Multi use powder suggestion for pistol

I ran 230 lead out of multiple 1911s with HP-38. Barely above minimum, just enough to cycle the slide, was a SOFT shooter. Closer to max can get stout. I also used it for .40S&W, similar results. If HP-38 is available, I would see if you can expand on your experience with it.

If you can find it, Bullseye will do all those quite handily. but I'm biased towards old powders

Unique, use it for many pistol loads. Some people poo poo it, but they are wrong

Hp-38, win231,win 244…all good for those calibers.

JCSC said:

I currently load a 9 and 380 with HP38 and tight group. I’m getting a little low on powder and will be adding a 1911 / 45 to my reloading collection.

Does anyone have any specific powder recommendations, so that I can buy in bulk and cover all three bases. There are lots of options and I am unsure on any pros and cons for any specific powder.

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W231/HP38 and TiteGroup are both good for .45ACP. Personally I like Unique but good luck finding any. Red Dot is also a good general purpose pistol powder but again, good luck finding it. What you might find is Promo, which pretty much is Red Dot

HS-6, CFE, Acc7. I have used those with success

i personally like Unique tho.

I just loaded up a bunch using HP-38 also, great powder

There’s also Universal.

Jonny2guns said:

Unique, use it for many pistol loads. Some people poo poo it, but they are wrong

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Another excellent powder, and what I use primarily in 9x19 and 45acp, but I didn't care for it in 380.

Ironicaintit said:

Another excellent powder, and what I use primarily in 9x19 and 45acp, but I didn't care for it in 380.

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Unique is My go to powder on multiple calibers.

Another vote for unique too

VV N320

SingleActionAndrew said:

VV N320

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I was just thinking about trying N320 for 9mm. My Alliant Power Pistol supply is rapidly nearing exhaustion.

Unique may not be the bestest for every caliber, but it is the most versatile power. Doses for shotgun too. But with powder supply the way it is right now.....shotgun would use it up too fast....

Another vote for HP 38

SingleActionAndrew said:

VV N320

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Forgot about that one!!! I give it a vote too!!!

Looks like quite a few powders that Folks use on 9mm. Some of Us are saying how versatile Unique is. Looks to Me like 9mm is a very versatile powder useable caliber in it Self!

Agree with all those that suggested Bullseye and Unique, both long time, great powders. But another I've been using a lot of lately is CFE Pistol. It's my go-to for 9mm and there is plenty of load data for .380 and .45 ACP as well. I commonly see CFEP in stock when the others are out.

I like bullsye and unique for a lot of loads. Sport pistol is another nice one. T.G i like for plated and jacketed. But how hard is it to find 8lb jugs these days?

JCSC said:

I currently load a 9 and 380 with HP38 and tight group. I’m getting a little low on powder and will be adding a 1911 / 45 to my reloading collection.

Does anyone have any specific powder recommendations, so that I can buy in bulk and cover all three bases. There are lots of options and I am unsure on any pros and cons for any specific powder.

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AA2 or Clean Shot will work most excellent on all the above.

JCSC said:

Lots of votes for the HP38. I played with it in 9mm a little bit, but landed on TG. It seems readily available right now.

I can’t say I have seen unique for sale in the recent past.

I saw one comment about the shooters world clean shot. Precovid SW was everywhere and cheap, but like everything else it’s hit or miss now.

I never seem to see much press about any of their powders.

I appreciate all the input and I will do a little more research on my end.

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It's in stock at midsouth right now

W231/HP-38 is a good versitile powder.

My favorites are 700-X for 45ACP with Accurate #5 as an alternate.

True Blue for 9x19.

For 380 ACP, 700-X, Unique, or W231.

Pre-Covid, I would have just written "Unique" and called it the end of the story. Now, Unique is essentially non-existent - although my LGS has several one-pound jugs available for just $60 each...

I recently lucked into a jug of 700x and have been having decent results from it, at least when light-to-midrange results are acceptable. I also have noted that AA powders seem more available than just about anything else, and am rediscovering that #2 does a pretty good impression of Bullseye, #5 fills many of the roles of Unique, and #9 isn't at all shabby in full-power Magnums.

On the whole, I'd have been happy to spend the rest of my days with Alliant powders, but if they're not going to be on my team then I'm not going to be on theirs.

BE-86 and call it a day.