MoNsTeR
Member
Trying to do it all with one powder is a fool's errand.
Best universal handgun powder..??
- Thread starter codefour
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OP:
I use 3 of the powders you tried. W231, AutoComp, and Unique. None have been dirty for me, except when shooting cast out of a revolver. I shoot basically the same calibers as you.
W231 is typically better for lower velocity, light recoil loads.
Unique and Auto Comp are both fairly versatile as medium to high velocity powders in those calibers. Power Pistol will be fairly similar to these two powders, falling somewhere in between them in terms of burn rate.
If you use just one powder, then you will lose some versatility. You can download Unique (or Power Pistol) to make a lighter load, but it'll be dirtier. So you might want some W231 on hand for the light stuff.
I see no reason to consolidate to one powder. I use all my powders for all my calibers for different reasons, including just for the fun of it. And it's not like you can just dump one powder in a thrower and leave it in there.
I use 3 of the powders you tried. W231, AutoComp, and Unique. None have been dirty for me, except when shooting cast out of a revolver. I shoot basically the same calibers as you.
W231 is typically better for lower velocity, light recoil loads.
Unique and Auto Comp are both fairly versatile as medium to high velocity powders in those calibers. Power Pistol will be fairly similar to these two powders, falling somewhere in between them in terms of burn rate.
If you use just one powder, then you will lose some versatility. You can download Unique (or Power Pistol) to make a lighter load, but it'll be dirtier. So you might want some W231 on hand for the light stuff.
I see no reason to consolidate to one powder. I use all my powders for all my calibers for different reasons, including just for the fun of it. And it's not like you can just dump one powder in a thrower and leave it in there.
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i am kinda new to reloading 2 years or so at first i thought just keep 1 or 2 powders now as i read and learn and PLAY am up to 5 powders on shelf i find myself when in a reloading supply store i want all of it now very adicting as time goes by to much fun
different powders will do different things not one size fits all
different powders will do different things not one size fits all
codefour
Member
Well, I ordered 4 lbs of Unique, 2 lbs 0f 296 (.44 mag hot load), 2 lbs of 2400 (medium magnum load), and I am going to get Universal next and power pistol on my next order that I will make next week.. What the heck, it is only money. I just got put on injury status at work (herniated disc in my back OUCH), so I am going to have a lot of time to reload. I thought I would try them all..
thanks for all the replies.
I like 231, it is just a lighter load. I only shoot jacketed bullets. I am not a cast lead fan. I hate cleaning lead out of a bore.
Enough rambling. THR rocks..!
thanks for all the replies.
I like 231, it is just a lighter load. I only shoot jacketed bullets. I am not a cast lead fan. I hate cleaning lead out of a bore.
Enough rambling. THR rocks..!
Diablo Slim
Member
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- Jun 11, 2011
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tight group
If I had to pick only one powder it would be Tight group
Works in all my pistol loads.Still can get 1000fps in most magnum loads
or more
If I had to pick only one powder it would be Tight group
Works in all my pistol loads.Still can get 1000fps in most magnum loads
or more
jolly roger
Member
UNIVERSAL Clays...I have about 12 pounds of it right now. All plinking loads in 9mm, 38, 357, 44 magnum and special, 45 ACP, 45 Colt use Universal. You can do just about everything pistol with this unless of course you are loading for maximum velocity or like to experiment.
the count
Member
Bullseye just works in all pistol calibers. Little bit smokey though.
Taroman
Member
Another vote for Universal. I have had great results with it in .38, .357, .45 Auto and .44 Special.
TheCracker
Member
I'm a definate fanboy of universal clays!
I've had great results in 9mm and 44mag. In the 44 mag the jacketed sp's amazingly chrony'd within 80 fps (with 10 grains of powder) as some factory magtech. This was out of my 4.5" trail gun. Maybe out of a longer barrel it wouldn't be as close.
Anyway, it meters excellently and burns cleanly. I like it so much I bought a 8 lb keg. That's going lo last a LONG TIME!
I've had great results in 9mm and 44mag. In the 44 mag the jacketed sp's amazingly chrony'd within 80 fps (with 10 grains of powder) as some factory magtech. This was out of my 4.5" trail gun. Maybe out of a longer barrel it wouldn't be as close.
Anyway, it meters excellently and burns cleanly. I like it so much I bought a 8 lb keg. That's going lo last a LONG TIME!
LiveLife
Member
You guys got me curious!
I picked up Universal and PowerPistol to do powder comparison with Unique and WSF at the gun show this past weekend.
Also picked up IMR 4895 to compare with H4895 for .308 loads.
I picked up Universal and PowerPistol to do powder comparison with Unique and WSF at the gun show this past weekend.
Also picked up IMR 4895 to compare with H4895 for .308 loads.
ADKWOODSMAN
Member
If I had to settle for only three pistol powders IMHO they would be:
Bullseye
Unique
H-110
Unique is also a good field shotgun 12 ga. powder in 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 oz. loads.
Bullseye can also sneak by as a 7/8 oz. load in 12 ga.
