What was your first powder...
- Thread starter turtlehead
- Start date
In my original post (#37) I mentioned Bullseye for my first round of ammo loaded. But when I first got started, I bought "the whole spectrum" of Hercules propellants: Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, Herco, and Blue Dot.
Good times. I only made subsequent purchases of B'eye and Unique. I do remember really liking Herco though, and I don't recall why I didn't buy subsequent #'s.
For the slow stuff, I didn't buy any more Blue Dot and got some W296. I recall telling the sporting goods store owner what I was doing with Blue Dot. He quickly directed me to W296. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was probably doing his part to keep me from blowing up my guns
Whether that was his intent or not, it was likely the result.
I also pressure spiked Red Dot - but that's another post.
I've matured a lot since then.
Good times. I only made subsequent purchases of B'eye and Unique. I do remember really liking Herco though, and I don't recall why I didn't buy subsequent #'s.
For the slow stuff, I didn't buy any more Blue Dot and got some W296. I recall telling the sporting goods store owner what I was doing with Blue Dot. He quickly directed me to W296. I didn't realize it at the time, but he was probably doing his part to keep me from blowing up my guns
Whether that was his intent or not, it was likely the result. I also pressure spiked Red Dot - but that's another post.
I've matured a lot since then.
condor bravo
New member
Bullseye, which might be the predominant mentioned so far, and for the .38 Special. But shortly thereafter followed by Unique.
michaeldarnold
New member
IMR 4831 7MM Rem Mag for my inherited Remington 700.
At the time I wanted 4895 , 4064 , Varget , RL-15 for my 308's but none was to be had . So I looked in my two manuals at the time and just picked some powders that were in stock . Those were N-540 & 550 , Power Pro 2000mr & IMR 4350 . The very first cartridge I loaded used N-550 , 190gr smk , PPU cases and Win LRP .
FWIW I don't use any of those powders now or the bullet for that matter . Still use Win primers in both rifle and pistol .
FWIW I don't use any of those powders now or the bullet for that matter . Still use Win primers in both rifle and pistol .
robinsroost
New member
It was IMR30-31 and it was for a Model 700BDL in .243 Winchester........robin 
Started 2 years ago
When I decided to start there was a serious shortage of pistol powder in my area. So, before I bought anything I figured that without powder, a press, dies, scales, primers ect. would be worthless. So I made a list of powders I thought I could use to reload my Ruger P95 9mm. My list included Bullseye, Unique, HP38/W231 and a few others. I went to several lgs's and asked about the powders on my list. This invariably resulted in snickers from the clerks and the general response of "naw, we ain't seen none of those in a quite a while". It was rather discouraging. One day I was scanning a few pistols at another lgs and just happend to ask if they had any pistol powder. To my surprise the clerk said yes and pulled out a pound of Power Pistol. It wasn't exactly my first choice but it was on the list! Bought it, took it home and then ordered a Lee turret press kit, a set of dies and a digital scale. The rest is history. I now load 38 special, 357magnum, and 45acp in addition to 9mm. I have also found a reliable source for Bullseye and Unique.
When I decided to start there was a serious shortage of pistol powder in my area. So, before I bought anything I figured that without powder, a press, dies, scales, primers ect. would be worthless. So I made a list of powders I thought I could use to reload my Ruger P95 9mm. My list included Bullseye, Unique, HP38/W231 and a few others. I went to several lgs's and asked about the powders on my list. This invariably resulted in snickers from the clerks and the general response of "naw, we ain't seen none of those in a quite a while". It was rather discouraging. One day I was scanning a few pistols at another lgs and just happend to ask if they had any pistol powder. To my surprise the clerk said yes and pulled out a pound of Power Pistol. It wasn't exactly my first choice but it was on the list! Bought it, took it home and then ordered a Lee turret press kit, a set of dies and a digital scale. The rest is history. I now load 38 special, 357magnum, and 45acp in addition to 9mm. I have also found a reliable source for Bullseye and Unique.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Red Dot for shotgun.
WW 231 for handguns.
IMR 4320 for rifle.
Still use Red Dot and 231, but switched to 4064 for rifle years ago during a 4320 shortage.
WW 231 for handguns.
IMR 4320 for rifle.
Still use Red Dot and 231, but switched to 4064 for rifle years ago during a 4320 shortage.
Bayoubulldog
New member
Hi-scor 700x for 45 ACP. About 7 years ago. It still makes a heck of a decent 45 load for my 1911!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
William T. Watts
New member
I started using H4895 in 1969 as I remember
I used H4895 in a 30/30 lever gun, I can remember the powder but can't remember if it was a Marlin or a Winchester rifle. The lever rifle was my first rifle and later added a push feed Winchester model 70 ( 30/06) as my 2nd and used H4895 in it also. I still use H4895 in several calibers I.E. 30/30 - 22/250 - 30/06 - 307 Winchester, very versatile.. William
I used H4895 in a 30/30 lever gun, I can remember the powder but can't remember if it was a Marlin or a Winchester rifle. The lever rifle was my first rifle and later added a push feed Winchester model 70 ( 30/06) as my 2nd and used H4895 in it also. I still use H4895 in several calibers I.E. 30/30 - 22/250 - 30/06 - 307 Winchester, very versatile.. William