One powder for 38/.357, 9mm, and .45 - Page 2

M1A1John · January 9, 2000, 10:31 PM

My first post here, hello, I use 231 because I also have a 8lb keg, it works great for my 45 and 9mm, for the 357 I like slower powders like 2400 and such, of course when the 231 is all gone I am looking at that keg of Unique, but 8lbs of powder goes a long way on pistols

alan · January 9, 2000, 11:34 PM

For 3 out of the 4 calibers you mentioned, I do not load for 357 mag, either Unique or Accurate #5, which is a little slower than Unique both work well. Of course, as others noted, there are a scad of others to play with

plateshooter · January 10, 2000, 08:58 PM

Hey Slick,
I use Red Dot for 9mm, 38spec, 45ACP, and 44mag target loads. Works great for 12 ga target loads too. I think it's too fast for 357, I use Blue Dot for them. It's also great for 30-06 lead bullet loads. 13 gr with 150gr gc bullet gives you about 1800fps.
Pretty versatile stuff.

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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter

WESHOOT2 · January 11, 2000, 08:02 AM

I do not recommend titegroup for 40S&W; fired case examination suggest this powder is TOO FAST for 40 (regardless of bullet weight).

I stick with my original advice: Universal Clays.
Unique and Universal Clays have virtually the same burn rate, and you can actually substitute load data within +/-.1g.
Of course, UC is much cleaner, and meters much more smoothly and consistently than Unique.

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

[This message has been edited by WESHOOT2 (edited January 11, 2000).]

Dr.Rob · January 11, 2000, 01:57 PM

Red Dot works well for all (in target velocity) but does get your gun kinda dirty over 200-300 rounds of continuous fire. AA#5 burns cleaner, but in all the recipies I've seen you use more of it to get the same results.

Not sure about loading for "carbines" but speer and others have load data JUST FOR rifles shooting pistol calibers.

Dr.Rob

blades67 · January 11, 2000, 05:58 PM

Blue Dot will result in compressed loads in 9mm, when you get near max. loads. Just to put another powder on your bench, try HS6. It will work well with everything but the .357 Magnum, and for that I suggest you try H110. I also like Universal Clays.

------------------
May your lead always hit center mass and your brass always land in your range bag.

~Blades~

leapfrog · January 12, 2000, 12:23 PM

Since you also mention that you would want to produce an occasional hot load, I would recommend either VV N340 or AA5. Both are fine for target velocity and will give better velocity with reduced pressure, than Win 231 for instance, in the hot loads.

rlgarman · January 23, 2000, 02:40 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slickpuppy:
If any of you could choose one powder for loading (to keep costs down) for target practice(accuracy) and the occasional hot load in the above calibers what would you use? Blue Dot, Unique? Others?[/quote]
With my limited experinece, I think U. Clays cannot be beat. It is clean and all that I have loaded seem to be very accurate. I have used it in .32 H&R mag. 38's, 357's 9mm. and 44 mag. No problems, no complaints.

TZEAZAS · January 23, 2000, 10:27 AM

I am shooting 9mm and 380. Loads and have used both bullseye and W231. I like the W231 better as it is a little slower and cleaner burning.

My loads are for target shooting but not match loads and the W231 is perfect for all
the loads that I use. Plus it go's on sale here for $12.90 a pound. Can't beat the price or the product.

Shoot Straight

sundog · January 23, 2000, 12:44 PM

slickpuppy, paul b. and steven camp give good advice about unique. i've been using it for thirty years. i think one reason it is so versatile is how long it's been around. given that there may be one or two other powders like aa5 and clays that will in time be used as much as unique, well, you choose. so as far as original question, i think i'll stay with unique. sundog

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safety first

Plainsman · January 23, 2000, 02:52 PM

Are you guys anit-Hodgdon?

So many like W231, but not a single mention of HP-38!! They are basically the same powder!

I prefer HP-38 and bought so much I figure I have enough to load about 10,000 more rounds!

I use it for .45 ACP and .44 mag/spl loads. It would work well for all you listed as well.

W231 or HP 38 seems the way to go!

Good luck!

------------------
Plainsman

[email protected]

**Mal H** · January 23, 2000, 03:08 PM

Plainsman - we're not anti-Hodgdon, but it does look that way, doesn't it. I think it's probably because you'll find W231 more often than HP-38 and quite often on sale.

