45 ACP and 357- Which powder should i buy to load both.

[John4me05]

Id like to use the same powder for both guns. Which should i get
357 is a 6" Colt Trooper MK3
45 is a Hi Point i think 4" barrel... Dont remember off hand

 

[CBS220]

Unique works well.

 

[Katana8869]

I use Unique and Bullseye in both calibers.

 

[wally]

+1 to Unique, great in .45ACP and good in .357Magnum if you are not trying to equal the hottest factory loads.

--wally.

 

[mek42]

HP38 / Win231 is an option. I'm new enough to reloading that I can't offer an informed performance opinion, but each caliber has this powder listed in the Hodgdon reloading manual.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Unique, bullseye and AA#5.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you are going to use only 1 powder then I would use HS-6. Actually, you can use the same powder for the .38 Special and .45 Auto very easily since they both use a powder with a similar burn rate. Magnum rounds usually call for a slower powder but HS-6 will do both fairly well and can be used with both Jacketed or Lead bullets.

 

[Texastbird]

I've used Unique and Titegroup for both, but I don't worry about maximun performance, just poking holes in paper and such.

 

[Walkalong]

AA #5, Universal Clays, True Blue, Unique

But if you want max performance from your .357, you will need two powders.

 

[evan price]

Titegroup is what I use.

Also you can try Winchester 231 or Hodgdon HP38 (same stuff).

However if you want your Magnum to perform at Magnum levels I suggest Winchester 296/Hodgdon H110 (same powder)

 

[jfh]

What Walkalong said.

AA#5, especially.

 

[Hunter0924]

I am a fan of Unique and Winchester 231.

 

[JDGray]

I like HS6 in 357Mag, works in 45, but not my fav in that caliber

 

[John4me05]

I am not a person looking for blistering speed or maximum power... I want accuracy first and foremost...
Now if it matters i will be shooting 158 cast SWCs in the 357... Not sure yet on 45 wether ill shoot any cast or grab some jacketed...

357 will be a small game hunting backup... Something bigger than my 22mag and 223 to ward off a bear/make a loud racket to run a bear out or take a shot at something bigger that needs shot at... But will also be used for target shooting mostly... 45 is strictly home defense/conceal in the truck, target play toy...

 

[The Bushmaster]

W-231 for both. For .357 magnum W-231 makes a good mid range load. for high end loads for .357 magnum use W-296 or Alliant 2400.

 

[lev83]

I used Bullseye and Titegroup in mine. Got better performance from Titegroup.

 

[Quoheleth]

I'll load my 158 LWC in my .357 loads with AA#5 (I forget the load right now; check their website; I just use the min. load). Might not be TOP performance, but it'll get the job done.

Q

 

[jhansman]

Titegroup all the way. Clean, not position sensitive, less expensive than most other handgun powders, and best of all-accurate!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Now if it matters i will be shooting 158 cast SWCs in the 357...

John4me05,
That matters a lot. Knowing that I can recommend W231 along with my original suggestion of HS-6. W231 will work fine for lead bullets in a .357 Magnum because you don't push lead as fast as jacketed bullets. It all depends upon what powder you have on hand. With HS-6 you will generate a lot less pressure than W231 but achieve similar velocities. If you want to push those 158gr lead bullets up past 1100 fps to make a more effective round I suggest you use a Gas Checked lead bullet. Then you can use a powder like Universal or Herco and push the bullet close to 1200 fps.

 

[joneb]

I have loaded some mid-range .357 mag with .358" dia LSWC with HS-6 and Small pistol primers with very good results, as for .45acp HS-6 has worked ok for me with 230gr jacketed bullets at a near max loadings. It seems to me that HS-6 needs a certain amount of pressure to burn efficiently and cartridges like .38spl and .45acp are on the fringe of that.
Now it's time for my fishing pole analogy I once had a combo fly/spin cast rod, it would do both poorly. You will eventually use two powders, why not do it sooner
The ones I have tried and like,
.45acp- Bullseye,W231 and AA#5
.357 mag.-AA#9

PS, I have used Unique for both and it works well

 

[ArchAngelCD]

jibjab,
Do you really think it's a good idea to use AA#9 with a lead bullet in a .357 Magnum? I think that's too slow a powder and will not work well with a lead bullet.

 

[joneb]

jibjab,
Do you really think it's a good idea to use AA#9 with a lead bullet in a .357 Magnum?

Thanks AACD, I use AA#9 for jacketed .357mag loads and heavy hard cast (18Br) lead loads 170-180gr for a 2.75" and 4" barrel, I don't think AA#9 is the right powder for John the OP

 

[ArchAngelCD]

jibjab,
You are right about HS-6 needing to be loaded up near the top end if you want a full and clean burn. As you stated it can be slightly dirty and a little wasteful if you don't. Because of that I usually don't use HS-6 for my .38 Special rounds but really like it in my .38 Special +P rounds.

 

[joneb]

I'm to chicken to feed my babies a steady diet of +P