One thing about the pistol powder shortage...

[gonoles_1980]

I'm trying more different powders than I would have normally tried. I probably would have stuck to W231/HP38. Now I've tried V320, AA#7, Bullseye, Titegroup and have Unique and BE86 in the bullpen.

 

[tylenol9999]

I'm trying more different powders than I would have normally tried. I probably would have stuck to W231/HP38. Now I've tried V320, AA#7, Bullseye, Titegroup and have Unique and BE86 in the bullpen.

So which one are you going to stock up on?

 

[gonoles_1980]

Whatever is in stock . The AA#7 was a pain to meter, until I ran dry graphite through my powder dispenser, it would leak out badly. I like the Vihatouri, I'd try some more but more like N340 or N110. Titegroup works fine, just it's hard to tell if you get a double charge in a larger case like a 38spl. So I'm going to stick to 9mm with it. Bullseye works fine for my light load 357 lead rounds.

I'm not a good enough shot to tell much else. I tried the AA#7 in my 357, didn't like it that much, I was looking for more of a fireball. Had a similar issue with the N320, and I was loading at max pressure with it. Haven't tried Unique or BE86. At this point I haven't seen much difference in my 38spl between HP38 or Titegroup. I have noticed my hands get dirtier with the Bullseye, but it shoots just fine.

I think I'm learning there isn't a lot of difference in similar burning powders.

 

[cfullgraf]

It is handy to have back up loads for alternate powders for times of shortages.

During the 2009 shortages, I discovered True Blue powder and liked it. Now, for several cartridges I have several developed loads in reserve should I not be able to find my preferred powder.

 

[41 Mag]

I agree, I have also tried several more different powders than I normally would have.

The #7 however has, and will continue to hold a spot on my shelf.

I tried the AA#7 in my 357, didn't like it that much, I was looking for more of a fireball.

This is one of the things I REALLY like about it. You can load to the upper end with it as well as #9 and not get that huge fireball like you do with 110 or 2400. It is more of a low orange glow, which while hunting in low light situations is very nice to not be blinded by the flash.

 

[gonoles_1980]

#7 fired find from my wife's 9mm, I was looking for more of a fireball in the 357 (I don't use it to hunt). #7 fired clean, and once I ran the dry graphite throw my powder meter I quit having leakage problems. I would buy it again down the road. So far though, I haven't found any powder I wouldn't buy again.

 

[Potatohead]

Man I love trying all the flavors. Don't know if Ive found much difference in any of them (or maybe Im not experienced enough to notice?), they all go boom and send the bullet screaming downrange.

For 9mm I've tried, Amer Sel, 800x, Zip, Hp38, Win231, Hs-6, 4756, Bullseye, Be86, Herco, Longshot, 7625, and AutoComp.

My favorites so far are 7625 and 4756 probably.

Hey, anyone need some 800x?

 

[Starter52]

I've tried some new-to-me pistol powders in the last year also.

I've found that 700-X and AutoComp are both useful. Still, now that 231/HP-38 is available the half-empty cans of the other powders will go on the shelf.

WW-231 will remain my go-to powder for everything except 9mm. I favor Red Dot for 9x19 loads.

 

[Magnum Shooter]

I have not played the powder shortage game this time around. I have been able to load all of my favorite loads with my stock. Only hope things get better before I run out, in about two years. I have always kept a large variety of powders, searching for that one load that makes it so I can’t miss my target. Haven’t been able to find it yet, but I won‘t give up.

 

[Dudedog]

I was using Universal Clay and was very happy with it. None to be found so since then I have tried and used or am using
Autocomp (ok would by again)
Bullseye (shoots well, dirty IMO)
BE86 (shoots well, much cleaner than original Bullseye IMO)
HP38 (tied with Universal as my favorite)
Longshot (Loud, did I say Loud, nice fireball, works well at higher charge weights)
N320 (liked it ok but pricy, no better than HP38 IMO)
Power Pistol (still playing with it verdict not returned yet)
Promo (meters better than Unique for me, good value)
SR7625 (liked it but no more being made)
SR4756 (liked it but no more being made)
Unique (shoots well, meters like in smaller charge weights <5gr)

I may have missed one or two as the list is from what's left of my memory.
I would buy any of them again if I needed powder and had no choice amoung them.

Soon to add WSF to the list.

All went bang and sent bullets down range.

 

[Lj1941]

#7 fired find from my wife's 9mm, I was looking for more of a fireball in the 357 (I don't use it to hunt). #7 fired clean, and once I ran the dry graphite throw my powder meter I quit having leakage problems. I would buy it again down the road. So far though, I haven't found any powder I wouldn't buy again.

If you want a fireball-Power Pistol won't let you down

 

[tylenol9999]

I do love 7625 for 9mm I bought 10lb of it few months ago.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Very recently seems like a wave of powder hit, or us Handloaders have stopped filling our stockpiles or so something.

I have tried a few powders during this shortage. I have have gone to 700X for most loading. Power Pistol works well, but hard to get. I really miss Clays for 9mm and shotgun.

