Powder Recommendations - Page 2

buckster · August 12, 2007, 12:35 AM

Clays or Tite Group, If your near a Cabela's, the Lee Classic Turrent is 89.00, just the press. Then you can customize your other extras like powder scale, powder dispenser, and priming tool. Welcome and good groups!

jhansman · August 12, 2007, 01:01 AM

Ditto on Titegroup. I started off with W231 for general loads in .357mag and W296 for full house, and then moved from W231 to Titegroup and have never looked back. It meters a bit cleaner than the ball powders, and is not position senstive in the case. All around great powder that should work in the calibers you list.

Ozzieman · August 12, 2007, 04:03 PM

All powders that I have used are good and reliable but.
But none as usable for all auto calibers as 231. I have loaded from 380 to 45 ACP and everything in between and it’s reliable and what I like about it is it’s also clean compared to other powders.

One suggestion,
Before you buy Lee (Other than the auto prime nothing better).
Go to the following web sight and check out some of there dies. Spending a little more and get high end carbide dies will get you much better dies to work with.
I have some Lee dies and I find them sloppy when trying to set the depth on the center post, be it depriming or expander or ball seater.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/catalog2.html

**Mike Irwin** · August 12, 2007, 04:14 PM

I've used WW 231 almost exclusively for nearly 25 years now. It gives me everything that I'm looking for.

I've used/use it for loading:

.32 S&W Long
.38 S&W
.38 Special
.380 ACP
9mm
.357 Magnum (light to mid loads, 296 for heavy loads)
.41 Magnum (light loads with lead bullets, 296 & AA 7 for heavier loads)
.44 Special
.45 ACP

I can't imagine using any other powder regularly with .38 Special or .45 ACP.

When I got the .41 and the 10mm (now gone) I needed to look to another powder for heavier loads, so I settled on AA No. 7 for those. Great powder, as well.

The only cartridge that I don't like 231 for is the .44 Special. It's a large case but holds to lower velocities/pressures. This means that the small amounts of 231 that are called for are lost in the case. Not long after I got the .44 IMR came out with Trailboss, so that is now my go-to powder for .44 Special.

As for the Lee disk powder measure, as long as I'm using the disks I've never had a single problem of it throwing light loads, even with the .32 Long.

The adjustable charge bar is another matter. It doesn't seem to throw consistent loads until it's opened up to take 4.5 to 5 grains of 231 or AA 7.

RNG · August 12, 2007, 04:40 PM

Someone mentioned a Lymans reloading book. Which one should I get? I saw a 3rd edition and a 48th edition.

Thanks

Richard

RNG · August 12, 2007, 05:37 PM

Another couple of quick questions if ya'll don't mind. I went to a friends backyard range to pick up some brass that's been out there for awhile. Stuff I picked up is real dirty and very discolored, most of which were packed with dirt. Can this still be used as long as the casings are not split, crack, rusted, or otherwise physically damaged? Should these casings get a preliminary cleaning before tumbling? Should they be decapped prior to tumbling?

Thanks,
Richard

Redneck with a 40 · August 12, 2007, 07:20 PM

9mm and 45 ACP = Unique, most versatile powder made. I'm not sure about the 380, but I'd assume it would be fine, Unique works well in all pistol calibers.

August 12, 2007, 12:35 AM	#26
buckster Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 674	Powder Clays or Tite Group, If your near a Cabela's, the Lee Classic Turrent is 89.00, just the press. Then you can customize your other extras like powder scale, powder dispenser, and priming tool. Welcome and good groups!

August 12, 2007, 04:03 PM	#28
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	There are better powders All powders that I have used are good and reliable but. But none as usable for all auto calibers as 231. I have loaded from 380 to 45 ACP and everything in between and it’s reliable and what I like about it is it’s also clean compared to other powders. One suggestion, Before you buy Lee (Other than the auto prime nothing better). Go to the following web sight and check out some of there dies. Spending a little more and get high end carbide dies will get you much better dies to work with. I have some Lee dies and I find them sloppy when trying to set the depth on the center post, be it depriming or expander or ball seater. http://www.sinclairintl.com/catalog2.html

August 12, 2007, 04:14 PM	#29
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	I've used WW 231 almost exclusively for nearly 25 years now. It gives me everything that I'm looking for. I've used/use it for loading: .32 S&W Long .38 S&W .38 Special .380 ACP 9mm .357 Magnum (light to mid loads, 296 for heavy loads) .41 Magnum (light loads with lead bullets, 296 & AA 7 for heavier loads) .44 Special .45 ACP I can't imagine using any other powder regularly with .38 Special or .45 ACP. When I got the .41 and the 10mm (now gone) I needed to look to another powder for heavier loads, so I settled on AA No. 7 for those. Great powder, as well. The only cartridge that I don't like 231 for is the .44 Special. It's a large case but holds to lower velocities/pressures. This means that the small amounts of 231 that are called for are lost in the case. Not long after I got the .44 IMR came out with Trailboss, so that is now my go-to powder for .44 Special. As for the Lee disk powder measure, as long as I'm using the disks I've never had a single problem of it throwing light loads, even with the .32 Long. The adjustable charge bar is another matter. It doesn't seem to throw consistent loads until it's opened up to take 4.5 to 5 grains of 231 or AA 7. __________________ "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.

August 12, 2007, 01:01 AM	#27
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	Ditto on Titegroup. I started off with W231 for general loads in .357mag and W296 for full house, and then moved from W231 to Titegroup and have never looked back. It meters a bit cleaner than the ball powders, and is not position senstive in the case. All around great powder that should work in the calibers you list.

August 12, 2007, 04:40 PM	#30
RNG Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 120	Someone mentioned a Lymans reloading book. Which one should I get? I saw a 3rd edition and a 48th edition. Thanks Richard

August 12, 2007, 05:37 PM	#31
RNG Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 120	Another couple of quick questions if ya'll don't mind. I went to a friends backyard range to pick up some brass that's been out there for awhile. Stuff I picked up is real dirty and very discolored, most of which were packed with dirt. Can this still be used as long as the casings are not split, crack, rusted, or otherwise physically damaged? Should these casings get a preliminary cleaning before tumbling? Should they be decapped prior to tumbling? Thanks, Richard

August 12, 2007, 07:20 PM	#32
Redneck with a 40 Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2006 Posts: 336	9mm and 45 ACP = Unique, most versatile powder made. I'm not sure about the 380, but I'd assume it would be fine, Unique works well in all pistol calibers.