High volume pistol powder

PinnedAndRecessed · April 12, 2006, 01:21 PM

I'm looking for a high volume pistol powder. My press is a Dillon Square Deal.

I only load for 44 mag (240 grain plated bullets), 45 ACP (200 grain plated), and 357 mag (158 grain plated).

Only my loads are only midrange. No intentional barrel busters for me. Strictly plinking.

I have always used Unique. But in order to make a visual inspection it's necessary for me to pull the case, etc., to make sure there's powder in the case.

So I'd like to find a powder which takes up more case capacity, is reliable for the above purposes, and would allow me to visually ensure there's powder in the case during the reloading sequence.

Thanx in advance.

**Unclenick** · April 12, 2006, 01:33 PM

I believe IMR (now owned by Hodgdon) Trail Boss, designed for cowboy action loads, may be what you want. See this review.

Nick

PinnedAndRecessed · April 12, 2006, 03:57 PM

Thanx Nick. That's definitely worth looking into.

jfruser · April 12, 2006, 04:03 PM

I have had good results with Trail Boss with the following:
.357mag/158grLSWC
.44mag/240grLSWC

Mild, clean, no leading. It is my plinker powder for revolvers and my wife's Rossi 92.

timothy75 · April 13, 2006, 03:07 AM

45acp is the problem for that I would go with HS-6. I've had great results with H4227 in .35 and .44 cases, you couldnt double charge if you tried. And you can load from mild to max with one powder.

Lloyd Smale · April 14, 2006, 05:49 AM

guess in that application id have to go along with the hs6 recomendation or possibly if most of your loading is on the low side of that spectrum Unique universal clays or power pistol.

Rico567 · April 14, 2006, 06:21 AM

You may have to experiment, since you don't drop max charges, but I don't think 2400 can double-charge, and it's got a rep for performing very well in such cases.

ConRich · April 14, 2006, 08:03 AM

H-110 has worked very well for me. Check out the load data in your manual, if H-110 isn't listed you can get a Hodgdon book for free from anyone who sells that brand.

Rich

Edward429451 · April 14, 2006, 09:09 AM

+1 2400.

**44 AMP** · April 18, 2006, 08:09 PM

Am I correct in that you are looking for one powder, for loading .45ACP, and .357 and .44 Mag (midrange)?

Unique. You are already there. If you have a problem seeing if there is powder in the case, and don't want to pull the case out of the press, try using a small (dental) mirror. With good light (you may need to reposition a lamp, or use a penlight), you should be able to see ok, and not have to take out the case.

I don't know about Trail Boss, I haven't used it. But H-110, and 2400 are not suitable for the .45 Auto.

**Unclenick** · April 18, 2006, 08:42 PM

I own a Square Deal just for .45, too. You get into a kind of rythm on the thing where your right hand leaves the handle and grabs a case by feel, while the left, having picked up a bullet by feel while the right was still operating the handle, is now about to set a bullet onto the flared and charged case. It is at this moment, with both hands occupied, that you want to be able to glance at the case mouth and see whether you have about the right charge in place? If a mirror could be affixed above and out of the way of the moving hands and mechanism and still let you see, that might work. It would take some trial and error to work out.

Or maybe Trail Boss will work out? I dropped by Gander Mountain today, hoping to get some to try in .45 ACP target loads. They told me they had some come in the day before, but the CB shooters had sniffed it out and it was already gone. Maybe next time.

Nick

moredes · April 18, 2006, 10:43 PM

Buy an RCBS Lock-out Die. It will mechanically lock the press so you can't continue if it senses a squib load or overcharge (not even double charge, just a significant overcharge). It doesn't require any visual monitoring, and is "install and forget". Midway has 'em for $35.

P-990 · April 19, 2006, 03:48 PM

Recommend Trailboss in the revolver rounds. Excellent stuff for mid-range loads. Clean, accurate, no leading and meters well without excess spillage. I am currently switching to using this powder for most of my .44 loads where I used to use 231.

For full-power stuff I will stay with 296, because I just can't see a reason not to, although I have been meaning to try 2400 someday.

But 2400 and 296 won't do in the .45 ACP, and I doubt Trailboss will. It is too bulky. I can't see how you can fit enough Trailboss into a .45 ACP case to drive a pistol when around 7gr of the stuff fills my .44 Magnum cases to the point there is no dead-air space with a seated bullet. (No shaker-sound when loaded!

)

Good luck and stay safe.

Rico567 · April 19, 2006, 04:11 PM

"moredes": How are you going to get an RCBS Lock-Out Die into a Square Deal B? The RCBS die, as far as I know, is available only in the standard 7/8 x 14 thread size. The SDB only takes Dillon proprietary dies that are NOT.

