good all around pistol powder

[Nova66et]

Hey guys I was just wondering if there was a good all around pistol powder. I am returning to reloading after 30 years and powder choices are crazy. I will be reloading 38 SP, 357 mag, 9 mm, 40 S&W and 45's. Not looking for specific loads, just a good all around powder, so I don't have to start out with 3 or 4 different ones.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

 

[denverrdan]

I reload 38, 357, and 40 with bullseye or unique. I vote those two.

 

[MightyMO1911]

Oh golly. Yeah. Won't all be the best at all applications but will work well in most. Bullseye. Unique. Red Dot/Promo, Titegroup, 700X, 231/HP38, CFE Pistol..

 

[LiveLife]

+1 for W231/HP38

 

[Jlr2267]

I'll add Power Pistol, BE-86 and Autocomp to those already mentioned

 

[mahansm]

9mm, 38 spl, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP will be well served by a fast pistol powder as listed above. However, to get full performance out of the .357 magnum you must use a slower powder. AA9, 2400, and H110/296 are good choices for full power .357 loads.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I could do all my pistol loading with just Unique.

 

[Buckeye357]

Win 231,IMR 700x, good start. Having good results with BE-86.

 

[hanno]

Win 231/HP 38

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, W231/HP-38 if I had to choose only 1 powder.

 

[rcmodel]

If I had to choose one powder?
Gotta be Unique!!

That's what I chose 50 years ago and still haven't changed my mind.

You can load any handgun caliber, more load data then anything else, and it does good from mild .32 ACP to wild Magnum calibers.

It truly is Unique!

W-231 / HP-38 would be my next choice.

rc

 

[Reefinmike]

Yet another vote for HP38/W231(same stuff). While it is not THE powder for full tilt 357 magnum loads, I find that I still get the flash, boom and thump that Im looking for on the rare occasion I shoot 357 instead of 38's.

 

[Jlr2267]

I agree, W231/HP-38 if I had to choose only 1 powder.

Is hp38 similar to (or the same as) Autocomp? Never tried it, always preferred Unique for pistols until I tried Autocomp (cleaner, meters better)

 

[VThillman]

The old standby wide application pistol powders are Bullseye > Unique > 2400, progressing from fast to slow. Unique really is unique.

 

[LiveLife]

Is hp38 similar to (or the same as) Autocomp?

No, HP-38 is same exact powder as W231. It is flattened ball powder and meters very well. It is faster burn rate than Unique/AutoComp and I like it for 380Auto/38Spl/9mm/40S&W/45ACP/45Colt loads.

Here's a comparison picture of W231/HP-38 and AutoComp - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9365263#post9365263

 

[readyeddy]

W231 would be my first choice for 38, 40 and 45, second choice for 9, and third choice for 357. It can do it all.

Throw in HS6 and W296, and you'll cover all bases.

 

[mgmorden]

Unique is very good "all around", but half the fun of reloading is working up optimal loads. To me I'd rather pick the perfect powder for each round that try and pick one that is mediocre in everything.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W231 would be my first choice for 38, 40 and 45, second choice for 9, and third choice for 357. It can do it all.

Throw in HS6 and W296, and you'll cover all bases.

While Bullseye, Unique and 2400 is the original Powder Trinity my Powder Trinity is exactly what you listed. With W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110) I can load anything and do it extremely well.

 

[wbrco]

Universal - lives up to it's name.

 

[LiveLife]

While Unique is very good "all around" powder burn rate wise, it meters too poorly for me to produce accurate loads in small cases like 9mm and 380Auto. And while W231/HP-38 may not be ideal for full power loads, it does meter very well for small cases and flexible enough to produce accurate target loads at lower charges. I can produce accurate 40S&W target loads that recoil less than 9mm.

Having said that, there's BE-86 which I consider the new Unique that meters like Bullseye. So far, testing in 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP has produced some very accurate loads for me and in time, may become my new favorite "good all around" pistol powder.

 

[Potatohead]

7625...if naming discontinued powders is ok

 

[GBExpat]

I have always, primarily, used Unique, Bullseye and 700x. In the past several months, I am increasingly replacing those with BE-86 loads.

 

[MikeS.]

Bullseye for me.

 

[MR835]

DISCONTINUED POWDERi

I have used AA NITRO100 for years. And still DO. I have a supply of AA1250 as well.
9mm 45acp 38&357 and .380 loading.

An Old Man with lots of well kept Old POWDERS.

MR835 IS GONE

 

[Nova66et]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the info. Been lurking awhile to get the feel of the people here. Seems I was right in joining. Thanks again

Jeff