Pistol Powder Comparison Pictures

[LiveLife]

Is Unique dirty?

The "new" Unique is advertised as cleaner burning. I haven't tried it yet, but before & after reports are welcomed.

I think how clean Unique burns depends on the load you are using. It's been my experience that Unique/Universal and slower burning powders tend to burn more efficiently at high-to-near max load data. Use less than mid range load data with slower burning powders and you get sooty cases, poor powder burn and decreased accuracy.

I have only used the "New" cleaner burning Unique at mid to near max load data and they were "relatively clean" compared to low to mid range Red Dot/Promo/W231/HP-38 loads, especially with lead loads.

 

[stavman11]

Fantastc info aswayz BDS

Gives me a better understanding of powders I have not used yet


Great job.

 

[Dudedog]

Great Pics BDS and Jesse.

Here is a link that also has some pics. It has a dropdown at the top to select the powder.

I would never try to use Pics to ID powder but it is interesting to see what it looks like.

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=86

 

[TooManyToys]

Great Thread! & photos.

By continuing to include W-231 in your photos, it really helps show the relative size & texture differences of the other powders. Nice touch!

Thank you for the time & energy you have put into this Thread!

 

[243winxb]

Smokeless Powders Database

Smokeless Powders Database http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=454 Old Thread. But i thought this link was worth adding again to bump to the top.

 

[BinRat]

Thanks for all the work on this. I've been reloading for a long time now, but have pretty much been using the same several powders because they work for my handgun calibers. This is a great reference for me because it gives me more information regarding those other powders I keep reading that others are using, especially since they're referenced off 231 which has always been one of my foundation powders. At least, with this information, I will be able to make a more informed decision in the event I run low on my powders and have to select another.

 

[Potatohead]

So W231 does exist!!

Ive never used AA#2..looks smaller than sand, I bet no trouble metering that..

BTW
Why are we just worried about metering in a Hornady measure?

 

[Magnum Shooter]

So W231 does exist!!

Might be less difficult to find Bigfoot though.

 

[LiveLife]

I got BE-86 coming next week so I will post comparison with PowerPistol but here are some of my .223/.300 BLK powders.

Winchester 296/Hodgon 110 (same exact powder like W231/HP-38) for supersonic .300 BLK on the left and well metering .223 powder Hodgdon 335 on the right

Accurate 1680 on the left and Hodgdon 4198 on the right, both powders well suitable for .300 BLK subsonic loads.

Here are summary of pistol powders. Detailed description, usage and metering characteristics for each powder on this post - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=744995

 

[chiltech500]

Thanks for another detailed with pics thread. Very informative and love the suggested uses and recoil information.

I picked up 4lbs off N320 but not sure where it's best application was till I read your thread. (tried in 38sp with DEWC but not as accurate as alternatives)

Does anyone have 125gr LSWC data for 9mm and N320?

 

[LiveLife]

How about 124 gr lead SWC? - http://www.lapua.com/en/products/reloading/vihtavuori-reloading-data/relodata/6/34

9mm 124 gr LSWC COL 1.142" N320 Start 3.8 gr (1073 fps) - Max 4.1 gr (1125 fps)

 

[Dudedog]

This is an interesting link.
They have pictures of powder with composition.
http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/search.php (ooopppsss already posted the link getting senile!)
I am attaching a picture of Unigue from the site.
If you look at the lower left of the picture you can see why Unique does not meter well.


http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sea...h_max=&s_len_avg=&s_len_tol=&display_image=20

Great info and Pics BDS and Jesse
I think this is very helpful information.

 

[guncheese]

ive tried running cornflakes thru my measure... it just wasnt right

or is that special K ?

 

[Dudedog]

Cornflakes, Special K meters better than Unique

I do like Unique OK I just had to come to grips with the charge swings and decide not to worry about them. (I like Universal Clays best)
Looking forward to trying BE86, something about Universal Clays/Unique speed that might meter better from Alliant.

 

[J_McLeod]

BDS, Great post that I've somehow missed up until now. The pictures and descriptions are better that some reloading manuals. Hope you can find some time to add more.


This thread, with with powder pictures and descriptions would make a great sticky to add to the reloading knowledge.

 

[LiveLife]

The pictures and descriptions are better that some reloading manuals.

Thanks! Keep in mind that the descriptions and usage with metering characteristics on post #1 are my opinions only based on my own experience and experience shared by many here on THR - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=744995

Information posted is what I often shared with new reloaders I helped set up but during the recent powder shortage, even some not-so-new reloaders found the comparison pictures and usage/metering information interesting and helpful (some are surprised to find I like Herco for 40S&W and Promo for 9mm/45ACP even though I prefer W231/HP-38 for 9/40/45 target loads).

Hope you can find some time to add more.

