Five essential powders for loading pistols - Page 2

petej88 · June 5, 2001, 08:36 PM

AA#9
AA#7
N350
Power Pistol
HS6

Archie · June 7, 2001, 02:03 AM

does everything from .32 Automatic to .38 Special wadcutters to 158 grain at 1100 f/s in .357 Magnum.

Something in the 2400, H4227 or W296 should suffice for the heavy magnums.

I keep fidling with Unique (because it's an old favorite) and Green Dot in semi-autos... but W231 gets used more.

zxcvbob · June 30, 2008, 12:39 PM

Bullseye (I use it in just about everything)
Promo (perfect for .45 Colt and .38 Specials)
WSF (just like Herco, but it meters better)
2400 (for the big boomers)
black powder (just because)

I just bought some surplus AA#7, and so far I like it enough that it might could replace the WSF and 2400.

Scorch · June 30, 2008, 02:00 PM

Gee, I feel inadequate (about powders, that is).

1- Unique
2- Blue Dot
3,4,5- don't need 'em.

I guess I could load H110/WW296 if I liked big fireballs with no velocity gains. I could load Bullseye if I liked smaller, lower density loads for my practice loads. There is so much overlap in most folks' choices that it's hard to say where one powder leaves off and another takes over. Too many choices confuse me. I'll just take 2.

zxcvbob · June 30, 2008, 02:40 PM

Bullseye overlaps Unique a lot more than people realize. Try it in .357 Magnum or hot 9mm loads sometime.

The only reason I picked Bullseye over Unique is because it meters so much better.

shu · June 30, 2008, 08:48 PM

1. Bullseye (38spl wad cutters, light loads in 9mm and 45acp)
2. PowerPistol (stouter loads in 9mm and 45acp)
3. Unique (45 colt, 45acp, whatever)
4. BlueDot (357sig; fills the case)
5. H110 (357mag boomers)

JDG · June 30, 2008, 09:08 PM

1. Power Pistol (9X19) (40S&W) (45ACP Carry loads)
2. Clays (45ACP) (9X19 cream puff loads)
3. 231 (45ACP) (32ACP) (9X18 Mak)
4. HS6 (357 Mag) (9X19)
5. 2400 (357 Mag) (41 Mag)

Threefeathers · June 30, 2008, 09:09 PM

My five and the reason.

1 Unique- can reload every handgun and download emergency in rifles.

2. 800X- another very versatile powder my choice in 38 Super, 357 Sig and 45 Colt.

3. PB- another versatile powder but perfect for 9mm, 38 Special.

4. W296- my choice for full magnum loads. 357 Mag, 41 mag, 44 mag.

5. Red Dot- another versatile but my choice for 45ACP.

I've loaded for 25 years and have experimented with everything and have many more powders in storage but these will always be there/

rg1 · July 1, 2008, 12:40 AM

1. Unique
And I'd be satisfied if the only powders available for pistol were:
2. AA#2
3. AA#5
4. AA#7
5. AA# 9

Stumper · July 1, 2008, 08:27 AM

1. Red Dot- it can load anything and is cheap
2. Unique- it can load anything and get near top velocities in "standard" pressure handgun rounds
3. Blue Dot-Top velocities in many handgun rounds-----But its issues with cold temperatues make me want to find a substitute that I like.

All the others have been fun but I don't NEED them. Of course there are powders that copuld replace the ones I settled on easily enough.........though nothing that I can think of has tested loads for all the Red Dot applications that I have worked out already.

zxcvbob · July 1, 2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Blue Dot-Top velocities in many handgun rounds-----But its issues with cold temperatues make me want to find a substitute that I like.

AA#7 seems to be a good substitute for Blue Dot. Don't know about the temperature sensitivity yet. I just bought 16 pounds of it (cheap) and it's working great so far -- but all I've tried it in is .357 Magnum.

Crimp · July 1, 2008, 09:37 AM

Win 231
Ramshot Silhouette
Alliant 2400

Musketeer · July 1, 2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Gee, I feel inadequate (about powders, that is).

1- Unique
2- Blue Dot
3,4,5- don't need 'em.

I am in the same position.

Unique for my 45LC
Blue Dot for my 10mm

AlaskaMike · July 1, 2008, 11:25 AM

I'm surprised Power Pistol isn't more popular. Anyone who likes Unique should love Power Pistol. Here's my five:

1. Clays
2. W231
3. Power Pistol
4. 2400
5. W296

Mike

**Mike Irwin** · July 1, 2008, 11:43 AM

ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT!

