Favorite Pistol powder

ZWCoffindaffer · Dec 28, 2015

It seems like asking someone what they recommend for powder is like asking someone what the best rifle caliber is. You get 100 answers from 100 people, but here I am asking anyways.

At the moment I'm only loading .45 and 9mm, but I was curious as to what you guys suggest for a good pistol powder. I loaded some with HS-6 not long ago and they shot well but the powder burnt really dirty. Left the gun and brass very sooty so I wanted to try another.

I just loaded some with longshot and am trying those soon.

My local store has RedDot, BlueDot, Unique, Titewad, and Bullseye. does anyone have anyone have experience with these to suggest them or not.

Thanks!!

CZ9shooter · Dec 28, 2015

Can't hardly go wrong with Unique. Works pretty well from 380 up to 44 mag. However, it is not my favorite. Power Pistol would be my favorite. Then, depending on what kind of loads we are talking about, WST.

GaryL · Dec 28, 2015

If I had to pick one - strangely, I'd have to say Green Dot, simply because it works so well in 45acp with cast bullets.

Otherwise, no real favorites.

BTW - I would also give the nod to Unique if those are your choices.

MtnCreek · Dec 28, 2015

HS6 will burn cleaner if the pressure is increased and will benefit from a mag primer. IMHO, it's a very good powder for high pressure 9mm loads.

Ramshot Silhouette is my preferred powder for 45acp.

For lower pressure loads in either, HP38 is a good powder.

ZWCoffindaffer · Dec 28, 2015

HS6 will burn cleaner if the pressure is increased and will benefit from a mag primer. IMHO, it's a very good powder for high pressure 9mm loads.

This may have been my problem, I was near the starting end of the load and using standard primers.

Trailduster79 · Dec 28, 2015

my favorite so far is Bullseye. I have loaded 9mm, .45ACP, .380, .32S&W Long, and some others with it. Great all around powder.

ATLDave · Dec 28, 2015

I like ZIP and AA#2 for target loads, really enjoy Silhouette for mid-power rounds, and then HS-6, AA#7, and AA#9 up the ladder.

The truth is that there are a lot of good powders out there.

mrdemal · Dec 28, 2015

FOR .45acp-Unique. Used for 35 years.

PapaG · Dec 28, 2015

Can't pick just one. Bullseye for match loads in 38 and 45 acp. Unique for moderate loads in 38/357, 44 spec, 45 acp/45 Colt. 2400 for 357/44mag full loads.
I also like Herco for 9mm.

Desertrat357 · Dec 28, 2015

Unique is well, unique! It is a very versatile powder, like others have stated. Plus it's my main powder for 44 special. Skeeter's pet load just can't be beat.

Reefinmike · Dec 28, 2015

I load 380acp, 38spl, 357 mag, 9mm, 45 acp and 300blk(10" ar pistol)

I have narrowed my powders down to two for everything. Hp-38(same thing as w231) covers the majority of my loads and w296 is used for 357 mag and 300blk.

OP- if i were you, id pick up that bullseye. I like bullseye just as well as my hp-38, the only reason that I don't use it is because it softens the powder coat on the base of my cast lead bullets.

GRIZ22 · Dec 28, 2015

Another vote for Unique.

Kaldor · Dec 28, 2015

Power Pistol, CFE Pistol, TiteGroup, Win296/H110

Blue68f100 · Dec 28, 2015

Since I load on a AP it has to meter good. WSF and WST are my go to powders. WST is the cleanest burning powder I have found even at reduced loads. But it's to fast for full power loads, WSF fill the gap.

Good luck on finding WST. I've not seen that powder in a couple of years.

ljnowell · Dec 28, 2015

I like WST for bullseye loads in 45ACP but I generally use AA#2 in 45ACP, 38 SPECIAL, 9MM, ETC.

chipcom · Dec 28, 2015

ColoradoShooter77 · Dec 28, 2015

For 9mm and 45, you can't go wrong with Unique. CFE pistol should work well also, that's a powder that is available now.

Longshot would work well on the upper end in 9mm, but is too slow for 45 acp, imo.

RandyP · Dec 28, 2015

Another vote for Win 231/HP-38. I use it for al my pistol calibers.

H335 for my AR in .223/5.56

bluetopper · Dec 28, 2015

American Select, but haven't seen it for sale in quite some time.

JO JO · Dec 28, 2015

I have had good luck with power pistol and WSF going to try Cfe pistol next , I have tried a few and I have found over the last few years I can't always find what I want , used to like
231 and a few ramshot powders but have gave up on them

gotboostvr · Dec 28, 2015

I don't like how unique and reddot meter.
I'm in the process of switching to bullseye depending how this batch of 45 I loaded yesterday works out.

I'm very happy with IMR4227 and 2400

BigBore45 · Dec 28, 2015

for plinking loads titegroup or redot/promo. for heavy loading H-110 or IMR4227.

I have an 8lb keg of BE-86, im not all to impressed with it.

zb338 · Dec 28, 2015

Back in ancient times most pistol shooters used three powders.
Bullseye for light wadcutters and such.
Unique for intermediate loads.
2400 for hot magnum loads.

Zeke

dave333 · Dec 28, 2015

If I could only ever have one pistol powder from here on out it would be AA#2. For me it is the best metering, most consistent, and gives me the most accurate loads in 9, 40 and 45.

A very close second would be VV N320.

After that I could definately live with titegroup, e3, clays, bullseye, 7625(if they still made it), Ramshot Zip or competition, solo 1000, WST, 231, or even N310 in no particular order and still have very good results.

So I hope this clears things up for you.

ColtPythonElite · Dec 28, 2015

I could do all of my handgun loading with just Unique. It is the only powder I use for .45 ACP.

Favorite Pistol powder

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