What's in YOUR action pistol?

Nick_C_S · July 13, 2015, 11:08 AM

Hi, I shot in an ICORE event yesterday and just for fun, I thought I'd ask a few shooters what powder they were using to propel their bullets. This is only anecdotal and the sample size was small. But none-the-less, I found it interesting.

Of the seven people I polled (one was me), here's the breakdown:

W231/HP-38 - 1
WSF - 1 (even though it was a revolver event, this guy had a semi-auto)
Trail Boss - 1
Bullseye (me) - 1
Titegroup - 3

Titegroup wins. Between this and all the good stuff I hear about it on TFL, I'm gonna have to grab a pound if my LGS ever gets some in.

Who shoots in action pistol sports? If so, what propellant(s) to you use?

serf 'rett · July 13, 2015, 11:14 AM

IDPA
Power Pistol, W-231, Unique and recently AutoComp

pete2 · July 13, 2015, 11:26 AM

IDPA

WST
Unique
Titegroup

I've also used HS7, HP38/231, Green Dot, Clays, and Bullseye. There are a bunch of others that will also work for IDPA. I use Bullseye at the moment for Bullseye Pistol and have used Clays.

hoghunting · July 13, 2015, 12:36 PM

W231 with 200 gr LSWC, don't know how many thousands I have gone through, but extremely accurate in my pistols.

Hunter Customs · July 13, 2015, 01:16 PM

I no longer compete, when I did I competed in the larger Pin matches ( regulation tables), both types of steel (bang & clang and reactive) plus USPSA/IPSC.

I've used three different calibers, 45ACP, 9MM, and 40 S&W.
The 9s and 45s were loaded with 231, I had three different 40 loads all loaded with N350.

BombthePeasants · July 13, 2015, 02:06 PM

WSF for both my wife's 9mm and my .45Auto; both using lead bullets

BigJimP · July 13, 2015, 02:19 PM

I no longer compete....but it was always TiteGroup for me as well.

Nick_C_S · July 13, 2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

W231 with 200 gr LSWC

Me too. Been shooting this combination for decades.

Jim Watson · July 13, 2015, 04:02 PM

IDPA (Previously IPSC, PPC)
Win 231/HP38 for .38, 9mm, .45 Major
Bullseye for .45 Minor

Shotgun Slim · July 13, 2015, 04:59 PM

I load several different powders in my 40-Clays,Clay Dot,True Blue,Accurate # 5 just to name a few- but when the money gets right it will always be Accurate # 7 for competition(IDPA,bowling pins and various steel events).

skizzums · July 13, 2015, 08:49 PM

i find little difference between using titegroup and p38 except the titegroup uses a couple tenths less. but velocities and characteristic are pretty close to the same with a slight lead going to TG

these days i just delegate the TG to jacketed and hp for cast

Tony C · July 14, 2015, 01:32 AM

I shoot USPSA and frankly I use whatever powder I can find right now. I prefer 231/HP-38, time group, or Unique, but right now I am using HS-6 for my 9mm as I was able to find an 8lb container. It's accurate but dirty at the low end.

jmorris · July 14, 2015, 06:11 PM

N310, N320, 3N37, tight group, bullseye, Clays, HS-7 and a few others.

Nick_C_S · July 14, 2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

It's (HS-6) accurate but dirty at the low end.

Heavy bullets help. With 9mm, I've had decent luck with HS-6/147's.

skizzums · July 15, 2015, 12:02 AM

i can't say of HS6 is "dirty", but i like it. it is extremely accurate. works best in the 147's, but i use it solely for lightweight bullets in the 80-90gr range. i can't find data on any other powder that produces the velocities HS-6 does, i use a magnum primer and usually filled to capacity,so it always burns clean for me. not something i would use for range fodder though. costs too much when other powders get you similar results with half the weight of powder. most accurate 9mm load for me is the 90gr XTP with a full case of HS6(8.4gr? don't qoute me). i know not what the OP was asking, jst thought i would share my experience with hs6 since it came up.

