good all around pistol powder

[GLOOB]

It depends on what info you have. Check your loading references. There are tons of powders that are good general pistol powders, if you have the data.

There are lots of highly recommended powers I have never considered, simply because I don't have immediate access to the data.

 

[rbernie]

I've been loading almost all of my handgun chamberings using either Green Dot or Unique for many years now.

 

[Toprudder]

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.

The only powder that I have tried that works well in all of those is BE-86. I've used HP38, Unique, Bullseye and others, but not in all those calibers - yet.

I can say that BE-86 works great in 9, 40, 45, and 38spl. It works well in 357mag but it will be reduced recoil and not full magnum velocities, but it does have low standard deviation and spread which is more than I can say for some powders I've tried.

I like H110 for magnum loads.

 

[dakotaduke]

HP-38/Win 231 works well for me.

 

[LeonCarr]

Whatever you can find in quantity nowadays. I use WSF for most of my handgun loads.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[ntg]

I've been using a lot of titegroup lately. Meters well, cheap to shoot, etc. Unique is good, but doesn't meter as well and it's a bit dirty IMO.

 

[Dudedog]

Delete added below. Oppss

 

[Dudedog]

Universal Clays-think easy metering, clean burning Unique.
Not as good at heaver loads as UNique but for those I use something slower.

HP38/231 is my second (close) choice.

Have to think about 3rd, maybe BE86.
4th, Promo/Red Dot - Bullseye

Full power 9mm. Longshot then Power Pistol.

 

[gamestalker]

I like HS6 and Longshot, but I don't load 45 acp, so couldn't say how either of those work in that one.

For 38 spcl, 9mm, and .40 cal. Longshot or HS6 will function awesome in all three.

For .357 mag. 296 or H110, they are the same identical powder, this powder is the #1 full house magnum powder. So if you want to shoot typical .357 mag. loads, this is the powder to do that with. Other wise, pick one of the other faster burning powders, HS6 or Longshot will function as a decent target load, and would fill the bill for having one powder that does it all, though you'll sacrifice some power on those .357's.

GS

 

[Taroman]

Bullseye for me Handgun, that is.
Lives up to its name and even reasonably available.
Sick of chasing powders, then working up loads and then never finding that powder again.

 

[anothernewb]

Unique and universal probably have the widest potential range of use. Unique however, is universally known for it's metering issues.

Bullseye probably has the distinction of being used in more handguns than all other powders combined in it's history. I'd wager to say if you can't find a bullseye load for a medium caliber cartridge (big magnums excepted) then your intent is at one of the far ends of a that calibers spectrum. If it's a target or reduced load - someone's probably tried bullseye for it.

But, some of the "newer" offerings out there cover a really wide range, and are "cleaner" powders than the old standbys. 231/HP38 comes to mind.

That being said, if the new BE-86 proves to be clean like modern powders are, meter like a modern powder, and have a pressure range like unique - it may take the top spot someday soon.

 

[Gravedigger56]

I haven't been reloading long enough to give a fair judgement based on experience. From reading just about every data sheet, books, etc. I could get my hands on it seems that the powder I see listed the most frequently is W231.

 

[savanahsdad]

if just looking for a do-all powder , Bullseye !

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lets be clear here, the reason Bullseye and Unique are so popular and used more than others is because way back when there was only Bullseye, Unique and a little later 2400 along with only another handful of powders. Today we have many dozens of handgun/shotgun powders and many are as good or better than the original powder trinity. Many are better, are as accurate and have Copper and flash suppressors added.

I like old and good but sometimes new and good is even better. (not that W231/HP-38 is all that new)

 

[oneounceload]

ALL-around? Unique followed closely by Hodgdon's almost equal Universal - good from small 32 to 44 - not always the best, but can be safely used.

 

[landisbrad]

i just saw be 86 at a local shop a week ago. are you still happy with your results with it?

 

[Toprudder]

I like HS6 and Longshot, but I don't load 45 acp, so couldn't say how either of those work in that one.

For 38 spcl, 9mm, and .40 cal. Longshot or HS6 will function awesome in all three.

For .357 mag. 296 or H110, they are the same identical powder, this powder is the #1 full house magnum powder. So if you want to shoot typical .357 mag. loads, this is the powder to do that with. Other wise, pick one of the other faster burning powders, HS6 or Longshot will function as a decent target load, and would fill the bill for having one powder that does it all, though you'll sacrifice some power on those .357's.

GS

I tried HS6 and Longshot in 45 and did not like it much. I had much better luck with them in 40. Longshot is probably the best in 40 if you want high energy/velocity. I understand they both work better in higher pressure rounds, which 45 isn't.

I did forget to mention Titegroup, I like it as an overall powder. Have not tried it in all the calibers mentioned, but have used it in most of them. Some people say to be careful with it in high pressure rounds like the 40S&W when you get towards the max charge, but it works great at reduced loads.

 

[Average Joe]

First choice is w231, but I have heard great things about BE86. If I could find some locally, I would try it out.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Bullseye and unique may also be used in shotgun loads!

 

[Mcinterest]

I use Bullseye for 9, 40 and 45 acp

 

[vongh]

Been using a lot of 800x on 9mm, .45 and .357

 

[gunlaw]

If you can find it accurate #5 works very well in the cartridges that you listed

 

[Redstate]

iMR PB is what I use for all around

 

[TimSr]

Nothing more all-around today than the same powder as 30 years ago - Unique

Bulleye doesn't do magnums well.

 

[Bigdog57]

Between Red Dot and Bullseye I am happy. I use Lil Gun for .357 Magnum, but all my other handgun loading is with those two powders. I have twelve pounds of Bullseye, and just ordered an eight pound jug of Red Dot.
Tried the "Flammable Dirt" (Unique) once, but it caused major fouling and failure in two different pistols in two different calibers. I avoid it like the plague. The garden liked it well enough......