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Old January 11, 2010, 09:30 AM   #1
spacecoast
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Next powder?

I have been using Titegroup and AA #2 to reload .380, 9mm, .38, .357 and .45 ACP, and have been pretty satisfied with the results for target loads. I have read that .357 cartridges like slower powders than these, however, and that there may be a better powder for .380 ACP. What powder could I try that would be a good complement to these?

Thanks in advance...
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Old January 11, 2010, 09:46 AM   #2
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For the .357 Magnum, try H110.
I use both TiteGroup and W231 for the .380 Auto. Depending on which I have more of at the time.
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Old January 11, 2010, 09:50 AM   #3
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You have quite a range of cartridges, with respect to both their internal powder spaces and their SAAMI limits on maximum pressure. So, no single powder can give you MAXIMUM performance in all of them.

Since you have only used a fast powder to make target loads, so far, I suggest that your NEXT step be a medium burn-rate powder. That should still be useable in all of your cartridges, and can produce more powerful rounds, although not yet max for the .357 Magnum. Actually, it might not produce more powerful rounds for the .380 Auto, because AA #2 seems near optimum for that cartridge, but slower powders are still useable in the .380 if you run out of #2.

Some of the powders in the burning-rate range that I am talking about are Unique, Universal, AA#5, AA#7, Power Pistol, HS-6, and there are many others. I suggest that you pick one based on availability of the actual powder (since there are still shortages) and availability of data for the powder with the bullets you want to load in the various cartridges that you have.

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Old January 11, 2010, 01:16 PM   #4
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Unique; HP-38/W231.
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Old January 11, 2010, 01:41 PM   #5
Mike Irwin
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AA 7 is an excellent powder for .357 mag.
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Old January 11, 2010, 01:49 PM   #6
BigJimP
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I would just stay with TiteGroup and keep it simple.....
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Old January 11, 2010, 04:44 PM   #7
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Alliant's Unique or Hodgdon's Universal will work well in all the cartridges you list.
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Old January 11, 2010, 05:25 PM   #8
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H110 for the .357Mag. If you can handle it.
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Old January 11, 2010, 06:24 PM   #9
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I have read here and elsewhere that Unique will give the most velocity in .380 while staying within normal pressure... but I'll never use it for .380 because I cannot meter that stuff. I can't... and in something that small, I wouldn't even try it. If I were willing to hand weigh each charge, I'd consider Unique for .380.

I've used Bullseye and Power Pistol and they both work great, but I prefer to stick with Power Pistol for .380.

In .357, I like 2400 and stick with it.

In 9, 10, .38 and .380, I love Power Pistol. I'm going to try it in .45 next.
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Old January 11, 2010, 06:30 PM   #10
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Right now I'm using ZIP for my 9mm loads and Bullseye for my .45acp rounds.

Couldn't be happier with the performance of both.
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Old January 11, 2010, 07:51 PM   #11
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I use W231/HP38, Bullseye, and Titegroup for 9mm, .45 Auto, and .38 Special. H110, H4227, and W296 for .357 Magnum. Also use AA#7 for 9mm every once in a while.
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Old January 11, 2010, 11:11 PM   #12
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AA#2 is pretty fast.
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Old January 12, 2010, 11:02 AM   #13
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I try to get as much power out of a cartridge as I can in concealed carry applications.

H110 for 38sp and 357 mag.

Power Pistol for 380, 9mm, and 45acp.
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Old January 12, 2010, 11:14 AM   #14
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The best commonly-available powder for .380 is Unique, and it's not bad for the other cartridges you listed.

The Titegroup you're using is a fast-burning powder. Bullseye is another fast powder that also doubles as a medium powder. (I'm not sure how they do that) I think it's really a medium powder under the covers but just has a *very* high energy content. I use maximum charges of Bullseye in my 9mm and am really happy with it. It's also the classic powder for for .45 ACP and for target loads in .38 Special.
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Old January 12, 2010, 03:47 PM   #15
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For what it's worth, I use TiteGroup regularly for target practice rounds in my .357 Magnum as it is economical to use and accurate (for me) as well. I really like using it for such.

However, when I want full-house rounds to shoot I load up with either 2400 or H110 (as a side note I managed to purchase two, eight-pound kegs of 2400 last week). Both are lots of fun to shoot if your gun can handle it. Note that H110 requires magnum primers but that's all I use in the .357 myself.

As for the other calibers- I'll let others chime in.
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Old March 13, 2010, 04:01 PM   #16
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I reloaded 15.3 grains of H110 behind a 158 gr. JHP this week and shot a few today... quite a blast to say the least, the flash was very noticeable.
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Old March 13, 2010, 10:14 PM   #17
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Try 36gr behind a 240gr bullet!
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