powder & primers?

[45fan]

This is more of a question of supplies rather than equipment so I hope I am asking this question in the correct area.

Is there an all around powder to use that will work well for all my different calibers? I am shooting hand gun rounds everything from .38 out of the wifes 2 inch snubby (light 105 grain swc for her to practice with) also 9mm, 40s&w and my personal favorite and what i shoot the most 45 acp. Largest I shoot is a 200 grain frn usually light (so the wife can have fun too) target practice rounds but I do want to shoot some at higher +P velocities for real world defensive round practice as well. I have all my equipement to start reloading, just getting ideas as to what would be the best powder and primers (large and small) to use. I would really like to be able to use just one powder for all my different calibers since they are all hand gun rounds and none are magnum type rounds.

I am sure there will several different ideas coming my way but I would like to hear what the majority of people are using to see if there is a certain powder most agree upon, and why you like that particular powder. I would like it to be a very clean burning powder too. I had a friend load a few for me before i decided to give it a go myself and he used a powder that he said he used in his shot gun rounds as well as his hand gun rounds and to me it seamed very like a lot of residue and a lot of smoke too.

Learning a lot in this forum thanks to all, so much info to be learned here and sorry if this question as been asked before and I missed it.

[Moonie]

Unique will cover all of those, and do reduced power rifle loads as well. Clays would probably do well also for just pistol rounds.

[GT1]

Win231/Hodgdon HP-38(same powder) is a favorite for people that want to do that. I see load data for all those calibers.

Primers are whatever ones you can get cheap. I don't buy russian made(wolf/tula) but many use them without issues. I like CCI, or Winchester.

As always, you need to work up loads, start low and be safe. :)

[Sonnypie]

I have settled on Unique for me.
I already load it in my 30-06 rounds, and plan to use it in my 45 ACP when I use up my W-231.
Look through your reloading manual(s) and see what they show for the calibers you want to load.
I want to use cast bullets in those two, and Unique covers both for me. ;)

Oh and you asked about primers. I prefer CCI.
I use Magnum LR primers for rifle. And regular LP for pistol.
I stick with what has always worked for me without fail for 50 years.
Others work, too. I just like CCI myself.

[Moonie]

Forgot to mention, I stick with CCI or Winchester primers, as my progressive doesn't like others.

[Jack Stanley]

I use unigue for situation like you describe and as for primers I've always tried to use Winchester . Winchester Primers work best in my progressive press as well , though if I'm using a primer seater that I have to feed one at I time I'll use any American primer .

Jack

[geargnasher]

Win231/Hodgdon HP-38(same powder) is a favorite for people that want to do that. I see load data for all those calibers.

Primers are whatever ones you can get cheap. I don't buy russian made(wolf/tula) but many use them without issues. I like CCI, or Winchester.

As always, you need to work up loads, start low and be safe. :)

This is one of those threads where every answer is going to be different, but I would have to agree wholeheartedly with W231/HP38, get an 8lb jug of it and never look back. It has the right burn rate for all the calibers listed to burn cleanly, efficiently, and still drop enough powder volume in the cases that it's easy to see. 231 is a very accurate powder in the 1911 with 200 grain boolits, and cycles the action well with light to midrange loads.

As for primers I buy CCI and Federal. CCI for all the progressives and pistol rounds, Federal for most of my rifle stuff except tube mag guns.

If I could have only ONE powder for everything, it would include rifle and shotgun too, and would have to be UNIQUE. Oddly, I don't burn a lot of Unique because I have no guns in which it is the "best" powder. My .45 Colts prefer either Red Dot or HS6, my .38's prefer Bullseye, my .357 Magnums prefer either 2400 or Universal depending on the load range, 44 likes 2400, .40 likes HS6, 9mm likes Longshot or Power Pistol, .38 Super is liking Power Pistol, .45 ACP shoots just about anything but 231 has an edge.

Gear

[45fan]

If I could have only ONE powder for everything, it would include rifle and shotgun too, and would have to be UNIQUE. Oddly, I don't burn a lot of Unique because I have no guns in which it is the "best" powder. My .45 Colts prefer either Red Dot or HS6, my .38's prefer Bullseye, my .357 Magnums prefer either 2400 or Universal depending on the load range, 44 likes 2400, .40 likes HS6, 9mm likes Longshot or Power Pistol, .38 Super is liking Power Pistol, .45 ACP shoots just about anything but 231 has an edge.

Gear

Thanks for all the options everybody.

Gear when you say your guns prefer a particular powder i take it you found this out by trial and error, and that by prefer you mean that particular gun is the most accurate (with all else being the same with) using that particular powder?

[429421Cowboy]

I also like Unique for my personal needs, not because it does on thing great but because it does so many thing well. For the calibers your loading, and also likely any caliber you may load in the future would likely be excelent with W231/HP38 and i think most of the guys here would agree with me. I have no experence with Win primers but many here love them, I have never had a misfire from a CCI primer in many thousands of LP, lots of LPM, LR and LRM primers.
If Gear says to you that he uses a particular powder (or a particular anything) you can be sure it's because he's gone the full mile and a half with it, I take his knowledge to the bank.

[Thin Man]

+1 on GT1's comments. WW231/HP39 would work nicely to get you where you want to be. By holding to only one powder for starters you can perfect your loading technique, focus on the appropriate powder charge for the caliber/boolit weight, gain experience and confidence in your loading activities. This powder will carry you from light loads to punch paper up to stout loads for defense loadings. As time passes you can (and will want to) expand your powder selections for more definition from your loads. Primers are anything American made, price will be the deciding factor in your location. This is an endless journey. Enjoy!

Thin Man

[cgm]

I'm surprised no one has suggested Bullseye so, I'll step forward. I agree Unique is a good and versatile powder. However, I can usually do the same thing w/Bullseye more economically (read: less powder weight charge).

[Reload3006]

+1 for Unique in Pistol It will give a decent load in every pistol I have ever loaded for. Rifle is a little tougher but having to narrow down to one IMR 3031. it will give you the best results in some mediocre in others but will make the boolit go down the bore.

[Wayne Smith]

First shop your local shops and see what powders are routinely available. Next get your loading manuals and compare powders and charges to see what fits your shooting desires. Since you are just starting its too soon to be buying 8lb jugs of anything. Buy a couple of 1lb cans of the powders available to you and try them in your guns. When you find what you like go shopping for 8lb jugs.

[beagle]

Unique's the way to go. It's not the best for all applications but you can load about anything with it. When I was starting out, I was loading light cast loads for a Springfield 03, .38 Special loads and 12 guage field loads. Multiple powders were not within my limited budget so I fell back on Unique and got by just fine until more prosperous times./beagle

[hk33ka1]

Win231/HP-38. Any primers you can get. I like Winchester since they are always stocked locally.

[Bealzybub]

Has anyone that reads this had problems with Tula primers? Inquiring minds wanna know.

[Pig Train Caboose]

Unique powder with CCI primers is usually the route I take.

[Mk42gunner]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, WW231 is a ball powder and will flow well through virtually any powder measure that you can find.

Primers: The .38, 9mm, and .40 all take small pistol primers. The .45ACP has brass available for both sizes, depending on which brand you use.

Personally I like Winchester primers, they are usually available at gunshows in quantity.

Robert