WildBill408 · April 23, 2006, 07:01 PM

Hi, to just clarify a point from an earlier post, H-110 is an awesome 44 mag powder, but you dont want to try it with a lead bullet. It does work great for jacketed bullets however, but it has a very narrow window and is a hot powder. I shoot my .44 mag in a rifle and I had a bad leading problem with unique and lead bullets. I am glad to read about trail boss filling it up and being slower, I think I'll go to that for my lead loads because Unique makes it too fast for the rifle and is too small volumewise I think for that application.

garryc · April 23, 2006, 07:45 PM

try blue dot

Barr · April 24, 2006, 11:16 AM

I have been trying American Select powder from Alliant and it has done very well for me. It is a very quick burning powder but it is a flake and takes up quite a bit of room. I have used it in:

12 gauge
9mm
.45 ACP

bootsnthejeep · April 27, 2006, 07:16 PM

I use 2400 in my .357 loads, but it really needs some room to run.

There's a very noticable performance difference in shooting it out of my 4" 686 to a 6.5" blackhawk.

Get some unburned powder in the 4", nothing significant, but you really see the results with a longer barrel. Just my .02

I'm gonna start playing around with blue dot for my next batch of pet .357 loads.

sindiesel666 · April 27, 2006, 08:13 PM

Clays is good too...plus it's kinda greenish in color, so it's fairly easy to see the level.

Colduglandon · April 27, 2006, 08:36 PM

I had good luck with Blue Dot in the 357 with 158 gr JHP from STAR.

AlaskaMike · April 28, 2006, 01:50 PM

WildBill408 wrote:

Quote:

H-110 is an awesome 44 mag powder, but you dont want to try it with a lead bullet.

Actually it works great with lead, at least in my .44 mag, .357 and Ruger .45 Colt guns. I prefer it to 2400 in those loads. As long as the bullet is a hard alloy, and is sized and lubed appropriately, H110/W296 are hard to beat.

Mike

joneb · April 28, 2006, 02:55 PM

I've been useing Blue Dot for my 4" .357 mag. and .38 spl. 158 lrnfp works good.
I have'nt tried'em yet but I loaded .45 acp 230gr GD w/ 8.6, 8.9 gr of BD for a Marlin camp carbine, I'm waiting for a heavier recoil sping to come before I try the new loads.

April 12, 2006, 01:21 PM	#1
PinnedAndRecessed Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2004 Posts: 449	High volume pistol powder I'm looking for a high volume pistol powder. My press is a Dillon Square Deal. I only load for 44 mag (240 grain plated bullets), 45 ACP (200 grain plated), and 357 mag (158 grain plated). Only my loads are only midrange. No intentional barrel busters for me. Strictly plinking. I have always used Unique. But in order to make a visual inspection it's necessary for me to pull the case, etc., to make sure there's powder in the case. So I'd like to find a powder which takes up more case capacity, is reliable for the above purposes, and would allow me to visually ensure there's powder in the case during the reloading sequence. Thanx in advance.

April 12, 2006, 01:33 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I believe IMR (now owned by Hodgdon) Trail Boss, designed for cowboy action loads, may be what you want. See this review. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 12, 2006, 04:03 PM	#4
jfruser Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 350	I have had good results with Trail Boss with the following: .357mag/158grLSWC .44mag/240grLSWC Mild, clean, no leading. It is my plinker powder for revolvers and my wife's Rossi 92. __________________ Regards, jfruser "Books and bullets have their own destinies."----Bob Ross

April 14, 2006, 06:21 AM	#7
Rico567 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Posts: 162	You may have to experiment, since you don't drop max charges, but I don't think 2400 can double-charge, and it's got a rep for performing very well in such cases. __________________ "Dear reader, suppose you are a member of Congress. Now, further suppose you are an idiot. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

April 18, 2006, 08:09 PM	#10
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,817	One powder? Am I correct in that you are looking for one powder, for loading .45ACP, and .357 and .44 Mag (midrange)? Unique. You are already there. If you have a problem seeing if there is powder in the case, and don't want to pull the case out of the press, try using a small (dental) mirror. With good light (you may need to reposition a lamp, or use a penlight), you should be able to see ok, and not have to take out the case. I don't know about Trail Boss, I haven't used it. But H-110, and 2400 are not suitable for the .45 Auto.

April 12, 2006, 03:57 PM	#3
PinnedAndRecessed Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2004 Posts: 449	Thanx Nick. That's definitely worth looking into.

April 13, 2006, 03:07 AM	#5
timothy75 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,146	45acp is the problem for that I would go with HS-6. I've had great results with H4227 in .35 and .44 cases, you couldnt double charge if you tried. And you can load from mild to max with one powder.

