[Arp32]

I've been meaning to start reloading for a while. Just need to finish my shop (along with 8,000 other home improvements) so it's temperature controlled and airtight. In the meantime I have begun stockpiling brass.

Would like to also start stockpiling supplies like primer and powder. With powder, there appear to be so many choices.

Is it naive to expect that there is a "one size fits all" powder? Just to give an idea of calibers I'd eventually be looking to reload: .380 ACP, .38 special, .357, 9mm, .45 ACP, and potentially .223 and .30-06. Reloading .223 kind of depends on whether I go progressive or not, but I guess that's neither here nor there. If I couldn't load .30-06 that wouldn't be the end of the world. Not shooting a lot of volume there.

Not looking for super hot hand loads, just the ability to shoot more often, and potentially load some light .38's for when we take a new shooter out for the first time. I have read that certain powders take up more volume, so it's easier to spot a mistake like double charging. That idea appeals to me.

If you were in my shoes, what kind of powder would you be looking to buy if you came across a good deal?

[Taroman]

unique

[bds]

Calibers listed for Unique:


10 gauge
12 gauge
16 gauge
20 gauge
28 gauge
10mm Auto
32 Auto
32 H&R Magnum
32 S&W Long
32-20 Winchester
357 Magnum
357 SIG
38 Special
38 Special +P
38 Super Auto +P
38-40 Winchester
380 Auto
40 S&W
41 Rem Magnum
44 Rem Magnum
44 Russian
44 S&W Special
44-40 Winchester
45 Auto
45 Colt
45 G.A.P
45 S&W Schofield
454 Casull
480 Ruger
9mm Luger


Calibers listed for Universal:

10mm Auto
25 Auto
32 Auto
32 H&R Magnum
32 North American Arms
32 S&W Long
32-20 Winchester
327 Federal Magnum
357 Magnum
357 SIG
38 Short Colt
38 Long Colt
38 Special
38 Special +P
38 Super Auto
380 Auto
40 S&W
41 Rem Magnum
44 Colt
44 Rem Magnum
44 Russian
44 S&W Special
44-40 Winchester
45 Auto
45 Colt
45 G.A.P
45 S&W (Schofield)
45 Super
454 Casull
9mm Luger
9x18 Makarov


Calibers listed for W231/HP-38:

10mm Auto
25 Auto
30 Luger
32 Auto
32 H&R Magnum
32 North American Arms
32 S&W
32 S&W Long
32-20 Winchester
327 Federal Magnum
357 Magnum
357 SIG
38 Long Colt
38 Short Colt
38 Special
38 Special +P
38 Super Auto
38 S&W
38-40 Winchester
380 Auto
40 S&W
41 Action Express
41 Remington Magnum
44 Colt
44 Remington Magnum
44 Russian
44 S&W Special
44-40 Winchester
45 Auto
45 Colt
45 G.A.P
45 Super
45 S&W (Schofield)
45 Winchester Magnum
9x18 Makarov
9mm Luger
9X23 Winchester

[Sport45]

If you want to include those rifle catridges the only powder that comes to mind is Trail Boss.

I don't think you'll like any one powder in everything.

[777TRUTH]

I would suggest 2 powders minimum, one for rifle and one for pistol.

bds listed 3 great powders for pistol. The only one I have tried from his list is HP-38, it would be an excellent choice.

[Salmoneye]

Red Dot

[Ky Larry]

I tried for several years to find one rifle powder that worked in everything from .223 to .30-06. IMR-4064, Re-15, IMR-4320, AA-2460, and Varget came pretty close but none gave the accuracy I wanted in all calibers and with all bullet weights, and with all rifles of the same caliber. There is no magic powder that does everything perfectly.

I'm not a good enough pistol/revolver shot to get 100% of the accuracy in different powders so I use AA-5 for about everything (.38Spl, .357 mag, 9mm, .44Spl, .44 mag, .45 ACP). Unique and HP-38 are also good choices.

[RandyP]

I am quite happy with Win 231/HP-38 for the 4 pistol calibers I reload - I suspect having one powder for pistol and one for rifle in the two calibers you mentioned is a good idea?