Tony C · July 17, 2015, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Heavy bullets help. With 9mm, I've had decent luck with HS-6/147's

I will give these a try, hopefully I have the same experience. I am shooting BlackAndBlue.com's 135's now.

Pond, James Pond · July 17, 2015, 02:22 AM

At present I shoot my semi-auto CZ in IPSC. For that I stick to factory loads.

I'd like to get into shooting with my Redhawk too in which case my powders of choice will probably be N320 for .44Spl (tried and tested) or perhaps .44Mag (theoretically should give similar to Spl loads). If that does not get me results I can also try N350.

I load .44Mag with N110 too but those are tectonic loads which would not be conducive to getting back on target in under a quarter of an hour!!

**Mike Irwin** · July 17, 2015, 05:00 AM

231 is, and has been since the early 1980s, my go to choice for virtually all of my handgun reloading.

I don't realistically ever see that changing.

precision_shooter · July 17, 2015, 08:34 AM

I use AA #5 for all of my pistol reloading. 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 10mm.

SVTCobra306 · July 18, 2015, 06:09 PM

Until recently, it was HS-6 and occasionally Autocomp in my 9mm, and Bullseye in my .45 ACP. I've started playing with some CFE Pistol, and I think it's going into more stuff for me.

jmorris · July 19, 2015, 05:53 PM

I used to use 231 for just about everything, until I started shooting competitively and now I use many different powders and 231 is not one of them for the gun games.

Kosh75287 · July 20, 2015, 07:41 PM

My home defense load is my practice load, is my competition load: 4.6-4.7/Promo/225 Lee TC. I make it by the bucket-full and shoot it the same way. Once I'm through this 8lb jug of Promo, I may switch over to Unique, because I can use it in more calibers.

Early in my shooting career, I took to heart some advice from a very old, very wise man who was kind enough to bother to impart knowledge. He said, "Find one load that works for your pistol, I mean REALLY works for your pistol, and practice with it to the exclusion of all others. Shoot other loads in it for fun, if you must, but when shooting for keeps, use that one load that you've gotten to know so well."

JMO

July 13, 2015, 11:08 AM	#1
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	What's in YOUR action pistol? Hi, I shot in an ICORE event yesterday and just for fun, I thought I'd ask a few shooters what powder they were using to propel their bullets. This is only anecdotal and the sample size was small. But none-the-less, I found it interesting. Of the seven people I polled (one was me), here's the breakdown: W231/HP-38 - 1 WSF - 1 (even though it was a revolver event, this guy had a semi-auto) Trail Boss - 1 Bullseye (me) - 1 Titegroup - 3 Titegroup wins. Between this and all the good stuff I hear about it on TFL, I'm gonna have to grab a pound if my LGS ever gets some in. Who shoots in action pistol sports? If so, what propellant(s) to you use? __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

July 13, 2015, 11:14 AM	#2
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	IDPA Power Pistol, W-231, Unique and recently AutoComp __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

July 13, 2015, 08:49 PM	#11
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	i find little difference between using titegroup and p38 except the titegroup uses a couple tenths less. but velocities and characteristic are pretty close to the same with a slight lead going to TG these days i just delegate the TG to jacketed and hp for cast __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

July 15, 2015, 12:02 AM	#15
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	i can't say of HS6 is "dirty", but i like it. it is extremely accurate. works best in the 147's, but i use it solely for lightweight bullets in the 80-90gr range. i can't find data on any other powder that produces the velocities HS-6 does, i use a magnum primer and usually filled to capacity,so it always burns clean for me. not something i would use for range fodder though. costs too much when other powders get you similar results with half the weight of powder. most accurate 9mm load for me is the 90gr XTP with a full case of HS6(8.4gr? don't qoute me). i know not what the OP was asking, jst thought i would share my experience with hs6 since it came up. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

