Pistol Powder

For my 45ACP, I run Titegroup, Universal Clays and AutoComp. I like Titegroup the best, probably because a little goes a long way.

For .357 Mag, it H110 or Blue Dot and 158gr XTP's.

I dabble with some .38 Spl and it's the same three I use for .45 ACP.

I'm pretty boring when it comes to powders.
 
Over the past 36 months (with the) shortages, I took a risk or two and things paid off.
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Me too.

And like you, Nitro 100 (NF) was one of them. So far, I've only used it for 38 Special target level rounds (which is what I load the most of); but for that purpose, it's outstanding.

I also discovered the Accurate Arms "#" family - #2, #5, & #7. All are great.

And I finally gave Power Pistol a try (was meaning to, just never got around to it), because I was out of intermediate speed stuff (namely HS-6). Power Pistol is now a mainstay in my inventory - not likely to ever be without it from now on. I also "rediscovered," if you will, Unique. I've used it lots before, but it just kind of went out of favor with me. But it was available one day, so I grabbed a # - that was like 3 #'s ago - :D
 
I like SR 7625 for 45 auto. I tried it about a year and a half ago because it was all I could find at the time. I have put around 1500 rounds down range with it and it has turned out to be a good powder for 45 auto. It has been discontinued of course but I have plenty of it on hand.
 
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agree w stevenchunter on clays

Clays
Unique
231

I reload the following pistol calibers 45acp, 380. 9MM, 38, 357.

A lot of 380 eh Clark?
 
I only load for 38 special and .45 ACP as far as pistol loads go, so my needs are pretty straightforward. Bullseye, Tightgroup, and W-231 all work fine for me. Would like to try CFE Pistol if I could ever find it locally, though.
 
For a long time I got by just fine with what I call the "Holy Trinity". This was Bullseye, Unique and 2400. These three powders covered all of my loads from 9mm to 45-70.

The ongoing shortages have forced me out of my routine and made me experiment with alternative powders. Overall this has been a good thing but If I could I would only stock those three.
 
"Holy Trinity"? I LIKE it!

+1 to what SLAMFIRE and SGHART3578 said.

If not Bullseye, then Red Dot. If not Unique, then Herco. If not 2400, then one of the 4227 powders.

Bullseye and Unique have earned a reputation for burning dirty, but I think it's largely undeserved. I notice that heavier projectiles, heavier crimps, and heavier loads will cure most of the problem.

I prefer 2400 over H110 because I can approach magnum-level loads more gradually with it. With H110, they recommend reducing the max load by no more than 3% and working up, to avoid hangfires. I can reduce max charge weights for 2400 by a full 10% and work up, as is almost universally recommended in most reputable reloading manuals. Additionally, H110 seems to work better with magnum pistol primers, and 2400 (again, in MY experience) just doesn't seem to care what it's ignited with.

In magnum-level loads, it is probably true that H110/296 will generally give higher velocities at the top end than 2400, but I have yet to see a situation in which the velocity differences would matter (perhaps when shooting the 200 yard ram in silhouette competition?). Additionally, 2400 can usually be used to make standard velocity loads, when a medium-burning powder isn't available. It's wasteful, but better than being unable to reload ammo at all. I wouldn't THINK of trying mid-range loads with H110/296.

The reputation that Unique has for "metering like cornflakes" deters many from trying it. Some of the most accurate loads I've made for ANY pistol were made with Unique, and any inexactitude in charge weight from one case to the next is pretty trivial if charge weights above 4 or 5 grains are used. Indeed, my .45 Colt carbine load is 8.0/UNIQUE/250 RNFP, routinely prints teacup-sized 5-shot groups at 100 yards, from a bench. Not so, with equivalent charges of other better-metering powders.

I have also used AA#5, which is apparently as versatile as Unique, and meters much more smoothly. If I didn't already have a ka-gillion loads already worked up with Unique, I'd be tempted to switch.

I have no experience with Alliant's new BE-86, but it appears to have approximately the same burning rate as Unique, and may meter better. I think it also contains excipients which combat muzzle flash and copper deposition, but I'd have to re-read the info to be certain of both of those. In any case, if Unique or Herco were unavailable to me, I'd happily give it a try.
 