Since I posted my first message 7 years ago, I've expanded to four standard powders...

WW 231

WW 296

AA 7

Trail Boss.

zxcvbob · July 1, 2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

I'm surprised Power Pistol isn't more popular. Anyone who likes Unique should love Power Pistol.

I suspect Bullseye and Power Pistol are all anyone really needs to load *any* smokeless handgun cartridge to optimal performance -- if you can find the load data, or are comfortable with developing your own load data from scratch. But what's the fun in having just 2 powders?

But I haven't actually tried Power Pistol yet; it was on my short list of powders to buy, until I found that deal on AA#7...

Now I'm trying to reduce the number of powders that I have (currently about 14 or 15 different half-empty one-pounders, but I'm not replacing most of them as I use them up.) I'm not gonna buy any more pistol powders for at least a year. Honest. Now if I find a deal on rifle powder...

gandog56 · July 1, 2008, 01:16 PM

How can anybody NOT have Unique in the top five? It is good for so many different loads. Probably the closest thing to a "universal" powder.

wingman · July 1, 2008, 01:25 PM

Depends on type of shooting but for me, Titegroup and AA5, loads
45acp,40cal.,9mm,38sp,9x18, 380.

45Marlin carbine · July 1, 2008, 06:03 PM

Bullseye and Power Pistol.

socaldan · July 1, 2008, 11:43 PM

I was hoping to see something on WSP.
I haven't tried it yet ,but it looks good.
any body try it? ... any good?

Dan

DWARREN123 · July 2, 2008, 08:55 AM

I only do 40 S&W and like Longshot for it.

1tomcat · July 2, 2008, 04:11 PM

I would only use 2
231
2400

BigJimP · July 2, 2008, 06:10 PM

I only use one powder for handguns in 9mm, .40 , .45 acp , .38 spl , .357 mag and .44 mag - Hodgden TiteGroup. Its a fast and clean powder that meters real well - and it keeps life simple.

jamaica · July 3, 2008, 10:05 AM

I like simplicity.

Unique -- does it all for me. I don't load any hot magnum loads.

gb_in_ga · July 3, 2008, 10:21 AM

Powders I'm using right now to cover the entire handgun spectrum:

Bullseye -- .38 wadcutter
HP-38 -- light to moderate
HS-6 -- moderate to heavy
H110 -- hot magnum

I could pare that list down and go with either Bullseye or HP-38 on the low end, I just happen to be using both right now. I could go with either Unique or Universal Clays instead of HS-6 on the mid-range, others may work as well but I haven't tried them.

June 5, 2001, 08:36 PM	#26
petej88 Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Location: US Posts: 510	AA#9 AA#7 N350 Power Pistol HS6 __________________ http://www.45gap.com

June 7, 2001, 02:03 AM	#27
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	W 231 does everything from .32 Automatic to .38 Special wadcutters to 158 grain at 1100 f/s in .357 Magnum. Something in the 2400, H4227 or W296 should suffice for the heavy magnums. I keep fidling with Unique (because it's an old favorite) and Green Dot in semi-autos... but W231 gets used more. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

June 30, 2008, 12:39 PM	#28
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Bullseye (I use it in just about everything) Promo (perfect for .45 Colt and .38 Specials) WSF (just like Herco, but it meters better) 2400 (for the big boomers) black powder (just because) I just bought some surplus AA#7, and so far I like it enough that it might could replace the WSF and 2400. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

June 30, 2008, 02:00 PM	#29
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Gee, I feel inadequate (about powders, that is). 1- Unique 2- Blue Dot 3,4,5- don't need 'em. I guess I could load H110/WW296 if I liked big fireballs with no velocity gains. I could load Bullseye if I liked smaller, lower density loads for my practice loads. There is so much overlap in most folks' choices that it's hard to say where one powder leaves off and another takes over. Too many choices confuse me. I'll just take 2. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 30, 2008, 02:40 PM	#30
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Bullseye overlaps Unique a lot more than people realize. Try it in .357 Magnum or hot 9mm loads sometime. The only reason I picked Bullseye over Unique is because it meters so much better. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

June 30, 2008, 08:48 PM	#31
shu Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2000 Location: lower rio grande valley, texas Posts: 216	1. Bullseye (38spl wad cutters, light loads in 9mm and 45acp) 2. PowerPistol (stouter loads in 9mm and 45acp) 3. Unique (45 colt, 45acp, whatever) 4. BlueDot (357sig; fills the case) 5. H110 (357mag boomers) __________________ If you would have Liberty you must accept that individual security is not the responsiblity of government. You must. - XAVIER ONASIS

