What was your first powder... - Page 3

pathdoc · July 17, 2016, 08:47 PM

ADI AR2209 (it has another name in North America, I forget which & my reference chart is nowhere nearby) in the .303 British, for one and later two SMLE rifles. Since moving to Canada I use Varget and IMR 3031, the latter of which is IIRC a direct descendant of the non-cordite powder used in some .303 military loads!

Pcfishslayer · July 17, 2016, 09:19 PM

Just started loading. My first try was with W 296 for 357 Mag. Made sure I had a good role crimp and complete success!

alistair · July 17, 2016, 09:28 PM

Hodgdon Longshot for 9mm

TfflHndn · July 18, 2016, 12:49 PM

I only started reloading a few years ago, and for 9mm and .45auto. My first powder purchase was a pound each of Clays and Silhouette. Have tried a bunch of other powders since, but still like those two and use them frequently.

T. O'Heir · July 18, 2016, 01:15 PM

Talcum, but I was really young and didn't apply it myself. snicker.
First reloading was done with a Classic Lee Loader in .243. Don't recall the powder, but I ended up with IMR4350.

turtlehead · July 18, 2016, 02:16 PM

lol.

SIGSHR · July 18, 2016, 02:36 PM

Bullseye
1975
38 Special WC

Chaz88 · July 18, 2016, 02:57 PM

Bullseye. For a S&W mod 28 shooting .38 target loads with full wad-cutters.

That was a long time ago but I still like Bullseys for target loads. It doesn't take much so a pound goes a long way.

.38SPL enthusiast · July 18, 2016, 11:16 PM

IMR 800X. Used it to load .38 wadcutters with a Lee Classic Loader. I still use both, but not together much.

alexcue · July 19, 2016, 11:37 AM

Someone else had the same stuff I used!

Hercules Unique (still have the empty can) and W231 for 38sp/357mag, and this was back in 1989, I also messed with Blue Dot and 2400 (used to work in a Sporting Good store, I saw what customers bought the most, so bought several of them at once), because I still have some of that original stuff. Since I was using a scale and trickler the Unique was okay, but I graduated to a RCBS Uniflow, W231 took over.

mikld · July 19, 2016, 12:02 PM

1969. Bullseye for .38 Special, S&W Model 10. Used a Lee Loader with 158 gr. generic lead SWC. And so it began...

CleanDean · July 19, 2016, 12:11 PM

UNIQUE powder
for .38 specials... loaded on a Lyman turret press.

Geeze Kripe, does that sound eerily ancient ?

Nick_C_S · July 19, 2016, 12:20 PM

In my original post (#37) I mentioned Bullseye for my first round of ammo loaded. But when I first got started, I bought "the whole spectrum" of Hercules propellants: Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, Herco, and Blue Dot.

Good times. I only made subsequent purchases of B'eye and Unique. I do remember really liking Herco though, and I don't recall why I didn't buy subsequent #'s.

For the slow stuff, I didn't buy any more Blue Dot and got some W296. I recall telling the sporting goods store owner what I was doing with Blue Dot. He quickly directed me to W296. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was probably doing his part to keep me from blowing up my guns

Whether that was his intent or not, it was likely the result.

I also pressure spiked Red Dot - but that's another post.

I've matured a lot since then.

condor bravo · July 19, 2016, 02:10 PM

Bullseye, which might be the predominant mentioned so far, and for the .38 Special. But shortly thereafter followed by Unique.

michaeldarnold · July 19, 2016, 03:25 PM

IMR 4831 7MM Rem Mag for my inherited Remington 700.

Metal god · July 19, 2016, 04:47 PM

At the time I wanted 4895 , 4064 , Varget , RL-15 for my 308's but none was to be had . So I looked in my two manuals at the time and just picked some powders that were in stock . Those were N-540 & 550 , Power Pro 2000mr & IMR 4350 . The very first cartridge I loaded used N-550 , 190gr smk , PPU cases and Win LRP .

FWIW I don't use any of those powders now or the bullet for that matter . Still use Win primers in both rifle and pistol .

robinsroost · July 19, 2016, 04:51 PM

It was IMR30-31 and it was for a Model 700BDL in .243 Winchester........robin

KenL · July 19, 2016, 05:50 PM

1985
Unique
38 Special
Ruger Blackhawk

gwpercle · July 19, 2016, 06:47 PM

Unique
1970 Ruger Blackhawk 38/357 magnum.

I still have the Blackhawk and keeping an eye out for more Unique.
For many years I loaded just about everything with Unique and cast bullets.
Gary

Economist · July 19, 2016, 08:37 PM

H4831 for .270 win.

Those were simpler times, when I worried about each piece of brass and case necks and 25 cartridges was a big night.

