One powder for .25 to .45??

[Scorch]

Unique, Universal, w231.

[ZOOM2X]

Well, I ordered the Lee Classic Turret Kit, 6 4-die and 2 3-die sets and turrets for all (1 4-hole is in the kit), 8 round red die storage boxes, etc. I'll end up with 2 scales-- balance beam and digital.

Started looking for powder and IT'S ALL GONE!! BACK ORDER, OUT OF STOCK! Oh well, I'm sure it will be available soon. Looks like I'll buy several powders in the 1 pound size and try them out. I need to go by Widner's and Mahoney's.

Got to get a bench set up in the basement.

Thanks for the help. If anyone is in or near Johnson City, TN I would like to meet you at one of the ranges and chat. I have joined Unaka Rod & Gun on two occasions but let 2 full years go by without getting to the range.

[rodfac]

Plus one on Winchester 231 or its equivalent, HP38. Both are superb for any light to medium velocity round in the calibers you've listed. HTH's Rod

[oldreloader]

Bullseye, HP38/231,and AA #5 all work great for me with cast bullets.

[ZOOM2X]

Thanks for the input. It's good to have the collective experience to help us beginners and I appreciate your pateince and willingness to help.

Since I have ordered the Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk to measure powder I want to be sure the powder measures properly with the Lee Auto Disk. I will, of course, observe all the loads for consistant quantity (all reach to the same height in the case) and will actually weigh a bunch of loads to verify proper powder weight. I will continue to reread these tips, an others, and write down which powder people think is good for what caliber and reach a consensus before starting.

[zxcvbob]

When all else fails, you can usually find a one pound can of Green Dot shoved to the back of the otherwise-empty shelf at your local gun shop. It might even still have a 10 year old price sticker when you blow off the dust.

It's an excellent handgun powder, just not popular anymore 'cept maybe for 20 gauge skeet loads.

[Willie Sutton]

231 has been my friend for years. Unique after that.

But if you REALLY want one powder to do it all, from derringer to elephant rifle, it's a clear choice"

ffG Black Powder




Willie


.

[newrugersafan]

I wish I could help but I use 6 powders in my handgun loads.

231 in the 380
Bullseye in 38 special and 45 acp
Power Pistol in 9mm and 40S&W
Unique in the 44 Special
2400 in 357 Mag
IMR 4227 in 44 Mag

I just can't seem to keep it simple although if I was forced to I could get by with Unique or Power Pistol.

Mike

[reloader28]

ZXCVBOB is right.
I'd forgotten about Greendot. One of my best 45acp loads was Greendot.

[Pilot]

I use mostly Clays, W231/HP-38 for target shooting handgun applications but have recently started using Titegroup as well, and with good results, but it is a fast burning powder and maybe not as forgiving as some others, so be careful.

[ZOOM2X]

Thanks for the input. Chocolate or vanilla, lemon or lime. Everyone has a favorite. I guess I'll keep reading, try a bunch of different things and see what my favorite turns out to be.

I've ordered the Lee Classic Turret Press and all 6 available 4-die sets and 2 of the many 3-die sets from FS Reloading. Should be here in a week or so now according to the latest from Greg.

[tmorone]

+1 for Titegroup. I use it for 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 Auto (sometimes Clays if I find it super cheap). The low volume aspect of it makes a few pounds go a very long way.

[Clark]

I have done experiments with; Red Dot, Bullseye, Herter's 164, SR7625, Unique, AA#5, Power Pistol, HS-6, Blue Dot, 2400, 3N37, 800-X, AA#7, N105, Long Shot, STEEL, Enforcer, AA#9, N110, H110, W296, and LIL'GUN.

Here is what I have wound up using in handguns:

25acp Power Pistol
32acp Power Pistol
32 S&W Long LIL'GUN or 800X
32-20 H110
7.62x25mm Power Pistol
30 Mauser Power Pistol
380 Power Pistol
9x19mm Power Pistol
9x23mm Power Pistol
357 Sig Power Pistol
38sp H110
357mag H110
40s&w 800X or Power Pistol
10mm 800X or Power Pistol
44 mag H110
45acp Power Pistol
50CB [my own wildcat] Red Dot

[ZOOM2X]

Well, I started this venture 14 months ago. I have everything except powder and primers! Admittedly, I have other things on my plate so I'm not in that much of a hurry but I have tried to order powder and primers on several occasions. I want to order 1 lb. and 8 lb. canisters of at least 5 powders (45 lbs.)(load out of the 1lb. can and store & reorder the 8 lb. can for the savings) and 5M each of the CCI 300 & 500 primers so I can get it all on one hazmat fee. Every time I start to order it gets rejected since no one is accepting orders for "out of stock" items. The dealers are also limiting primer orders to two 1M boxes per order. How much longer before supply catches up with demand?!

I still need to get a bench built and clean out a place to put it. I have a nice piece of Formica countertop left over from a kitchen install for an office building project that I'll use for the top.

[57K]

The best powder for loading all handgun rounds is a newer one that not many here are familiar with. Ramshot True Blue is as Universal in applications as Unique but it's a dense ball powder that meters markedly better. It is slower burning than W231/HP38 or Unique and offers a greater performance range. It can be used in smaller and lower pressure cartridges up to full magnum revolver loads just short of where you'd really need a magnum propellant to achieve higher velocity. A lot of reloaders overlook the value of ultra consistent metering and have not yet tried True Blue. Those that have will tell you the same as I have. I would not use TiteGroup for anything and particularly not high pressure cartridges where its known to burn hot and can have severe pressure spikes. W231/HP38 are decent powders but lack flexibility as far as performance in higher pressure cartridges like 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, 10mm etc.

[TennJed]

I have used unique for 380,9mm, 38,357,45acp,&45 colt

[WESHOOT2]

In the cartridges the OP listed, choices include:

-W231
-Power Pistol
-Titegroup

Use data published by your bullet-maker if available; otherwise start low.


New-loader safety tips:
Wear
eye protection when touching anything other than paper

STOP
for ANY distractions; STOP

When in doubt ASK

[BigD_in_FL]

I would advise against Unique unless you do not mind hand weighing each charge. It meters very poorly.

Never had that issue with my RCBS Uniflow - ever. Drops were the same from first to last. I only switched to Universal because it burns cleaner, especially in my 20 gauge loads

[Airman Basic]

Same here with Unique. Been using it with RCBS "Little Dandy" powder measure for years.

[boxing21]

231 or Power Pistol. Seeing as I can't find any 231, and have several pounds of Power Pistol, Power Pistol is currently getting all the work at my bench.