[parisite]

I always thought more than half the fun was experimenting with different powders?

Handgun and rifle powders are not interchangable and the practice of doing so can be quite dangerous. I recommend the ABC's of Reloading.....a great learning manual.

[jim243]

For Pistol Winchester 231 powder. For Rifle IMR or Hodgdon 4895 powder.

Those are all you need if you want to stay with only two powders.

Jim

[bds]

Red Dot
Interesting you mentioned Red Dot. As indicated by Alliant (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/promo.aspx), I have been using Promo with 2004 Alliant load data (glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf) for Red Dot and have been happy with loads in 9mm and 45ACP.

12 Gauge
25 Auto
32 Auto
32 H&R Magnum
32 S&W Long
357 Magnum
357 SIG
38 Special
38 Special +P
38 Super Auto
38/40 Winchester
380 Auto
40 S&W
41 Rem Magnum
44 Rem Magnum
44 Russian
44 S&W Special
44-40 Winchester
45 Auto
45 Colt
9mm Luger
9x18 Makarov

[GP100man]

I`m with parasite , what`s the fun of one powder !!!

I`m also one who will cast 1,000 boolits from the same mold but every 100 with different alloy!!

A doall powder for me however not ideal would be 2400 but the calibers ya have listed probably not .

lite 38/357 gets CLAYS or 700x, lite loads in 44 gets HERCO ,then ya step up the speed with H-110 & 2400

Rifles get reddot/700x & 2400 for reduced loads & anyone that loads rifle has to have 3031,4350,4064 & 4895 on the bench .

It comes down to accepting the performance of powder doing summtin it`s not supposed to do SAFELY !

[56hawk]

Two powders minimum, three would be better. Any of the pistol powders listed above will work for everything except full power 357. You really need a slower powder like H110 to get magnum performance from the 357. For rifle I have used IMR 4895 for everything from 223 to 460 Weatherby.

[Salmoneye]

@BDS

I too reference that 2004 Alliant Manual...I know somewhere in my shed, I have older paper versions from Alliant...

So far (as well as in shotguns decades ago) I have used Red Dot in:

.38 S&W
.38 SPCL
.357 Magnum
.44 Magnum
.35 Remington

I intend to use Red Dot to work up loads in .30-30 for round balls, and try 'The Load' as described by C. E Harris in a .30-06...

http://members.shaw.ca/cronhelm/TheLoad.html

My renewed interest has been due to inheriting a 'few' pounds...

[RandyP]

The great thing about this and several other hobbies is that there is a way for everyone to particpate at all interest and budget levels.

If experimenting is your thing? Lots of powders and other components to fiddle with and the sole constraint is the credit line on your plastic - LOL.

If having simplicity and reliability floats yer boat, you end up in the ranks of those who like the one powder they use and feel no logcical reason to seek other ones.

If you enjoy constant variety or something in between? Go for it.

Do I agree with a specific viewpoint? Who cares? I only gotta keep ME happy, you only gotta keep YOU happy. There is no one 'right' way to approach this great passtime and we all get to join the community and share the fun.

[Arp32]

Thanks guys! Sounds like a consensus for Unique, Red Dot, and W231/HP-38 for the handgun rounds. In terms of volume, does one take up more space than the other?

[MachIVshooter]

You'll need to stock at least 2 powders, 4 would be better.

If only two for the cartidges you've listed, I'd go with Unique or W231 for the handguns and H335 for the rifles.

With four, I'd do Unique or 231 for all but the .357, which I would stock Blue Dot for. For the .223, H335 and IMR4831 for the .30-06.

As it stands, I load 47 different cartridges and stock about 50 different powders. Powder consolidation is a lost cause when you start to care about performance more than simplicity and cost.

