CQB45ACP
Member
Wonder if OP is getting value out of this?
Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.
Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.
Is there a preferred do all pistol powder?
- Thread starter sksshooter
- Start date
AJC1
Member
Powder is trying to specialize like like bass fishing rods. I could be perfectly happy with a few very old powders like unique, or hero. The new stuff seems less versatile.
CQB45ACP
Member
Bass fishing rods are like Icons in the Eastern Othodox Church, beautiful to look at but touch one without permission and there’ll be hell to pay.
AJC1
Member
My megabass white python is my most expensive rod and one of my most versatile. If I need a rod to do it all in a kayak trip it will.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,088
I really can’t tell you how many catfish, brim and bass I’ve caught with my 1970’s Zebco folding rod. I would have to guess it’s maybe several thousand. But maybe it’s the bait not the rod?
AJC1
Member
It's more like the shooter with only one rifle. He knows how to get it done. The guy with the Lee cheapest press is still making ammo. Specialty equipment is very nice and is generally high quality. High quality is getting hard to find in a broader sense.
sonora
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2016
- Messages
- 114
What about Vihitavouri N340? Isn't it more versatile? With a more moderate burnrate.
Kevin Rohrer
Member
Geebus, I bet it's been at least a week since this question was last asked. SEARCH is your friend.
Unique
Unique
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,088
Yup. To continue the analogy, maybe it’s the combination of bait (ammo), fisher (shooter) and rod (gun)? I own lots of firearms but really only use a dozen or so. The rest are investments. But I definitely use more than one. Same with fishing: the Zebco is one pole but I also have a cane pole and a cast net. The right tool for the job but, also the tools you’re most comfortable with for the job. Which also explains why some folks use progressive presses and others are happy with a portable press.
NeroM
Member
Do all pistol powder - try Herco ?
Use it for 38 Spl, 357 Mag, 41 Mag and 45 Colt. Especially like it in the 45 Colt, approx 9.5 gr with 255 gr SWC yeilds approx 1000 fps from my M25. This load fills a lot of the case, yet is within tier 1 [top of it] pressure.
Approx 10 gr gets approx 1030 fps, at tier II - highly effective hunting load, yet easy on the gun and shooter.
Use it for 38 Spl, 357 Mag, 41 Mag and 45 Colt. Especially like it in the 45 Colt, approx 9.5 gr with 255 gr SWC yeilds approx 1000 fps from my M25. This load fills a lot of the case, yet is within tier 1 [top of it] pressure.
Approx 10 gr gets approx 1030 fps, at tier II - highly effective hunting load, yet easy on the gun and shooter.
LiveLife
Member
Don't forget 40S&W.
Herco produced very good accuracy, milder felt recoil (less snappy than faster powders) and was clean burning, I mean even inside the case clean burning.
If I couldn't find BE-86 for 40S&W and saw Herco, I would grab the cousin of flamin' dirt Herco in a second (Of course, flamin' dirt is Unique).
Buzznrose
Member
I don’t know which single powder I’d choose, probably N340 for my calibers. But I get by pretty good with three; N320, N340, and 3N37
I will probably pick up some BE86 next time I see it.
I will probably pick up some BE86 next time I see it.
Last edited:
Horskinator
Member
Another vote for….
Buzznrose
Member
Does BE86 require magnum primers?
Dudedog
Contributing Member
No, BE86 worked fine for me with SPPs.
.45Coltguy
Member
There are a lot of very good handgun powders for us handloaders to use. It's just up to us to decide what we like. Hard to beat Bullseye, Herco and Unique. Those three have been around a looong time. And for good reason.
Jim Watson
Member
In the Obama-Cinton panic, a friend was out of W231 and wondered what to do.
I went through published data and found 26(!) powders that could be used.
He found some CFE-Pistol and now prefers it.
I went through published data and found 26(!) powders that could be used.
He found some CFE-Pistol and now prefers it.
THEWELSHM
Member
For all my Magnum rounds AA9 or 2400, 455 eley Blue dot and 45ACP tite group if clays is not available..
Thewelshm
Thewelshm
Gonna have to try some AA9 and Enforcer, as 2400 has been MIA for 2 years locally. I don’t have enough to push my current supply of 158 grain 357 bullets.
W231 and 2400 would be the minimum for me. Both work well in their respective pistol ranges and both are useful in cast rifle loads.
W231 and 2400 would be the minimum for me. Both work well in their respective pistol ranges and both are useful in cast rifle loads.
AJC1
Member
I've shot aa9 up to and including the 14.9 max listed in the Lyman manual. I really like it, but for true mag loadings in the upper half of Lyman listed data. The Hornaday Data is just lame. Shooters World heavy pistol is decent, but it's faster by almost two full grains by listed loadings. 13.1 is the listed max for Sammi. If you try it the cip data is available on the same page for download. I've used a lot of 13.6 grain loads between the two maxes. 158 bullets for all.
2ndtimer
Member
IF you can find them! Power Pistol also can be elusive as well. These days, you sort of have to settle for what you can find (and afford). That explains the 4 lb keg of Ramshot Zip in my inventory. Should be similar to W-231, I hope, and for $99, I figured it was worth a try for target/plinking in 9mm, .38/.357 and 45 ACP.
It was about two summers ago I had gone to NJ to visit my son and DIL and the new grand kid, but before going there The wife and I stopped by our old neighbors we had not seen in over 10 years.
While having some adult beverage with my old neighbor and the plumber who had done the heating system on our addition, a fourth guy came in and we started talking about hunting and reloading, and he asked me if I wanted some powder he had found cleaning out a basement and
I said yes. I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said nothing!
When I was about to tell him my name he said, I know you, we played on the same pool team 35 years ago!
The next afternoon back at the garage there was a box on the table in it was 3# of black powder, an unopened one# canister of Unique, and 4# of 2400 in an unopened can.
While having some adult beverage with my old neighbor and the plumber who had done the heating system on our addition, a fourth guy came in and we started talking about hunting and reloading, and he asked me if I wanted some powder he had found cleaning out a basement and
I said yes. I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said nothing!
When I was about to tell him my name he said, I know you, we played on the same pool team 35 years ago!
The next afternoon back at the garage there was a box on the table in it was 3# of black powder, an unopened one# canister of Unique, and 4# of 2400 in an unopened can.
.45Coltguy
Member
Paradise!!
sksshooter
Member
has been some good info in this string. Also confirms my belief that there is no do all single powder for what i want to do. was hoping maybe i was just missing something.... guess i will be sticking with a few powders. at least i have an assortment to try and find what i prefer in each and can pair down some at least. i'm currently sitting with bullseye, 231, longshot, unique, power pistol, wsf, wst, hp38, competition, blue dot and power pistol on my bench. i haven't used quiet a few of these powders as i've purchased as a part of package deals i've made.
