Powder Questions

[Tamitch]

I'm reloading 32 ACP, 44 Mag, 45 Auto Rim. Can anyone suggest a single powder for these three loadings, at this times of shortages.
Terry Mitchell
Danville, IL.

 

[45lcshooter]

Unique, Pistol Power

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Even though no powder suited for loading the 45 AR and 32 Auto will produce top velocities in the 44 Magnum you can use W231/HP-38 for all three. It will do a good job for you...

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Unique, or W-231/HP-38.

I think Unique will come closer to doing the .44 Mag justice, while still working quite well in the other two.

rc

 

[KansasSasquatch]

A quick look at Hodgdon's data says Tightgroup, AutoComp, W-231/HP-38, Clays, and Universal Clays would all fit. As to what will work GOOD in all three, that's up for debate. Personally I'd stay away from Tightgroup and Clays, but that's just me.

 

[BYJO4]

I would also suggest Unique.

 

[exbrit49]

Unique gets my vote everytime. A little tricky to meter consistently but it's a great all around pistol powder.

 

[Don McDowell]

Unigue, 231, and bludot, and maybe not the best choice but it does seem to be available and will give useful velocity in all but nothing close to max in the 44 , trailboss.

 

[sexybeast]

Unique gets my vote everytime. A little tricky to meter consistently but it's a great all around pistol powder.

Yeah Unique can be a little tricky to meter! If your load is for 32acp and you are dropping Unique it can be inconsistent with such small amounts.
You did not say what kind of loads you were looking for with 44mag.
I'm hooked on Hodgdon powders: HP38 or Universal

 

[7mmb]

What powders are actually available to you? Knowing that would better enable us to give you suggestions on which one would serve you best.

 

[noylj]

Unique meters indifferently, but you know what--it isn't indifferent about being accurate any way.
Exterior ballistics will show that at 25 or less, any slight variation is speed will not affect the POI and it is the shooter, gun, and bullet that determine accuracy.
Unique will be 100-200fps off the max velocity of, say, 296/H110, but it will still get your attention at around 1200fps for a 240gn bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of the reasons I didn't suggest Unique is because the 32 Auto is in the mix. With such a small case and unique being so difficult to meter I felt it was a recipe for trouble. W231 being a ball powder meters like water and is highly recommended for the 32 Auto too...

I also have to agree with the above suggestion for AutoComp.

 

[oldpapps]

"32 ACP, 44 Mag, 45 Auto Rim.....suggest a single powder for these three"

Here's my suggestion.

.32 ACP - don't load it but I do/have loaded .38 S&W (smaller case capacity) and 8MM Nambu (larger case capacity) and about the same weight of bullets. I use/used 231 for both with good results.

.44 Magnum - My powder puff load for the last 39 or so years has been 5.6 grains of 231 under 240 grain LSWC. I have loaded the same bullets with 231 to a very substantial loading that maxed out with a velocity of 1115 FPS (not my favored loadings with this powder).

.45 AR - This is only a brass adjustment to have a rim from the normal .45 ACP. My standard loading for the .45 ACP is 5.6 grains of 231 (see a pattern) under a 200 grain LSWC.

Note: 231 and HP38 are the same powder or so we are told. HP38 will sell for a little less from some suppliers.

There are many powder types and brands and many that can be used with the listed cartridges.

Load with care.

 

[NCsmitty]

I use Unique exclusively in my 32 ACP with my as cast 77gr slugs, and in my 32 S&W Long, and find no measuring issues when using a good consistent procedure. It's also a good mid range powder in the 44 Magnum.
Unique is a very versatile powder, from my 20ga loads, thru many pistol loads, and reduced loads in rifles, I've used it for decades because good old habits are to hard break.


NCsmitty

 

[8emem]

I don't think you will find Unique, HP-38, or W231 for reasonable prices any time soon. There is a sleeper available at some places, IMR SR-4756. It's burn rate is between Unique and Power Pistol. I have used this powder for 45 acp before and it worked as good as anything else. It doesn't seem to be as popular as other types, hence the price is not doubled or tripled. This is what I would try to find.

 

[Don McDowell]

If your local dealer is doubling or tripling the prices on anything, then that sorry sob needs to be told straight out why not to ever expect your shadow to darken his door let alone any of your money flow thru the cash register...

 

[noylj]

The poor SOB has fixed costs to cover and a lessened inventory to cover the cost. Of course, scarce resources will always cost more. Maybe you would prefer they go out of business?
Hasn't any one studied economics, supply and demand, pricing theory or any thing? Unless someone forces you to buy, there can be no gouging.

 

[Don McDowell]

Price gouging is just that plain and simple>someone jacks the price 3 times on something that price gouging period.
You want to try living in the land of supply and demand prices, try spending a little bit of time in my shoes,,, production ag ain't the way to glorious profits.

 

[fatcpa]

Powders

For my reloading dollar's, I'll buy Hodgon's Universal. Pretty much interchangeable with Unique.

 

[Kosh75287]

Look around from some Alliant HERCO. It's as versatile as Unique, and a little slower burning, so you'll get more of the "top end" of the .44 Mag with it. Like Unique, it DOES burn a little dirty, and sometimes "meters like cornflakes", but I often find it left over when all the Unique's been bought up.

 

[Salmoneye]

Red Dot will work also, but not for top tier mag loads in the .44...

 

[Jlr2267]

Look around from some Alliant HERCO. It's as versatile as Unique, and a little slower burning, so you'll get more of the "top end" of the .44 Mag with it. Like Unique, it DOES burn a little dirty, and sometimes "meters like cornflakes", but I often find it left over when all the Unique's been bought up.

+1 ^^^^^^^^