068677]even with manuals it's nice to be able to ask others experiences.

i'll throw out another couple of overlooked but still quite useful powders in those rounds.... American select and clays.]

+1 here to what runfiverun said. Advising a newer reloader to refer to loading manuals is always good advice, but there should also be a place for sharing knowledge about the questions asked. I really appreciate when someone brings up something that one doesn't see in current manuals i.e. use of pistol powders in rifles. Some powder manufacturers are pushing their rifle/shotgun/pistol powders for those uses only omitting good "pistol" or "shotgun" powders for rifles. Manuals compiled by manufacturers are often proprietary and limited in powder choices. I own many both old & new and still wind up using something that I've stumbled on elsewhere. BTW as mentioned by other members; don't start a thread and fail to respond after the time & effort others put into posting answers to your questions.

6bg6ga
12-30-2014, 09:54 AM
You absolutely don't want 231!! Please send it my way and I will dispose of it properly.

Centaur 1
12-30-2014, 09:43 PM
My two favorites are hp-38 and power pistol. I might be crazy, but I like the way power pistol makes my little LCP bark.

captaint
12-31-2014, 05:32 PM
Another vote for SR7625. I sorta call it Unique that meters very nicely. I load it the same way. My most accurate 9mm load is with 7625. Not a record breaker, but accurate. I've been using a lot of Titegroup lately also. Works well, too.....

jonp
12-31-2014, 05:55 PM
Promo and Unique. If you cant get it done with those you should buy your ammo

jmort
12-31-2014, 06:35 PM
Agree, use Red Dot/Promo, Unique, and BlueDot or 2400. They work on most every cartridge in a power continuum