If you could only have two powders for reloading

hogcowboy · May 30, 2011, 11:45 AM

If you was forced to have just two powders for reloading, what would that be? I know they make a lot of different powders now for all kinds of different applications, but if you could only have two. My pick would be Universal and Unique. Those two cover more of what I reload for than any other. Are there any two that would be better. I'm thinking the SHTF type scenario is the reason for the question and I had to grab just two powders. Unique would take are of my pistols and Universal would take care of my shotguns. I could survive with that combination I think. Those two powder have been around for some time, before there were then number we have today. So which two did people use way back there?

papa shooter · May 30, 2011, 12:05 PM

I keep 4064 for my rifles, 223,308 &30-06 Bullseye for my pistols, .38,.357 & .45ACP
Pretty simple for me.
Papa

mikld · May 30, 2011, 12:10 PM

Since my go-to guns are .44 magnum (20'' carbine and Super Blackhawk) I'd grab 2 lbs. of Unque.

jmortimer · May 30, 2011, 01:45 PM

Unique and Unique or Unique and RL15

Rifleman1776 · May 30, 2011, 01:59 PM

I have narrowed down to H110 pistol and H414 rifle.
But, I cheat.

Not really reloading but black powder for most of my shooting.

William T. Watts · May 30, 2011, 02:07 PM

IMR4064 for 22/250, 307, 308, 30/06, 30/30, while not optimum for the 270 or 280 it can be used in a pinch, W231 is my choice for 45ACP! William

NWPilgrim · May 30, 2011, 02:44 PM

Unique would be perfect except for the poor metering I get from it, so probably Bullseye for handguns. I haven't actually tried Bullseye yet (still using W231 and Unique/Universal), but all of my recent research indicates Bullseye is a good powder for almost anything. It won't get top velocities in some cartridges but it appears to be excellent to good in nearly everything I have: .38 Special, 9x18 Mak, 9mm Luger, .40S&W, .45ACP. The same can be said for W231.

For rifle I could get by with any one of the mid-range powders such as H4895, Varget, TAC since I mainly load for .223, .308 and M1 Garand .30-06. H4895 would be less optimal but still useful for .30-30 and 6.5x55.

The only cartridge of mine that would be left out is .30 Carbine which needs a magnum handgun powder like W296, AA9, or 2400.

In the real world, I like to use a few powders to cover the entire spectrum from W231 to Power Pistol to W296. Rifle powders I use are pretty much in the IMR3031 to H4350 range. But it is nice to have extra stocks of those "one only powders" like Unique or H4895 to be able to cover new situations or cartridges until you can fine an optimal powder, or in case you run out of your favorite special powder.

Sarge · May 30, 2011, 02:46 PM

W231 for pistols and H4895 for rifles.

CrustyFN · May 30, 2011, 04:40 PM

For the calibers I load most it would be WST for pistol and H335 for rifle.

Huskerguy · May 30, 2011, 04:50 PM

Varget and Titegroup

Sevens · May 30, 2011, 05:41 PM

I was going to say Power Pistol and 2400, but I could probably take Universal in place of Power Pistol and have a slightly better range of use.

I'm a handgun guy... so I can get by without any of the really fast burning powders, but I need a good medium and I need a good slow, so Universal and 2400 would keep me covered.

Mule · May 30, 2011, 05:44 PM

Promo/Red Dot and IMR4895

Bamashooter · May 30, 2011, 06:58 PM

Since I just reload for rifles I would choose Tac and IMR-4895.

WESHOOT2 · May 30, 2011, 06:58 PM

HANDGUN ONLY:

Alliant Power Pistol and Winchester 296 (my older lots, please).

wncchester · May 30, 2011, 07:28 PM

I wonder why we have these hypothetical "if you only had....." things. We do have more choices, why not use the proper ones?

TheNatureBoy · May 30, 2011, 07:31 PM

IMR 4350/H4350 and RE-22.

hogcowboy · May 30, 2011, 07:41 PM

Nothing hypothetical about it. I'm looking for the fewest powders and already there is one that I had not considered. Thank you very much.

Sarge · May 30, 2011, 08:02 PM

Larry, I had a 5 gallon bucket of part cans of rifle & pistol powder, which an older brother had given me. I thought it as great when I received them, but I ran myself nuts digging up data, trying loads and adjusting sights or scopes.

I had kept running notes on what gave good accuracy and velocity. I hadn't worked extensively with either of them prior to the 'powder windfall' but those are the two that rose to the top of the heap. I understand your quest- I am very happy to stock only those two main powders. A can of W296 loads all the heavy .45 Colt I'll shoot for a long time because those are solely hunting loads.

