Favorite 380 acp/38 special/357 magnum powder

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Seymour380

Seymour380

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Looking for recommendations on a go to powder for all 3 calibers: 380 acp, 38 special, and 357 magnum. I have worked up loads for Red Dot, PB, AA#5, AA#7, Bullseye, Titegroup, HP-38, 231, and Blue Dot as I have come across them. Might be nice to have another powder option for loading all 3 calibers. I have been looking into Autocomp, Ramshot Zip, and AA#2, just have not found them in stock yet. Please provide some info. on why you are recommending a particular powder. Thanks for the help!
 
Any powder that will work for 380 is going to be less than ideal for 357 magnum loads.

I have loaded just about every handgun round with win231/hp38, including 357&44 mag but they were more plinker loads vs slower powders that can get the most out of the rounds.

The jack of all trades is generally the master of none.
 
Unique, Universal, and AA #5 probably come as close as you’re going to get as usable for all three. It’s ideal for 38 Special, a bit slow for 380 and quite a bit slow for 357 Mag if you are indeed wanting to wring out every bit of potential from it. If all you want is a +p 38 Special out of your 357, Unique and Universal will do nicely. Otherwise Blue Dot, H-110, 296, and AA-#9 and Enforcer will far better choices. 380 is better served with the likes of Titegroup, AA-#2, 700X, and similar burn speed powders.
Reasons why, 380 is small capacity, medium velocity, light weight bullets, 38 Special is a mid range round, not high pressure or high velocity, nor generally heavy bullets. 357 is a high pressure cartridge that performs at significantly higher velocity and has greater powder capacity with both medium and heavy for caliber bullets.
A little study of several load data sources will show you this. I load all three plus another dozen handgun chamberings and have many, many different powders for them. It became obvious in a hurry that only one powder will not do justice to 3 completely different types of chamberings even though they are all three basically 9mm/ 38 caliber rounds. To make it more interesting, toss in a 357 SIG, 9 Makarov and 9 Luger into the mix,
 
For 115gr 9mm which is close to 380, my light 357mag load in a 38spl case I use general dynamics cbi. Next time I load 380 I strongly suspect cbi will make for a pretty good 380 powder.
 
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! It looks like Unique and Universal might be the "best" options for me. I realize that there is no perfect powder for 380 through 357. I am developing low power target loads that my family will enjoy shooting with me, and I am trying to keep my component costs low (the reason for one powder doing multiple jobs). I sure appreciate your helpful feedback.
 
I've used Unique in all 3 of those, specifically. It's actually a pretty good .380 powder if your measure can drop small charges accurately, and it works swimmingly in the .38SPC. I used it for 95% of my .357 loads, back when I loaded for it. No, it will not produce top end .357 loads, but I don't know if there is a powder that would match 2400 or W296, while still be workable in .380 and .38.
 
Charlie98 said:
I've used Unique in all 3 of those, specifically. It's actually a pretty good .380 powder if your measure can drop small charges accurately, and it works swimmingly in the .38SPC. I used it for 95% of my .357 loads, back when I loaded for it. No, it will not produce top end .357 loads, but I don't know if there is a powder that would match 2400 or W296, while still be workable in .380 and .38.
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Thanks Charlie, it seems like Unique is the overall favorite based on the great feedback from everyone.
 
Win 231 for 380, 9mm and 45Auto, Accurate No.9 for pistol and rifle 357 Mag. Accurate No.5 for 38SPC in heavier bullets. Maybe TightGroup for 38SPC, lighter 357 and 45 Auto.
I don't think you're going to find one powder that's suitable for all 3.
 
Klaatu Barada Nikto said:
Win 231 for 380, 9mm and 45Auto, Accurate No.9 for pistol and rifle 357 Mag. Accurate No.5 for 38SPC in heavier bullets. Maybe TightGroup for 38SPC, lighter 357 and 45 Auto.
I don't think you're going to find one powder that's suitable for all 3.
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In 2014 when I started reloading the only local powders I could get were 1 lb. of PB, and an 8lb. keg of Red Dot. Had to make them work. Still working through the Red Dot, the PB actually was great for 380 once I figured it out.
 
Fortunately powders don't seem all that hard to get right now. Like yourself I prefer powders that will work well across platforms.
Accurate No. 9 works for 357 and 300 Blackout. Go figure.
Also Accurate 4064 seems to fill a lot of requirements as well.
 
I probably use more Unique in hand guns than any other powders even Magnum cartridges (357 and 44). But the Magnum cartridges are not loaded to full power levels.

I’ve used it in 380 ACP and would do so in the future but currently I’m loading 380 ACP with 700-X.

Not to sound like a broken record but several of the powders listed would work fine in all three cartridges as long as one does not want full power loads in 357 Magnum.
 
Seymour380 said:
I am developing low power target loads that my family will enjoy shooting with me, and I am trying to keep my component costs low (the reason for one powder doing multiple jobs).
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This helps a lot. One powder to rule them all is different depending on the intended use. If you’re comfortable with Titegroup it will work fine for low power loads. You may also want to try IMR Target for this use. One powder to span these with intended use of minor to major loads is difficult since a faster powder will do fine for minor loads while a slower powder will do fine for major load outs. W244 has been proving itself in moderate loads as well. I developed loads with Universal for these quite a while ago while I was searching for the one powder to rule them all, and while it went bang, there are more optimal powders. Good luck.
 
lordpaxman said:
This helps a lot. One powder to rule them all is different depending on the intended use. If you’re comfortable with Titegroup it will work fine for low power loads. You may also want to try IMR Target for this use. One powder to span these with intended use of minor to major loads is difficult since a faster powder will do fine for minor loads while a slower powder will do fine for major load outs. W244 has been proving itself in moderate loads as well. I developed loads with Universal for these quite a while ago while I was searching for the one powder to rule them all, and while it went bang, there are more optimal powders. Good luck.
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Thanks lordpaxman, I may give the Titegroup some more attention. I am grateful to have several powders that I can choose from. I like "the one powder to rule them all". Tolkein would be proud of you!
 
I must be old fashioned, I use Unique for all three. Also use it for 9mm, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP. I do have 2400 and Blue Dot for real magum power. I've got other pistol powders, and of course several rifle powders, but I seem to use more Unique then anything else.
 
Vlad3572 said:
I must be old fashioned, I use Unique for all three. Also use it for 9mm, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP. I do have 2400 and Blue Dot for real magum power. I've got other pistol powders, and of course several rifle powders, but I seem to use more Unique then anything else.
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Nothing wrong with old fashioned. I think Unique will be my next powder purchase when I can locate some.
 
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