RickCoop · July 19, 2016, 11:32 PM

When I decided to start there was a serious shortage of pistol powder in my area. So, before I bought anything I figured that without powder, a press, dies, scales, primers ect. would be worthless. So I made a list of powders I thought I could use to reload my Ruger P95 9mm. My list included Bullseye, Unique, HP38/W231 and a few others. I went to several lgs's and asked about the powders on my list. This invariably resulted in snickers from the clerks and the general response of "naw, we ain't seen none of those in a quite a while". It was rather discouraging. One day I was scanning a few pistols at another lgs and just happend to ask if they had any pistol powder. To my surprise the clerk said yes and pulled out a pound of Power Pistol. It wasn't exactly my first choice but it was on the list! Bought it, took it home and then ordered a Lee turret press kit, a set of dies and a digital scale. The rest is history. I now load 38 special, 357magnum, and 45acp in addition to 9mm. I have also found a reliable source for Bullseye and Unique.

**Mike Irwin** · July 20, 2016, 03:26 PM

Red Dot for shotgun.

WW 231 for handguns.

IMR 4320 for rifle.

Still use Red Dot and 231, but switched to 4064 for rifle years ago during a 4320 shortage.

Bayoubulldog · July 20, 2016, 06:11 PM

Hi-scor 700x for 45 ACP. About 7 years ago. It still makes a heck of a decent 45 load for my 1911!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

LOLBELL · July 20, 2016, 07:54 PM

Unique for an Auto 5 12 gauge in 1983

Unique for an Xdm in 9mm in 2005, my first metallic cartridge.

Varget for an A-bolt in 270 in 2005, my first rifle cartridge.

Still use a lot of Unique in pistol and shotguns. I get nervous if I get down to just one 8 lb jug.

KBrun · July 20, 2016, 07:59 PM

Imr 4895 for my Marlin 308. Switched over to varget now but it worked well

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

July 18, 2016, 01:15 PM	#55
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Talcum, but I was really young and didn't apply it myself. snicker. First reloading was done with a Classic Lee Loader in .243. Don't recall the powder, but I ended up with IMR4350. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 18, 2016, 02:57 PM	#58
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	Bullseye. For a S&W mod 28 shooting .38 target loads with full wad-cutters. That was a long time ago but I still like Bullseys for target loads. It doesn't take much so a pound goes a long way. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

July 19, 2016, 12:02 PM	#61
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	1969. Bullseye for .38 Special, S&W Model 10. Used a Lee Loader with 158 gr. generic lead SWC. And so it began... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

July 19, 2016, 12:11 PM	#62
CleanDean Member Join Date: March 18, 2012 Location: Penna◇VIGILANT CURMUDGEON Posts: 80	UNIQUE *powder* for .38 specials... loaded on a Lyman turret press. Geeze Kripe, does that sound eerily ancient ? __________________ FNH Scar 17 s --Black ; cause it goes so well with my formal wear, for those special occasions. Customized Mini 14 ,& ATI stock and a 3.5 lb.-- Pittsburgh trigger. / SIG P227 / Colt Python 8 in.Nickel / Colt Gold Cup N.M. ; Voere * KDF in .270 ; N. frame S&W revolvers; and TC Contender in 41 Magnum .

July 19, 2016, 12:20 PM	#63
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,521	In my original post (#37) I mentioned Bullseye for my first round of ammo loaded. But when I first got started, I bought "the whole spectrum" of Hercules propellants: Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, Herco, and Blue Dot. Good times. I only made subsequent purchases of B'eye and Unique. I do remember really liking Herco though, and I don't recall why I didn't buy subsequent #'s. For the slow stuff, I didn't buy any more Blue Dot and got some W296. I recall telling the sporting goods store owner what I was doing with Blue Dot. He quickly directed me to W296. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was probably doing his part to keep me from blowing up my guns Whether that was his intent or not, it was likely the result. I also pressure spiked Red Dot - but that's another post. I've matured a lot since then. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

July 17, 2016, 08:47 PM	#51
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	ADI AR2209 (it has another name in North America, I forget which & my reference chart is nowhere nearby) in the .303 British, for one and later two SMLE rifles. Since moving to Canada I use Varget and IMR 3031, the latter of which is IIRC a direct descendant of the non-cordite powder used in some .303 military loads!

July 17, 2016, 09:19 PM	#52
Pcfishslayer Junior Member Join Date: June 24, 2016 Posts: 12	Just started loading. My first try was with W 296 for 357 Mag. Made sure I had a good role crimp and complete success!

July 17, 2016, 09:28 PM	#53
alistair Member Join Date: June 28, 2014 Posts: 32	Hodgdon Longshot for 9mm

July 18, 2016, 12:49 PM	#54
TfflHndn Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2013 Location: Gig Harbor WA Posts: 160	I only started reloading a few years ago, and for 9mm and .45auto. My first powder purchase was a pound each of Clays and Silhouette. Have tried a bunch of other powders since, but still like those two and use them frequently.

