Powders for the beginner

[webrx]

Hi,
Beginner here, learning and researching.

Wanting to have powders on hand (baseline) for my pistols and rifles as a starting point, and will then add other powders as needed and as time progresses. Mostly from what I have read folks seem to agree for pistols you need to have some Unique on hand, and it will load most if not all pistol calibers adequately. Problem is I cant find it anywhere.

SD rounds I have in stock already, so we are looking for a general powder for general pistol rounds.

Pistols Powder - is Unique a good choice? What is a good second?
I am planning on reloading pistol (.38, 9mm, .380, and .45 colt)

I have trail boss for the colt as I use this round in my 1858 conversions. I am thinking of purchasing Unique as my base powder for the rest of my pistol calibers.

Rifles:
Looking for use at Zombie head shot distances - 300 yards or less for .243 an .270; 100 yards with 30-30

Rifle powder - IMR 4831 for .243 and .270 - is this a good base powder choice?

Trail boss (plinking loads) and Hogden 4895 for 30-30 150 gr SPs/FPs

I don't want to start a favorite powder thread, just looking to stock powder to reload these cartridges with only having to stock a few powders to start with.

As always, advice and help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

 

[25-5]

For pistol I use W231 and Titegroup. Titegroup mostly for .45 Colt and .44spl.
I have used Titegroup all the way down to .38 S&W when W231 was hard to get. Titegroup is made by Hodgon for the larger cases and it does just what they say it does.
Rifle, I use a lot of Varget, H4895, and IMR4895. .308, .30-06, .243, .303. Milsurps and hunting.
The first powder I ever used was W231 for .45ACP. Unique is popular, but I've never used it.

 

[mdi]

Since many are having difficulty finding powder I believe it's gonna take some effort on your part. I would suggest you look in your reloading manual for the cartridges you plan to load. Check different bullets weights and different calibers and find common powders and make a list. Unique is one that is used for several different cartridges, but as you say it can be difficult to find. Take your list with you when you go powder shopping and perhaps you can find a powder suitable for a few different cartridges. Be vigilent about checking; I was checking daily at my favorite on line vendors and some forums have a "I found some here" threads.

Here's one place to look http://gunbot.net/reloading/Powder/

 

[webrx]

Thanks guys,

I have spent a lot of time on the hogden selector, and been reading my lyman manual.

Being a newb, and not having any reloaders around that I know, it is hard to decipher which powders are good out of the 15 to 20 that get returned when using the selector, which is why I asked specifically about versatility.

Appreciate the input and I have unique/titegroup/w231/universal on my shopping lists so far. Hoping one of these will be in stock at one if the 3 Sporting goods stores we have in Reno.

Thanks again,

d

 

[Walkalong]

Powders for the beginner

Of those mentioned, W-231 and Unique. Both very forgiving, with tons of data, and easy to get a good load with.

 

[LiveLife]

If you cannot find W231, look for HP-38 which is the same exact powder and often cheaper.

If you cannot find Unique, look for BE-86 which I consider the modern Unique that meters very well, especially for smaller cases like 9mm/380Auto. Universal is also at similar burn rate as Unique and meters well.

If you cannot find W231/HP-38, look for Green Dot/Zip/No. 5/N320 as they will work for the calibers you are loading for.

I have loaded .38Spl/9mm/45Colt with Red Dot/Promo/W231/HP-38/Herco with good results. Red Dot/Promo are my current "general purpose/range practice/plinking" load powders while I am saving W231/HP-38. They are large flake powders like Unique so they may not meter very well for smaller case 380Auto, but works well for 9mm. BTW, I use W231/HP-38/Bullseye for 380Auto as they meter very well - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10094185#post10094185

 

[webrx]

Thanks again,

I have been thinking through this a bit more and will most likely be looking to replicate my SD round weight and velocity in my reloaded rounds (Practice like you play philosophy).

and in taking those numbers up to the Hogden website, it is obvious you guys know your stuff - thanks again

I apologize if I did not provide enough info in my original post, still wrapping my head around all the reloading options, but as I dig deeper I am learning more about reloading and about what I want to reload for (practice and play).

Don't get me wrong, I love to plink and have some plinking guns, for which I will probably load as well,

Initially though, I intend to build a practice round in .38 110 gr, 980 fps at the muzzle, and a 9mm at 115 gr 1100 fps at the muzzle so when I practice with these they will be similar in recoil and 15 yard ballistics to my current SD rounds.