April 14, 2006, 05:49 AM	#6
Lloyd Smale Junior member Join Date: February 11, 2005 Posts: 822	guess in that application id have to go along with the hs6 recomendation or possibly if most of your loading is on the low side of that spectrum Unique universal clays or power pistol.

April 14, 2006, 08:03 AM	#8
ConRich Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 299	H-110 has worked very well for me. Check out the load data in your manual, if H-110 isn't listed you can get a Hodgdon book for free from anyone who sells that brand. Rich

April 14, 2006, 09:09 AM	#9
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	+1 2400.

April 18, 2006, 08:42 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I own a Square Deal just for .45, too. You get into a kind of rythm on the thing where your right hand leaves the handle and grabs a case by feel, while the left, having picked up a bullet by feel while the right was still operating the handle, is now about to set a bullet onto the flared and charged case. It is at this moment, with both hands occupied, that you want to be able to glance at the case mouth and see whether you have about the right charge in place? If a mirror could be affixed above and out of the way of the moving hands and mechanism and still let you see, that might work. It would take some trial and error to work out. Or maybe Trail Boss will work out? I dropped by Gander Mountain today, hoping to get some to try in .45 ACP target loads. They told me they had some come in the day before, but the CB shooters had sniffed it out and it was already gone. Maybe next time. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 18, 2006, 10:43 PM	#12
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	Buy an RCBS Lock-out Die. It will mechanically lock the press so you can't continue if it senses a squib load or overcharge (not even double charge, just a significant overcharge). It doesn't require any visual monitoring, and is "install and forget". Midway has 'em for $35.

April 19, 2006, 03:48 PM	#13
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Recommend Trailboss in the revolver rounds. Excellent stuff for mid-range loads. Clean, accurate, no leading and meters well without excess spillage. I am currently switching to using this powder for most of my .44 loads where I used to use 231. For full-power stuff I will stay with 296, because I just can't see a reason not to, although I have been meaning to try 2400 someday. But 2400 and 296 won't do in the .45 ACP, and I doubt Trailboss will. It is too bulky. I can't see how you can fit enough Trailboss into a .45 ACP case to drive a pistol when around 7gr of the stuff fills my .44 Magnum cases to the point there is no dead-air space with a seated bullet. (No shaker-sound when loaded! ) Good luck and stay safe. __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

April 19, 2006, 04:11 PM	#14
Rico567 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Posts: 162	"moredes": How are you going to get an RCBS Lock-Out Die into a Square Deal B? The RCBS die, as far as I know, is available only in the standard 7/8 x 14 thread size. The SDB only takes Dillon proprietary dies that are NOT. __________________ "Dear reader, suppose you are a member of Congress. Now, further suppose you are an idiot. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

April 23, 2006, 07:01 PM	#15
WildBill408 Junior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: The South! Posts: 2	Hi, to just clarify a point from an earlier post, H-110 is an awesome 44 mag powder, but you dont want to try it with a lead bullet. It does work great for jacketed bullets however, but it has a very narrow window and is a hot powder. I shoot my .44 mag in a rifle and I had a bad leading problem with unique and lead bullets. I am glad to read about trail boss filling it up and being slower, I think I'll go to that for my lead loads because Unique makes it too fast for the rifle and is too small volumewise I think for that application.

April 23, 2006, 07:45 PM	#16
garryc Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2005 Posts: 2,536	try blue dot

April 24, 2006, 11:16 AM	#17
Barr Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2006 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 286	I have been trying American Select powder from Alliant and it has done very well for me. It is a very quick burning powder but it is a flake and takes up quite a bit of room. I have used it in: 12 gauge 9mm .45 ACP

April 27, 2006, 07:16 PM	#18
bootsnthejeep Junior Member Join Date: April 19, 2006 Posts: 5	I use 2400 in my .357 loads, but it really needs some room to run. There's a very noticable performance difference in shooting it out of my 4" 686 to a 6.5" blackhawk. Get some unburned powder in the 4", nothing significant, but you really see the results with a longer barrel. Just my .02 I'm gonna start playing around with blue dot for my next batch of pet .357 loads.

April 27, 2006, 08:13 PM	#19
sindiesel666 Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 270	Clays is good too...plus it's kinda greenish in color, so it's fairly easy to see the level.

April 27, 2006, 08:36 PM	#20
Colduglandon Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 1999 Location: Mass Posts: 493	I had good luck with Blue Dot in the 357 with 158 gr JHP from STAR.

April 28, 2006, 02:55 PM	#22
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I've been useing Blue Dot for my 4" .357 mag. and .38 spl. 158 lrnfp works good. I have'nt tried'em yet but I loaded .45 acp 230gr GD w/ 8.6, 8.9 gr of BD for a Marlin camp carbine, I'm waiting for a heavier recoil sping to come before I try the new loads.