Powders you have given up on?

[ArchAngelCD]

I have given up on Clays. It shoots just fine in the .45 Auto and .38 Special but I find it very difficult to throw accurate charges especially with the very low charge weights called for in the .38 Special. Since W231 shoots just as well for me I'll stick with it over Clays.

I've also given up on Power Pistol. The excessive flash and boom are just not worth using it. I can do everything Power Pistol can do with HS-6 or even Longshot.

I'm actually moving away from IMR3031. I really only use it for the 30-30 and sometimes in the 45-70 but Leverevolution works better in the 30-30 and I like AA5744 in the 45-70. (or 4198)

 

[kludge]

+1 for Unique. Or should I say -1? I like the "meters like corn flakes" quote so I'll go with that. Also leaves too much filth and unburned powder, even near the top end of the data.

Yes, try Universal Clays and you'll never buy Unique again.

^this^

For me it was the other way 'round. I used Universal forever, and then during the shortage was forced to buy a pound of Unique. Never again. Man, that stuff is awful. No.7 is a MUCH better alternative to Universal in the stuff I load.

Bullseye is the other powder I'll never buy again. It's filthy stuff. No.2 instead. I'll continue to use it for cat fart loads in 125gr .38 SPL until it's gone, but that is going to take a long time. Yes, it's accurate

 

[Sommerled]

Stopped using Blue Dot for short barreled hand guns, lots of unburnt powder and failure to cycle. Perhaps I should have experimented more but I can't load at max charge due to damage long ago to my shooting hand.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I bought the obligatory pound of 'new cleaner burning' Unique. I tried it, didn't like it, won't be buying another. It should be a good emergency powder if I need one someday.

Now I'm back to 7625 for most handgun loads, Universal for anything else.

 

[NuJudge]

With as badly as 800X meters, how can you develop any love for it?

 

[floydster]

Never had any luck with Titegroup and cast bullets, and I shoot a lot of cast.

 

[Damon555]

I'm not sure how the metering problems with Unique occur. I've used it in an RCBS progressive, a Dillon progressive and a stand alone powder measure and never had one hiccup. Consistent charge weights were easy to accomplish also.

 

[dbarnhart]

For those of you who do not like Unique: I offer a free disposal service for your unwanted Unique for the price of shipping only. Just send me your unwanted Unique and I will take care of disposing of it properly. ;-)

 

[336A]

I've given up on W231 and H110/296. Due to all of the good things that folks have said I gave W231 a try in my S&W M10. I like the way it meters compared to Unique but that is it. I only shoot cast bullets in that revolver and I found it just as dirty as Unique. I also didn't like the recoil impulse of W231 comapred to Unique either. I found it was snappier probably due to it being a faster powder, and accuracy was not as good as my Unique load as well. I also find Unique a better fit for midrange loads for larger cartridges. I don't care what anyone says, if you shoot cast bullets any powder is going to leave your gun (handguns as I don't shoot cast bullets in my rifles) dirty. Yeah so Unique meters like corn flakes, it don't bother me one bit as I use a single stage press and hand weigh each powder charge from the trickler

H110/296 were given the boot as I don't need to shoot full power or heavy for caliber bullet loads all the time. It's just not that versatile of a powder, unless you load right up to the hilt, or use heavy bullets which is where it truly shines. I can get all of the performance I need from my .41 mag, and .44 mag with 2400 and standard weight bullets. By using 2400 it simplifies logistics as I only need to stock one kind of primer For the most part though I use Unique in the .41 mag unless I'm going to shoot a jacketed bullet then I'll use 2400. There ain't anything walking on the east coast that is going to stop a 210gr - 220gr cast bullet trucking along at 1100fps.

I only reload for my 30-30 anymore and like H322. Brian Pearce spoke highly of this powder in several articles that he's done on the 30-30 so I figured why not. I use the accuracy load that is listed in the Sierra manual for their 150gr bullet. I won't tell how well it shoots at the risk of being called a liar but it is superb in my rifle. That load left a couple of strangers jaws a-gape and frowning at the groups they were getting with they're expensive M1A SOCOM's They weren't sneering at me and my rifle after that either

 

[Waywatcher]

I don't care what anyone says, if you shoot cast bullets any powder is going to leave your gun (handguns as I don't shoot cast bullets in my rifles) dirty.

Try Trail Boss with cast bullets. It is about 4 times cleaner than unique, with zero leading, not even grey rings on the cylinder face.

 

[336A]

Try Trail Boss with cast bullets. It is about 4 times cleaner than unique, with zero leading, not even grey rings on the cylinder face.

Don't take this the wrong way as it is not a slight toward you in any way, but I have no use for Cowboy mouse fart loads, otherwise I would.

 

[Waywatcher]

No slight, niether do I. For .38 Spl 158 LRN, at Trail Boss "max" loads, it is equivalent to factory 158LRN. (~755fps) It also gives 100% case fill (but not compressed) at this velocity.

I loaded some .44 Mag with 240 LRN and Trail Boss for the FIL, and they are faster & heavier than a .45 ACP. (240 grain at ~900fps)

 

[USSR]

All this talk about dirty this, and dirty that, what is this a ladies sewing circle? All powders have a optimal pressure range, and if you run them below that range, they will be dirty. And, if you are shooting lead bullets, a lot of the dirtyness is lube. I have not really given up on W296/H110, as I have always declined to use it. As a previous poster said: "It's just not that versatile of a powder...".

