Powder for .380/9mm

I load 3.8grn W231 under a 95grn plated bullet in the .380, out of a 4" barrel I get 850fps; I have used Unique as well, but I don't think it's better than W231 in the .380 (and that's saying something because I use Unique for everything else.)

I use Unique in the 9mm.
 
I buy 8# jugs because the $/# price is a LOT less. Since I order through my local gun club which buys targets (shotgun) by the truckload, there is no hazmat or added freight.
 
I load .380 and most 9mm P with HP38.
I recommend starting out with a pound of whatever you select; it will load over 1000 rounds. If they are satisfactory, then buy in bulk.
 
Yes, well over 1,000 rounds. Close to 1,500. So make sure you make a good decision. more than twenty boxes of ammo.

You really don't want to use anything but some of the fastest powder numbers for .380, you won't get a good burn. You don't have to believe this, but when I tried number five, I actually had unburned powder splattered on my paper at ten yards. You can use any powder appropriate for the .380 in the nine for ordinary loads.
 
Unless you are loading mucho amounts of ammo, a 1# can of powder will serve you well. As was mentioned above... just do the arithmetic. A pound is 7000 grains, so 8# is 56000 grains... or 11,200 rounds with a nominal 5grn charge. My last 8# keg of Unique lasted me almost 20 years!

Now, rifle powder is a different story...
 
Thanks guys, yes not trying to purchase more just yet as I'm actually going to start small first, then I'll see. It was more of a curiosity to see if what I had mentioned really had any truth to it or not. Unless its just ideas people have, they swear by. Not trying to discredit/question anyone of course. Just asking from my eyes, as I'm not at any level and far from having knowledge that people here in the forum have.

Charlie_98, yes I actually did the math which is more than enough for me at the moment. I also calculated for my 30-06 I plan to reload, boy what a difference. Lol.
 
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