Bullseye
Unique
H-110
Unique is also a good field shotgun 12 ga. powder in 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 oz. loads.
Bullseye can also sneak by as a 7/8 oz. load in 12 ga.
bob40caliber
Member
I love Unique!
I use it for all these calibers: 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 357Sig, 38Spec., .357Mag., 45Colt, .380, 9mmMak, 41Mag.
I use it for all these calibers: 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 357Sig, 38Spec., .357Mag., 45Colt, .380, 9mmMak, 41Mag.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I always thought Unique was too dirty, even with jacketed bullets.
I'm a fan of AA #5 for those mid-range, service caliber handgun rounds. Althought a lot of folks do like Universal Clays. Either/or.
I'm a fan of AA #5 for those mid-range, service caliber handgun rounds. Althought a lot of folks do like Universal Clays. Either/or.
anyone know anything about HS-6 in 40 S&W? it seemed like a safe place to start with my new Dillon SDB press. I didn't want any powder that was too fast, have not reloaded in about 20 yrs.
is it a clean burner? can I go with lighter 140 gr bullets or would I be better off with heavier 180 gr for plinking loads?
thanks!!
is it a clean burner? can I go with lighter 140 gr bullets or would I be better off with heavier 180 gr for plinking loads?
thanks!!
I don't think there is a do all powder for handgun, but if there is I'd go with Unique.
I use AA#5 instead of Unique for metering reasons, but I can load to lower pressures with Unique without tying up the action with bits of unburnt or partially burnt powder, with Unique there is just more soot.
Different cartridges operate at various pressures, that is why we have powders with different characteristics.
But after saying all that I will contradict myself and say if I could only have one powder for the cartridges I reload for it would be a toss up between W-231 and AA#5
good luck
jj
I use AA#5 instead of Unique for metering reasons, but I can load to lower pressures with Unique without tying up the action with bits of unburnt or partially burnt powder, with Unique there is just more soot.
Different cartridges operate at various pressures, that is why we have powders with different characteristics.
But after saying all that I will contradict myself and say if I could only have one powder for the cartridges I reload for it would be a toss up between W-231 and AA#5
good luck
jj
tommyintx
Member
universal is good. plain clays is pretty good too unique is GREAT if you don't care about how messy it is.
I prefer 231 though, simply because, it meters the best of all.
bullseye honorable mention! but i only use it in .45.
if you were picking one for all pistol calibers and shotgun calibers.. I would probably lean toward clays. If i ever finish loading the 50,000 damn shotgunshells i have, and get rid of my old shotgun presses, i'll probably go 100% strictly 231, BLC2 and varget.
I prefer 231 though, simply because, it meters the best of all.
bullseye honorable mention! but i only use it in .45.
if you were picking one for all pistol calibers and shotgun calibers.. I would probably lean toward clays. If i ever finish loading the 50,000 damn shotgunshells i have, and get rid of my old shotgun presses, i'll probably go 100% strictly 231, BLC2 and varget.
Hondo 60
Member
140 some powders .... 140 some opinions! LOL
I use a LOT of Tite Group & AA5.
Both are very good for all the handgun calibers I reload.
7.62x25, 9mm, .38 spl, .357 mag, 45 Colt & next week will be adding 45 ACP.
But I wouldn't try either one for rifle reloading (.223 Remington)
I use a LOT of Tite Group & AA5.
Both are very good for all the handgun calibers I reload.
7.62x25, 9mm, .38 spl, .357 mag, 45 Colt & next week will be adding 45 ACP.
But I wouldn't try either one for rifle reloading (.223 Remington)
Diablo Slim
Member
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- Jun 11, 2011
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Tightgroup!!!!best for lite loads or magnum
kimbernut
Member
Bullseye or TiteGroup
Many of my friends swear by Bullseye. I made the switch to TiteGroup several years ago and like it a lot. I use Titegroup for: 380 Auto, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Mag., 40 S&w, .44 Special, .44 Mag., .45 ACP, and .45 Colt.
Many of my friends swear by Bullseye. I made the switch to TiteGroup several years ago and like it a lot. I use Titegroup for: 380 Auto, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Mag., 40 S&w, .44 Special, .44 Mag., .45 ACP, and .45 Colt.
Redneck with a 40
Member
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- Jul 26, 2006
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- 2,273
Right now, I'm only loading 40 S&W and soon, 9mm. For these pistol calibers, I've got Longshot, Unique, Universal, and Blue Dot on hand. All work great in 40 S&W, not sure about blue dot in 9mm.
Hot charges of Blue Dot are awesome in 40 S&W, I've got Ranier 165's loaded at 9 grains, big boom, big thump, one hole accuracy. For fun at the range, you can't beat it.
Hot charges of Blue Dot are awesome in 40 S&W, I've got Ranier 165's loaded at 9 grains, big boom, big thump, one hole accuracy. For fun at the range, you can't beat it.
HankB
Member
I've found that SR4756 fills the same niche as Unique but burns cleaner, meters better through my powder measure, and is more consistent. (DON'T interchange data with Unique!)
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Huckelberry75
Member
Unique and blue dot
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