Don

 

[mtrmn]

Tried Universal Clays----never once found a load for any pistol caliber I shoot that would group anywhere NEAR Unique. Over the course of about a year, used a full pound in 45ACP, 9mm, 38Super, 38/357. None of my groups were more than just so-so. Loaded up some Unique and groups shrunk back down to normal. Gave my other pound away.

 

[mtrmn]

Damon555 wrote:
"I'm not sure how the metering problems with Unique occur. I've used it in an RCBS progressive, a Dillon progressive and a stand alone powder measure and never had one hiccup. Consistent charge weights were easy to accomplish also. "


My experience as well-no metering problems with Unique.

 

[LordDunsany]

I think the complaints with Unique stem from light, target-style loadings. When loaded to low pressure it tends to be smoky and somewhat dirty. I have found that it works much better near the max loadings. Burns cleaner and is very consistent. I use it a lot in 38 +P and 357 Mag loads.

My only non-goto powder is probably Bullseye, mainly due to its density and the danger of overcharging. I never use it in a case larger than 9mm or 38 Special. Metering is tricky at small drop weights, making for inconsistency. Have tried it, don't really like it.

Ron in Texas

 

[USSR]

Damon555 wrote:
"I'm not sure how the metering problems with Unique occur. I've used it in an RCBS progressive, a Dillon progressive and a stand alone powder measure and never had one hiccup. Consistent charge weights were easy to accomplish also. "

My experience as well-no metering problems with Unique.

+2, with a Redding Powder Measure.

Don

 

[J_McLeod]

For those of you who do not like Unique: I offer a free disposal service for your unwanted Unique for the price of shipping only. Just send me your unwanted Unique and I will take care of disposing of it properly. ;-)

I would have taken you up on this a few months ago. I'm in Tucson and got rid of 6900/7000 of a pound.

 

[sugarmaker]

Most of my experience with the "old school" powders, not as much with the newer.

4198 because it meters so poorly
H-570 (no longer made) it almost won't meter the grains are so big

Herco - I've got a 25 year old can, just doesn't get used
blue dot - (no use for pistols, very good for magnum shotshell)
red dot - (no use for pistols, AA shotshells it's "da one")
748 - good for magnum shotshell, not so good for pistol

Favorites:
2400 (best in the .44)
bullseye (light bullet .357 mag target loads)
Unique (I may try a newer substitute, it is a high flash powder)
Varget (full switch after the last 20 lbs of 4895B is gone)
4350

 

[GLOOB]

I think the complaints with Unique stem from light, target-style loadings.

+1. Unique is a high performance powder in the "big 3" calibers. It hangs out near the top, if you stick to the books. If you want mouse farts, that's what HP38 is for.

I haven't given up on HP38. I just don't currently use it for anything. But I know it's there, and that I can load perfectly accurate mousefarts when I run out of Unique. I tried the min load in 40SW for giggles, and it recoils less than some of my 9mm loads.

 

[BeerSleeper]

I've got a part can of blue dot that I don't think I'll find a use for unless I start loading heavy shotgun.
It's too "moody" in pistol calibers. It's inconsistent if it's not loaded to the point of compression. Fantastic flash though, if that's what does it for ya.

 

[cfullgraf]

It is interesting how opinions are all over the map on powder likes and dislikes.

One person's ambrosia is another's poison.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Powders I probably won't be buying and using again:

Unique - what possessed me to buy a second pound of this stuff? Ugh! Meters horribly and leaves lots of soot and unburnt powder.

RL-7 - I used this when I had a .45-70. I tried it in .30-30 later and did not like it, it seems too fast-burning to match factory ammo.

Powders I might use again:

W-748 - this stuff meteres beautifully and gives great accuracy in 52gr .223 match loads. But very temperature sensitive

H-Universal – liked it in 9mm when loaded at max loads with 115gr bullets. Accurate and reliable. I tried it in .38 Special with 158gr SWCs and wasn't overwhelemed; unburned powder, it's possible accuracy was mediocre as well.

W296 – for full-tilt boogie flash, shock and awe .357 and .44 Magnums, this is THE answer. Just not useful for much else for me.

RL-15 – every bit the equal of Varget in my .223 loads, I just have an 8-lb jug of Varget instead.

Power Pistol – this one is fun for 9mm and .45 ACP full-power loads. Even worked well in .38 Special 158gr lead SWC loads.

Powders I will continue to use:

W-231 – my favorite for mild plinking .44 Magnum and .38 Special loads. Flows like water through my powder measure

H-Varget – if heavy bullet .223 loads are the question, this is the powder for me. Still haven't tried it in .30-30 yet, but suspect it will work

Alliant 2400 – since I tried this, I find I prefer its flexibility instead of W296

H4895 – works great in my .30-30, though this might move to my “might use again” list if I try Varget in those loads instead

And I just realized I forgot to add H4350 to that list. Not sure where it fits, as I don't own anything it is suitable for at the moment. Worked great in my .260 Remington with 125gr Partitions.

 

[AFK]

I will always use W231/HP38 for .45 ACP, Titegroup for 9mm, Bullseye for .38 Special. I am just starting to play with Clays for 12 gauge. I tried and didn't like Blue Dot for anything. I also just worked up some loads for 380 Auto with TG, W231, and Bullseye, we'll see what happens.

 

[bergmen]

I notice a few comments regarding the "temperature sensitivity" of W748. I am (and have been) using this powder for years with what I saw was success.

What happens to make this (and any other powder for that matter) "temperature sensitive" and how does that adversely effect performance?

Dan