Thanks again, all this advice and help is greatly appreciated.

d

 

[ZGunner]

If I had to give up all but two of my powders I'd still have Varget and CFE-Pistol.

Varget. This has been my favorite powder since I started a few years ago. I've loaded everything from .223 to 30-06 with good results. It's by far my best .223 powder.

CFE-Pistol. This is reletivley new powder to me but I've had really good loads from it. Consistant anyways. It's very good in my 9mm and I've even got some good results in my 44 Mag Carbine. You won't get anywhere near the case fill on the bigger cases like you will with Trail Boss, but it works.

Edit: TiteGroup would probably be a more versatile choice... But I really do like the CFE.

 

[X-Rap]

If I had to I could get by with unique, 4350, H335, H1000. I don't have any restriction so I probably stock 6-8 additional powders at any given time.

 

[LiveLife]

Initially though, I intend to build a practice round in .38 110 gr, 980 fps at the muzzle, and a 9mm at 115 gr 1100 fps at the muzzle so when I practice with these they will be similar in recoil and 15 yard ballistics to my current SD rounds

Matching muzzle velocity of factory ammunition won't ensure your felt recoil/POI will be the same as powders have different burn rate.

For decades, I have used WSF for "back up" duplicate defensive rounds using same Speer Gold Dot HP and Remington Golden Saber JHP projectiles used in factory ammunition I use for SD/HD pistols due to higher muzzle velocities it could generate for proper bullet expansion. But to duplicate the felt recoil of factory ammunition for defensive range drills, I use faster powders like Red Dot/Promo so I can use lower powder charge target loads but with similar "feel" of factory ammunition.

What I found between my reloads/factory FMJ and premium JHP ammunition like Speer Gold Dot/Remington Golden Saber/Winchester Ranger-T was about 1" at 7-15 yard typical defensive shooting distance. So instead of matching muzzle velocity, I now try to match the "felt recoil" for my range practice loads.

But using FMJ/JHP/GDHP for range practice reloads will be costly. Instead, I would suggest using thick plated bullets like RMR HM bullets that are rated to 1500 fps for your practice load bullets as they cost less ($78/1000 + free shipping and RMR offers 5% THR discount with thehighroad5 code with THR ID in the order comment box - http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/9mm-...FFB1A28A2D21073EA2C260E6C452A0.m1plqscsfapp06).

FYI, Alliant lists the following for 115 gr FMJ/JHP/GDHP bullets - http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gtypeid=1

Unique and 115 gr GDHP - 1244 fps
BE-86 and 115 gr JHP - 1238 fps
BE-86 and 115 gr FMJ - 1219 fps
Power Pistol and 115 gr GDHP - 1212 fps

Hodgdon lists the following for 115 gr FMJ/JHP/GDHP bullets - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

WSF and 115 gr FMJ - 1195 fps
WSF and 115 gr JHP - 1165 fps
CFE Pistol and 115 gr GDHP - 1185 fps
AutoComp and 115 gr GDHP - 1161 fps
Universal and 115 gr GDHP - 1149 fps

 

[webrx]

Thanks again bds

So much to learn

it is obvious I am new to this, I figured, speed and weight would get me in the ballpark, (force = mass x acceleration) did not think about burn rate on top of that.

Also, added Varget for rifle and double checked W231 on my lists.......thanks

d

 

[IlikeSA]

I cant comment on the rifle powders as I don't reload rifle, and rarely shoot rifle.

For the pistol calibers you listed: Titegroup and Bullseye are the ones I am familiar and happy with.

 

[243winxb]

BE-86

Alliant Unique.. or http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=38 BE-86 will load many different handgun cartridges. I want to try it sometime. For rifle 4895.

 

[RealGun]

Since most of my 13 cartridges are loaded on a turret, I favor bulkier powders that allow me to better see in the case, verifying powder before placing a bullet for seating. This is the list I put together for loads I found for 38 Special:

700-X
Green Dot
Trailboss
SR4756
American Select

The SR4756 is the one I actually use the most. Just know that tall and skinny cases like 38 Special taking pretty small powder charges could get you off your idea of minimizing powder choices. Of course, the other factor is optimizing lighting for bullet placement at your seating die. The objective is to avoid squibs, caused by low or missing powder charges. You would of course also develop an eye for a double charge.

If you see some Power Pistol, grab it.