July 17, 2015, 02:22 AM	#17
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	At present I shoot my semi-auto CZ in IPSC. For that I stick to factory loads. I'd like to get into shooting with my Redhawk too in which case my powders of choice will probably be N320 for .44Spl (tried and tested) or perhaps .44Mag (theoretically should give similar to Spl loads). If that does not get me results I can also try N350. I load .44Mag with N110 too but those are tectonic loads which would not be conducive to getting back on target in under a quarter of an hour!! __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly. Last edited by Pond, James Pond; July 17, 2015 at 06:09 AM. Reason: culling prepositions

July 13, 2015, 11:26 AM	#3
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	IDPA WST Unique Titegroup I've also used HS7, HP38/231, Green Dot, Clays, and Bullseye. There are a bunch of others that will also work for IDPA. I use Bullseye at the moment for Bullseye Pistol and have used Clays.

July 13, 2015, 12:36 PM	#4
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	W231 with 200 gr LSWC, don't know how many thousands I have gone through, but extremely accurate in my pistols.

July 13, 2015, 01:16 PM	#5
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I no longer compete, when I did I competed in the larger Pin matches ( regulation tables), both types of steel (bang & clang and reactive) plus USPSA/IPSC. I've used three different calibers, 45ACP, 9MM, and 40 S&W. The 9s and 45s were loaded with 231, I had three different 40 loads all loaded with N350. Last edited by Hunter Customs; July 13, 2015 at 09:39 PM.

July 13, 2015, 02:06 PM	#6
BombthePeasants Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 351	WSF for both my wife's 9mm and my .45Auto; both using lead bullets

July 13, 2015, 02:19 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I no longer compete....but it was always TiteGroup for me as well.

July 13, 2015, 04:02 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	IDPA (Previously IPSC, PPC) Win 231/HP38 for .38, 9mm, .45 Major Bullseye for .45 Minor

July 13, 2015, 04:59 PM	#10
Shotgun Slim Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2014 Location: Va Posts: 291	I load several different powders in my 40-Clays,Clay Dot,True Blue,Accurate # 5 just to name a few- but when the money gets right it will always be Accurate # 7 for competition(IDPA,bowling pins and various steel events).

July 14, 2015, 01:32 AM	#12
Tony C Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 293	I shoot USPSA and frankly I use whatever powder I can find right now. I prefer 231/HP-38, time group, or Unique, but right now I am using HS-6 for my 9mm as I was able to find an 8lb container. It's accurate but dirty at the low end.

July 14, 2015, 06:11 PM	#13
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	N310, N320, 3N37, tight group, bullseye, Clays, HS-7 and a few others.

July 17, 2015, 05:00 AM	#18
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	231 is, and has been since the early 1980s, my go to choice for virtually all of my handgun reloading. I don't realistically ever see that changing. __________________ "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 17, 2015, 08:34 AM	#19
precision_shooter Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,475	I use AA #5 for all of my pistol reloading. 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 10mm. __________________ "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." - Thomas Jefferson, 1776

July 18, 2015, 06:09 PM	#20
SVTCobra306 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Posts: 434	Until recently, it was HS-6 and occasionally Autocomp in my 9mm, and Bullseye in my .45 ACP. I've started playing with some CFE Pistol, and I think it's going into more stuff for me. __________________ Former US Army Paratrooper (1/509th PIR and 2nd BCT 82nd ABN DIV) 2 time OIF Veteran NRA Certified RSO/CRSO NRA Certified Pistol Instructor

July 19, 2015, 05:53 PM	#21
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I used to use 231 for just about everything, until I started shooting competitively and now I use many different powders and 231 is not one of them for the gun games.

July 20, 2015, 07:41 PM	#22
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	My home defense load is my practice load, is my competition load: 4.6-4.7/Promo/225 Lee TC. I make it by the bucket-full and shoot it the same way. Once I'm through this 8lb jug of Promo, I may switch over to Unique, because I can use it in more calibers. Early in my shooting career, I took to heart some advice from a very old, very wise man who was kind enough to bother to impart knowledge. He said, "Find one load that works for your pistol, I mean REALLY works for your pistol, and practice with it to the exclusion of all others. Shoot other loads in it for fun, if you must, but when shooting for keeps, use that one load that you've gotten to know so well." JMO __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!