July 18, 2016, 02:16 PM	#56
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	lol.

July 18, 2016, 02:36 PM	#57
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Bullseye 1975 38 Special WC

July 18, 2016, 11:16 PM	#59
.38SPL enthusiast Member Join Date: August 21, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 78	IMR 800X. Used it to load .38 wadcutters with a Lee Classic Loader. I still use both, but not together much.

July 19, 2016, 11:37 AM	#60
alexcue Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 134	Someone else had the same stuff I used! Hercules Unique (still have the empty can) and W231 for 38sp/357mag, and this was back in 1989, I also messed with Blue Dot and 2400 (used to work in a Sporting Good store, I saw what customers bought the most, so bought several of them at once), because I still have some of that original stuff. Since I was using a scale and trickler the Unique was okay, but I graduated to a RCBS Uniflow, W231 took over.

July 19, 2016, 02:10 PM	#64
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	Bullseye, which might be the predominant mentioned so far, and for the .38 Special. But shortly thereafter followed by Unique. __________________ Ouch, the dreaded "M-1 thumb", you just know it will happen eventually, so why not do it now and get it over with??

July 19, 2016, 03:25 PM	#65
michaeldarnold Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2016 Location: St. Louis Suburbs Posts: 137	IMR 4831 7MM Rem Mag for my inherited Remington 700.

July 19, 2016, 04:47 PM	#66
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,874	At the time I wanted 4895 , 4064 , Varget , RL-15 for my 308's but none was to be had . So I looked in my two manuals at the time and just picked some powders that were in stock . Those were N-540 & 550 , Power Pro 2000mr & IMR 4350 . The very first cartridge I loaded used N-550 , 190gr smk , PPU cases and Win LRP . FWIW I don't use any of those powders now or the bullet for that matter . Still use Win primers in both rifle and pistol . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

July 19, 2016, 04:51 PM	#67
robinsroost Member Join Date: June 15, 2015 Location: Hohenwald Tennessee by way of Posts: 28	It was IMR30-31 and it was for a Model 700BDL in .243 Winchester........robin __________________ If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember what you said! Retired LEO, life member of the American Legion, The VFW, The NRA and The Masonic Lodge

July 19, 2016, 05:50 PM	#68
KenL Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 218	1985 Unique 38 Special Ruger Blackhawk

July 19, 2016, 06:47 PM	#69
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,748	Unique 1970 Ruger Blackhawk 38/357 magnum. I still have the Blackhawk and keeping an eye out for more Unique. For many years I loaded just about everything with Unique and cast bullets. Gary

July 19, 2016, 08:37 PM	#70
Economist Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2014 Posts: 163	H4831 for .270 win. Those were simpler times, when I worried about each piece of brass and case necks and 25 cartridges was a big night.

July 19, 2016, 11:32 PM	#71
RickCoop Member Join Date: August 17, 2013 Posts: 45	Started 2 years ago When I decided to start there was a serious shortage of pistol powder in my area. So, before I bought anything I figured that without powder, a press, dies, scales, primers ect. would be worthless. So I made a list of powders I thought I could use to reload my Ruger P95 9mm. My list included Bullseye, Unique, HP38/W231 and a few others. I went to several lgs's and asked about the powders on my list. This invariably resulted in snickers from the clerks and the general response of "naw, we ain't seen none of those in a quite a while". It was rather discouraging. One day I was scanning a few pistols at another lgs and just happend to ask if they had any pistol powder. To my surprise the clerk said yes and pulled out a pound of Power Pistol. It wasn't exactly my first choice but it was on the list! Bought it, took it home and then ordered a Lee turret press kit, a set of dies and a digital scale. The rest is history. I now load 38 special, 357magnum, and 45acp in addition to 9mm. I have also found a reliable source for Bullseye and Unique.

July 20, 2016, 03:26 PM	#72
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Red Dot for shotgun. WW 231 for handguns. IMR 4320 for rifle. Still use Red Dot and 231, but switched to 4064 for rifle years ago during a 4320 shortage. __________________ "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 20, 2016, 06:11 PM	#73
Bayoubulldog Member Join Date: January 31, 2016 Posts: 48	Hi-scor 700x for 45 ACP. About 7 years ago. It still makes a heck of a decent 45 load for my 1911! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

July 20, 2016, 07:54 PM	#74
LOLBELL Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2010 Location: Fayette AL Posts: 226	Unique for an Auto 5 12 gauge in 1983 Unique for an Xdm in 9mm in 2005, my first metallic cartridge. Varget for an A-bolt in 270 in 2005, my first rifle cartridge. Still use a lot of Unique in pistol and shotguns. I get nervous if I get down to just one 8 lb jug. __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!!

July 20, 2016, 07:59 PM	#75
KBrun Member Join Date: July 20, 2015 Posts: 62	Imr 4895 for my Marlin 308. Switched over to varget now but it worked well Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

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