ColtPythonElite
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If I could only have one powder, it would be Unique.
Putting the reloading cart before the horse...
- Thread starter joatman66
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An approach I used when I first got started for 9mm and 38/357 was going through all the various reloading manul recipes and finding a combination of low charge weight (to keep things economical) and a somewhat wider range of min-max charge weight compared to many other popular powders people use. I settled on Universal Clays but Unique would likely have been just as fitting at the time had it been available.
I believe I see more Unique recipes out there compared to Universal Clays but there's no shortage of Universal recipes either so totally non-issue with regard to this.
I don't and haven't used Unique yet and probably won't simply because the Universal Clays tends to be more readily available and I have all my recipies now well experienced and documented for my use. I get the impression Universal Clays is a metering experience similar to Unique. Doesn't meter all that well from my Hornady powder peasure but I don't sweat it. I found for that flake I am as consistent, if not more, using a Lee powder measure scoop for my recipe so that's what I do. I still have my scales sitting there and check my consistency every 10 or so rounds (I'm just anal like that). I don't recognize a speed difference to my method so it's totally a non issue. Perhaps something you will determine for yourself as well when you get experience.
I wasn't after the fastest rounds I could get but didn't want little poppers either so the middle of the road speeds make for great practice/plink rounds. I've finally settled on upper middle powder charge and pressures for Universal and that buys me a little room for variation should one round be that slight under or slight over on charge weight. Combined with all my guns being +p pressure capable, there's a bit of safety built in.
Well, that's my 2 cents on how I settled on a starting powder,
Andy
I believe I see more Unique recipes out there compared to Universal Clays but there's no shortage of Universal recipes either so totally non-issue with regard to this.
I don't and haven't used Unique yet and probably won't simply because the Universal Clays tends to be more readily available and I have all my recipies now well experienced and documented for my use. I get the impression Universal Clays is a metering experience similar to Unique. Doesn't meter all that well from my Hornady powder peasure but I don't sweat it. I found for that flake I am as consistent, if not more, using a Lee powder measure scoop for my recipe so that's what I do. I still have my scales sitting there and check my consistency every 10 or so rounds (I'm just anal like that). I don't recognize a speed difference to my method so it's totally a non issue. Perhaps something you will determine for yourself as well when you get experience.
I wasn't after the fastest rounds I could get but didn't want little poppers either so the middle of the road speeds make for great practice/plink rounds. I've finally settled on upper middle powder charge and pressures for Universal and that buys me a little room for variation should one round be that slight under or slight over on charge weight. Combined with all my guns being +p pressure capable, there's a bit of safety built in.
Well, that's my 2 cents on how I settled on a starting powder,
Andy
dickttx
Member
I do not want to accumulate a bunch of powders, so when I started reloading again about three years ago I looked at load info for the handgun calibers I wanted to reload. Finally bought a pound of HP38. After trying that pound I now buy it in 8# jugs.
1. It is the same as W231, but $1 per pound cheaper, not matter what size you buy.
2. It runs through the Pro Auto Disk like water.
3. It dispenses very consistently.
The only other handgun powder I have used since is some 40+ year old Unique. It shoots very well, but does not fulfill numbers 2 and 3 at all.
1. It is the same as W231, but $1 per pound cheaper, not matter what size you buy.
2. It runs through the Pro Auto Disk like water.
3. It dispenses very consistently.
The only other handgun powder I have used since is some 40+ year old Unique. It shoots very well, but does not fulfill numbers 2 and 3 at all.
I reload 4 pistol calibers all with Win 231/HP-38 (the same powder) including .45ACP. Works great, not too pricey, meters very well and has a liberal charge weight range in most all calibers which is forgiving of new reloader potential weighing errors or powder dispenser consistencies.
I started with and still have my Lee Anniv single stage and upgraded a few years ago to their very nice Classic turret. No regrets.
I started with and still have my Lee Anniv single stage and upgraded a few years ago to their very nice Classic turret. No regrets.
mljdeckard
Member
As the panic hit, I realized I was running out of Unique, I went to try to find more, all they had was titegroup, so I grabbed a lb. Haven't used it yet.
Searcher4851
Member
Are you planning on loading lead, or jacketed bullets? I have defferent preferences for each.
TheCracker
Member
I don't load 45 but a seasoned reloaded steered me to Universal Clays. Its right next to unique on the burn chart , meters awesome and burns very clean.
To me it is superior to unique. Which does meter poorly and is dirty in my experience. However if u can find unique go for it as it is a good powder.
Red dot is usually plentiful but is dirty and doesn't meter well either.
HS-6 is awesome in accuracy and metering in my experience as well. Just tends to be dirty in my 9mm.
My brother loves green dot in his 357 light loads. But I've never used it.
My favorite is universal clays, but u thought I would give you a few ideas.
To me it is superior to unique. Which does meter poorly and is dirty in my experience. However if u can find unique go for it as it is a good powder.
Red dot is usually plentiful but is dirty and doesn't meter well either.
HS-6 is awesome in accuracy and metering in my experience as well. Just tends to be dirty in my 9mm.
