Good all-around handgun powder?

231/HP38 is my go to powder for all of those cartridges, ESPECIALLY for lighter loads.
Been using some Ramshot Zip lately in the 45 and am liking it.

Targa said:

I always see Unique brought up and it is obviously a proven, versatile powder but unless you already have a stash it is almost non existent. I did find some once a few months ago but at $10 a lb more than the 231 and Universal that I use I passed. I can’t imagine it being $10 a lb better than the other ones.

Click to expand...

If money is a factor I would try and track down some of the shooter's world ultimate.

I’ve been keeping an eye out for Cleanshot too but haven’t found any to try.

9mmepiphany said:

I think that honor might fall to Shooters World powder...I'm especially fond of Clean Shot, but I haven't experimented enough or shot it in enough cartridges to render an opinion as to it's all around usefulness

Click to expand...

The one time I found the varget substitute it was just as expensive. I don't know if it's that way with certain ones but I'm buying heavy pistol as I find it on the cheap.

Right now I am using HP 38 in most of my handgun loads because....I was actually able to buy some. I have not seen Unique, Universal, Clays, Trail Boss for sale for a good while.

Targa said:

I always see Unique brought up and it is obviously a proven, versatile powder but unless you already have a stash it is almost non existent. I did find some once a few months ago but at $10 a lb more than the 231 and Universal that I use I passed. I can’t imagine it being $10 a lb better than the other ones.

Click to expand...

Well if you’re only interested in a particular powder when it’s at your preferred, back in the olden days price, then you’ll continue being a spectator

Keep watching the “where are reloading components available” thread…on Sunday I posted Midway had Unique in 8 pound jugs. Gone now.

Smaug said:

Never mind; I found this old thread that answers the question well:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/what-is-the-closest-powder-to-unique.765475/

EricBu, I do understand that for magnum loads I need a slower powder, that's why I mentioned I had 2400 on hand.

By the way, it seems like Unique is no longer available. (or maybe only through brick & mortar locations?)

Click to expand...

Keep watching the reloading availability thread. Unique was available at midway on Sunday. Gone now.

Bill M. said:

Right now I am using HP 38 in most of my handgun loads because....I was actually able to buy some. I have not seen Unique, Universal, Clays, Trail Boss for sale for a good while.

Click to expand...

Midway had Unique last Sunday. I posted a link on the availability thread. Gone now.

I'll jump on the 231 bandwagon as well. Works for me in 38spcl, 357, 45acp, and 45 Colt for midrange target loads.

chris

CQB45ACP said:

Midway had Unique last Sunday. I posted a link on the availability thread. Gone now.

Click to expand...

They have it right now, limit of 2 lbs!!!

I have a question regarding how much load development you are planning to do with the replacement powder. If you are planning extensive load development, then any powder already recommended should be good. If you are going to do limited load development, and is looking for something close to HP-38/W231, then it is probably better to find something close to what you currently use.

I would recommend W244 since it is close in burn rate, and I have found that it works well in multiple cartridges. It is also available for purchase: https://shop.hodgdon.com/winchester-winclean-244/

I don't load all of those caliber but my main powder for hand gun is WSF and WST. WST is what I use for light BE loads in my 45acp, 357Mag/38spl. WSF for mid power and up.

Smaug said:

I'm mostly reloading for my favorite handgun cartridges:

• 38 Special
• 357 Magnum
• 44 Special
• 44 Magnum
• 9x19
• 45 ACP

I have half a pound of Win 231 left and was about to order some more general use handgun powder. (for the lighter loads, not magnums. I have most of a pound of 2400 left for them)

I've had HP-38 before and liked it. This is my first pound of Win 231 and I like it too. (as I hear it's about the same as HP-38)

What's another good powder for the above cartridges that would compliment my existing stock of Win 231?

...or should I just go ahead and buy another pound of HP-38?

The handguns I reload for:

• Ruger LCR, 1-7/8", 38 Spl
• Ruger SP-101, 3", 357 Mag
• Ruger Redhawk, 7.5", 44 Mag
• S&W 19, 4", 357
• S&W 625, 5", 45 ACP
• Springfield XD-45 Tactical, 5", 45 ACP
• Charles Daly Hi-Power, 5", 9 mm
• Sig P365, 3", 9 mm

Click to expand...

HP-38 and W231 are now the same powder , both made by Hodgdon . Winchester used to make 231 but no longer does and loading data for W231 was sometimes slightly different than HP-38 ...
But whatever you call it , still a good powder . Slightly faster than Unique ...which makes it useful
in many applications .
A powder that will cover everything on your list is the mid range Unique . Not great for the very heaviest Magnum loads (you want a slower burning powder here) and not the best for light , powder-puff Target loads ( you want a fast powder for this) but great for everything inbetween .
I burn a lot of Unique in semi-auto rounds . There is a lot of Unique data out there , it's been around for 100 years (or so) Elmer Keith even loads some rounds with Unique .
Most of my reloading is Target /Plinking and Mid-Range ammo ... not so much heavy magnum loads but those needs are met with : Bullseye , Unique and 2400 .
When I can't get Bullseye ... 700X , Red Dot or Acc #2 will do as stand-in .
For Unique ... There isn't much but HP-38 / 231 , Herco , HS-6
For 2400 ... H110 , Acc #7 , Acc #9 , HS-7

Seems the problem now days is finding what you want ... best to have a few choices to fall back on . All the powders I have listed have been around , tried and tested and plenty of Data to be found ... Good Luck
Gary

Blue68f100 said:

WSF for mid power and up

Click to expand...

When I was working up new powders for 9mm, I omitted WSF... and now I wish I wouldn't have.

Universal is going to be hard to come by for some time it seems. I called/talked to a person at Hodgdon's last week and he mentioned they are not getting any more from their supplier for now and are not packageing any for consumer purchases. Damn!

