Multi-purpose powder?

Rugerrat · December 18, 2006, 09:18 PM

Is there one powder that seems to perform well in all of the following; 9mm, 38, 357mag and 45auto? Am trying to simplify my inventory and my life.

Buckythebrewer · December 18, 2006, 09:27 PM

I would get the Lee 2nd edition reloading book.It has alot of info on powder charges and you can cross reference the cartridges to find a powder that might work with them all.As far as best performing??I would go with the ones at the top of the list(of Lee book).You probably will have to make a compromise somewere..

T-Bear · December 18, 2006, 09:36 PM

I smell and would go with Win 231. It will do well in each of those calibers.

jdmick · December 18, 2006, 09:37 PM

I'd say it's a tossup between Unique and Power Pistol for those calibers. I've been loading all the calibers you listed except the .45 and both Unique and PP have worked great. Velocities are good and they both meter well. And don't let anyone tell you the Unique is dirty burning.

Rugerrat · December 18, 2006, 09:41 PM

Thank you both for your suggestions!

RevoRick · December 18, 2006, 09:50 PM

I would tend to agree with the Unique. As a second Power Pistol. If you like bright muzzle flash go with PP.

robertbank · December 18, 2006, 10:34 PM

I think I would have to go with Unique for all four. I think 231 would be even better except for the .357mag unless you just want to shoot .38spl loads in a .357mag case. I think Unique being just a little slower might be a better choice for .357mag.

Take Care

Bob

kgpcr · December 18, 2006, 11:10 PM

TITEGROUP all the way. Its great powder and versitile. i use it in all the calibers listed and it works great. not the best for full power .357 but it will get the job done. very clean as well

Rugerrat · December 18, 2006, 11:11 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I typically do load 38 loads in a 357 case. I enjoy the reduced recoil and do not see diminished accuracy for my application. By keeping 357 brass I maintain the option of reverting to magnum load if desired. Currently, I am just a steel plate plinker.

Sarge · December 18, 2006, 11:23 PM

Another vote for W231 in those applications, and for anything this side of full-snort magnum revolver loads with heavy bullets. Heck, W231 and W296 are my go-to pistol powders these days, and I use W231 a lot more than W296.

Jim Watson · December 18, 2006, 11:27 PM

As W. Buckminster Fuller said, simplify as much as possible but no more.

I load 9mm P, .38 Special, and .45 ACP with HP38 (Off the Win 231 production line, but mine is about 0.2 gr faster.) but do not consider it suitable for full charge .357 Magnum. I'd load real Magnums with 2400, H110, W296, or N110. Or read up on Lil'gun.

T. O'Heir · December 18, 2006, 11:42 PM

Bullseye.

Scorch · December 19, 2006, 01:06 AM

Unique. Without a doubt.

goose2w1 · December 19, 2006, 01:41 AM

I too used to go with WW231, it worked very well, but I always thought it made recoil feel a bit "snappy" for lack of a better word. I have since found Vihtavuori 3N37 and N350. They work extremly well, are clean, and not as "snappy". It's a bit more than the other powder's, but IMHO it's definitly worth it.

Remember, WITHOUT WEAPONS, IT'S JUST ANOTHER AIRLINE!

XD-Guy · December 19, 2006, 07:50 AM

I use Bullseye for all of those

The Real Wyatt · December 19, 2006, 11:13 AM

One more vote for Unique. Bullseye would be my second choice except for real "Magnum" loads in the .357.

Crimp · December 19, 2006, 11:37 AM

I have loaded each of those calibers with True Blue. Great stuff!

**Mike Irwin** · December 19, 2006, 11:58 AM

231 comes close.

You don't get full magnum performance with it in .357, but you do get better than .38 Spl. +P.

Another contender would be, I think AA5.

amamnn · December 19, 2006, 11:33 PM

Since Alliant took over and cleaned up Unique it can't be beat----and you can use it in your shotgun.

quickshot · December 20, 2006, 08:08 PM

+1 for w231 and titegroup. Good stuff in all my toys!!

quickshot

December 18, 2006, 09:18 PM	#1
Rugerrat Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 34	Multi-purpose powder? Is there one powder that seems to perform well in all of the following; 9mm, 38, 357mag and 45auto? Am trying to simplify my inventory and my life.

