The "ONE"

[lastborn]

I know this has probably been discussed and beat to death but, I have used the search feature and can't find the answer, so here goes.
For these calibers, .380* .9mm* 38/357* 45 colt* 30/30* 35 rem* 45/70* 7mm-08 {LOADING ONLY CAST BOOLITS}
If for any reason you were limited to ONLY ONE POWDER to do all your reloading---what would it be? I'm thinking unique or sr4759 but I don't have anywhere near the experience that is present here and that is why I'm asking. If there is already a thread addressing this, please direct me to it and just delete this one.
Thanks

[Larry Gibson]

"all your reloading" is the problem with selecting 1 powder for those specific cartridges if cast an jacketed bullets are included in "all". One powder is not going to cover the wide range of loads one might want to use with those cartridges. Selecting just one powder will be a compromise to all of them. With those cartridges 2 powders will cover the wide range of loading that may be done with any of them.

I would sellect Bullseye for the 380 - 45 Colt with Unique bing an alternate. I would select 4895 for use in the 7mm-08, 30/30, 35 Rem and 45/70 with RL7 as the alternate. The Bullseye/Unique can also be used in light loads for these cartridges.

Actually, those 2 powder selections are what I most often use in all of those cartridges; Bullseye and 4895.

Larry Gibson

[linotype]

Hmmmm... that's a tough one.

I load very few jacketed rounds any more, and could give up copper clad altogether.

Unique has always been my favourite handgun and light load rifle powder, 6 grains of Unique for 357, 8 grains for 44 and 45 Colt, and 9 to 10 grains for cast bullet rifle. Use 2.7 or 2.8 grains Bullseye for 38 wadcutter rounds.

I noticed a trend in the Lyman Cast Bullet book where 5744 worked well. A few posts here also recommended using it. I found that 5744 does fine in a wide range of calibers.

I've seen warnings concerning reduced loads in SR4759.

I suppose that in a real pinch for lack of Bullseye or Unique smokeless reloading powder, I could limit my loading to straight cases – 38/357, 44/44mag, 45 Colt, and 45-70 filled with black powder. ;)

[btroj]

I will never have just one powder. No one powder can do it all.

Is their one powder, like unique, that will work in almost any cartridge? Yes. Unique is so far from ideal in way too many situations to make this even remotely feasible for me.

This is like asking " If you could only have one mould what would it be?".

[BruceB]

It is to laff....

"all my reloading" embraces cartridges from the 9mm Parabellum to the .50 Browning Machine-gun round in case size. I've been trying, REALLY trying, to cut down the number of powder types on hand....HAH! At last count I had 37, and a few others have likely crept in since that inventory.

"What's the best boat?" "What's the best hand tool?" same thing....best for WHAT?

[nanuk]

BruceB, can you suggest the "Best" Tire for me???

I have a Honda Civic, a Case 930 Diesel tractor, and a Chev C/K20 3/4ton with a heavy camper....

:kidding:

[lastborn]

I have on hand Tite group, Bulls eye,Unique,2400,H110,414,RL-7,RL-15,4895,4350,4064 and maybe one or two more. I just thought if the stuff hit the fan and you had to just grab one or two powders and head for the hills, what would you grab?
thanks

[btroj]

I don't think about that as I don't think it will happen. I don't tend to plan for events I don't expect to happen. I don't stockpile food or water. I have enough stuff to load for a year or two but that is all.
Maybe I am not paranoid enough?

[220swiftfn]

Unfortunately, what has already been said is true. One powder for all listed isn't feasible without sacrificing something somewhere. That being said, I believe that the best you can hope for would be Trail Boss. It won't win any velocity races, but it'll push cast boolits out the bore on all the rounds you list (you'll probably have to re-spring the auto's for functioning tho....)


Dan

[Bret4207]

Unique. It isn't the "best", but it'll do.

[9.3X62AL]

What Bret said. Not the best for getting optimum work from the rifle rounds, but it can suffice.

[Ben]

Unique will work in the 12 ga., 38 Spec., 30-06 and about 400 other applications.............

Not perfect mind you, but it will work.

If " hard times" came and I could only get one powder to use to reload, I'd be tempted to use Unique. You could build self defense loads for revolver or make a nice cast bullet load for your 30-06 to kill a deer ( not ideal mind you ), but it could be done if the distances were reasonable. You wouldn't be shooting the 06' at 2,700 fps with Unique, but that cast bullet at 1,400 fps placed properly will bring home venison .

[bhn22]

Once again... Unique. Not optimum for every application, but adequate for most, if top end velocities aren't a priority.

It is properly named.

[leadman]

linotype, SR4759 was made for reduced rifle loads. Don't confuse it with SR4756.

Unique and 4895 would load most firearms. I have even used 4895 in the 7mm Rem Magnum for slightly reduced loads.