You're right that they are most likely exactly the same powder. Both are actually made by Primex. One batch is shipped to Win and another batch is shipped to Hodgdon. Both then package it and sell it.

petej88 · January 23, 2000, 08:10 PM

It's difficult to find one powder for all applications, because of major differences in case sizes, bullets, etc. For example, Universl works fantastic for the .40 but barely pushes a 357 SIG bullet to 1230 fps at maximum pressure, which is 100 - 150 fps slower than other magnum powders.

If I had to choose one powder that works best in the 9, 40, 45, and 357 SIG, I'd pick Power Pistol. It's my WAP replacement and it's one of the very few powders that can hit maximum velocity with all the above pistol calibers, as well as metering nicely. Depending on the caliber, it can have a healthy flash, although it is not a wide flash that would cause vision problems at night, at least from my experience. The flash should not be a problem with target or IPSC style shooting, etc.

Now if you also want one powder that supports shotguns, etc, then I'd go with Universal or Unique.

sundog · January 24, 2000, 01:52 PM

plainsman, not anti-hodgdon at all. in fact i have favorite loads using hs6, hs7, h414, and h4831. two main reasons why unique is so popular is that 1) it's been around so long there is alot of good proven data, and 2) it works. in addition, unique works in a vast number of cast rifle loads as well as shotgun. is it the 'best' powder? only in some loads, if i had only one powder unique would be it. sundog

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safety first

Plainsman · January 24, 2000, 11:12 PM

NO problem guys!

I was just trying to poke a little fun!

Thanks for the background on W231 and HP38 Mal!

I, too, tried UNIQUE for my first reloading powder in my .44 mag and .45 ACP. "Unique" was the key word, or should I say DIRTY!

I did burn up the last of it, but WOW did it take a LOT of shooting just to burn a POUND!

I then switched to HP 38 for a cleaner burn. I remember DUMPING CASES after using Unique and having unburnt powder falling out!

Lead and Unique make for messy guns and hands after a day at the range...Maybe Blackpowder isn't so dirty after all!

Thanks guys!

------------------
Plainsman

[email protected]

January 9, 2000, 10:31 PM	#26
M1A1John Member Join Date: January 9, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 77	My first post here, hello, I use 231 because I also have a 8lb keg, it works great for my 45 and 9mm, for the 357 I like slower powders like 2400 and such, of course when the 231 is all gone I am looking at that keg of Unique, but 8lbs of powder goes a long way on pistols

January 9, 2000, 11:34 PM	#27
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	For 3 out of the 4 calibers you mentioned, I do not load for 357 mag, either Unique or Accurate #5, which is a little slower than Unique both work well. Of course, as others noted, there are a scad of others to play with

January 10, 2000, 08:58 PM	#28
plateshooter Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 1999 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 522	Hey Slick, I use Red Dot for 9mm, 38spec, 45ACP, and 44mag target loads. Works great for 12 ga target loads too. I think it's too fast for 357, I use Blue Dot for them. It's also great for 30-06 lead bullet loads. 13 gr with 150gr gc bullet gives you about 1800fps. Pretty versatile stuff. ------------------ Good shootin to ya Plateshooter

January 11, 2000, 08:02 AM	#29
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I do not recommend titegroup for 40S&W; fired case examination suggest this powder is TOO FAST for 40 (regardless of bullet weight). I stick with my original advice: Universal Clays. Unique and Universal Clays have virtually the same burn rate, and you can actually substitute load data within +/-.1g. Of course, UC is much cleaner, and meters much more smoothly and consistently than Unique. ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo" [This message has been edited by WESHOOT2 (edited January 11, 2000).]

January 11, 2000, 01:57 PM	#30
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	Red Dot works well for all (in target velocity) but does get your gun kinda dirty over 200-300 rounds of continuous fire. AA#5 burns cleaner, but in all the recipies I've seen you use more of it to get the same results. Not sure about loading for "carbines" but speer and others have load data JUST FOR rifles shooting pistol calibers. Dr.Rob

January 11, 2000, 05:58 PM	#31
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	Blue Dot will result in compressed loads in 9mm, when you get near max. loads. Just to put another powder on your bench, try HS6. It will work well with everything but the .357 Magnum, and for that I suggest you try H110. I also like Universal Clays. ------------------ May your lead always hit center mass and your brass always land in your range bag. ~Blades~

January 12, 2000, 12:23 PM	#32
leapfrog Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 107	Since you also mention that you would want to produce an occasional hot load, I would recommend either VV N340 or AA5. Both are fine for target velocity and will give better velocity with reduced pressure, than Win 231 for instance, in the hot loads.

