believe i have found my three pistol powders

[shu]

that would be
..bullseye for 140gr lead in 38spl
..universal clays for 158 plated in 38spl +p
..bluedot for 158 plated in 357magnum

with these fast, medium, and slow burn rate powders (for respectively slow, medium, and fast velocities) i should be able to cover 9mm (mostly 124gr plated round nose), 45acp (mostly 230gr lead and 230gr plated ball), and 357sig (124gr plated flat point).

have tried 231 at the low velocity (fast burn) end, and find it dirty.
have tried AA#5 in the middle and likewise find it dirty.
have tried power pistol in the midrange, and find it an ok alternative.
have tried AA#9 at the high velocity (slow burn) end and find it dirty.
H110 beats bluedot for top end 357mag (particularly in rifle) but does not lap over to other applications in my calibers.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

WW231

WW231 has done the job for me for millions of rounds as it meters accurately in my automated and hand operated progressive reloaders and I have found no reason yet to change.

Fitz

 

[Kamicosmos]

I also have settled on 3 powders for my pistols, but of course, they are different powders from yours:

Power Pistol for my .40 and .45 ACP loads (possible use in the .357)
H110 for my hot .357 and .44 Mag loads
Blue Dot for .45 Colt and 'soft' .357 and .44 loads (I've even used it for .40 loads)

(although, I have started playing with WC820, a military pulldown version of H110, seems a bit milder in recoil, but I'm still in the testing phase.)

 

[wingman]

titegroup
aa5
red dot.

 

[cheapsk8]

Red Dot. Bulkier than 231(which I adore, but have replaced with RD) so less chance of double charges. I have never built an inaccurate load with RD. Also great in low power rifle loads. It is a little dirty, but the pluses outway this. 5 grains under any 230 gr bullet in .45 ACP is a perfect load.

Longshot. A slower medium burning powder. Provides almost 10 mm power in my .40. Gives good medium power loads in .44 and .357. Not the most consistant, but I don`t honestly use many medium loads. But man, in that .40...WOW. Also serves as my chief and only powder in the only shotgun gauge I load, the 28.

2400. Does not have the ultimate power that H-110 has, but wins out because of less temperature sensitivity, burns completly fine with std primers. Also allows lower pressure loads. Fills a gap for half power rifle loads. And like Red Dot, I don`t think I have ever built an inaccurate load with 2400.



I do use H-110, but only in pistol calibre carbines. And more often than not, I still use 2400. If I got a .475, or a 5 shot .45, I would grudgingly stock H-110.

cheapsk8