December 18, 2006, 09:50 PM	#6
RevoRick Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 201	I would tend to agree with the Unique. As a second Power Pistol. If you like bright muzzle flash go with PP. __________________ Criminals thrive on the indulgence of an understanding society DW 10mm CBOB, 10mm Experimental, .45 Pointman GD, .45 Patriot CCO. DW 744 VH .44 6", 715 VH .357 4". Fusion 10mm Longslide XM-10 Tactical Hunter. Glock 19c, Browning Buckmark, S&W 686 .357 4", 629 .44mag 8 3/8". Uberti Cattleman .45LC. http://www.1911auto.org/forum/index.php?referrerid=24

December 18, 2006, 11:10 PM	#8
kgpcr Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2005 Posts: 955	TITEGROUP all the way. Its great powder and versitile. i use it in all the calibers listed and it works great. not the best for full power .357 but it will get the job done. very clean as well __________________ Colt King Cobra .357 Colt Anaconda .44mag Springfield Armory .45 Double stack Loaded XD40 service XD45 Taurus 617 .357mag Smith M&P 40

December 18, 2006, 11:23 PM	#10
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Another vote for W231 in those applications, and for anything this side of full-snort magnum revolver loads with heavy bullets. Heck, W231 and W296 are my go-to pistol powders these days, and I use W231 a lot more than W296. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

December 19, 2006, 01:06 AM	#13
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Unique. Without a doubt. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 18, 2006, 09:27 PM	#2
Buckythebrewer Junior member Join Date: April 15, 2006 Location: Jefferson, ME Posts: 700	I would get the Lee 2nd edition reloading book.It has alot of info on powder charges and you can cross reference the cartridges to find a powder that might work with them all.As far as best performing??I would go with the ones at the top of the list(of Lee book).You probably will have to make a compromise somewere..

December 18, 2006, 09:36 PM	#3
T-Bear Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 119	I smell and would go with Win 231. It will do well in each of those calibers.

December 18, 2006, 09:37 PM	#4
jdmick Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 142	I'd say it's a tossup between Unique and Power Pistol for those calibers. I've been loading all the calibers you listed except the .45 and both Unique and PP have worked great. Velocities are good and they both meter well. And don't let anyone tell you the Unique is dirty burning.

December 18, 2006, 09:41 PM	#5
Rugerrat Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 34	Thank you both for your suggestions!

December 18, 2006, 10:34 PM	#7
robertbank Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Terrace, B.C. Canada Posts: 97	I think I would have to go with Unique for all four. I think 231 would be even better except for the .357mag unless you just want to shoot .38spl loads in a .357mag case. I think Unique being just a little slower might be a better choice for .357mag. Take Care Bob

December 18, 2006, 11:11 PM	#9
Rugerrat Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 34	Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I typically do load 38 loads in a 357 case. I enjoy the reduced recoil and do not see diminished accuracy for my application. By keeping 357 brass I maintain the option of reverting to magnum load if desired. Currently, I am just a steel plate plinker.

December 18, 2006, 11:27 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	As W. Buckminster Fuller said, simplify as much as possible but no more. I load 9mm P, .38 Special, and .45 ACP with HP38 (Off the Win 231 production line, but mine is about 0.2 gr faster.) but do not consider it suitable for full charge .357 Magnum. I'd load real Magnums with 2400, H110, W296, or N110. Or read up on Lil'gun.

December 18, 2006, 11:42 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Bullseye.

December 19, 2006, 01:41 AM	#14
goose2w1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Posts: 123	I too used to go with WW231, it worked very well, but I always thought it made recoil feel a bit "snappy" for lack of a better word. I have since found Vihtavuori 3N37 and N350. They work extremly well, are clean, and not as "snappy". It's a bit more than the other powder's, but IMHO it's definitly worth it. Remember, WITHOUT WEAPONS, IT'S JUST ANOTHER AIRLINE!

December 19, 2006, 07:50 AM	#15
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	I use Bullseye for all of those

December 19, 2006, 11:13 AM	#16
The Real Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2006 Location: South Central KY Posts: 339	One more vote for Unique. Bullseye would be my second choice except for real "Magnum" loads in the .357.

December 19, 2006, 11:37 AM	#17
Crimp Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 276	Ramshot True Blue I have loaded each of those calibers with True Blue. Great stuff!

December 19, 2006, 11:58 AM	#18
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	231 comes close. You don't get full magnum performance with it in .357, but you do get better than .38 Spl. +P. Another contender would be, I think AA5. __________________ "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.

December 19, 2006, 11:33 PM	#19
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Since Alliant took over and cleaned up Unique it can't be beat----and you can use it in your shotgun. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

December 20, 2006, 08:08 PM	#20
quickshot Member Join Date: December 6, 2005 Posts: 46	+1 for w231 and titegroup. Good stuff in all my toys!! quickshot