Smaug said:

Well, they're going to lose their market then when someone else steps up first.

Click to expand...

Tend to agree. Glad I don't need any, as I'm good, but , was curious. Well, the Universal I have will last me, as will Unique and Red Dot.

I don't think you'll have one powder for all. You mentioned you had 2400 for magnum loads. That powder seems to be readily available. I've used WSF for my 45s and 9s for years with good sucess. Those are the pistol calibers that I load the most. WSF was available several months ago, but I haven't seen any recently. I use IMR 4227 and 2400 for my Blackhawk 45. IMR 4227 is available. Win 231 and 244 should work well in a variety of the calibers you mentioned and both are available. I have both of those Win powders but have not tried either of them. My intention was to use 231 and/or 244 for my 45s and 9s when I run out of WSF. I do load for my 38 that I like to shoot through my 357, but of course I use Universal, and I have less than 1 pound left. Win 231 should work in the 38 too. Look at and compare the load data for each caliber and choose ones that seem to be common to some or all of them that meet your requirements. Then see what powder is available. Good luck.

.45Coltguy said:

Universal is going to be hard to come by for some time it seems. I called/talked to a person at Hodgdon's last week and he mentioned they are not getting any more from their supplier for now and are not packageing any for consumer purchases. Damn!

Click to expand...

Sounds like the same thing that happened with trail boss. It's a specialty powder but the loyalists will go back just like unique.

.45Coltguy said:

Well, the Universal I have will last me, as will Unique and Red Dot.

Click to expand...

After the last shortage, and having to finagle to get first 4 #'s from Bass Pro, and then finally found an 8#... I'll be set for a while. I've got about 12000 rounds worth in my stash right now. I DON'T have that many primers, however, so I better get to work on that.

AJC1 said:

Sounds like the same thing that happened with trail boss

Click to expand...

From what I understand, they just quit making TrailBoss, at least for a while. I guess it's kind of like the ammo makers... they have to pick and choose what to produce or market.

Clean Shot and Heavy Pistol easily cover every single pistol cartridge I load for, and perform exceptionally in all:
32 acp
9mm
45 acp
38
357
44 spl
44 Mag
45 Colt (cover tier 1 to tier 3 with those two powders)
44-40

I think that's all of them. May have missed something in there.

I also use Buffalo Rifle for 45-70 and Precision Rifle for .30-30, .223, .308, .30-06, .243. SBR Socom for 300 BLK, and probably 50 BW, still playing there. I have drank the Shooter's World Kool Aid completely. My only gap is .338 LM. Still using H1000 there.

EricBu said:

Clean Shot and Heavy Pistol easily cover every single pistol cartridge I load for, and perform exceptionally in all:
32 acp
9mm
45 acp
38
357
44 spl
44 Mag
45 Colt (cover tier 1 to tier 3 with those two powders)
44-40

I think that's all of them. May have missed something in there.

I also use Buffalo Rifle for 45-70 and Precision Rifle for .30-30, .223, .308, .30-06, .243. SBR Socom for 300 BLK, and probably 50 BW, still playing there. I have drank the Shooter's World Kool Aid completely. My only gap is .338 LM. Still using H1000 there.

Click to expand...

If you don't mind, would you post a load for the .45 Colt using 250gr rnfp in the 14,000 pressure theme? Thank you. If not, totally understand.

Smaug said:

I'm mostly reloading for my favorite handgun cartridges:

• 38 Special
• 357 Magnum
• 44 Special
• 44 Magnum
• 9x19
• 45 ACP

I have half a pound of Win 231 left and was about to order some more general use handgun powder. (for the lighter loads, not magnums. I have most of a pound of 2400 left for them)

I've had HP-38 before and liked it. This is my first pound of Win 231 and I like it too. (as I hear it's about the same as HP-38)

What's another good powder for the above cartridges that would compliment my existing stock of Win 231?

...or should I just go ahead and buy another pound of HP-38?

The handguns I reload for:

• Ruger LCR, 1-7/8", 38 Spl
• Ruger SP-101, 3", 357 Mag
• Ruger Redhawk, 7.5", 44 Mag
• S&W 19, 4", 357
• S&W 625, 5", 45 ACP
• Springfield XD-45 Tactical, 5", 45 ACP
• Charles Daly Hi-Power, 5", 9 mm
• Sig P365, 3", 9 mm

Click to expand...

Can only speak for 38\357 231 is great for light \medium loads. HBWC likes 3.2 gns and 158gn RNFP MOLY coated likes 5 gns 231. It cronoed out at 910 to 925 fps and very accurate out of my 6" GP100. I seat the 158 deep with a taper crimp over the ogive so it doesn't mar the bullet. Case trim to 1.280" plus or minus. 001", COAL 1.535". Bear Creek products.

.45Coltguy said:

If you don't mind, would you post a load for the .45 Colt using 250gr rnfp in the 14,000 pressure theme? Thank you. If not, totally understand.

Click to expand...

45 Colt, 250 RNFP, Hi-Tek coated, Missouri Bullet Company. Federal Large Pistol Primers, New Brass: Clean Shot 6.0 grains. 820 fps out of a New Model 4.5 Ruger Vaqeuro, 950 fps out of a Henry X w/ Hybrid 46 Suppressor. You can go a lot lower if you are looking for lower velocities, this was just worked up specifically to be a subsonic load for the Henry, but became my defacto load. If you are looking for some more cowboy action specific load data, search on "Scarlett Clean Shot Load Data" and you'll find a couple of docs worked up at one time by that community, good stuff in there, but most of the 45 colt load data is for 200 grain bullets. I'm also attaching the Lovex Load Data, Shooter's World Clean Shot is Lovex D032.