Different powders - Best uses?

[gonoles_1980]

I've been searching the net and have yet to find anything that recommends powders by usage. I prefer HP38 or W231, but can't find it.

Guns: 9mm, 38 and 357.
Powders: Titegroup, AA#5, AA#7, Vihat N320

Current usage: AA#7 with 9mm, Vihat N320 with 38 and 357.

Planned usage: Titegroup with 38 and lite 357 loads. AA#5 9mm.

I have no good reason for any of this, other than I've done the ladder loads with the AA#7 and N320 and have loads I like.

Is there something that says this powder is best with xgr bullet, y caliber gun?

 

[jwrowland77]

Your firearm.

Xgr bullet with Xgr powder might work wonders in one firearm but may suck in yours. It's just a matter of testing.

Me, I love Titegroup and Autocomp in my 9mm, and .380. Use Titegroup in .45acp as well.

I use Win 296 in .357 mag for a full mag load.

 

[LiveLife]

I like Titegroup for jacketed/plated 9mm loads, Walkalong likes N320 for 9mm and many like #5 for 9mm.

I use WSF for full-power loads.

FWIW, I do not use Titegroup for lead loads.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Titegroup is the only powder on your list that I have used. In 9mm it shines with 115 gr. XTP. It is also a good powder with .38 spl. lead, but it didn't make my cut for .357 mag. lead. I haven't tried TG with .357 diameter plated or jacketed.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Thanks Jesse, I appreciate the input. I would like to use something different than N320 for my lead 357 loads, it seems a waste of that powder. Maybe I should try the AA#5 with that if titegroup isn't a good powder. Life was simpler when all I had was W231 or HP38.

I do plan on getting a 44mag (Ruger Redhawk), I'm wonder if I should move the AA#7 to save for that and use titegroup with my wife's 9mm, though I just found a lot she really likes with the AA#7.

 

[westy39]

I am rather new to reloading so my experience is very small in relationship to the much more learned members of this forum. I have only been reloading for about 2 years, I joined this forum as well as others to gain more knowledge to become a accurate handloader. My thoughts for what they are worth are as follows, if you find a powder that will work then adjust your recipes to that powder. I found a large container of unique and I am still finding out how to load various calibers... I would love to try out some Win231, some blue dot or even some 2400 but I can't find it in my area. SOOOOO I try to do the best I can with what I have... I have to say I like Unique it works for me, just find a powder that you use and then adjust to the powder you actually have available. I'm sure there will be others MUCH more knowledgeable than me and I would glean their sage advise and just keep an open mind. My dad use to say "You will learn more by keeping your mouth shut and your ears open than by talking." Just my two cents worth from the Big Sky Country.

 

[BSA1]

O.P.,

First of all forget the Internet and buy some reloading data books from Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon and Speer. You can save a lot of money if you buy them used. (This is where the Internet IS useful). I even have a couple of reloading manuals from the 1930's.

Most, if not all, of my reloading manuals have a burn rate chart from fastest to slowest gunpowder. Consulting it will tell you which powders are closest to your preferred powder such as W-231.

Many of manuals will also give recommendations for what they have found to give the best results for each caliber. You will also quickly notice each book may list different loads for the same powder and bullet.

Every gun is different so don't be afraid to try different powders. For example I am using AA-5 for 9mm due to the shortage of W-231.

But first go buy some reloading books,

 

[gonoles_1980]

Yeah, I've noticed that Layman is way different for titegroup than say the Hodgon site and the Lee load data that comes with your dies. For some reason my Speer manual doesn't mention titegroup. I've got two reloading books, Layman and Speer, and I have the downloads for Western Powders and Vihaturi(sp), and the Lee sheets that come with your dies.

I'm not smart enough to know how the burn rates help. I am smart enough to do ladder loads. As for the powder and the gun, I guess it's like a wine connoisseur or cigar connoisseur the guys who do it all the time can tell the slight hints of taste. I can only tell good or bad.

I got my Speer 14th edition from Midway on sale, it's a hardback.

 

[vaalpens]

jrowlan77, I see you like Autocomp for 9mm. Do you load lead, plated or jacketed using Autocomp? I just bought autocomp for the first time and is looking for some load data for plated RN 9mm (115 or 124), but not the hollow base Hodgdon has listed.

 

[jwrowland77]

Both plated and FMJ. Winchester 115gr FMJ then I stepped to Berrys HBRN-TP 124gr. Love it. Most accurate load I have.

 

[Potatohead]

+1 for AutoComp in 9mm. Plated and FMJ for me too, but Ive recently turned back to primarily FMJ.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The only one I can help you with is Titegroup with 9mm 124gr plated bullets.
4.0 gr of titegroup with 124gr and an OAL of 1.130 to 1.135 if you chamber will allow it.
It's the most accurate load I've found to date with all three of my 9mms.

I won't use Titegroup in .357mag, it's just to fast. I do love power pistol in it though for midrange use.

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong likes N320 for 9mm and many like #5 for 9mm.

I like N320 for my light (124 Gr at 1050ish FPS) 9MM loads. I like N340 for full power 9MM 124 Gr loads. Over the years I have shot more AA #5 in full power 9MM loads than anything else, but sometime back tried some other powders and WSF and HS 6 were very good. 4756 did OK, as did True Blue.

Of the powders you say you have, N320 is the best substitute for W-231. (AA #2 can do almost anything N320 can, and is less position sensitive, although N320 isn't too bad.)

 

[vaalpens]

Thanks for the information about using Berrys HBRN-TP 124gr. Does anybody know how they compare to the Xtreme 124 RN HPCB (Heavy Plate Concave Base)?