[bds]

In terms of volume, does one take up more space than the other?
Yes. Comparison picture below shows max charges of Unique, Universal, Promo and W231/HP-38 for 185 gr 45ACP jacketed bullet. I know the Unique charge is significantly higher at 8.2 gr but that was the powder charge indicated in the load data. 6.0 gr charge of Unique would be comparable to Universal/Promo case fill.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=167327&stc=1&d=1341162642

[GRIZ22]

Unique for handgun. Just about anything faster will preclude moderately warm loads for magnum handguns. Anything slower doesn't work well with reduced loads.

IMR3031for rifle. I've used it for 223 to 30-06.

[Arp32]

BDS, very helpful picture. W231/HP-38 would appear to be a bit "safer" in that there's one more clue that you've double charged a round.

[1KPerDay]

Red Dot is the bulkiest of the lot if you want a powder that fills cases well.

[coalman]

Unique.

[Arp32]

GRIZ22, I'd be shooting mostly mild .38's out of my .357. I could satisfy the urge for hot rounds with the occasional box of store bought Cor-Bon.

[wdyasq]

I'm one of those who has a shelf full of powders and load a BUNCH of different calibers in various pistol and rifles. One powder, maybe, but not for shooting.

You have many different expansion rations, from 'not much' to the '06. I'm guessing you are shooting an AR in .223. It has a completely different set of parameters needing gas in certain pressure ranges at the opening where the gas block sits.

I don't see how ONE powder can do all of this. If it is a bolt rifle, several powders will give moderate performance and still 'work' in pistols. I don't know of a powder that will give 'good' performance in magnum handguns and still give 'good' performance in a large expansion ration bottleneck rifle cartridge.

In the daze before 'Quick Load', the Prowley computer determined which IMR powder would work in one or another particular cartridge case.

Good Luck, I would consider keeping 4 types of powder, light pistol; magnum pistol; two rifle powders. Find a local reloader you can trade components with and find a powder you like. It require less shelf space than my method of just having the powder on hand.

Ron

[Duckdog]

Got to throw my vote on Unique as well. I get good results in everything that I load with it, and that's lots of calibers.

[oneounceload]

Just like anything else that tries to be a "do-all" item, it will generally do nothing exceptionally well and most things just mediocre. Using a few different powders will give you better accuracy and results

[parisite]

I can't believe Bullseye has not been mentioned. I've experimented with a lot of them but I've have seen no powder out perform it in many calibers.
Versatile and accurate.

[blaisenguns]

It sounds like the only powder you can use for all that would be GOEX FFFG :D

But seriously, I consider the type and weight of the projectile THEN I pick my powder based on that. If you look you can find in your load manual two loads for the projectile you want to use and find what will work with the same powder.

[Sport45]

W231/HP-38 would appear to be a bit "safer" in that there's one more clue that you've double charged a round.

Not true! The faster, finer grained, powders take less case capacity and are harder to detect a double charge. Ideally, you want a powder that fills or overflows the case on a double charge. When there's room for three or four charges in a case (Titegroup in .357 for instance) an overcharge isn't readily apparent visually.

The "fluffier" powders fill the case better so powder position isn't so much of a concern either. You can have significant velocity variance with a fast powder depending on whether it is at the front, rear, or spread down the length of the case when the gun is fired.

[Arp32]

I must be interpreting the pictures backwards, I thought the Unique had a lot more powder in roughly the same volume

[Sport45]

Look at the length of wall above the powder. The Unique load is much higher in the case than the HP-38.

I used Titegroup as an example of a fast, dense powder. It is a good powder for .45acp and I've burnt a lot of it. You have to be very careful of double charges as a single charge barely covers the bottom of the case. I always recommend Unique or Universal for new loaders for their case fill properties.

Trail Boss may be the best powder for new guys because you really can't go wrong unless you compress it. It's not the least expensive per load and doesn't give the best velocity but it is as close to foolproof as smokeless powders get.

[Arp32]

I was understanding it wrong then, thanks for the clarification.

Although I've never associated "fluffiness" with gunpowder, that is what I was going for. I'd value safety well over performance. Might be different if I had 20/20 eyesight and a lot more skill, but as it is I just want a cheaper way to put more holes in paper circles.

[jibjab]

I can't believe Bullseye has not been mentioned.
One the oldest smokeless powders it must be to obsolete to mention.