June 30, 2008, 09:08 PM	#32
JDG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 673	1. Power Pistol (9X19) (40S&W) (45ACP Carry loads) 2. Clays (45ACP) (9X19 cream puff loads) 3. 231 (45ACP) (32ACP) (9X18 Mak) 4. HS6 (357 Mag) (9X19) 5. 2400 (357 Mag) (41 Mag)

June 30, 2008, 09:09 PM	#33
Threefeathers Junior member Join Date: June 7, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 392	My five and the reason. 1 Unique- can reload every handgun and download emergency in rifles. 2. 800X- another very versatile powder my choice in 38 Super, 357 Sig and 45 Colt. 3. PB- another versatile powder but perfect for 9mm, 38 Special. 4. W296- my choice for full magnum loads. 357 Mag, 41 mag, 44 mag. 5. Red Dot- another versatile but my choice for 45ACP. I've loaded for 25 years and have experimented with everything and have many more powders in storage but these will always be there/

July 1, 2008, 12:40 AM	#34
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	1. Unique And I'd be satisfied if the only powders available for pistol were: 2. AA#2 3. AA#5 4. AA#7 5. AA# 9

July 1, 2008, 08:27 AM	#35
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	1. Red Dot- it can load anything and is cheap 2. Unique- it can load anything and get near top velocities in "standard" pressure handgun rounds 3. Blue Dot-Top velocities in many handgun rounds-----But its issues with cold temperatues make me want to find a substitute that I like. All the others have been fun but I don't NEED them. Of course there are powders that copuld replace the ones I settled on easily enough.........though nothing that I can think of has tested loads for all the Red Dot applications that I have worked out already. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

July 1, 2008, 09:37 AM	#37
Crimp Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 276	Win 231 Ramshot Silhouette Alliant 2400 __________________ -Montani Semper Liberi- West Virginians: Consider joining the West Virginia Citizens Defense League.

July 1, 2008, 11:25 AM	#39
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I'm surprised Power Pistol isn't more popular. Anyone who likes Unique should love Power Pistol. Here's my five: 1. Clays 2. W231 3. Power Pistol 4. 2400 5. W296 Mike

July 1, 2008, 11:43 AM	#40
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	ZOMBIE THREAD ALERT! Since I posted my first message 7 years ago, I've expanded to four standard powders... WW 231 WW 296 AA 7 Trail Boss. __________________ "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.

July 1, 2008, 01:16 PM	#42
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2006 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 979	How can anybody NOT have Unique in the top five? It is good for so many different loads. Probably the closest thing to a "universal" powder. __________________ Some people think I'm paranoid because I have guns. If I have guns, what do I have to be paranoid about?

July 1, 2008, 01:25 PM	#43
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Depends on type of shooting but for me, Titegroup and AA5, loads 45acp,40cal.,9mm,38sp,9x18, 380.

July 1, 2008, 06:03 PM	#44
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	Bullseye and Power Pistol.

July 1, 2008, 11:43 PM	#45
socaldan Junior Member Join Date: May 13, 2008 Posts: 9	I was hoping to see something on WSP. I haven't tried it yet ,but it looks good. any body try it? ... any good? Dan

July 2, 2008, 08:55 AM	#46
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	I only do 40 S&W and like Longshot for it. __________________ Have a nice day!

July 2, 2008, 04:11 PM	#47
1tomcat Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 147	I would only use 2 231 2400

July 2, 2008, 06:10 PM	#48
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I only use one powder for handguns in 9mm, .40 , .45 acp , .38 spl , .357 mag and .44 mag - Hodgden TiteGroup. Its a fast and clean powder that meters real well - and it keeps life simple.

July 3, 2008, 10:05 AM	#49
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	I like simplicity. Unique -- does it all for me. I don't load any hot magnum loads.

July 3, 2008, 10:21 AM	#50
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	Powders I'm using right now to cover the entire handgun spectrum: Bullseye -- .38 wadcutter HP-38 -- light to moderate HS-6 -- moderate to heavy H110 -- hot magnum I could pare that list down and go with either Bullseye or HP-38 on the low end, I just happen to be using both right now. I could go with either Unique or Universal Clays instead of HS-6 on the mid-range, others may work as well but I haven't tried them. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...