2 Best Powders for Many Applications

[jonp]

I've looked.through several threads on powders and posted a few of my own asking questions about differnt ones but thought I would try this one.

With powder somewhat hard to find, at least specific powder we are looking for, we often are teying out new ones when found. I ran across some Promo and bought 8lbs for $90 and have had good results in 9mm, 45acp, 357mag, 44mag and 45lc. Not the greatest nor most powerful but acceptable. For higher end loads i've always been a believer in H110 but ended up with 2 lbs of 2400. I'm not hunting buffalo so it should work fine in my 45lc under 250-270gr boolits.

My question is what would be your 2 favorite powders for the calibers I mentioned in std + mag loads for general use?

[imashooter2]

Bullseye and 2400.

[Lead Fred]

30 cal = IMR4895
45 cal = Reloader 7

that covers everything I own

[Sasquatch-1]

I use Unique in low pressure loads (works well in 9MM 38 and 44 mag, do not load any 45's so not sure) and either 296 or 2400 for the heavy magnum loads that are needed in my Desert Eagle.

[btroj]

For handguns it would be hard to beat Unique and 2400.

[ku4hx]

A couple of years ago I bought 4# canisters of Ramshot True Blue and Alliant Power Pistol. I shot up my Power Pistol and for 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP I'm standardizing on the True Blue. It's very clean burning, gives good accuracy and velocity. In my Dillon presses, a double charge is quite obvious and metering is extremely smooth and precise.

For the magnum calibers I still like 2400 for full power and True Blue for lower power. No 357 Magnum low power load with True Blue yet but it's coming. Same for 38 Special.

For the 10mm I favor AA#9 for full house and True Blue for lower power.

[RobS]

Herco (a bit slower burning than Unique) and 2400 are good ones. I prefer Herco over Unique due to the slower burn rate and it giving similar velocities at lower pressures. I agree H110 for the upper end loads but AA#9 and Enforcer/AA4100 are good ones too for the mid to upper end.

[Bonz]

9mm & .357 definitely PowerPistol, love the loud report and flaming muzzle... Also agree on needing faster powder for the .45acp. I really like Vihtavuori N340 for .45acp but its way too slow and leaves a lot of unburned powder. Going to move up to N320 to resolve that. .38 special & .40 S&W work with just about any powder I have tried

[detox]

Winchester 231 and 296

Allient Unique and 2400

[Jim]

The three powders I keep on hand for handgun calibers are Bullseye, Unique and WC 820, the milsurp equivalent of AA9. The burn speed of 820 is right next to 2400, so with some fine tuned adjustments, I can use 820 when the data calls for 2400 or AA9.

[Char-Gar]

If limited to 2 they would be Bullseye and Unique. If I could add a third for top end 357 and 44 Magnum loads it would be 2400. In fact they are the only three powders I keep and use for handgun (and most rifle cast bullet) loads. I buy in bulk and keep a 10-15 year supply so I won't get caught with my pants down by politics and current events.

[TCFAN]

I have 3 powders that I always keep on hand. Bullseye Unique and 2400. Those 3 will let me load any cartridge with cast that I might ever want to load for.Maybe not the best load but one of the three will let me keep shooting when I can't find the powder of choice for a particular cartridge........Terry

[DanWalker]

I use Red Dot(same as Promo) and 2400 to load the calibers you listed. 6.5 grains under a 250 grain boolit in 45LC is a GREAT all around load. 18.5 grains of 2400 under the same boolit is a terrific hunting load.

[badboyparamedic]

700X and H335 are my choices if I could only have 2, 700X works in about all pistol loads and works in my 12 gauge. H335 works in every rifle load that I use. Both will work with cast and jacketed bullets.

[Cane_man]

Longshot for semiautos, also workable in magnum revolvers: outstanding in 10mm/40SW/357Sig, serviceable in 9mm and 45acp, functional in 357 Mag and 44 Mag


for Rifle it would be Varget for the calibers i shoot: 223, 243, 308

[Mk42gunner]

For the calibers mentioned I can get by with Winchester 231 and Alliant 2400.

