Powders for Handgun Caliber Lead Cast Bullets

[Schwing]

As a fairly new re-loader, I have made some regrettable purchases that I would like to NOT repeat. One of those errors was buying a jug of 300 MP powder not realizing that there is no published load data for lead. I reload almost exclusively hand cast lead bullets... Live and learn. I have jacketed bullets so no biggie. FYI, it works GREAT for jacketed bullets.

With the scarcity of powder these days, I want to have a few prominent options in mind just in case that "in stock" button ever pops up on any of them.

I have had good luck with Unique, blue dot (in .357 and .44), Bullseye and have even found some pretty awesome target loads for .357 and .44 using 800X... also a regretted purchase overall due to its abysmal metering. If I were ever to see "in stock" on Unique, Bullseye, or blue dot, I wouldn't hesitate.

I am looking for advice or input regarding what other powders you guys like and regularly use with lead bullets. I enjoy shooting the spectrum all the way between really light target loads and heavy magnum loads. I reload for the following:

.380 (100 Grain RN)

9MM (125 Grain RN)

.38/.357 (148 Grain WC and 158 Grain SWC)

.45 (230 Grain RN)

.44 (240 Grain SWC)

Thanks in advance!

 

[jim243]

Win 231 or H-38 will work.

Jim

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Red Dot, Promo (use Red Dot data, by weight not volume), Universal Clays is supposed to be very similar to Unique, W231/HP38, WST, True Blue for full power loads on the bigger .45 and probably with the .44. There's a ton of good powders, just check your load manuals and online data from powder manufacturers for the styles/weights of bullets you use.

My favorite .38spl load is 3.3gr of Red Dot, CCI500 primer, and 158gr Missouri Bullet Co LSWC, with a medium roll crimp. EXCELLENT target load through 4-5 .357 revolvers I've put it through. Have substituted the CCI500's with Federal SPM primers with no noticeable change in point of impact, but I don't have a chrono to see if the velocity is different. Substituting a magnum primer into the place of a non-magnum primer is generally not advised, just like every aspect of reloading you do so at your own risk.

 

[TfflHndn]

I have found loads I really like in all of the calibers you mention except .44, which I don't load (yet). For .45 I like Green Dot and WST for moderate loads. For several of the calibers I really like Silhouette. It seems to be very similar to Power Pistol without the flash, and can be loaded from moderate to full power loads. For .357 I like Blue Dot and AA#7. I am developing a fondness for Longshot in higher power loads also. The standard powders for .38 are tried-and-true HP38 and Clays. I also think AutoComp is a champ. So many good powders...