700-X question

[BondoBob]

I'm going to add another powder. I'm currently using Trailboss for 38spl and 44spl. I'm going to start loading 380 and some magnums. There's not much if any load data for those. I think Trailboss is just too bulky for 380 cases.

Is 700-X somewhat bulky like Trailboss? I want to still be able to easily see a double charge.

[Jim Watson]

700X is relatively bulky but nothing like Trailboss.
It is a large flake that does not meter well in pistol loads. I had to put a vibrator on the Dillon measure to keep it from throwing an occasional one grain charge.
Clays seemed to do better in the measure but I don't know how the current crop compares. I recently read a favorable report on Clay Dot.

[BondoBob]

Jim:

Good point. I'm using a lee perfect powder measure. So how it throws through that is important. I also was considering clays. I realize this may be a bit redundant with a prior post, but the new info helps.

[USSR]

BondoBob,

As Jim said, not an easy dispensing powder. However, burn rate wise, it's a good choice. An even better choice would be Red Dot, which is a bulky powder and would fill your case nicely.

Don

[mikejonestkd]

IMO 700X is one of the worst powders to use for small handgun cartridge cases like your .380. The chance that it will bridge your powder measure and throw a very light charge is very high.
If you want to commit hand weighing every charge for the .380 then give it a try, otherwise pick something that meters better.

Quick side note- 800X is even worse....don't even consider it for .380

[TJB101]

As others have said, not the best ... TIghtgroup and Bullseye measure better and a double charge will be close to the top if not overflowing. 2.8gr of TG is great in my 380.

[Gdawgs]

I concur with everyone else, 700X meters terribly and would not be a good choice for 380(or pretty much anything except shotgun).

If you are looking for a good 380 powder, you'd be hard pressed to find one better than Winchester 231. It's much finer than the others you mention, but I don't think you would miss a double charge in 380. You could definitely do it in larger cases like 38 spec., etc. But if you pay attention, it's not an issue.

[BondoBob]

I get that finer powder for 380. For the magnums would clays, green dot and unique meter ok in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure?

[Nick_C_S]

If you are looking for a good 380 powder, you'd be hard pressed to find one better than Winchester 231.

A good choice. But what might be better in 380 is AA#2. It's super fine, meters incredibly, and does have a good fill rate.

Burned a fair amount of AA#2 today at the range, in fact

[Bayou]

I have somewhat different experiences than those listed above for 700-X. As stated, it is a flake-type powder.

I use a RCBS Uniflow powder dispenser. At first, I had difficulty with metering. And bridging was a problem with low charges like in the 380.

However, I came to realize that I was using the large volume cylinder in the Uniflow. When I bought my Uniflow, the package came with both large and small volume cylinders unlike today.

When I switched cylinders to the small volume one, metering became much more consistent and no more bridging even with charges as low as 2.7 grains (which is my 380 charge).

So, for me, 700-X is my go-to small pistol powder. I use it for all small pistols that I reload: 380, 9MM, 38SPL, 45acp. Hogdgon also has a 700-X load for 357 which, of course, is not a full charged magnum load as the powder is much too fast for that. But, it's a good light plinking load out of the 357.

Also, availability of 700-X tends to be a plus.

My experiences, at least...

Bayou

[USSR]

When I switched cylinders to the small volume one, metering became much more consistent...

Yep, using the small cylinder makes a big difference when dropping small charges of powder.

Don

[markr6754]

Originally Posted by USSR

Yep, using the small cylinder makes a big difference when dropping small charges of powder.

Don

I also use the pistol rotor in my Hornady Powder measure when loading .300 Blackout. I find it much easier to drop 2 smaller charges than 1 larger charge and having to swap in the rifle rotor. Seems it’s also more accurate...although all of this was prior to getting my electronic powder dispenser.

[jetinteriorguy]

I use 700-X in 9mm, .38sp, and .357mag with good results. I have used it with the Lee Perfect Powder Measure, Auto Drum, and Pro Disc with good results. Clays and 700-X are my go to powders in 9mm. I haven’t noticed any bridging and the case diameter in these calibers isn’t that different than a .380 so I can’t imagine it being a problem. You could always test one case by dropping the powder and weighing it a hundred times or so to see if it works ok.

[BondoBob]

So what exactly is bridging? I thought it meant the powder gets jammed up in the measure preventing a full load from falling through. But now it sounds like that happens in the case. Or is it both/either? I guess the best way to prevent that would be to dump and measure each load.

[Bayou]

^^^When I've seen powder "bridging", it appears to be stuck or bunched together in somewhat of a narrow wad as if it were pressed together with too much force. Rather than the powder flakes being free and separate as they should be normally.

If it occurs, bridging of the powder can be seen after the powder is dispensed from the powder dispenser either in the case or in the scale pan.

Hope this helps...

Bayou

[5whiskey]

I love 700x for certain calibers. It is a very economical Powder and meters well in an auto disk if you’re dropping at least 4.0 grain charges. It’s my go to 45 acp powder with a lead slug. Also used in 38 spl and occasionally 9mm. A 14 ounce can That can be found for 18 bucks loads over a thousand 45 acp rounds.

I would not recommend it in 380. I don’t think double charges are an issue... it usually gets at least 50% fill iirc. Squibs ala bridging in powder drops probably would be an issue.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by Nick_C_S

A good choice. But what might be better in 380 is AA#2. It's super fine, meters incredibly, and does have a good fill rate.

If AA#2 is much finer than Winchester 231, it's NOT a good candidate with the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I have a Lee PPM -- I don't have problems with leakage when loading Win 231, but many other people have complained about leakage.

I'd vote for Winchester 231 -- or Hodgdon HP-38, which is the same powder in a different bottle.

[BondoBob]

So if I understand this right, 700-X would be fine in my Lee PPM for my 357 and 44 magnum loads, but use 231 or Titegroup for 380, these will half fill the 380 case.

Thanks everyone.

[5whiskey]

Bondobob a powder that fast really isn’t best for magnum revolver cartridges if you’re seeking magnum velocity. You can load it yes, but it’s not optimal for velocity. Of course nothing is wrong with being satisfied with the velocity 700x will get you.

[jetinteriorguy]

Silly me, I was thinking bridging as in a narrow necked rifle case where it could stop a full charge from dropping before rotating the charge cylinder back, thus trapping some powder in the cavity. Obviously a pistol case isn’t going to cause this.

[Bayou]

^^^Still, that is a very good point regarding powder bridging in narrower rifle necks.

Thanks, jetinteriorguy...

Bayou

[mpowers]

I loaded over 20K 38 special 9mm and 45 acp and had no problems with consistency.