For rifles, it is a different story.

Robert

[JSH]

If I was limited to two powders unique and 4895. One would be hard pressed to find any caliber that one or both of these didn't work in. Not saying the best but have always been fairly accurate in any cartridge I have tried them in. If I don't have 8 pounds of each on hand I feel kinda naked.
Jeff

[Whiterabbit]

My question is what would be your 2 favorite powders for the calibers I mentioned in std + mag loads for general use?

4198 and 4895. If I am loading lead, EVERYTHING I load and shoot uses these two powders. Rifle or pistol.

[kostner]

If I was limited to two powders unique and 4895. One would be hard pressed to find any caliber that one or both of these didn't work in. Not saying the best but have always been fairly accurate in any cartridge I have tried them in. If I don't have 8 pounds of each on hand I feel kinda naked.
Jeff
Never thought of it that way but I'll have to agree with your choice of powders and as you pointed out I'm feeling kind of naked.
I reload about a dozen calibers and those two powders could fit the bill on them all. Now if only they were available. Good tip thanks.

[runfiverun]

one that's not too fast and one that is not too slow.
I alwys have red-dot, unique, and 2400 on hand.
for rifles I have aa-2230, imr 4895, and rl-19.
those are my bulk quantity powders.

others like clays,700-x, titegroup, or 231.
green dot, universal, herco.
aa#9, steel, or 800-x would fill in the same roles.
and for some specialty applications or where they are shown as needed I will get a pound or two for a specific application.
I actually have all the above but aa#9 and green dot on hand.

[detox]

Bullseye is one of the nastiest burning powders on this planet. Leaves gun very dirty. My n320 powder burns LOTS cleaner.

[H.Callahan]

I have 3 powders that I always keep on hand. Bullseye Unique and 2400. Those 3 will let me load any cartridge with cast that I might ever want to load for.Maybe not the best load but one of the three will let me keep shooting when I can't find the powder of choice for a particular cartridge........Terry
Back when I started reloading, this was considered the "Holy Trinity" of powders. I play with other powders, but those three I try to keep in stock at all times. IF I absolutely had to eliminate one it would, reluctantly, be Bullseye. If I added one in the "always stock" it would be Herco

[felix]

Yes, the VV powders are the cleanest across the entire speed range. DuPont has some excessively clean burning powders too, like PB and 4756 which work under 10K cup/psi. However, all powders will burn clean when asked to do so, intentionally or not! Just run the pressure up within the cartridge to where all carbon (for example) oxidizes. ... felix

[zxcvbob]

Probably Bullseye and Power Pistol. I think you can load any pistol cartridge close to its full potential with those two.
But I have 8 lbs of Promo and 16 lbs of AA#7 already, and they cover almost everything too -- it gets a little sparse in the middle because they don't overlap as much as BE and PP.

[Cane_man]

i agree VV powders and very clean and they are efficient... my magnum revolvers luv VV N105

[Harter66]

I came into loading w/ just Unique and 4831,then I found out the were smaller rifle cartridges than 30-06'. I did some research. Now there's just Unique and IMR4350 ,although I have on hand some 4756 and 800x for steel shot.

W/IMR4350,IMR4756 and Unique I can load everything in the closet from 90gr 7x6.8 Rem to 225 gr 06' or 2 000B in a 410 to 1 1/4 swan slayers and RB in the 12s,80gr 380 auto up to(and beyond) 270gr 45 Colts , all of the above from 600 fps to full tilt WTH was I thinking. That's good enough for me.

[pdawg_shooter]

4895 and 4350 for rifles, 2400 and AA5 for hand guns.

[jonp]

This is very interesting. Some of the same powders keep popping up. 2400, Unique, Bullseye in a number of posts and 4895 Which I hadn't really thought of.

I have Promo (red dot), Unique, Bullseye, Universal, 2400 and 231 on hand. I'm going to burn some up and go down to those 3 I mentioned before I think.

