Good all-around handgun powder?

Smaug

Smaug

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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
 
Last edited:
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...

Clean Shot or AA2, Autopistol or AA5, and TG are my favorite do all powders for pistols. For hot magnum loads though, you really need a dedicated powder meant for magnums. You can make fun shooting target loads in 357 and 44 Magnum with these, but you won't get magnum velocity out of them...much over about 900 to 1000 fps you get lots of recoil and flash, and very little additional velocity.
 
HP38 IS the same as W231... in any event, it's not a bad powder, and pretty versatile.

As ColtPython suggests, a mid-range powder might work better for some of your cartridges... Unique is my favorite (who would have guessed...?) but it is largely unobtanium right now. There are other good mid-range powders out there... BE86 and SportPistol (neither of which I care for...) Universal, AA#5 would all work as well.
 
Smaug said:
By the way, it seems like Unique is no longer available.
Click to expand...

Alliant seems to be having issues getting product to market... for whatever reason. As I mentioned, Unique hasn't been seen in a while, but they didn't stop making it. I've only seen a very few Alliant cans at the LGS, vs most of the other makers (Hodgdon, Winchester, Ramshot, VV, etc.) It is what it is. If I saw a can of Universal on the shelf... I wouldn't hesitate.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I use a lot of N320 but many folks feel it's too spendy.

My favorite all around powder for the cartridges you've mentioned and is often available is BE-86
Click to expand...
Like I said in another thread, if things keep up like they have been, VV is going to be, "...the cheap stuff."
I've never tried it because I never needed to. Then again, I also just bought my first ever pound of Autocomp so, obviously I'm not too adventurous.
 
I've tried CFE Pistol in 9mm, and 357 Magnum. I also use W231 in 9mm, 357 Magnum, and I hear it works well for 38 Special, though I've not tried it yet. Silhouette covers 9mm and 38 Special surprisingly well. Accurate in 9mm and makes one hole groups at 10 yards with 38 Special and 125 grain round nose cast bullets. I use W231 in light cast rifle loads for 30-30 too, though it may get replaced soon with H335. HS-6 works in 9mm, 357 Magnum (true magnum velocity too), 38 Special. I can't speak for any of the others, as these are the only pistol loads I have tried. To emphasize, CFE Pistol seems to have a load for every handgun I've looked up. Maybe not optimal, but it'll work.
 
If I had only one choice of handgun powder it would be Unique.

It is useful for light loads to fairly hot loads.

But I could manage well with W231/HP38, Accurate #5, and 700-X.

There are other powders available that are similar to my choices, I’m happy with my choices.

I do branch out periodically. During the 2008 shortages I discovered True Blue. I use it mostly for 9x19 but it has other good applications.
 
I'll say Silhouette. It's fast enough to be good in 45 and slow enough for good velocity in 9. I've shot it in 38 and 357. No experience with 44 but I can't imagine it wouldn't be as good in the larger bore. Made in the USA and has flash suppressant, what's not to like.
 
Charlie98 said:
Alliant seems to be having issues getting product to market... for whatever reason. As I mentioned, Unique hasn't been seen in a while, but they didn't stop making it. I've only seen a very few Alliant cans at the LGS, vs most of the other makers (Hodgdon, Winchester, Ramshot, VV, etc.) It is what it is. If I saw a can of Universal on the shelf... I wouldn't hesitate.
Click to expand...
Wasn't it the same during the last shortage? If you like Alliant always be prepared for at least 4 years.
 
cfullgraf said:
If I had only one choice of handgun powder it would be Unique.

It is useful for light loads to fairly hot loads.

But I could manage well with W231/HP38, Accurate #5, and 700-X.

There are other powders available that are similar to my choices, I’m happy with my choices.

I do branch out periodically. During the 2008 shortages I discovered True Blue. I use it mostly for 9x19 but it has other good applications.
Click to expand...
My Dad loaded 44 mag with 700X. They were not low recoil. But they were stupid accurate.
 
The roundest powder I’ve used is CFE Pistol. Little roundish balls. Universal is good too, but it’s flat flakes.
 
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.
 
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