Handgun Powder Suggestions

[IdahoSkies]

I shoot 32 ACP, 9mm, 38 SPC, and 10mm. I have been loading for rifles and have recently acquired some dies for the above calibers. I do not shoot a ton, but do enjoy loading, so I don't go through powder real quickly. Any suggestions on a powder that could load for 32 ACP through my 10mm?

I have been looking at Accur #5 and Hp38/Win 231, but I am open for other suggestions.

 

[beeenbag]

I like unique (some say it meters rough, but I haven't had any problems) and 231 is on my bench also.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't know much about the 32 acp or 10mm, but HS6 and Longshot have worked very well for 38 spcl, 9mm, and 40S&W. I especially like Longshot for the heavier bullets, and then HS6 for the lighter one's. Those two are not nearly as fast burning as 231, so accidental double charges are not likely to slip by without being easily noticed.

 

[J_McLeod]

I think you'd do better with two powders for that range, but if you only want one 231 will do them all. I like 231 and HS-6 for the heavier loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, you should probably use 2 powders because the 10mm is in the mix. W231/HP-38 will work very well for all the calibers you mentioned but will fall short on the 10mm. Longshot or HS-6 works well in the 10mm but W231 can be used if you aren't looking for the highest velocities.

Looking at the data it looks like Winchester's newest powder, AutoComp will do all 4 of the calibers you are looking to load. The reported velocities in all calibers look to be good but I can't speak to accuracy because I have not personally used it. I think AutoComp will do what you are looking for fairly well as long as you can find accurate loads in all 4 calibers.

 

[TonyT]

I believe you would be best served with at least two powders since the 10mm requires a much slower burning powder for optimum performance. I use Trail Boss powder with lead bullets in 38 Special, W-231 would be satisfactory with light jacketed bullets in 9mm.

 

[Walkalong]

As everyone else, I believe you would be better served with two powders. I like AA #2 for .32 ACP because it meters almost perfectly at those small charge levels, but W-231 does well too.

The 10MM is what stands out from the rest, powder requirement wise.

 

[CZ57]

Ramshot True Blue for all of the cartridges listed unless you want rompin' stompin' 10mm, then you'll need a powder like AA#9 for 10mm.

True Blue meters like fine sand and gives very good standard deviation numbers in all calibers. Burn rate is similar to AA#5.

 

[1SOW]

True Blue meters like fine sand and gives very good standard deviation numbers in all calibers. Burn rate is similar to AA#5.

I haven't found that to be correct with 9mm light loads. True blue is slower , has lots of muzzle blast and very dirty with light comp loads.
True Blue NEEDS high pressure loads to perform as advertised, like HS-6 and other powders in that speed range..

#5 burns cleaner with little or no muzzle blast.

 

[CZ57]

True Blue has worked well for me in 9mm. But then again, I wasn't loading bunny fart loads. For that, I would probably use something like WST if minimum power factor is the goal. I think the OP is probably looking for standard velocity type loads.

 

[AABEN]

W 231 will be the cleanest of all of them and a very good powder. I buy it by 5 pound . Acc #2 is also a good powder but it is a little dirty.

 

[oldreloader]

For 9MM and 45 ACP I mostly use AA#5 and Bullseye

 

[Walkalong]

I have used, and do use, AA #2 and True Blue. I like them both.

Like all powders you need a certain amount of pressure to get them to burn cleanly, but the pressures they need to burn cleanly at are lower than many other powders require.

Both meter like fine sand, generally give excellent ES & SD numbers, and I have very accurate loads with both of them.

One could do much worse than AA #2 or True Blue.

 

[Kosh75287]

You might also look at Alliant HERCO. My experience with it suggests that it is as versatile as Unique, and slightly slower burning. This may be of value in developing 10mm loads that are more than "mid-range" in velocity. It is not famous for its metering, but is certainly no worse than Unique. It also seems to be slightly cleaner burning, especially when pushed hard.

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye would probably do it, or Unique, or AA#5. But you'd be happier with something a lot slower for the 10mm (AA#7, HS-6, etc) Also check out WSF.