[Kachok]

Never seen a powder that works well in handgun and high speed rifle cartrages, but RL-22 works wounders in all the rifles I own. Standard and magnum cartrages work remarkably well with that one slow burning powder, everything from the ancient 6.5x55 to the ultra high performance 270 WSM.

[zxcvbob]

Red Dot will work in anything -- but it won't necessarily work well. ;)

Unique or Bullseye will work in all those pistol cartridges; Bullseye measures better and is more economical, and Unique will give higher performance. You probably won't be happy with .357 Magnum loaded with BE or Unique; get some AA#7 or 2400 or Power Pistol (and there are others) for that one.

Varget and 4895 are very flexible rifle powders that will do .223 and .30-06 very well, but they are kind of hard to measure. BLC(2) or AA2520 will also do both cartridges and they are ball powders that do measure well -- they are not really better, just easier.

Back to the original question, you can get down to 2 or 3 powders, but not one. Get a pound of Unique and a pound of Varget and see how they work for you. If you don't like Unique, try Bullseye next. If you do like the Unique except it doesn't give you enough performance in .357, get a pound of 2400 and try that. Etc. Once you know what you like, order 8-pounders off the Internet.

[ArchAngelCD]

You started your thread saying, "With powder, there appear to be so many choices." Honestly, if one or two powders can do everything do you think all those powders would still be on the market with more coming along every year. For some reason new reloaders always try to do everything with one powder. Tell me, what is the difference if you buy 2lbs of fast burning pistol powder, 2lbs of slow burning pistol powder and 4lbs of rifle powder compared to 8lbs of one powder? You are going to need the 8lbs anyway so why not buy the powders that will work best for the calibers you're reloading?

For the .380, the .38 Special, the .45 Auto and 9mm W231/HP-38 work very well. A slower burning pistol powder like 2400, W296/H110, AA#9 and the like is best for the .356 Magnum.

For use in the .223 you have many choices. I like H335 and Varget best but I hear very good things about CFE223 too but almost any powder works well in the .223 other than very slow powders.
In the 30-06 I use mostly H4350 but 4895, 4064, Varget and BL-C(2) are all good choices too.

If you really want to stick with one powder for both the .223 and 30-06 you can use 4895 or Varget and if you want to use a Ball (spherical) powder instead BL-C(2) is a good choice.

Don't limit yourself to 1 or 2 powders because you won't get the best results and after all, more accurate and reliable ammo is one of the reasons we reload...

Good luck.

[Eb1]

Pistol - Unique
Rifle of the two calibers - H4895 or IMR4895

[GRIZ22]

You can load the mild 38s with Unique and still go 1100fps + in 357 with a 158 gr bullet with Unique. Not a rhino roller but hotter than a +P+.

[dap22]

+1 for Unique & W231.......... can't speak for red dot as i've never used it.

[mboylan]

You are looking at 2 different rifle powders and 2 different pistol powders. One size does not fit all and can be very dangerous.

[Arp32]

One size does not fit all and can be very dangerous.

Care to elaborate given the previous advice? Not trying to be snarky, am literally here to educate myself.

[zxcvbob]

Originally Posted by mboylan
"One size does not fit all and can be very dangerous."
Care to elaborate given the previous advice? Not trying to be snarky, am literally here to educate myself.

A powder that works well in a bottleneck rifle cartridge will not work at all in a pistol cartridge because it burns way too slow -- you can't fit enough in the case, and even if you could most of it would not get a chance to burn.
A powder that works well in a pistol cartridge will not work well in a rifle cartridge because it burns too fast -- you have to stop adding powder when it reaches the maximum pressure for the cartridge, and the small amount of powder will not generate enough gas to give good performance in a rifle. Also it may not fill the cartridge case enough to burn consistently.
Some pistol cartridges do best with fast-burning powders (.380) and others need somewhat slower powders to reach their potential (.357 Magnum)

You can do a good job of loading your list of cartridges with 3 powders. You can probably do an adequate job with 2 powders but you might not like the resulting .357 Magnums. You cannot load all them using just one powder unless you are an experienced reloader and are using cast bullets in the rifles and know what to expect.

