Shotgun & Handgun Reloaders: Input Wanted

[kcofohio]

My questions is mainly for those who reload for shotgun and handgun.
I have 8 pounds of Hodgdon's International powder unopened on hand. I had listed it on the Buy/Sell/Trade section as a trade for pistol powder. I listed that it has a lot # dating it to 2006 production.
I would like to know if International is a desirable powder for shotgunners? And if it is reasonable to ask for a trade of 4-5 lbs. of unopened pistol powder? The powders I desire are Silhouette/WAP, HP-38/W231, and Autocomp. It has been properly stored.

I read where others use it for handgun loads, though Hodgdon recommends against it. If I crack the seal, that is about 12,000 reloads, give or take. I'd rather trade it for powders that I know will work.

I'm thinking of posting it at the gun club I belong to, but I wanted input from here first. Thanks!

 

[gamestalker]

There are indeed plenty of recipe's with International for SG loading.

GS

 

[oneounceload]

Depends on the gauge and the loading

 

[rsrocket1]

Wow, if you were closer I'd trade you right now for that offer. International "Clays" It is a very good pistol powder with burn characteristics very close to W231. The only issue is that it is not specifically manufactured to meter well for a pistol powder. ADI in Australia makes it and calls it AS50N. Their pistol version is called AP50N but is not sold in the US. In 20 grain charges for shotgun +/- 1/2 grain doesn't make too much of a difference, but the difference can have more of an effect with smaller charges, especially if bridging occurs.

If you can get it to meter properly in your powder measure, you will have 12k loads sitting right there with no 2:1 trade down.

For example, I know there are some loaders (blue?/green?) who cannot get Unique to meter properly for them, but it flows beautifully for me in 5.0g charges in my LnL AP and Lee PPM.

If you are lucky, it may work well for you. Maybe you can wheel & deal to get a pound of International from someone. If it works out, great. If it doesn't meter properly for you, you can trade it. For pistol loads, it is a great performer.

 

[kcofohio]

rs, it would have to work for lead, plated, and jacketed. And a wide range of calibers. I could be tempted with opening a 1 pounder. But I would really need a chronograph before attempting to trust a certain unpublished load.
But my hopes are in trading it if at all possible.
In the end, if I find no takers, I'll have a back-up that I can tinker with once I get a chrony.

Hodgdon says it works with a wide range of 12 ga. and a few select of 20 ga.

 

[rsrocket1]

If it is somewhere around Red Dot/Bullseye/W231 burn characteristics, it should be very adequate for 9/38/40/45 although not a top velocity powder like Power Pistol. The reason I recommend getting a pound of it is to see if it meters decently in your equipment.