How Many Pistol Powders Do I Need?
- Thread starter lwestatbus
- Start date
You only need the powder that you are going to load. Simple. Sort of....
I like(d) to test powders over the chronograph for the cartridges I use. It was and is fun. Found a lot of good loads... But I've cut way way back on testing... I never did find 'the' load that puts all bullets in one hole no matter where the pistol/revolver is pointing... Nope never found that one awesome powder.... But then I settled on a few loads that do the trick for me because there really isn't any magic in the powders. Just use the right ones for the pressures and velocities your interested in (talked about above). So after many tests and bottles of powder, I've trimmed back to just a few. Believe it or not, I found Unique actually works fine in my .44s and that is what I use and will use until I run out (next century?). Unique works fine in my .45 Colts also although I use Green Dot (again run out next century?). I like True Blue, so use that in my .357s currently (again enough stored to last years and years). In .32 H&R Magnum AA#2 meters and works good for the 78gr RN bullets that I shoot there. Also AA#5 for the 100, 115gr pills. I have a few other powders that I occasionally use, but when they are gone... They are gone. No need to buy anymore of them. You'll find that once you settle on a load there is no need to use anything else... You shoot up the powders you aren't going to use (way waste 'em), and buy your goto powders in bulk. What I did.
.
I like(d) to test powders over the chronograph for the cartridges I use. It was and is fun. Found a lot of good loads... But I've cut way way back on testing... I never did find 'the' load that puts all bullets in one hole no matter where the pistol/revolver is pointing... Nope never found that one awesome powder.... But then I settled on a few loads that do the trick for me because there really isn't any magic in the powders. Just use the right ones for the pressures and velocities your interested in (talked about above). So after many tests and bottles of powder, I've trimmed back to just a few. Believe it or not, I found Unique actually works fine in my .44s and that is what I use and will use until I run out (next century?). Unique works fine in my .45 Colts also although I use Green Dot (again run out next century?). I like True Blue, so use that in my .357s currently (again enough stored to last years and years). In .32 H&R Magnum AA#2 meters and works good for the 78gr RN bullets that I shoot there. Also AA#5 for the 100, 115gr pills. I have a few other powders that I occasionally use, but when they are gone... They are gone. No need to buy anymore of them. You'll find that once you settle on a load there is no need to use anything else... You shoot up the powders you aren't going to use (way waste 'em), and buy your goto powders in bulk. What I did.
Yep. I'd be more than satisfied if that was all that was available. Also add black powder (or substitute) in there as well
.
Last edited:
Close. Bullseye, Power Pistol (or BE-86), 2400.
I never saw the charm in Unique. Meters crummy. And runs filthy and inconsistent unless it's stoked up good n stout (like HS-6). That's the opposite of what I consider to be versatile. Power Pistol is far more energetic and so it behaves much better when you de-tune it.
Great point. Good post all-around Shadow9mm.
The only time I have a problem metering Unique (in my manual Hornady powder measure) is when I go below 6 grains. But when loading above that, it meters just fine.
I liked Power Pistol. But the holes down range were not any closer together than I was getting with Unique. I clean my guns so don't really notice that much difference from shooting Unique and other powders. Never seemed to hurt the action or stop me from shooting. Now black powder tends to gum up a revolver after several shoots.... That's dirty ... which is just part of the fun.
I liked Power Pistol. But the holes down range were not any closer together than I was getting with Unique. I clean my guns so don't really notice that much difference from shooting Unique and other powders. Never seemed to hurt the action or stop me from shooting. Now black powder tends to gum up a revolver after several shoots.... That's dirty ... which is just part of the fun.
Last edited:
I use a manual powder measure and never found Unique or any flake powder to be a problem. Not quite like the "pouring water" of ball powders, but not an issue when my standard for coarse metering is IMR stick powders.
Since I load for handguns chambered for .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball, .222 Rem, .32ACP, .30-30, 9mm Luger, .38 SPL, .357 Magnum, .357AMP, .44SPL, .44 Magnum, .44AMP, .45ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Win Mag, and .45-70, I use a variety of powders, including some rifle powders.
The powders I used when I began loading back in the early 70s were Hercules, and eventually Winchester. For my uses I could easily get by with 4 powders (not counting the rifle rounds I load in the Contender)
Bullseye (or W231, either one) for a fast powder, Unique for middle level loads and 2400 and W296 for top end stuff. I include W296 because its is just slightly better for max loads in my magnum semi autos than 2400. I use 2400 for top loads in my revolvers.
There are several other powders I use, Red Dot, and AA No.9 for a couple. I've used many other powders, but nothing that wasn't on the market during the 80s-90s, I just stopped bothering to try the newer stuff. So I won't comment on them, even if they've been around 20 years now, or more.