I settled on Titegroup for 9 mm. That case is short enough for me to see that small volume charge and I like how it shoots. I expect the same would apply to 380. Actually Titegroup should perform well in all the handgun cartridges you mentioned. Ironically it is about the least lofty powder, but with the exception of 38 Special your cartridge choices have cases short and wide enough to see the powder charge.

 

[david bachelder]

I agree with 25 5. I like HP-38 for pistol and Varget for the 243. I do not shoot a 270 so I don't know anything about it.

The bitter truth is you will be limited to what you can find. Select the bullet's you're going to use and run them through Hodgden's reload site. Then note which powder shows up most often and is within reach.

Go with your results.

Last time I was at the LGS I saw W231/HP-38 and Varget.

You may or may not know this but HP-38 and Win231 are the exact same powder. They both meter and perform well. Very well.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I've started using CFE-Pistol in my 9mm and 40 cal reloads, only because there are 8lb jugs of it everywhere.

It performs great in both calibers, It should do fine in 38 special as well.

As far as rifle goes, H-4895 will cover everything from 223 to 30-06 and its obtainable right now.

 

[Dudedog]

Unique shoots well but does not meter well, to me it is not worth the hassle, Universal meters well and is cleaner.

For pistol I would look for Universal Clays, or HP38/Win231
(same powder different name)
Both work well in 9mm, .38 Special. (light-med .357) I don't know about .380 or .45 Colt but both also work well in 9mm Mak and .45 ACP.
Both have listed loads in .380 and .45 Colt

Universal is a little bulkier so it takes up more space in the case. (think clean burning Unique that meters)
(not a bad thing when starting out IMO, in some calibers a double charge will overflow the case or be right at the case mouth making it easier to spot)

I have had good results with CFE-Pistol, but it is dense (takes up less space in the case) so it might be easier to miss a double charge.
(you could probably TRIPLE charge in .38 and .45 Colt and it would fit in the case, Kaboom for sure)

BE86 is about the same speed as Unique and meters well. For Alliant powders I prefer it over Power Pistol (less muzzle flash PP has a lot) or Unique.

I may be mistaken but I believe IMR SR4756 is not longer in production.

I don't load .243 or .270 but I like H4831 (different load data than IMR 4831, don't get them confused) for 7mm Rem Mag

 

[Comrade Mike]

Unique is a fine powder but metering it is a PITA. 231 and tite group are easy to work with but you can over charge easily if you don't pay attention

 

[25-5]

I do not understand all the worry about a double charge to determine what powder to use. Watch what you are doing, no TV, no alcohol, no sex, tell the wife and kids to shut up, and reload. Just reload! Get the powder you like best, or is available.

 

[RealGun]

I do not understand all the worry about a double charge to determine what powder to use.

Gotta quote? Personally I am going to want to see the powder before placing a bullet for seating. Not sure what the rifle reloaders do other than pray and keep squib rods handy.

 

[Elkins45]

I'm a big fan of IMR 4831 for 270 and it should be good in 243 as well.

 

[SwaneeSR]

There are a lot of good powders out there.

Pistol - Power Pistol, 700x, Clays, The DOTs. Many good options. Like mentioned in an earlier post, you need to be flexible and use what you can find at the LGS. Stay away from 800X, it meters poorly in all my powder measures. Unless you are willing to measure and verify each round.

Rifle - IMR 4350, H4350 and H4895 are great powders.

 

[scythefwd]

I'd say 4895 you have there is good for all calibers you have listed.

Unique is my generic powder for handguns.. BUTTTTTTTTT, its dirty, ye be warned.

 

[Blue68f100]

For pistol powder I would recommend WSF, it's about the same speed as Unique. It's a ball powder so it will meter accurately, unlike Unique. It will also fill the case making it easier to detect a double charge.

With rifle powders the one you listed are tubular/stick powder which do not meter very well.

You did not indicate what equipment you will be loading these on. SS press and hand weighing all charges will be slow but accurate with any powder. There are a few fine grain powders for using a progressive but normally it's a compromise.

 

[webrx]

Thanks all, I appreciate the info and advice. I am currently weighing all charges, no automatic powder meter yet, its on my list.

I do have Trail boss I am using for my .45 colt which I shoot out of my 1858 conversion so that one is pretty much covered unless I buy another pistol in that caliber.....

.38 is my next round for reloading, and then on to the .243, taking this one step at a time and having a blast.

I will head to our local LGS(s), we have 3 in town, and see what powder they have in stock now that I have a list and some good advice as to what to look for.

Thanks

d