Hi-Skor 700-X?

[Deep Six]

Just got back from the Gun Show. As powder is very difficult to find currently, I was on the lookout for it since I have a lot of hungry 38s, 44s, and 45s to feed over the coming season. I happened across one table where they had a few types for $23/can. The only pistol powder they had was 700-X, so I bought a can. I've never used 700-X before, but I see it is very close to Bullseye and Red Dot in burn speed and has a lot of the same applications. I've used Bullseye, Red Dot, AA #2, and HP-38 for this application and still have some of each on hand. It seems like any of them at 5.0 gr is perfect for 230 gr in the 45 acp and 250 gr in the 44 special.

Is 700-X your favorite powder? Have you tried it and hated it? Is about the same as everything else? Any pet recipes I should try?

[kopperl]

I've used it in 357 hunting loads. Very good results except it is very dirty.
Bill

[farmallcrew]

Yes it is close to Bullseye in burn. I've used 700x in 32acp. my 32 likes it. Found the powder at a Guns and Grocery store. Its nice to buy your steak and powder in the same place, but most people didn't think so because the store went under. But before he closed the doors, I got my hands on powder. Took my smart phone and googled powders with calibers. Walked out with 150.00 bill and lots of powders I haven't tried before and are on the reloaders less popular powders list.

[Celt]

Never tried it in pistol loads, though apparently it's better for stronger loads than low velocity mild recipes - burning cleaner. It has been my go to powder for 12 gauge skeet, bought it in 8 pound keg.

[Outpost75]

I used lots of 700-X years ago for .38 and .45 wadcutter ammo for NRA bullseye type competition and also in cast bullet rifle loads.

Its larger particle size does not meter well in progressive machines, such as the Star, Phelps or Dillon, but if you have a measure which will meter Unique acceptably, you will have no issues with 700-X.

For midrange wadcutter ammo in .38 Special or. 45 ACP you can use the same charge weight as for Bullseye and not get into any trouble. I shot lots of 2.7 grs. of 700-X with the H&G#50BB and at 50 yards you could not tell the difference from Bullseye, except that it shot cleaner.

In the .45 ACP with the H&G#68 at 1.25" OAL 4.5 grains is a good start load with light recoil and gives 720 fps from a Clark Long Slide. 5 grains makes 850 fps in a standard M1911, and 5.5 grs. is a max load with a 200-grainer for about 900 fps.

I shot alot of 11 grs. of 700-X in an original 1884 Trapdoor. 45-70 with #457193 and got 4-5" groups at 200 yards with unsized bullets at .462" cast 1:30 tin:lead.

I used the same charge with #311299 at 200 yards in my 03A3 Springfield and it shoot to the sights with 600 yards of elevation and was more accurate than Ball M2 from the CMP.

Don't turn down any 700-X or Red Dot you find at estate sales, etc. Around here the IPSC guys hang around the old trap shooters like vultures waiting for them to die and making the widows offers on the powder and shot to recast, load and shoot.

[bear67]

I am not out at the shop and not going right now as it is sleeting hard and our roads are icing--just think it was 80 yesterday here. I use 700x in shotgun and bought a couple 8 pounders a year or so ago when I was getting low on Bullseye and Unique and it was scarce. It has performed well in .45 ACP, .45 Colt and .38 spl for me. Don't remember exact loads, but I think (my opinion) it is slightly cleaner than Bullseye. I do run it through a dillon measure for .45 loads and it is not perfect, but makes good range loads. Ran a bunch through a Thompson 27 A-1 yesterday with middle grandson.

Check http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ for some good load data using 700X. I have been low on Red Dot and Blue Dot and have filled in with 700X--sure glad I picked up an additional 16 pounds.