Run what you can get, I know things are still not like they used to be.
Since I load for handguns chambered for .22 Hornet, .221 Fireball, .222 Rem, .32ACP, .30-30, 9mm Luger, .38 SPL, .357 Magnum, .357AMP, .44SPL, .44 Magnum, .44AMP, .45ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Win Mag, and .45-70, I use a variety of powders, including some rifle powders.
The powders I used when I began loading back in the early 70s were Hercules, and eventually Winchester. For my uses I could easily get by with 4 powders (not counting the rifle rounds I load in the Contender)
Bullseye (or W231, either one) for a fast powder, Unique for middle level loads and 2400 and W296 for top end stuff. I include W296 because its is just slightly better for max loads in my magnum semi autos than 2400. I use 2400 for top loads in my revolvers.
There are several other powders I use, Red Dot, and AA No.9 for a couple. I've used many other powders, but nothing that wasn't on the market during the 80s-90s, I just stopped bothering to try the newer stuff. So I won't comment on them, even if they've been around 20 years now, or more.
Run what you can get, I know things are still not like they used to be.
georgehwbush
New member
didn't hear anyone mention trailboss for the 44spl loads ;/
."NEED" ?
2 , a fast-ish and a slow-ish but 3 would be ideal , a fast , medium and slow . Which ones of any of those would be best is really up to you and there availability and possible future availability . Example , I'd love to use Varget in some of my rifles but refuse to even work up loads using it because in all the years I've been loading it's been consistently the hardest powder to find so why bother ?
I stick with what I've seen stay-ish on shelves during panics . 231 . CFE pistol , HS6 , Titegroup , H-110 . All of those seem to be available somewhere whenever I look . I have a similar list for rifle powders . Are any of them the "best" ...... ( shrug ) maybe not but they do all go bang and I hit what I am at so .....
That isn't to say I don't use other powders and prefer them . I just make sure I have at minimum loads already worked up in those common powders in case that's all I can get my hands on . I used to love working up loads until one day I looked up and about 7 years of shooting went by . It was then I realized I had shot thousands of rounds and it was all work and no real fun . I mostly shoot to have fun now or work on my shooting skills and I care a lot less on wondering if a 10th grain here or a couple thousandths there is really going to change anything .
2 , a fast-ish and a slow-ish but 3 would be ideal , a fast , medium and slow . Which ones of any of those would be best is really up to you and there availability and possible future availability . Example , I'd love to use Varget in some of my rifles but refuse to even work up loads using it because in all the years I've been loading it's been consistently the hardest powder to find so why bother ?
I stick with what I've seen stay-ish on shelves during panics . 231 . CFE pistol , HS6 , Titegroup , H-110 . All of those seem to be available somewhere whenever I look . I have a similar list for rifle powders . Are any of them the "best" ...... ( shrug ) maybe not but they do all go bang and I hit what I am at so .....
That isn't to say I don't use other powders and prefer them . I just make sure I have at minimum loads already worked up in those common powders in case that's all I can get my hands on . I used to love working up loads until one day I looked up and about 7 years of shooting went by . It was then I realized I had shot thousands of rounds and it was all work and no real fun . I mostly shoot to have fun now or work on my shooting skills and I care a lot less on wondering if a 10th grain here or a couple thousandths there is really going to change anything .
Last edited:
georgehwbush
New member
Nick_C_S; oh... didn't know that. but from shopping for powders, i'd say lots of brands are no longer being produced... ;/
It sure feels like that. I do believe that these companies release cannister grade propellants in groups. i.e., they don't produce their entire propellant lineup at all times. Rather, they do one or two at a time. I'm oversimplifying, I'm sure. But through the years, I'll see a propellant - say TiteGroup - show up in one LGS, then another, then another. Then some other Hodgdon propellant will show up - maybe HS-6. Then I'll see it at all the stores, while the TG supply dries up. That sorta thing.
Right now, with Alliant (the brand I've been watching), I'm seeing a lot of Power Pistol, E3 (whatever that is) and 410. And it looks like Unique is now starting to show up.
Sure wish they'd make a big ol' batch of 2400
.georgehwbush
New member
yeah and i'm running low on RL-19 too
lwestatbus
New member
Placed an Order
First, thanks for all of the information. I and others noted that not all powders are available and the most commonly mentioned favorites among the suggestions were just not available for me.
I've been doing a LOT of shopping and research and ended up placing an order directly with Hodgdon for two products.