Crankylove · May 30, 2011, 08:27 PM

Bullseye and 4895.

Crosshair · May 30, 2011, 08:51 PM

I also would choose W231 for pistols and H4895 for rifles if I could ONLY have 2. However I use mostly Titegroup for my handgun loads because you don't need much per round. W231 is much better for BOTH plinking and magnum loads, where Titegroup isn't so good for magnum loads with heavy bullets.

TXGunNut · May 30, 2011, 09:00 PM

When you load from 5.56 to 45-90, add in .38 target loads to 45 Colt hunting loads then throw in a c&b revolver and a Hawken style caplock with .45 and .54 cal barrels the idea of only two powders is a bit of a stretch.

Didn't even consider shotguns. Oops!
If I check the shelf and find less than a dozen powders I figure I'm out of something. If I had to do it I'd have one safe dedicated to safe queens. I haven't been lucky enough to find two cartridges that I load that like the same powder. Come to think of it, I have two 30-06's that can't seem to agree on one powder.
In theory I could possibly do all my smokeless loading with Unique and one of the 4350's. Glad I don't have to.

**Mike Irwin** · May 30, 2011, 09:19 PM

That's a tough one.

I suppose, thought, that I'd have to go WW 231 and WW 296.

I'd hate to give up my Trail Boss, though.

SRE · May 30, 2011, 09:30 PM

Pistol - Herco
Rifle - H4895

Just my preferences in conjunction with calibers I like to reload

chasep255 · May 30, 2011, 09:38 PM

I started reloading this year so I am relatively new. I actually only have two powders that I load with. They are H-335 and Power Pistol. I am loading 30-06, 223, 40, and 45. I think I may soon need a different powder for 30-06 and maybe 45. How do you guys keep tract of what powder was last in the measure if you don't want to empty it after every time in the loading room? This currently isn't a problem for me since I only load two and they both look different.

mnhntr · May 30, 2011, 09:44 PM

Varget and Tightgroup

May 30, 2011, 11:45 AM	#1
hogcowboy Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2010 Location: N33 32.941 W 97 53.546 Texas Posts: 231	If you could only have two powders for reloading If you was forced to have just two powders for reloading, what would that be? I know they make a lot of different powders now for all kinds of different applications, but if you could only have two. My pick would be Universal and Unique. Those two cover more of what I reload for than any other. Are there any two that would be better. I'm thinking the SHTF type scenario is the reason for the question and I had to grab just two powders. Unique would take are of my pistols and Universal would take care of my shotguns. I could survive with that combination I think. Those two powder have been around for some time, before there were then number we have today. So which two did people use way back there? __________________ Do things as if your life depends on it. It COULD! American Legion Rider

May 30, 2011, 12:05 PM	#2
papa shooter Member Join Date: August 20, 2007 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 66	MHO I keep 4064 for my rifles, 223,308 &30-06 Bullseye for my pistols, .38,.357 & .45ACP Pretty simple for me. Papa

May 30, 2011, 12:10 PM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Since my go-to guns are .44 magnum (20'' carbine and Super Blackhawk) I'd grab 2 lbs. of Unque. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

May 30, 2011, 02:44 PM	#7
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Unique would be perfect except for the poor metering I get from it, so probably Bullseye for handguns. I haven't actually tried Bullseye yet (still using W231 and Unique/Universal), but all of my recent research indicates Bullseye is a good powder for almost anything. It won't get top velocities in some cartridges but it appears to be excellent to good in nearly everything I have: .38 Special, 9x18 Mak, 9mm Luger, .40S&W, .45ACP. The same can be said for W231. For rifle I could get by with any one of the mid-range powders such as H4895, Varget, TAC since I mainly load for .223, .308 and M1 Garand .30-06. H4895 would be less optimal but still useful for .30-30 and 6.5x55. The only cartridge of mine that would be left out is .30 Carbine which needs a magnum handgun powder like W296, AA9, or 2400. In the real world, I like to use a few powders to cover the entire spectrum from W231 to Power Pistol to W296. Rifle powders I use are pretty much in the IMR3031 to H4350 range. But it is nice to have extra stocks of those "one only powders" like Unique or H4895 to be able to cover new situations or cartridges until you can fine an optimal powder, or in case you run out of your favorite special powder. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

May 30, 2011, 02:46 PM	#8
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	W231 for pistols and H4895 for rifles. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

May 30, 2011, 01:45 PM	#4
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Unique and Unique or Unique and RL15

May 30, 2011, 01:59 PM	#5
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I have narrowed down to H110 pistol and H414 rifle. But, I cheat. Not really reloading but black powder for most of my shooting.