January 23, 2000, 02:40 AM	#33
rlgarman Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 47	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slickpuppy: If any of you could choose one powder for loading (to keep costs down) for target practice(accuracy) and the occasional hot load in the above calibers what would you use? Blue Dot, Unique? Others?[/quote] With my limited experinece, I think U. Clays cannot be beat. It is clean and all that I have loaded seem to be very accurate. I have used it in .32 H&R mag. 38's, 357's 9mm. and 44 mag. No problems, no complaints.

January 23, 2000, 10:27 AM	#34
TZEAZAS Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 32	I am shooting 9mm and 380. Loads and have used both bullseye and W231. I like the W231 better as it is a little slower and cleaner burning. My loads are for target shooting but not match loads and the W231 is perfect for all the loads that I use. Plus it go's on sale here for $12.90 a pound. Can't beat the price or the product. Shoot Straight

January 23, 2000, 12:44 PM	#35
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	slickpuppy, paul b. and steven camp give good advice about unique. i've been using it for thirty years. i think one reason it is so versatile is how long it's been around. given that there may be one or two other powders like aa5 and clays that will in time be used as much as unique, well, you choose. so as far as original question, i think i'll stay with unique. sundog ------------------ safety first

January 23, 2000, 02:52 PM	#36
Plainsman Member Join Date: October 31, 1998 Location: Grand Forks, ND, USA, NA Posts: 53	Are you guys anit-Hodgdon? So many like W231, but not a single mention of HP-38!! They are basically the same powder! I prefer HP-38 and bought so much I figure I have enough to load about 10,000 more rounds! I use it for .45 ACP and .44 mag/spl loads. It would work well for all you listed as well. W231 or HP 38 seems the way to go! Good luck! ------------------ Plainsman [email protected]

January 23, 2000, 03:08 PM	#37
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,950	Plainsman - we're not anti-Hodgdon, but it does look that way, doesn't it. I think it's probably because you'll find W231 more often than HP-38 and quite often on sale. You're right that they are most likely exactly the same powder. Both are actually made by Primex. One batch is shipped to Win and another batch is shipped to Hodgdon. Both then package it and sell it.

January 23, 2000, 08:10 PM	#38
petej88 Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Location: US Posts: 510	It's difficult to find one powder for all applications, because of major differences in case sizes, bullets, etc. For example, Universl works fantastic for the .40 but barely pushes a 357 SIG bullet to 1230 fps at maximum pressure, which is 100 - 150 fps slower than other magnum powders. If I had to choose one powder that works best in the 9, 40, 45, and 357 SIG, I'd pick Power Pistol. It's my WAP replacement and it's one of the very few powders that can hit maximum velocity with all the above pistol calibers, as well as metering nicely. Depending on the caliber, it can have a healthy flash, although it is not a wide flash that would cause vision problems at night, at least from my experience. The flash should not be a problem with target or IPSC style shooting, etc. Now if you also want one powder that supports shotguns, etc, then I'd go with Universal or Unique.

January 24, 2000, 01:52 PM	#39
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	plainsman, not anti-hodgdon at all. in fact i have favorite loads using hs6, hs7, h414, and h4831. two main reasons why unique is so popular is that 1) it's been around so long there is alot of good proven data, and 2) it works. in addition, unique works in a vast number of cast rifle loads as well as shotgun. is it the 'best' powder? only in some loads, if i had only one powder unique would be it. sundog ------------------ safety first

January 24, 2000, 11:12 PM	#40
Plainsman Member Join Date: October 31, 1998 Location: Grand Forks, ND, USA, NA Posts: 53	NO problem guys! I was just trying to poke a little fun! Thanks for the background on W231 and HP38 Mal! I, too, tried UNIQUE for my first reloading powder in my .44 mag and .45 ACP. "Unique" was the key word, or should I say DIRTY! I did burn up the last of it, but WOW did it take a LOT of shooting just to burn a POUND! I then switched to HP 38 for a cleaner burn. I remember DUMPING CASES after using Unique and having unburnt powder falling out! Lead and Unique make for messy guns and hands after a day at the range...Maybe Blackpowder isn't so dirty after all! Thanks guys! ------------------ Plainsman [email protected]