Pistol powder

[fishMOlakes]

I've been doing all my pistol reloading (40 S+W, .45acp and .38spcl) with Winchester 231. It's a fast, clean burning powder. I am looking at purchasing another type. Any recommendations and why?

Vern

[skeet]

But mainly cause I got a large container of it at an auction....with a Dillon 1050. Sold the 1050 and the powder went with it. I still have some of it anyway and will use it. My preference in powders for my 45 etc is Unique. Mainly cause I use it in my 20 and 28 ga reloading and it is a powder that can be used for so many calibers. Very forgiving but not as clean as 231. I use it in 357 44mag and 45 colt...and others. When the 231 I have is gone I'll go back to Unique as I have lots of it. I have a lot of powder that i bought at an auction or 2...most of it for about 2 dollars a pound or less. The 8 lb can of 231 I got with the reloader I paid 5 dollars for. I'm cheap. At another auction I got 6 1 lb containers of Varget for 10 dollars. Must have about 200 lbs of powder. I use 5.5 grains of Unique with a 230 gr FMJ in my 45 auto...about 7 gr in the 40 S&W with the 150 gr bullet...I quit loading for the 40 smith. Rather use the 45 anyway

[Rocky Raab]

Vern, I'd agree that your next powder should be a titch slower than W231.

I'd also vote for a powder like Unique, except that I'd recommend Hodgdon Universal. It is almost exactly the same burn rate as Unique, and is used in the same rounds for the same reasons, BUT measures a little better and is much cleaner-burning.

[skeet]

But only for the handgun rounds. Universal is ok in the shotguns..but the pressures seem to be higher..in the shotguns I mean. I bought a bunch of IMR 800X that I have to use up too. It'll load the shotguns ok but don't know about the handguns. Got 25 lbs of 800X for 6 bucks a lb. For shotgun shootin that'll be ok.

[Catfish]

Since the 1970`s I have been loading just 2 powders in my handguns. Bullseye for plinking rounds and Win-296 ( which is the same as H-110, I can just get 296 cheaper.) The Bullseye is very cheap because you use such a small amount, and you can get higher velosities with lower presures with the 296. Do not load down with eather 296 or 110 powders though.

[Rocky Raab]

Catfish's choices are good ones, but they're "bookend" powders - one at each extreme of performance.

Good ones in the middle would include W231, Unique, Universal, AA-5, Herco, BlueDot, PB, 7625, 4756, 800X, HS6 and True Blue. If available, VV N-330 and 340 would also work fine.

[Calif Hunter]

I use Titegroup for all my .38 SPL and .45 ACP loading. I have also used it in magnum handgun rounds, but that is not the best application for it. It measures well through my Dillon, but it is a fast powder and a little goes a long way.

[Ol` Joe]

I use Titegroup as a fast burner in 45acp or 38spcl and PowerPistol as a slower powder in 45acp, and 357. I used Unique and Herco in the past but found them dirtier and not as accurate metering as PowerPistol. For heavy 357/44 loads I prefer H110 or 2400.

[denton]

I use AA #5 in my 45 and my wife's 38. It meters as well as anything I have ever tested for metering consistency. Never did carefully compare it with any of the others for residue.

Lots of good choices.

[spike1]

Bullseye, it's cheap and goes BOOM when you pull the trigger. I never had any problem or complaint about it in ???? 30+ years. I don't think it's the cleanest but it's OK for me.

[Rev]

Unique has always been a useful pistol powder due a fairly wide spectrum in mid range load use. Herco is slightly slower. A close friend swears by 4756. The main thing that I have against Unique is that it's dirty, at least in the loads that I use it in and is hard to meter accurately.

HS6 comes to mind for the ball powders. The nice thing about the ball powders, small flakes, and small stick powers is that they meter easily. The large flakes like Unique are a little hard to meter, at least in charges that I use and meter with my RCBS powder measure.

My bet would be to use the powder that most nearly fills the case for the listed max load. Of course that doesn't mean to start at that max load as I'm sure you and everyone else is/are aware. But that does, at least, give a place to start when picking a useful powder.

Rev

[Cossack]

Unique works but is dirtier than both TiteGroup and Power Pistol.

[dakotah]

I use unique in those calibers, but I also use bullseye.

Although unique may be dirtier than others, I have not seen a decrease in accuracy. For outdoor use I use unique.

For indoor use I use bullseye. Not the highest velocity loads in the world, but for indoor use -- very accurate.

I have to admit though I have used only these powders for a very long time (40 years maybe) and have not tried anything else in these calibers. Never pulled the trigger on the 40 S&W.

[PaulS]

I've used HS-6 in the 45 and 38 spl. I don't own a 40, but it should work. It burns clean, its consistant and you can get accurate loads that are a bit faster than with bullseye or 231.
I am an old reloaded and haven't spent any time on working up loads for pistols so I don't know much about the newer powders.
________
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[Rapier]

Unique; By any other name it would still be Unique. I think it would go good sprinkled on Corn Flakes.:D
Best,
Ed