Red Dot was mentioned a few times. I might have to load up on 2400, Unique and Red Dot but I am surprised no-one mentioned the Universal.

[Shiloh]

Unique and 2400. I prefer 2400 the 296. Unique pretty much covers it.

Shiloh

[Ohio Rusty]

I'm not as experienced as many reloaders on here .... but for the last 5 years or so, I have has excellent success with both Unique and 2400 for magnum loads. Let me add a third that I think is an excellent powder. I love Trailboss for wadcutter loads, light shooting loads and target loads in .38.
If I were to ever just use 3 powders .... those would be my first picks.

[MTtimberline]

Unique would be the most versatile to cover a wider range of cartridges. I would also have to extend it to the basic three of Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 for handguns. 231 (HP-38) would be one also to consider.

[labradigger1]

my vote would be, bullseye, unique (can load just about everything with unique) and a toss up between 296 and 2400, on second thought defiantly 2400 as you can reduce the loads and 296 not as forgiving.

[Catshooter]

Universal is it for only one. It's just like Unique, only grown up. Much cleaner, flash suppressed, very forgiving.

Universal & 2400 for two only.

Those two will do all I really need. AA 2230 & FFG round out the supply.

Universal covers: 380, 9mm, 40, 45 ACP AR GAP Colt, 38 spl, 44 spl, 225 Win, 30-30, 7.62x54r, 38-55 and the wonderful 45-70.

2400: 45 Colt, 30-30, 45-70, 38-55 & x54r

AA 2230 for 225, 30-30, 38-55.

FFG for 20 gauge (with all brass shells) and .58 muzzle stuffing.


Cat

[smokeywolf]

I'm with Shiloh. If I'm limited to two, Unique and 2400. I sure would miss having IMR 4895 though.

smokeywolf

[otter5555]

i dont need 2 powders

any one of my favorites will do just fine in my 44 mag, 30 wcf and .223 rem

i have loaded all (and still do today) with bullseye, 4227, unique, clays, 2400, 700x, wsf, h110, etc

cast or jacketed

yes, there are better powders for the 30 wcf and 223 but those listed above are very accurate and really cheap to load.

otter

[Pistol Champ]

Trail Boss if you only want 1 powder.

[jaysouth]

231 and 2400.

Has anyone tried Alliant e3? The price is right.

[LynC2]

If I was limited to two powders unique and 4895. One would be hard pressed to find any caliber that one or both of these didn't work in. Not saying the best but have always been fairly accurate in any cartridge I have tried them in. If I don't have 8 pounds of each on hand I feel kinda naked.
Jeff

I agree; if I could only have 2 powders they would cover the majority of my needs. Not that I would be happy with that restriction, but I could live with it.

[MtGun44]

Unique & 2400.

If I was looking for most economical, it would be BE or TG and 2400.

Bill

[warf73]

Red Dot and 2400 maybe not the best but can do the job.

[tengaugetx]

I use IMR4895 and Bullseye for everything I load except my 22 Hornet. I use lil' gun in the hornet.

[Char-Gar]

Bullseye is one of the nastiest burning powders on this planet. Leaves gun very dirty. My n320 powder burns LOTS cleaner.

I am old school, I clean my guns after a shooting session and wash my hands after. I don't understand this generation's aversion to soap, water and powder solvent.

[H.Callahan]

I am old school, I clean my guns after a shooting session and wash my hands after. I don't understand this generation's aversion to soap, water and powder solvent.
Agreed. I have never seen the problem with a, so called, "dirty" powder. The are all dirty. No powder is going to clean your gun for you, so if you are going to clean your gun, what does it matter if one powder is dirtier than the other. If you don't clean your gun, then, again, what does it matter?