My brother loves green dot in his 357 light loads. But I've never used it.
My favorite is universal clays, but u thought I would give you a few ideas.
3GunEric
Member
Unique is IN STOCK now at Natchez at pre-panic prices.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=HPUN4&src=tpCtg
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=HPUN4&src=tpCtg
Unique is a "love it or hate it" powder. I hate it. Can't get it to meter worth a damn, and I've tried all the tricks.
If you want a similarly flexible powder, try Universal or 231--or even Red Dot. If you know you'll be loading only for .45 Auto for a while, try Clays or WST for light target loads, Power Pistol or AA7 for boomers.
If you want a similarly flexible powder, try Universal or 231--or even Red Dot. If you know you'll be loading only for .45 Auto for a while, try Clays or WST for light target loads, Power Pistol or AA7 for boomers.
I was surprised to find plenty of Unique & Bullseye (#1, #4 & #8 jugs) at local sporting goods store that I didn't even know carried reloading components. Of course, no large pistol primers or bullets...
If someone in need of powder wanted to trade for some primers, I could make that happen.
If someone in need of powder wanted to trade for some primers, I could make that happen.
After investigation, looks like I would have to have a haz-mat permit from ups... $575
PsychoKnight
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- Oct 21, 2006
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Quality Powder for 45: VV-n320
Nobody has anything bad to say for it.
Meters smoothly
High velocity to pressure ratio (i.e. efficient)
Consistent performance for tight groups
Minimal flash/smoke
Pretty much everything you could want in a pistol powder in the 9mm-45acp range.
Except the price. Quality is expensive (not hard to get), expect to pay 50% more. Places which carry it, always have it in stock. Places that don't, never do. Go Powder Valley and buy in 4lb chugs up to the weight limit for a single hazmat fee, and include your primer needs into a single shipment. Then it aint so bad.
Why go through the hassle of having to buy in bulk and spend more than run of the mill powder? Back when I was a shooting nut, I tested up to 11 powders that various forum threads recommended. Got tired of trying this and that and looking for something better. Somebody said, nobody ever turned away from N320 for something better, and some things are worth paying 50% more, especially if you look at the total package when its all done. I found that to be true.
Good luck and welcome to reloading. I hope you got the classic cast turret and not the regular turret. That's a great beginner press. Pay attention to what people say to avoid screwing up the advancing mechanism.
Nobody has anything bad to say for it.
Meters smoothly
High velocity to pressure ratio (i.e. efficient)
Consistent performance for tight groups
Minimal flash/smoke
Pretty much everything you could want in a pistol powder in the 9mm-45acp range.
Except the price. Quality is expensive (not hard to get), expect to pay 50% more. Places which carry it, always have it in stock. Places that don't, never do. Go Powder Valley and buy in 4lb chugs up to the weight limit for a single hazmat fee, and include your primer needs into a single shipment. Then it aint so bad.
Why go through the hassle of having to buy in bulk and spend more than run of the mill powder? Back when I was a shooting nut, I tested up to 11 powders that various forum threads recommended. Got tired of trying this and that and looking for something better. Somebody said, nobody ever turned away from N320 for something better, and some things are worth paying 50% more, especially if you look at the total package when its all done. I found that to be true.
Good luck and welcome to reloading. I hope you got the classic cast turret and not the regular turret. That's a great beginner press. Pay attention to what people say to avoid screwing up the advancing mechanism.
1KPerDay
Member
Red Dot meters accurately (for me) in LCT with pro auto disc at .45 ACP levels. Very accurate target-level loads.
W231/HP-38 does as well. Bullseye does as well. Herco (larger flakes) varies .1 or so, but made very accurate loads under 200 LSWCs.
If I had to pick one, I'd pick Red Dot I think. But you can use a lot of different powders in the .45ACP. So load whatever powder you can find that will work. You're going to love it!
W231/HP-38 does as well. Bullseye does as well. Herco (larger flakes) varies .1 or so, but made very accurate loads under 200 LSWCs.
If I had to pick one, I'd pick Red Dot I think. But you can use a lot of different powders in the .45ACP. So load whatever powder you can find that will work. You're going to love it!
There are a good dozen excellent powders for 45ACP. I use W231. Originally, I bought 231 because it is a "ball" type powder, and meters well with the Lee auto disc powder hopper.
I disagree. If you can READ the die instructions, the powder website instructions, and the LEE manuals, you can develop safe loads on 45acp without a manual. I have never read a single manual, yet I successfully load for 5 calibers (3 pistol and 2 rifle). Its not rocket science. Sure, a manual will give you a lot of theory of reloading, but it is not required (esp for straight walled hand gun cartridges) in order to begin loading.
I disagree. If you can READ the die instructions, the powder website instructions, and the LEE manuals, you can develop safe loads on 45acp without a manual. I have never read a single manual, yet I successfully load for 5 calibers (3 pistol and 2 rifle). Its not rocket science. Sure, a manual will give you a lot of theory of reloading, but it is not required (esp for straight walled hand gun cartridges) in order to begin loading.
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