I will. I have BE-86 ordered and will be testing it in 380/9/40/45 starting next weekend. I am looking around for CFE Pistol, Solo 1000 and American Select.

This thread, with with powder pictures and descriptions would make a great sticky to add to the reloading knowledge.

What I like to see is Walkalong's thread on determining max OAL using the barrel become a sticky as many refer to it on a regular basis - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6294790

 

[Potatohead]

B, I have some Amer Sel-if you can figure out a way for me to get it to you I'd be glad to give you some for testing/pics.

 

[RussellC]

B, I have some Amer Sel-if you can figure out a way for me to get it to you I'd be glad to give you some for testing/pics.

I guess you can send (in appropriate fashion) bullets, (I guess UPS with appropriate ord. sticker or whatever), there is no hazmat requirement for loaded ammo....So, as long as done by the rules, you could send some loaded rounds, which could be disassembled for powder pics. Or do the rules not apply to handloads? Anyone know? Or, while it wouldnt work for testing, Potatohead could upload a digital pic and that could be copied by Bds and added to the post?

Russellc

 

[J_McLeod]

Thanks! Keep in mind that the descriptions and usage with metering characteristics on post #1 are my opinions only based on my own experience and experience shared by many here on THR - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=744995

Information posted is what I often shared with new reloaders I helped set up but during the recent powder shortage, even some not-so-new reloaders found the comparison pictures and usage/metering information interesting and helpful (some are surprised to find I like Herco for 40S&W and Promo for 9mm/45ACP even though I prefer W231/HP-38 for 9/40/45 target loads).
[/url]

Your opinions and experience are more than some of us have on those powders. I've loaded a lot of pistol rounds but only used HS-6, 231, Longshot and about 100gr of Unique. Didn't like the way it metered, and it shot dirty so I got rid of it. The only reason I have Longshot is because I haven't seen HS-6 or 231 in a place I'd buy since 2012.

Curious, what kind of camera did you use?

What I like to see is Walkalong's thread on determining max OAL using the barrel become a sticky as many refer to it on a regular basis - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6294790

I agree. That's a great thread. I've learned from it, gone back to it, and referred others to it.

 

[LiveLife]

Curious, what kind of camera did you use?

Believe it or not, most of my close up pictures are taken with LG smartphone model LG-C800 (T-mobile myTouch phone). I no longer have T-mobile as my cell carrier but still use the smartphone as bench camera as it does a good job with close up shots. I also used Olympus SP-600UZ digital camera which had a great macro option but gave to my parents when their digital camera stopped working.

I use brightness set to max, zoom at 50-60% and all other settings on Auto with the following lighting set up. That's my portable castered 2'x3' reloading bench inside the walk-in closet of the reloading room and the top shelf of the bench works well to adjust the clamp lights (two 13W CFL) around for proper angle of lighting (more details of my picture taking in this thread) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=702188&highlight=close+up+pictures+photos

 

[IKE]

First off thanks for investing the time and sharing the info BDS.

I did notice that you made a reference to W231 not being a direct data interchange for HP-38 if made prior to 2006 so I have a question or two.

I have three one pound containers of W231....all were purchased new by me some time ago, have always been stored inside in a closet and have never been opened.

Two of the containers are the older style metal cans with a lot number of 231234HF.6A and the other is in a plastic container with a lot number of 231266LL.3A.

I recently got back into reloading for the .357 mag and found a very accurate load in my 4" GP100 .357 using 8.5 grs. of a partial can of HP-38 I had and some bulk Starfire 125 JHP bullets that I stumbled across for a good price.

To be honest I was going to use my older W231 across the board for HP-38 until I saw your reference to 2006 because my HP-38 is pretty low and none has been available locally for quite awhile.

Do I have to start over developing new data with my W231 and is there a tutorial on how to read lot numbers some place ?

Thanks.

 

[LiveLife]

I posted 2006 as the cutoff date for load data interchangeability because that's when W231 load data became same as HP-38 load data.

My suggestion would be to contact Hodgdon customer service and give them the lot numbers of your W231. They should be able to tell you which load data to use.

 

[Potatohead]

I guess you can send (in appropriate fashion) bullets, (I guess UPS with appropriate ord. sticker or whatever), there is no hazmat requirement for loaded ammo....So, as long as done by the rules, you could send some loaded rounds, which could be disassembled for powder pics. Or do the rules not apply to handloads? Anyone know? Or, while it wouldnt work for testing, Potatohead could upload a digital pic and that could be copied by Bds and added to the post?

Russellc

Yea, I'm up for whatever (whatever is legal, that is). Let me know if I can help B.

 

[LiveLife]

Escrow on our retirement house will close in 3-4 weeks and I will have limited time for reloading/shooting after this month.

I thank you for the offer but I have BE-86 coming this week which I want to test so testing with American Select and Solo 1000 may have to wait until the house is remodeled (paint, new floor, appliances, etc.).