[Cellar Dweller]

This is what I have and what I bought to use:

32ACP/60grain = Power Pistol, Titegroup
380/90 = PP, 3N37
9mm/147 = PP, 3N37
45ACP/200 = PP, TG
7.62TOK/100 = AA9, 3N37
38spl/158 (for a C&R) = downloaded TG, for grins
357mag/158 = LilGun, AA9

Before the year is up, I plan to add 10mm.

I also have an OLD can of HS-5 which will probably be used up in 380, and about a half lb. of Hercules 2400 for the 357.

45, 357, 7.62 and 9mm are used the most. After I eventually run out (bought 1 lb. of each powder), any suggestions for further optimization? Please don't say "8 lb. of Unique to use for all calibers" because the idea of a universal powder seems counterintuitive - "jack of all trades and master of none."

Usage: I WILL NOT accept separate "downloaded lead bullet range only" and "++P++ premium JHP self defense" loads; also seems counterintuitive. Like practicing with 38spl and carrying 357mag in a TI revolver, or practicing with a polymer .22LR and carrying a 44 AutoMag, it just isn't the same...

[Sunray]

Optimization of what? You're right about practicing with one load and carrying another, but the rest of your posting doesn't make any sense. What's your point?

[Cellar Dweller]

My point is that when I've asked around it usually comes down to using Unique or Bullseye for everything...yes, it'll work. Is it the most effective solution? Probably not.

If Unique works "just fine" in "everything," why does Alliant bother making other pistol powders? Why don't companies just make ONE pistol powder and ONE rifle powder? Obviously there has to be a reason beyond marketing.

Cheapy .45acp range ammo is $11/box of 50, while I can reload Gold Dots for ~$7/box of 50. I could drop the price even further by using squib loads of fast powders and cast my own bullets but that means compromises in performance, which I do not wish to do.

[Jim Watson]

I see what you are getting at, but don't know what I (or "we") can do that you cannot. You don't seem to be on the usual search for "pet loads" or fool-proof "recipes." But I have some, see below.

What are you optimizing powder choice for?
Maximum velocity?
Factory equivalent velocity with consideration of cost, muzzle flash, machine rest accuracy, or something else?

Start with a literature search. Free print or www data from the powder companies will guide you in one brand but you can't compare much from one brand to the next. Even within SAAMI/CIP specs, test gear and other components are too variable. The bullet company manuals give loads with one case, one set of bullets, in one gun, for a variety of powders. Unfortunately, they are not free. Speer used to show the most powders per pistol caliber but I haven't got a recent edition to know if that is still so.

Then you are going to need a good supply of uniform brass, bullets, and primers per caliber to be optimized. A chronograph is practically essential, and a Ransom rest if high precision is in the optimization plan. For combat ammo, you have to figure on low-light firing to check for muzzle flash.

My opinions. I handload for practice and competition, factory for self defense.
.32 - I don't shoot enough to bother handloading, just buy some Silvertips for my Keltec and ball for my Colt when on sale.
.380 - I shoot just enough to handload. Extended development is not worth my while, I load whatever powder on hand I can get factory equivalent out of. There are a lot of them.
9mm - PP gets good velocity but with lots of flash and blast. People ask "What have you got in that thing?" I have shot 3N37 and N350, but lean towards N105 for heavy bullets. Using HS-6 right now. Lots of choices for cheap ball, little if any reduced in power.
7.62 - Haven't got one. Assume this is a fun gun with screaming velocity desirable. AA #9 looks good.
.38 Special - W231, period. Covers anything from wadcutters to +P with no compromise.
.357 Mag - I slightly download with Blue Dot or N105. If I wanted higher velocity I would try N110 and be ready to go to H110.

Start shooting, you have a lot of work to do.

[P95Carry]

I'm a tad biased, cos over time I have become very pleased with Vhitavuori powders, if not the cheapest out there.

I do use others too but ..... Vhit powders are so clean burning and .. they do supply some quite ''dedicated'' offerings. For instance ..... N-340 for 9mm ....... N-133 for .223 ..... and their N-310 is pretty much Bullseye. Rifle stuff like N-135, N-140, and N-150 etc .. are all great powders IMO. And ... the N-110 suits me VERY well for pistol mag loads.

[Mike Irwin]

"Please don't say "8 lb. of Unique to use for all calibers" because the idea of a universal powder seems counterintuitive - "jack of all trades and master of none."

Strictly speaking, no single powder could be a universal powder, simply because no single powder can deal with the huge range of applications out there, from very light bullets in very small cases to very heavy bullets in very large cases. Throw into that equasion the fact that there are both lead and jacketed projectiles out there, and you've got a situation that no single powder could ever hope to address.

But, given those strictures, there are some powders that do have a WIDE range of applications.

For example, you have 7 rounds in your current have list.

WW 231 is an exceptional powder for use in 5 of those rounds, covering virtually the full range of loading applications for them -- .38, .380, 9mm, .38 Spl., and .45 ACP.

231 will also handle .357 Mag. loads with lead bullets, but isn't as good with jacketed bullets.

7.62 Tok? Don't know, but I suspect that 231 would also have applications in this cartridge, as well.

For going on 25 years I reloaded all of my handgun with 2 powders, WW 231 and 296.

I loaded 32 ACP, .32 Long, .380, 9mm, .38 Spl., and .357 Mag.

The only reason I added a third powder to the line up, AA 7, was because I started shooting a 10mm and .41 Mag.

231 is usable in both cartridges, and I could have stuck with 296 for .41, but I really wanted to go with hotter loads in my 10mm for bowling pins, and neither 231 nor 296 would do what I wanted.