Powder Question

M

MINSH101

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Is there a powder that is good for 9mm/38 special/.357 magnum/.45 ACP? I want to start loading and I prefer to have just one brand, or type, of powder to keep track of. I do plan on keeping a powder tube with each die set separate.

Thanks in advance
 
Get yourself a reloading book and it will tell all you want to know .Lyman one will give you different powder companys .Do not go by what someone say.each gun is different for what it likes.
 
Yes, there are a number.

I've used a lot of WW 231 over the years to load those rounds.

You can't use 231 to get to maximum .357 Mag. loads, but it's great for just bout any load for the others you mention.

Unique is also a good choice, as is AA 5.
 
Plenty of different powders to choose from that will work but none will give the best overall performance in all of them.
 
Plenty of different powders to choose from that will work but none will give the best overall performance in all of them.
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True--but I've found over the years that keeping a good supply of H110/W296, accurate 5,7 and 9 and 4227 covers a lot of bases well. : )
 
Hodgdon TiteGroup is a solid choice in all of those calibers. I use it in all the calibers you list as my primary powder.
 
I'd have to agree with BigJim, Titegroup will work fairly well with all those calibers.

W231 and Unique would be other good choices. Personally Unique will wear you out 'cause it's dirty and measures inconsistently for my taste. BUT, i do use it in some of my loads, and I will always have some of it onhand.
 
What they all said....

Get a book (get several), and check it out.

What powder I use depends on the caliber I'm loading for, bullet weight and construction, and what velocities I'm looking for.

Also you have things like 45ACP which I load for a 5 inch, 4 inch, and 3.3 inch barrels. Trying to keep over 800 FPS so hollow points actually expand, but not so high that your in +P territory.
 
Most of us don't reload "defense" ammo .....so it isn't about optimum performance for a "JHP" ....it's about what works best for the velocity, at that bullet weight - in that caliber / that we want for practice in the FMJ bullet we reload....
 
I shoot a bunch of 44 Mag and 44 Special all with Unique . I think I went through a little over 8 lb. last year . Yes it is dirty but I clean my guns anyway .
 
Good point BigJimP.

But I load a lot of 45ACP for target practice out of those different guns also.
Don't need 1000 FPS to hit targets..
And I don't want to shoot the 3.3" with loads that were made for the 5".

Same holds true for the 9mm, 40s&W, etc...
 
That makes more sense --- i shoot 8-10 boxes a week myself on my primary carry gun / at tactical drills. With ammo that has similar recoil to my carry ammo...
 
Most any pistol powder will work in all of your cartridges but there is no single powder that will be optimum in all of them. I use different powders for different cartridges to get more optimal loads. And as has been pointed out, to get true magnum performance out of the 357 Magnum you will need one of the slowest burning pistol powders, and they are not suitable for 38 Special, 9mm or 45 Auto. The 38 and 45 will perform best with the same faster powders. 9mm performs better with powders at the slower end of the burn rate chart but fine loads can be worked up with the faster powders. If you just want mid-range loads in 357 Magnum any of the faster powders you can use in 38 Special, 9mm and 45 Auto will work great but your performance won't be a whole lot more than 38 Special.

Get a good reloading manual, several would be better, and look at the load tables for all of the cartridges you are loading and pick powders that are listed in all of the tables. With the spotty availability of powders nowadays you will want a list of several suitable powders and see what is available. I still think it's better to tailor your powder selections to each individual cartridge though, when you can actually find a selection.
 
All good answers in this thread - lots and lots of choices in those mid-range powders that will work well in all your calibers. As has already been stated, the toughest issue is just how much power you want out of that .357. If you really want full bore bang, you are not going to get it without something like 296/H110, 2400, or Accurate #9, and none of those magnum powders are particularly good for the other calibers you listed.

But if you will settle for .357 velocities in the 1,100 - 1,200 fps range, you can easily get that with Unique, Accurate #5, Accurate #7, BE-86, and Zip (other powders too, but those are the ones I have tested).

Unique would be my first choice, as it not only works wonderfully in the smaller stuff, it will push the .357 significantly over 1,200 as well. It is a very old powder, but it is so good in so many things, if I really could only have one powder on my shelf for shotguns and handguns, up to and including .44 Mag, Unique would be my hands-down choice.
 
Well, taking a 5 min break right now from loading practice ammo for the 9mm.

Xtreme 115gr. RN Plated.
Mixed casings
Fed 100 primers
Ramshot True Blue

When I get back at it, loading some 45ACP.
Hornady 200gr. Lead C/T SWC
Mixed casings
CCI 300 Primers
Alliant Red Dot powder.
 
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