I would really have liked to get an 8 lb jug of Unique. It must be a good powder, it never makes it on the shelf at my LGS. Although I am not quite on that list at my local gun club or LGS. It must be good stuff. Hope to find some Clays between now and June and try the Unique.

SwaneeSR

 

[Catpop]

Yeap I too went down that road. In addition to what you've tried I found---
With 45 acp, I found Nitro 100 to give excellent accuracy. Also AA#5.
In 357 with 2400 drying up, I found 4227, although dirty, a very good replacement.
Good luck, catpop

 

[VThillman]

Very recently seems like a wave of powder hit, or us Handloaders have stopped filling our stockpiles or so something.

I have tried a few powders during this shortage. I have have gone to 700X for most loading. Power Pistol works well, but hard to get. I really miss Clays for 9mm and shotgun.

I would really have liked to get an 8 lb jug of Unique. It must be a good powder, it never makes it on the shelf at my LGS. Although I am not quite on that list at my local gun club or LGS. It must be good stuff. Hope to find some Clays between now and June and try the Unique.

SwaneeSR

Unique's useful range combined with it's longevity makes it popular. Recent batches are even reputed to burn cleaner. It doesn't throw well from most measures, especially the smaller charges. No matter, we used to be happy if all we had on the shelf was Bullseye, Unique and 2400 for pistol powders.

 

[LiveLife]

Unique ... It doesn't throw well from most measures, especially the smaller charges

Due to Unique's metering characteristics, I essentially wrote it off for my pistol loads but during the shortage, found the new BE-86 to be a replacement for Unique with excellent metering. It's now my new favorite for 40S&W.

The current shortage also brought another surprise for me, Herco for 40S&W. It produced accurate and very clean burning 40S&W loads.

The previous shortage introduced me to Promo and now it is my designated powder for 9mm/45ACP plinking loads.

 

[Blue68f100]

Since people were/are buying what they could get/find, it made shortages in areas that normally did not have any. Buying powders blindly just adds to the problem. In some cases they found better loads. In most cases 80% of ti will not be used. Once they try to find load data and make it work.

But I'm one of the few that planed way ahead, old timer. Been through this several times and learned from it. I have not cut back on my shooting but have actually increased my shooing in 1 caliber. I still have powder/primers for several more years. Now if I add something else requiring a different powder I will just wait it out. My LGS had starting getting a steady supply every 2-3 months so things are improving.

 

[sawdustdad]

Hey, anyone need some 800x?

I wasn't thrilled with 800x in 9mm either, but found it works great in .44mag. I still have a few lbs...

 

[kcofohio]

gonoles, you said it!

Started off reloading with Titegroup, HP-38, 2400, and Silhouette. I was content with that.

Since the shortage, added HS-6, AA #5, Autocomp, and WST into the lineup. Just recently got #8 of CFE Pistol. Having done work-up loads for all my pistol calibers in CFE, waiting for a break in the weather for the try-out.

BTW, I have picked up #1 each of Unique, Bullseye, 700x, and Longshot. All are untouched and stored for back-up or for bartering.

 

[chiltech500]

Thanks to the "shortage" I've found WST to be a good versatile powder, if not a light shooter, for 45acp, 38 and 9mm. I discovered like the gent above said, N320 isn't worth the cost though it's a good powder. I discovered the versatility and accuracy of Green Dot.

 

[Toprudder]

Been reloading for about 2 years. Having never experienced a shortage before this one, I decided to start trying all the pistol powders I could find. I think I am up around 24 now. I managed to find most of them at the local gun shows during the shortage.

I've tried most of them in 45acp. I'm sure some of them that I did not get to work that well might work better if I find the right combination, but there is only so much time. I still need to try most of them in other calibers. I load for 380, 9, 40, 45, 38, 357mag.

So far, the keepers will probably be Power Pistol, BE-86, Titegroup, Trailboss, H110. Others I will try to keep on hand will include Red Dot (or Promo), CFE Pistol, WST.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I have loads for Unique and AA2 for 9MM, 40S&W, 45ACP. Bullseye I use for 38SPL. 2400 for .357Magnum. I have 1lb of Bullseye and 2400, the others I have lots and some Vitavouri that I used in 40S&W for competition using 200GR Plated bullets loaded to 10MM OAL and shot in a Schumann barrel, that is bored .1 inch in the chamber of my Para 16-40 race gun. All of the loads are tested and logged into an excel spreadsheet. That is my long tested listing of powder and bullet combo's that I have developed over the last 17 years. The old listings were captured on the back of bar room napkins......

 

[Walkalong]

I was looking for more of a fireball.

Then you need some Power Pistol.

It goes like this:

 

[Reefinmike]

I was in the same boat. HP38 was my original one and only. the shortage forced me to branch out and try unique, 700x, bullseye and titegroup. I recently found 4 cans of 296, 8#er of hp38 and sold off all the random pistol powders. Id switch back to bullseye no problem If I had found a keg of it first. Someone just listed an 8#er on armslist for $125... Should have bought it but you gotta say when enough is enough.

 

[Jlr2267]

The one nugget I've found is Autocomp...I bought it w/out knowing much about it...but it was all alone on the shelf. So far, I really like it in all calibers...very clean, meters well...shoots to POA in all my guns.