Rethinking my powder selections-new guy question

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bocefus78

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With the shortages we all know about, I have started buying up powder that I don't need yet. I recently got 4lbs of 700x. I also started thinking about what I currently use.

I've only been reloading for about a year now so be easy one me here.
I've been using unique in my 9, 40, and 44mag reloads simply because its easy as pie to spot an overcharge. From what I have read, unique is basically non existent on the shelves, so I'm wondering if I should lay off of it for a while. I've easily hit the thousand round mark with no malfunctions so I think I am ready to start using some other powders.

Here is what I have on hand.
5lbs unique
4lbs 700x
2lbs 231
1lb titegroup

I am curious to hear which calibers would be better loaded with what powders.
I have data on basically all of it, but what have your experiences been?

FWIW, I'm shooting plated pills in 'em all.
 
5lbs of unique would last me a long time. I wouldn't start to worry until I was much lower than that.

I have been using bullseye for all my pistol rounds, and I am down to about a 1/4 pound. I have started to worry......
 
For 9mm and .40, 231 is the cat's meow IMO. Love it.
It is very versatile. Maybe not quiet as versatile as Unique, but it's close.
I don't use 700X much but it would do the job as well.

Never used any Titegroup.

You have some good powders though. You could use the Unique for your .44 mag stuff and switch to 231 or 700X for the 9mm and .40 to make it go further.

By the way, if you see any Alliant 2400 on the shelf grab it. It's awesome for .44 mag loads.
 
I would suggest Titegroup for 9mm. I don't recommend Titegroup for new reloaders but it can produce accurate 9mm loads. I also don't recommend Titegroup for 40S&W, especially if you have other more suitable powders like W231/Unique. It meters well but burns hot.

I recommend W231/HP-38 (same powder) for 9mm/40S&W. It meters well and is a flexible powder that can produce accurate lower velocity, lighter recoil target loads.

Unique is good for higher velocity full-power 9/40 loads but doesn't meter as well as Titegroup/W231. It is bulky so good for detecting double charges unlike denser W231/Titegroup.

I haven't used 700x so I can't comment.
 
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If you use lead, 231 is among the best out there for 9mm. Unique is up there on my list as well. Either is still great if you use jacketed but w231 performs great at lower pressures than some of the alternatives making it a perfect companion for lead.

Unique is probably the most versatile and you will easily find load data for .40 and 44 as well. I have used it in mild 44 loads with good success. For power house loads, it isn't a great choice.

While I have never used 700x, there are a lot of reloaders that swear by it in 44 mag. There is a lot of load data out there for it as well.
 
700x makes a good 9mm powder. I use it for both 9mm Luger and 9mm Makarov. Hate the way it meters, but it shoots great. I also use HP-38 for those calibers, which is apparently the same as 231 (so I'm told).
 
Due to the shortage I tried 700X for 9mm and boy am I glad! I worked up a nice little load for 115 gr plated rounds. If you look at hogdon data their max load was lower than the load I ended up with, but my load was within the data listed in sierra's 5th. Be careful it pressures up quick, move in .1 grain increments. I'd try the700x for 9mm and save the unique.
 
Go ahead and use the unique and dont buy powders you dont need. Im happy to atleast have a pound of bullseye on the shelf, that'll last me a couple months of shooting...
 
I also use 700X for 9mm, although with cast bullets. Don't shoot a .40, but don't know why 700X and W231 wouldn't work well for it. Save the Unique for the .44 Mag.

Don
 
I like 700x in 9mm it shoots great and is pretty clean burning in my opinion. It's great in 45acp I use it more in those loads. In 9mm it does well with 115 gn plated rn, and 124 gn plated rn.
 
Sierra 5th edition data attached

Sierra 5th edition is the data I used for my 9mm 115gr load. My COL was 1.130 using Ranier and rmr plated pills. Start low and look for pressure signs, 700x gets up there quick!
 

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