Bullseye and Unique have earned a reputation for burning dirty, but I think it's largely undeserved. I notice that heavier projectiles, heavier crimps, and heavier loads will cure most of the problem.
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That's right ;)
 
That -is- right... but it is not undeserved. It is real.

For some it is no problem whatsoever, others prefer a more modern powder.

Myself, I play both sides. I love Bullseye and I like 2400 and have used PLENTY of it over the years. Unique is not allowed in my home. ;)
 
It is real.
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Hehe. :D In the case of Bullseye, it is real. No matter what, Bullseye - when it is running its cleanest - is still "residuey," to coin my own term. "Bullseye running clean" means something different than with other propellants. It means not sooting, fouling, or leaving behind unburnt flakes - but it's still residuey. I consider it part of its charm :D. Gotta clean the gun afterward anyway, right?

Unique, on the other hand: I can get it to run clean - truly clean. But it takes a good pumpin' up, in most chamberings.

Unique is not allowed in my home.
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:D Sevens, you crack me up!

Actually, Unique is running out of favor with me too. I have two unopened #'s of it; and just a few tablespoons remaining in the open unit. But after that, I don't forsee any additional purchases. Not because it runs filthy, but because I'm running out of purposes for it. Every loading I do where Unique will fit the bill, I have a better powder for it. And by "better powder," I mean Power Pistol ;)
 
Unique is a HALL OF FAME worthy powder. But like many HOF'ers... it has hung on past it's prime. The folks that love Unique always will and it does what they want. I think that all of the Unique should be reserved for them.
 
The folks that love Unique always will. I think that all of the Unique should be reserved for them.
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Yeah. They can have it. I have no soft spot for it.

Many moons ago, I loaded with Unique quite a bit. But I gravitated to HS-6 (actually, it was W540 back then), once I figured out its quirkiness. It was only the big shortage that brought me back to Unique - out of necessity.
 
Started out with Unique and liked it. Have an unopened pound of it and a little left from my last container, but HP-38/Win 231 has taken over as my favorite. I dabbled with tightgroup a little bit and like that as well. Currently trying BE-86 with pretty good results.
 
I use Unique as the first choice for 45ACP, 357, 41, 44Spl & Mag, and 45 Colt. In my nine rifle calibers, a different powder for each.
 
2400, H110, Unique

are my top 3. If I could only have 1 powder for every thing it would be 2400

I have some 300 MP as well and seems great but so far I have not loaded as much with it.
 
I do have a favorite

AA#5 is my favorite, but have not seen it for a while. I could have ordered it recently, but have a large amount of Ramshot powders that I have to work thru first. The Ramshot powders that I have committed to, for the near future, are Competition and Silhouette. I have used and liked W231/HP38 & AA#2.

I load for .45 acp, 9mm, & .38 spl. I use lead bullets from Mo. Bullet Co. for the most part. Since I cant use lead in my P7, I use Precision Delta or Montana Gold. I have also used Hornady XTP.
 
My favorite all around powders for both autos and revolvers are 231, Power Pistol, and TiteGroup. I have some Universal, but haven't tried it yet. For wimpy loads, Clays is great.

For magnum revolvers I use H110/W296, 2400, 4227, and I used to use Lil Gun but have quit for reasons others have already mentioned. I use that in 410 and 20 ga loads now.

The ones I'm giving up on are Unique and HS-6/W540. I've tried lots of loads with the W540 and can't come up with anything good. It doesn't cycle my XD9 or 40 when maxed out, it seems to be very inconsistent, and I always have leftover powder in the cases(tried it in several revolver loads with the same results as well). Unique has just fallen out of favor with me because I feel there are better options. I love using small flaked powders over the large ones. So Unique and the HS6 are also headed over to the shotgun realm.

I also like Trail Boss for taming the 460.

Others have mentioned the poor metering of 800X. I have never used it, but had some 700X. It was the worst metering powder I have ever used. I gave it away to some poor sucker and have put it on my never buy again list.

I recently discovered some Trap 100 powder in my dad's stash. I loaded up some 9mm rounds with it today, and it works great. They quit making it quite a while ago, but I wish I had more of that instead of the HS-6 and Unique that is in my cabinet.
 
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