May 30, 2011, 02:07 PM	#6
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	IMR4064 for 22/250, 307, 308, 30/06, 30/30, while not optimum for the 270 or 280 it can be used in a pinch, W231 is my choice for 45ACP! William

May 30, 2011, 04:40 PM	#9
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	For the calibers I load most it would be WST for pistol and H335 for rifle. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

May 30, 2011, 04:50 PM	#10
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	Varget and Titegroup

May 30, 2011, 05:41 PM	#11
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I was going to say Power Pistol and 2400, but I could probably take Universal in place of Power Pistol and have a slightly better range of use. I'm a handgun guy... so I can get by without any of the really fast burning powders, but I need a good medium and I need a good slow, so Universal and 2400 would keep me covered. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

May 30, 2011, 05:44 PM	#12
Mule Member Join Date: October 16, 2002 Location: Franklin County Missouri Posts: 84	Promo/Red Dot and IMR4895 __________________ Shoot Safe! Shoot Often!

May 30, 2011, 06:58 PM	#13
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	Since I just reload for rifles I would choose Tac and IMR-4895.

May 30, 2011, 06:58 PM	#14
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	two from my twenty-something; hmmmm...... HANDGUN ONLY: Alliant Power Pistol and Winchester 296 (my older lots, please). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 30, 2011, 07:28 PM	#15
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	I wonder why we have these hypothetical "if you only had....." things. We do have more choices, why not use the proper ones?

May 30, 2011, 07:31 PM	#16
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	IMR 4350/H4350 and RE-22.

May 30, 2011, 07:41 PM	#17
hogcowboy Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2010 Location: N33 32.941 W 97 53.546 Texas Posts: 231	Nothing hypothetical about it. I'm looking for the fewest powders and already there is one that I had not considered. Thank you very much. __________________ Do things as if your life depends on it. It COULD! American Legion Rider

May 30, 2011, 08:02 PM	#18
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Larry, I had a 5 gallon bucket of part cans of rifle & pistol powder, which an older brother had given me. I thought it as great when I received them, but I ran myself nuts digging up data, trying loads and adjusting sights or scopes. I had kept running notes on what gave good accuracy and velocity. I hadn't worked extensively with either of them prior to the 'powder windfall' but those are the two that rose to the top of the heap. I understand your quest- I am very happy to stock only those two main powders. A can of W296 loads all the heavy .45 Colt I'll shoot for a long time because those are solely hunting loads. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

May 30, 2011, 08:27 PM	#19
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	Bullseye and 4895. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

May 30, 2011, 08:51 PM	#20
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I also would choose W231 for pistols and H4895 for rifles if I could ONLY have 2. However I use mostly Titegroup for my handgun loads because you don't need much per round. W231 is much better for BOTH plinking and magnum loads, where Titegroup isn't so good for magnum loads with heavy bullets. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 30, 2011, 09:00 PM	#21
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	When you load from 5.56 to 45-90, add in .38 target loads to 45 Colt hunting loads then throw in a c&b revolver and a Hawken style caplock with .45 and .54 cal barrels the idea of only two powders is a bit of a stretch. Didn't even consider shotguns. Oops! If I check the shelf and find less than a dozen powders I figure I'm out of something. If I had to do it I'd have one safe dedicated to safe queens. I haven't been lucky enough to find two cartridges that I load that like the same powder. Come to think of it, I have two 30-06's that can't seem to agree on one powder. In theory I could possibly do all my smokeless loading with Unique and one of the 4350's. Glad I don't have to. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

May 30, 2011, 09:19 PM	#22
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	That's a tough one. I suppose, thought, that I'd have to go WW 231 and WW 296. I'd hate to give up my Trail Boss, though. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 30, 2011, 09:30 PM	#23
SRE Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Location: Southern York County, PA Posts: 145	Pistol - Herco Rifle - H4895 Just my preferences in conjunction with calibers I like to reload

May 30, 2011, 09:38 PM	#24
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	I started reloading this year so I am relatively new. I actually only have two powders that I load with. They are H-335 and Power Pistol. I am loading 30-06, 223, 40, and 45. I think I may soon need a different powder for 30-06 and maybe 45. How do you guys keep tract of what powder was last in the measure if you don't want to empty it after every time in the loading room? This currently isn't a problem for me since I only load two and they both look different.

May 30, 2011, 09:44 PM	#25
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	Varget and Tightgroup

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