#1 was for more Titegroup which my local shop initially sold me when I didn't know anything about reloading. This has worked nicely for my target loads in .38 spl and .44 spl and pushed bullets out the barrel with some authority in .357 magnum and .44 magnum. I am comfortable metering it and loading it (I weigh every charge and do all steps on one cartridge so I'm not massively concerned with double charging). TG is right next to Bullseye (can't find it anywhere) on the burn rate chart and loads in .38 spl with similar grains, though I'm not sure how volume may differ.
#2 was for IMR 4227. This is the "potentially most accurate load" for .44 mag in my Lyman's 51st Edition and also listed for .357 mag. It is sort of near Alliant 2400 on the burn rate chart and very near the Hodgdon H-110.
I really loaded up my order to spread the shipping and hazmat charges out over more items. Also, dealing with Hodgdon's was great, especially Sherri at the Orders Desk. I needed to manage the shipment to be sure I could be home to receive it around some upcoming travel and she made it easy to manage this. Highly recommended.
Thanks for all of the info and advice.
Larry
First, thanks for all of the information. I and others noted that not all powders are available and the most commonly mentioned favorites among the suggestions were just not available for me.
I've been doing a LOT of shopping and research and ended up placing an order directly with Hodgdon for two products.
#1 was for more Titegroup which my local shop initially sold me when I didn't know anything about reloading. This has worked nicely for my target loads in .38 spl and .44 spl and pushed bullets out the barrel with some authority in .357 magnum and .44 magnum. I am comfortable metering it and loading it (I weigh every charge and do all steps on one cartridge so I'm not massively concerned with double charging). TG is right next to Bullseye (can't find it anywhere) on the burn rate chart and loads in .38 spl with similar grains, though I'm not sure how volume may differ.
#2 was for IMR 4227. This is the "potentially most accurate load" for .44 mag in my Lyman's 51st Edition and also listed for .357 mag. It is sort of near Alliant 2400 on the burn rate chart and very near the Hodgdon H-110.
I really loaded up my order to spread the shipping and hazmat charges out over more items. Also, dealing with Hodgdon's was great, especially Sherri at the Orders Desk. I needed to manage the shipment to be sure I could be home to receive it around some upcoming travel and she made it easy to manage this. Highly recommended.
Thanks for all of the info and advice.
Larry
Yes, they are similar in burn rate, charge weight, and energy content. But the volume differs quite a bit. TiteGroup is much more dense. Bullseye is "fluffier," so to speak.
Take care loading TiteGroup (or Bullseye, for that matter) with 357 and 44 Magnum. At those pressures, small charge weight increases can mean big increases in pressure. I've been loading for 39 years, 10 months, and 13 days, and I wouldn't use TiteGroup (or Bullseye, for that matter) in the Magnums. And most of my experience is with 38/357, 44 revolvers.
I agree with Nick , take great care with TG and magnum charges . It gets what I call Squirrely when pushed really hard . I personally would stay well below max charges when loading magnum cartridges . Some may say different and that’s fine I personally would just use a more suitable powder if I needed more velocity .
Last edited:
lwestatbus
New member
Thanks to Nick and Metal. So, I have some .44 magnums loaded with Titegroup but it is a load that I've tested. They were much softer shooting than factory magnums but, in part from advice on this forum, I went looking for a better powder for the magnums and am going to try the IMR 4227 for the magnums.
Just remember to use a magnum primer with 4227. You get a more consistent burn.
For example in .45 Colt, when I loaded 20.0gr under a 255gr SWC for a back to back primer test over the chronograph, my extreme spread with a CCI-300 was 138fps over 30 shoots. With a CCI-350 primer the extreme spread was 69fps over 29 shots. Used a 5 1/2" Ruger BH for test gun. And yes when I was testing 30 shots was my minimum sample size. Now I just use 15 which is adequate.
And if I didn't say it before you don't have to load 'hot' loads in a .44 Magnum case. Load from 600fps to 1300+fps loads as desired with a comparable powder. Tis one good reason for reloading.
Last edited:
I don't bother with 9mm reloading, but I do reload for 32SWL, 38, 38+P, 357 and 45
Bullseye, Universal, Titegroup, Red Dot, Power Pistol, 296 and 231 are all good possibilities. As someone said above stock up now with what works while you can get it. Alliant powder have skyrocketed in price. A friend works at St. Marks and told me the vast majority or their powders are to going to military munitions, so if Alliant stuff works for you, get what you can while you can.
Bullseye, Universal, Titegroup, Red Dot, Power Pistol, 296 and 231 are all good possibilities. As someone said above stock up now with what works while you can get it. Alliant powder have skyrocketed in price. A friend works at St. Marks and told me the vast majority or their powders are to going to military munitions, so if Alliant stuff works for you, get what you can while you can.