[BENELLIMONTE]

Ladies & Gents,

I am hoping to find a single powder that will provide loads for the following:
45 ACP
9mm Luger
40 S&W
44 Mag
12gauge
20gauge

Thank you,
Benellimonte

[Crimp]

I don't load shotguns, but, just maybe, Hodgdon's HS-6 would do it and give you good performance in many of the handgun calibers. You might look at the load data on Hodgdon's site (http://www.hodgdon.com/HomePage.php).

However, not knowing anything about the shotgun side of things, If I had to pick just one powder for the handguns, it would be Ramshot True Blue.

[BENELLIMONTE]

Crimp,

Thank you for the words of wisdom.:)

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I don't load for the .40 or 9mm but the remainder I have loaded with unique and they have all performed well.
RDH

[Walkalong]

700X, but it will not give particularly good velocities in the .44. You will find that you "branch out" and end up using at least two or three powders.

W-231, WSF, AA #5, Universal Clays, & Unique, among others will load all the pistol calibers for you, although none of these will give top velocities in the .44 Mag. You will want something like, W-296, H110, or AA #9 for that.

700X or Clays, WSF or AA #5, and AA #9 or H110 would be a good place to start.:)

[gimposaurus]

What's this obsession some people have with only using one powder? I use 4 or 5 different powders

[ADKWOODSMAN]

gimposaurus is right!
My .357's burn H110, but I could use Unique.
My .44's burn 2400, but I could use Unique.
My .38 Super burns AA#9
My .45 Schofield burns Trail Boss, but I could use Unique.
My 12 ga. burn 700X, 800X, Red Dot, Green Dot, 7625 and Blue Dot, but I could use Unique.
My 20 ga. burns 800X, but I could use Unique.
etc, etc

[BENELLIMONTE]

WALKALONG & ADKWOODSMAN,

Thanks for the info.

PS
gimposaurus,

take a long gimp off a short pier!

[rcmodel]

Another vote for Unique.

Close as you can come to a "universal" handgun / shotgun powder.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[gimposaurus]

gimposaurus,

take a long gimp off a short pier!


Thanks for that brilliant comment,


now perhaps you might tell me why you want to cripple your guns by using one powder for all calibres, thereby achieving optimal performance in none?

[CU74]

Posted by BENELLIMONTE..........PS gimposaurus, take a long gimp off a short pier!

This is The High Road - you may wish to review the Forum Rules.

[XD-40 Shooter]

I would say Unique, as it is a shotgun powder, but it works great in non-magnum handgun calibers and gives decent mid-range performance in the magnum calibers. I use Unique in 38 spl, 357 mag, and 40 S&W, works great in all.

[Okiecruffler]

With the cost of things constantly going up it would be nice to have one powder for everything. I've tried but never quite succeeded. Come close with Blue Dot, but still need red dot for shot loads, H322 for 6tcu, BLC-2 for the 308. But I'm still trying.

[jeepmor]

Unique is my vote.

[Walkalong]

We have probably all tried to "narrow it down" as far as powder inventory goes, but it never seems to work. :scrutiny:

Keep right on asking questions BENNELLIMONTE.

[308win]

I use Red Dot for all of my handgun loads - 9mm, 38sp, 357, 45. Isn't optimum for any but gives me good plinking loads and is economical. I still use other powders when optimal performance is important. Unique is hard to beat for handguns; many on here swear by Bullseye, 231 and others.

[12Bravo20]

I have had good luck with using Hodgdon Universal for reloading .380, 9mm Largo, .40S&W, and .45ACP. Yes I could tweak each caliber in more by using different powder for each caliber but I only reload plinking rounds so using one powder makes sense to me. If I was to start shooting competitive then I would look at using different powders for each caliber. I use the same powder charge of Universal for 9mm Largo, .40S&W, and .45ACP (yes I looked at numerous reloading manuals) which makes change overs easier for me.

[BENELLIMONTE]

rcmodel, XD40, Okiecruffler, jeepmor, Walkalong, 308win
& 12Bravo20

Thanks for answering my initial question in an honest, friendly manner.

P.S
gimposaurus,
Sarcasam begets sarcasm.

[gimposaurus]

I was genuinely wondering why you would only want to use one powder, I see no problems with using different powders for each calibre to achieve optimum performance from each calibre

[Walkalong]

I preach to my kids all the time. It's usually not what we say, but how we say it that gets us into trouble. Been there done that, will probably do it again.

So BENNELLIMONTE, what powder(s) are you leaning towards?

[BENELLIMONTE]

So far I have purchased a 5lb keg of Accurate # 2 & a 4lb keg of Hodgdon Universal.

Thanks to all of you for your interest in my reloading questions.

[Walkalong]

Great start. Now all you need is something for the shotgun loads and another for the .44 Mag, if you want to drive it hard anyway.

Down the road you may want to experiment with even more powders, cause that's part of the fun, and you know what they say, curiousity killed the cat. :D