[Arp32]

I gathered that the rifle cartridges will need a different powder from previous posts, but it seems the handgun rounds can all be accommodated with one choice as long as I don't care about loading hot .357 rounds. The post about one powder choice being "dangerous" just seemed a bit vague.

[Arp32]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I think I got my answer.

[JO JO]

I know you asked about one powder, for me I keep power pistol,2400,and IMR 4064
I could get by with Alliant power pistol and IMR 4064 if I only could have two.
Im Loading 9mm, 40s&w, 357 and .308

[Arp32]

Oh, ArchAngelCD to your question in post 36, my goals are to be able to stockpile enough ammo that I don't worry about how much it's costing me every time I go shooting (last weekend it was $135+). Seems that reloading is a way to get there, at least in comparison to buying retail. The goal is to shoot more and have fun with new reloading tools. My goal isn't to explore new loads or customize loads to different guns.

I know my limitations. I'm not a good enough shooter that I can tell the subtle differences between different loads. And my shooting buddies aren't that much better shots than me, if they are at all. We're just casual shooters that like plinking.

With that in mind, I'd rather limit the potential for mistakes and keep it simple. If I can limit the variables and avoid grabbing the wrong canister, I'm all for it.

I plan to start watching prices and stock up where I can, I just wanted to make sure I choose a powder I can get my value out of.

More power to you guys that shoot quarter inch groups with one particular load and have the range notes to prove it. I'm not a gourmet chef, I just want to make some tasty nachos without blowing up the kitchen.

Maybe in a couple of years I'll have a different attitude. There was a time when I thought I would only ever want to own 3 guns (shivers!!!)

[4895]

Winchester 231 all the way.

I have only found 2 cartridges I like Unique in, and I don't shoot them all that often. 231 burns very clean with excellent metering potential. If I could only have one handgun powder, it would definately be Winchester 231.

Double check your powder measure setup, don't run loads at the top of the scale, and visually inspect your cases. If you are consistent in your loading you will have no troubles with 231 powder. Treat it as any other powder and it will take good care of you. Good luck.

[Centaur 1]

Oh, ArchAngelCD to your question in post 36, my goals are to be able to stockpile enough ammo that I don't worry about how much it's costing me every time I go shooting (last weekend it was $135+). Seems that reloading is a way to get there, at least in comparison to buying retail. The goal is to shoot more and have fun with new reloading tools. My goal isn't to explore new loads or customize loads to different guns.

I know my limitations. I'm not a good enough shooter that I can tell the subtle differences between different loads. And my shooting buddies aren't that much better shots than me, if they are at all. We're just casual shooters that like plinking.

With that in mind, I'd rather limit the potential for mistakes and keep it simple. If I can limit the variables and avoid grabbing the wrong canister, I'm all for it.

I plan to start watching prices and stock up where I can, I just wanted to make sure I choose a powder I can get my value out of.

More power to you guys that shoot quarter inch groups with one particular load and have the range notes to prove it. I'm not a gourmet chef, I just want to make some tasty nachos without blowing up the kitchen.

Maybe in a couple of years I'll have a different attitude. There was a time when I thought I would only ever want to own 3 guns (shivers!!!)


Keep it simple in the beginning and try not to worry about too much all at once. Out of the cartridges you mentioned just start with the .38 special. Learn how to reload first, things like adjusting your dies and getting consistent powder charges. Get your techniques down first, it's when you get ahead of yourself that you do things like double charge a case. I say the .38 because a revolver round headspaces off the rim and they're not finicky about case length like the .380 or 9mm. You sound like me as far as just wanting to shoot more. I even went one step further and cast my own bullets, if you get an opportunity to acquire lead, take it and don't look back. My cost for 1000 rounds of ammo are such, primers $31/1000, powder $22 a pound. I use Unique more than any other powder, the .380 uses 3.0 grains, the 9mm and 38 both get loaded with 4.0 grains. This makes the average 3.5 grains per round which yields 2000 rounds per pound. This adds up to a whopping $42 for each 1000 rounds that I load. For simplicity in the beginning I recommend plated bullets. This way you don't have to worry about using the exact diameter for your bore or which lube to use to prevent leading. Berry's manufacturing has 38 caliber, 125 grain flat point bullets for less than $90/1000. Even at that price you will load 1000 rounds for $132, that's less than you spent last weekend. How many rounds did you shoot last weekend, I bet that it was less than 1000?