[cja245]

Unique and 2400. If I can choose a separate category for rifles, 4198 and 4895. These are the only 4 powders I use so its not really a difficult choice. I like to keep my component selection as simple as possible

[Green Lizzard]

if i could only have 2 (i hope tha never happens) unique an 4895 handguns rifles 22 hornet to 45-70 and shotguns to boot

[detox]

Bullseye is one of the nastiest burning powders on this planet. Leaves gun very dirty. My n320 powder burns LOTS cleaner.

I clean my guns after i shoot and Bullseye is still one of the nastiest burning poweders on this planet. Leaves gun very dirty. My n320 burns LOTS cleaner with light loads.

[colt1960]

I think the 2 best powders for many applications would be Unique and 2400 hands down in my book. Ive got 4 basic powders I keep for cast reloading. Unique,2400,Reloader7 and 3031. Rick!

[treadwm]

For 9mm, I've become partial to Winchester WSF. Has worked well under a variety of bullets.
Though any of my shotgun powders will work well enough if need be, Clays, Red Dot, Green Dot, American Select.

[Lizard333]

W231 and Varget would be my two. Honestly, I use 15 different powders but those would be my top two.

[ku4hx]

I am old school, I clean my guns after a shooting session and wash my hands after. I don't understand this generation's aversion to soap, water and powder solvent.

Amen brother! If it's dirty just clean it, and it's going to get dirty after every firing to one degree or another. Like I said before, guns are like teeth. Keep them clean and well maintained and they'll last you a life time of good service.

[trixter]

I use Bullseye for my 45acp, always 200gr lead SWC, and I shoot a lot of lead in my 30-06, and a 300 Savage (Remington bolt) and really like Unique, but I think I could make Bullseye work if I had to. For my AR15 I use Ram Tac and jacketed bullets.

[sirgknight]

This isn't easy......BUT....I'd have to go with IMR4985 and Unique.

[Dave C.]

All you guys and gals that like the VV powders better buy a life time supply soon or you will have missed the boat.

Dave C.

[Petrol & Powder]

For rifle I could get by with IMR 4895 without much trouble.

For handgun I would need WW231 & WSF but I wouldn't be as happy. A lot of shotgun powders can perform double duty and work as handgun powders too, WSF is a good example. If I could only have a total of two types of powder it would be 4895 & WSF.

[Petrol & Powder]

For 9mm, I've become partial to Winchester WSF. Has worked well under a variety of bullets.
Though any of my shotgun powders will work well enough if need be, Clays, Red Dot, Green Dot, American Select.

WSF is a great 9mm powder!

[454redhawk]

Red Dot is my all around powder.

40S&W
45ACP
45LC
9mm
38 SPL
357 Mag (not a full load with cast lead)
380ACP
12GA
20GA

[PhatForrest]

Clays and Universal work well for just about everything. Glad I bought a bunch in bulk before SHTF around here last year.

[GeezerinNH]

My 2 would be Red Dot and BLC-2. But I have over 10 kinds at hand now.

[dudel]

Only two? I'd have to go with Unique and 2400. If I could add a third it would be Bullseye.

[dudel]

I am old school, I clean my guns after a shooting session and wash my hands after. I don't understand this generation's aversion to soap, water and powder solvent.

Same here. They get dirty, you clean them. period.


FWIW, when I've encountered a "dirty" load, it was generally that the load was too light. Upped the pressure into the mid range and it cleaned up considerably.

[1Shirt]

Unique & 2400 in that order, and they would be followed by Varget and Bl-C2.
1Shirt!

[Rooster931]

I load almost all of my cast with Unique and 2400 and for rifles I use varget and 4350. If I could only choose two it would be Unique and 4350.

[Idaho Mule]

OP said 2 powders. My choices would agree with many others here, Unique and 2400. JW

[flipajig]

My choice is HP-38 (same powder as Win231 only cheeper) and 2400 I have and keep several lbs on hand.
Flip

[ROCKET]

Hp38 and 2400

[jonk]

I shoot Bullseye in most pistols and such. If I had to pick though, it would be red dot and 2400 for handguns, or 4759 and 4895 for rifles.