Charlie98
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If Unique is hard to get, TrailBoss is completely Unobtanium. It was not even slated for production in 2021, so I would guess it's availability would be worse than Unique, if that's possible.
Most versatile powder for cast bullet loads
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If Unique is hard to get, TrailBoss is completely Unobtanium. It was not even slated for production in 2021, so I would guess it's availability would be worse than Unique, if that's possible.
I would never load smokeless powder by volume. That makes me quake in my boots! Now, that doesn’t mean I am correct, just personal preference.
Contrary to black powder where one fills 1/16” to 1/8” beyond where the bullet seats and the powder is thus compressed.
Trail Boss and 5744 are not loaded by volume per say; there is a formula to use them and it does work. With the shortage you have to be creative and look at the big picture of what components can We get and how to use effectively.
LaneP
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Unique was the first powder I used in the first cartridge I loaded in 1977 (.38 Spl). At that time there were very few powders on the mom and pop retailer shelves, but Unique was always one of them.
AJC1
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2400 is far superior as a crossover powder... I'd choose it every time unless modern automatics were in play. In 6.5x55 it's wonderful. I also push heavies in 38+p with it. If there were only one powder on the planet 2400 would be my choice....
AJC1
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How exactly do you think a powder measure works???
Seedy Character
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Just before the pandemic, I came across an estate sale. The son was strictly a long range rifle shooter and had not use for his Dad's powder stash. I picked up 22 jars of Trail Boss, 8# 700-X and 4# Bullseye. I felt like I was the old guy's favorite heir.
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Seedy Character
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Good thing Lee stopped selling all those dangerous dippers.
For "other" powders, especially in centerfire rifle; I weigh every charge.
Trail Boss is very forgiving. Though it doesn't like too be compressed or case less than 3/4 full.
Hooda Thunkit
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I have been reloading for more than 3 decades, and have never used Unique.
If I had to pick one single powder for both rifle and handgun, I would go with either Universal or RedDot (Promo).
Either will load for any cartridge, even shotgun.
Neither is optimal for everything; Universal doesn't do well under about 15K psi (nor does Unique), and RedDot builds pressure very quickly, but both will work for all of it.
If I had to pick one single powder for both rifle and handgun, I would go with either Universal or RedDot (Promo).
Either will load for any cartridge, even shotgun.
Neither is optimal for everything; Universal doesn't do well under about 15K psi (nor does Unique), and RedDot builds pressure very quickly, but both will work for all of it.
I weigh each load on my scale.
That stuff is great for cast loads or 12 gauge.
Less than 9 grains on a rifle cartridge gave an accurate subsonic load in most of my rifles.
My suggestion for the original post would be Universal. It's a great medium burn rate powder that also works well with cast bullets in rifles. It's fast enough for 380 & 45 acp. While being slow enough to give decent velocity in 357.
If the OP doesn't shoot 380 or 45 ACP. I would move to Blue Dot. It gives factory equivalent loads in 357 and 44. My cast rifle loads are in the 1600s with it in 30-30 and larger.
twarr1
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Everybody’s talking about Unique but nobody can get it. Pointless. Say bye to Alliant megacorp and buy a keg of Vihtavuori 340, Ramshot True Blue or Hodgdon HP-38.
GeoDudeFlorida
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All of the above. When Unique is back I’ll refill my stock but not at a 30% premium. I will use an inflation calculator to determine the average value, year-over-year, of the components I’m short on and buy when that price converges with my disposable income. Until then, I’ve still got plenty of loaded ammo and components to last the few good years I have left. I’m just not sure if I have enough to last through the not-so-good years ahead.
P Flados
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I only buy on-line and in bulk (multiple 8#ers).
I have Unique but only use it for a couple of loads right now. I use a lot more Promo (bulk version of Red Dot) and Titegroup. I could use Unique for many of my loads (i.e. same bullet and velocity), but I would use more powder, and many would be very dirty due to the low chamber pressure. If I needed to buy for bulk loading handgun ammo and could not get Promo or Titegroup, I know I could make Clays, 700x, Nitro 100 or any powder in this burn rate range work.
I have Unique but only use it for a couple of loads right now. I use a lot more Promo (bulk version of Red Dot) and Titegroup. I could use Unique for many of my loads (i.e. same bullet and velocity), but I would use more powder, and many would be very dirty due to the low chamber pressure. If I needed to buy for bulk loading handgun ammo and could not get Promo or Titegroup, I know I could make Clays, 700x, Nitro 100 or any powder in this burn rate range work.
Charlie98
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I think you are misunderstanding what the OP means... In a previous post, Seedy said of TrailBoss...
...personally, I think that's a pretty vague statement. Lee dippers are not used by volume, per se, they are cross referenced by a specific powder weight charge. Personally, I don't use them that way, either... it's simply too vague with the powders and charges I'm working with. Further, a volumetric measure works the same way... adjusting the volume to achieve a specific weighted charge.
As far as TrailBoss, arbitrarily filling the case just shy of the bullet base without reference to the weight of the charge itself... is foolish. My opinion, you do what you want.
That doesn't sound very forgiving... does it? Certainly not as forgiving as... say... Unique.
.38 Special
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Just for what is worth, filing the case with Trail Boss until it just touches the base of the bullet is the actual manufacturer's loading recomendation, or at least was for many years. That is the maximum load, and reducing it by 70% gives the minimum load. I have used the formula with complete success in everything from .32 wadcutters to the .416 Rigby.
Targa
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35 Whelen
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Unique, for sure, with Red Dot/700-X (practically the same) as an alternative. That said, buy any handgun/shotgun you can get your hands on. Several years ago at a gun show I ran across an 8 lb. jug of AA#7 for $80. I had no idea what it would be good for, but it was just too cheap to pass up. Turns out it works well in the 9mm and is absolutely the berries for cast bullet loads in cartridges such as the 7.5x55 and 30-06, turning in some splendidly small groups!
35W
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GeoDudeFlorida
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So, basically, pre-pandemic pricing.Just not accurate sir!!! I just saw a great deal on 6 lbs of Trail Boss for $1,500…
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For cast handgun loads, I use Unique, Accurate #5, W231/HP38, and 700-X.
Other powders with a similar performance of my choices are available that will work well as well. I just have not expanded my horizons in 40’years of reloading.
You can drive cast bullets hard and fast with the appropriate powders but there is alot more care, measuring, and plannng that the reloader needs to do for safe, problem free loads.
The only cast rifle bullets that I have loaded is for 32-20. Accurate 5744 has done well but I have not loaded and shot very many rounds in my 1873 Winchester.
Other powders with a similar performance of my choices are available that will work well as well. I just have not expanded my horizons in 40’years of reloading.
You can drive cast bullets hard and fast with the appropriate powders but there is alot more care, measuring, and plannng that the reloader needs to do for safe, problem free loads.
The only cast rifle bullets that I have loaded is for 32-20. Accurate 5744 has done well but I have not loaded and shot very many rounds in my 1873 Winchester.
Charlie98
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Although I don't doubt what you are saying... and I've heard that before, too... but if you look at the current published data at Hodgdon, it gives actual charge weights. I understand TB is a special powder, not only it's general purpose, but how it behaves... I got it. My Hodgdon #26 actually predates TB, so I can't see for meself, but all of my more up-to-date manuals have load data for TB, where appropriate.
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