[Arp32]

Yeah, we didn't shoot anywhere near 1,000 rounds! Thanks for the encouraging reply - I really need to finish work on my shop so I can get started.

[ArchAngelCD]

Oh, ArchAngelCD to your question in post 36, my goals are to be able to stockpile enough ammo that I don't worry about how much it's costing me every time I go shooting (last weekend it was $135+). Seems that reloading is a way to get there, at least in comparison to buying retail. The goal is to shoot more and have fun with new reloading tools. My goal isn't to explore new loads or customize loads to different guns.

I know my limitations. I'm not a good enough shooter that I can tell the subtle differences between different loads. And my shooting buddies aren't that much better shots than me, if they are at all. We're just casual shooters that like plinking.

With that in mind, I'd rather limit the potential for mistakes and keep it simple. If I can limit the variables and avoid grabbing the wrong canister, I'm all for it.

I plan to start watching prices and stock up where I can, I just wanted to make sure I choose a powder I can get my value out of.

More power to you guys that shoot quarter inch groups with one particular load and have the range notes to prove it. I'm not a gourmet chef, I just want to make some tasty nachos without blowing up the kitchen.

Maybe in a couple of years I'll have a different attitude. There was a time when I thought I would only ever want to own 3 guns (shivers!!!)
Well if you want to shoot a lot more for the same money you now spend reloading is for sure for you!

Don't sell yourself short, it's not that easy to grab the wrong can of powder although it has been done.

Most new reloaders won't make that mistake because they are still unsure of the process and usually pay attention to everything they do. (that's a very good thing lol) I'm sure if you use 3 or 4 powders you won't mess up...

My comments on using the right powders for each caliber had nothing to with quarter inch groups but about making quality ammo that shoots well and makes you feel good about reloading. Buying and using 3/4 powders will get you there and you will have more fun because you are making very accurate ammo. Even plinking is no fun unless you hit something once and a while, no?

That said, you do what you think is best for you now that you have the information you were looking for. Like said above, start with the .38 Special which is easy to reload and work from there.

[Flintknapper]

I'd have to cast my vote for Unique (for pistols) and Varget (for the rifles you listed).

Neither powder represents the 'ideal', but both are very versatile.

[DeadFlies]

Perhaps this merits it's own thread but, I find myself in a similar situation as the OP, only I'm just leading for 9mm and 30-30. I plan on using Unique for both as plan on loading low-to-mid velocity cast lead in the M94. Rifle powders are more expensive (not by much, but still...) and it would simplify things to just stock up on ONE powder. For now.

Anybody else use Unique to push cast lead in a rifle? Especially a .30-30?

[bds]

Here's a thread discussion on shooting lead loads with Unique in 1956 Vintage Winchester 94 with 20" barrel in 30-30.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=624494

[DeadFlies]

Here's a thread discussion on shooting lead loads with Unique in 1956 Vintage Winchester 94 with 20" barrel in 30-30.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=624494
Great thread. Thanks.

[kludge]

For the cartridges you listed...

Universal, 2400, H4985 for starters.

Next on the list No.2 for .380 and .38 SPL and either Varget or IMR 4064 for the rifles... probably lean toward Varget.

P.S. I *hate* Unique. Universal is SO much better. IME.

[Centaur 1]

Perhaps this merits it's own thread but, I find myself in a similar situation as the OP, only I'm just leading for 9mm and 30-30. I plan on using Unique for both as plan on loading low-to-mid velocity cast lead in the M94. Rifle powders are more expensive (not by much, but still...) and it would simplify things to just stock up on ONE powder. For now.

Anybody else use Unique to push cast lead in a rifle? Especially a .30-30?
DeadFlies, I know that it seems beneficial at first to only buy one powder, but in the end it doesn't matter if you use 1, 2, 3, or even four powders. Go ahead an buy a can of Unique and get started loading the 9mm. Then when you start to load for the 30-30, go buy a can of Trail Boss. It doesn't cost any more to use two powders, because each can will last twice as long. I know that a lot of people have been using Unique safely in rifle cartridges, but in the past it was out of necessity. It doesn't make sense to risk a double charge, when there are no benefits in performance. Trail Boss will not cycle a semi-automatic, simply not enough room in the case, but it does work great in revolvers if you load for them in the future. It is a low pressure powder so I use it in my older revolvers where performance isn't an issue.

Reloading is addictive in nature and you'll find yourself wanting to do more as you go along. I started the same way with my 30-30, I loaded round buckshot using bulleye. It got boring quickly, so I loaded 150 grain cast with Unique, then Trail Boss. Once in a while I still load some with Trail Boss, for my daughter.:D Let's face it, the 30-30 doesn't have much of a recoil. I now put gas checks on my bullets and push them over 2000fps with RL7. Just enough kick and blast to remind me that I'm shooting a high power rifle and not a .22, yet the recoil is light enough to shoot 100 rounds with no pain. Even with the cost of gas checks factored in, a box of full power cast bullet 30-30 loads cost me $3.16.

[zxcvbob]

Perhaps this merits it's own thread but, I find myself in a similar situation as the OP, only I'm just leading for 9mm and 30-30. I plan on using Unique for both as plan on loading low-to-mid velocity cast lead in the M94. Rifle powders are more expensive (not by much, but still...) and it would simplify things to just stock up on ONE powder. For now.

Anybody else use Unique to push cast lead in a rifle? Especially a .30-30?

I bought 8 pounds of Promo (cheaper version of Red Dot) about 6 or 7 years ago, and I probably still have 6 or 7 pounds left because a little goes a long way. It's a great powder for target loads in any handgun. I have used it to load .30-06 cartridges, using Berry's plated .30-30 bullets. Extremely accurate, light recoil, and shoots several inches low.

[Certaindeaf]

Red Dot works good for about anything that's got a muzzle.

[35 Whelen]

For pistols: Unique

For .223: WC844 or WC846 (Cheap and meters flawlessly)

For 30-06: One of the 4350's.

35W

[357 Terms]

I use Universal for all my plinking pistol rounds ( 380, 357, 40, 45 )

For SD and hunting loads I use powders that I have found work best for those specific calibers (velocity, reliability, accuracy).

There really is no "one" that truly fits all, but for range use I have found that Universal is clean and works good.

[zxcvbob]

For .223: WC844 or WC846 (Cheap and meters flawlessly)
For 30-06: One of the 4350's.


Have you tried WC844 or WC846 in .30-06? WC846 looks like it should work; not so sure about 844. I was going to order some of each last time I bought powder but they were out of 846.

[35 Whelen]

Have you tried WC844 or WC846 in .30-06? WC846 looks like it should work; not so sure about 844. I was going to order some of each last time I bought powder but they were out of 846.
I have not, but the WC846 I have burns about like H335. YMMV.

35W

[918v]

Bullseye

is

the

god

powder.

[rugerron67]

I load Universal powder with these calibers .
12g
20g
454
45LC
45 acp
44 mag
44 spl
44 rusn
357 mag
38 spl
38 S&W
380 acp
32 acp
Works for me .
I do keep a back up bottle of Unique
if needed .

[CZ57]

Ramshot True Blue will load all handgun rounds. It's a fine grained ball powder that meters exceptionally. Unfortunately, not many here have tried it. ;)

[GLOOB]

Unique has the distinction of being one of the bulkiest powders that you can still fit enough of into the small volume pistol cases to get close to top notch velocity. And it's fairly cheap.

[chriske]

Just my 2cts : for the mentioned handgun calibers : Winchester-Olin 231 or VihtaVuori N-320.
I don't know (actually doubt) if they can be used for rifle loads, though.