What Powder?

[DWARREN123]

What powder would be a good start for reloading the following cartridges?
EDITED: I would like one powder if possible.

380 ACP
32 H&R Magnum
38 SPL (also +P / +P+)
357 Magnum

I have not started yet but I am researching tools, manuals, primers and bullets/powders. I will probably start buying stuff in 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[JR719]

For .38 and .357 I use Accurate No.5. I have not loaded the others, but for .40 and 9mm I use Accurate No. 2.

 

[bouis]

.380 and .357 mag are so different... I don't think that there's one powder that performs well in both. You can probably get acceptable results with Unique, though.

Personally, I use different powders for different loads in the same caliber. I wouldn't even try to just use one powder.

 

[wixedmords]

What bouis said about the .380 and .357 is so true. Outside of that, you are better off shooting a faster powder in .357 than a slower powder in .380.

No situation will be perfect with one powder in your selected calibers, but if it were me, I would likely try (from slowest) 231, Unique, Power Pistol.

There are so many other factors to consider, bullet weight, primers, bullet type, and so on. It is also likely that you aren't going to achieve max performance with one powder in .357 and .380 at the same time, but you should be able to work something up that will keep you shooting all calibers.

Good luck.

 

[BluesBear]

The powder you're looking for is IMR Trail Boss.








Seriously, what is good with an 85gr bullet in a .380 will not give you top performance with a 160gr bullet in a .357.

However, if all you want is plinking/practice ammo, and are looking to buy just one large keg for economy, then I'd suggest either Alliant Unique or Hodgdon Universal. You will be able to load good quality, safe ammo in all of your listed calibers. But if you want top performance then you're going to have to get more than one powder.

 

[Matt Dillon]

I use Unique for .380 ACP as well as .357 magnum. The only thing that I don't like about Unique is that it doesn't meter as well as ball powders, but I don't use a progressive loader, and I have the luxury of being able to look at the depth of powder in my cases before I load the bullets into them, so that I can weigh the powder from any cases that don't look right.

 

[Chief 101]

Actually Unique is real efficient in all the above mentioned cartridges. Meetering smeetering who cares as long as it shoots well and is safe. Just an opinion from an old guy concerning an old powder. There's a lot of choices out there and I don't use a lot of Unique these days because my smallest handgun load is full power .357 loads with 2400. Chief

 

[sgtfri714]

If I could have only one powder for reloading handgun cartridges, it would have to be UNIQUE. Most reloading manuals have data for it in; 380 ACP, 32 H&R Magnum, 38 SPL (also +P / +P+), and 357 Magnum. However, since I do not have to stick with Unique I also use Bullseye and 2400. While there may be better powders for a given cartridge and load, Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 will cover all the bases well. Unique is also my powder of choice for normal pressure big bore loads in 45ACP, 44 Special, and 45 Colt using lead bullets. The new formulation of Unique is in my opinion cleaner burning and safe with the older published reloading data.

 

[DWARREN123]

Thanks for all the replies. I am checking on getting into reloading basically for my 32 H&R mag but if I am going to do it I reason I should try for all my centerfire handguns.
I am still trying to decide on reloading kits (Lee, RCBS, etc) primers and so forth.
If like most things I get into it will explode (pun intended) into a full bore hobby.
Thanks again to everyone who replied.

 

[BluesBear]

My 30 year old RCBS powder measure has never had a problem throwing extremely consistent charges of Unique.

I agree that if could only have one handgun powder it would be Unique.

 

[CLB]

Which powder still

I wouldn't mind buying two powders. I'm going to be reloading .45Colt, .380, and .32 S&W long. My Colt is not a Ruger so "cowboy" loads are needed. It does shoot regular factory ammo as it's a modern pistol just not made for hot loading. Would Unique fill all three needs but what would be optimum? I want accuracy first and velocity second. I'm confused as to even what bullet weight to chose but I feel I want to use cast bullets. Are gas checks necessary for any of these guns?

 

[joneb]

The barrel lenghts should be factord in , Unique is a very versitile powder but I use more of W-231.
Why must there be only one ?
IMR Tail Boss is not recomended for jacketed bullets.

 

[BluesBear]

CLB and anyone else reading this who is new to reloading,

It's okay to hop onto the internet and ask questions. You've come to one of the best places ever ude to the number of knowledgable, helpful, friendly people we have here on THR.
There is a wealth of imformation to be mined here.
BUT, just like anywhere in the world, you need to be able to extract the information and facts from the misinformation and myths.
Like I said, it's great to ask questions, but YOU need to do some of the work yourself. There ain't no free lunch.

I seriously suggest, no I implore you, to get a copy of The ABC's of Reloading and the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook. Read them, then read them again.
Get the fundamentals inside your own head.
Go to the powder websites just about all of them either will mail you a free loading guide of have one available for download.
Get yourself a collection of loading manuals. Compare them. See what works. The powder and bullet companies have spend hundreds of thousands of dollars chronographing and pressure testing loads. Draw from their experience. We did.

If you could peel into the home of any serious reloader here I'll wager you'll find a small library of books, manuals and old reloading articles acquired, beeged, borrowed, copied and saved from back in the day.
How do you think we got so smart before the internet came along?

By doing research you'll not only get all of the data first hand but you'll discover the joy of putting all of the data together so you can then go one step beyond. Who knows maybe you'll write the next great loading book?

Finding just the right powder/primer/bullet combination for your own purpose is probably the greatest satisfaction you can get from handloading.

 

[BluesBear]

Answers for CLB

I'm going to be reloading .45Colt, .380, and .32 S&W long.

Start with one. Learn the reloading basics. THEN branch out to other calibers. I reloaded .38/.357 for over a year before I started loading .45acp.
Don't confuse yourself or spead yourself too thin.
My suggestion is to start with the .45 Colt. There are more bullet weights available for it. Everything from 160gr up to twice that.
The "standard" .45 Colt load is a 250/255gr leasd bullet. Start with that.
Start with ONE particular bullet. Experiment with that one. (You'll really need 2 or 3 powders to really see what's best for you.) Then try the same weight in a different brand or style.
Then explore the 225/230gr bullets.
Then try the 200s.
Then try a 260 or 275.

Then move on to your .32.
And then your. 380. (With the .380 you'll have to chase brass.)

My Colt is not a Ruger so "cowboy" loads are needed

neeeent!
"Cowboy" loads are weak underpowered loads for role playing games, light target loads that actually don't have to be very accurate. Cowboy targets are rather large and close.
Your Colt is fully capable of firung REAL .45 Colt loads. Anything that isn't marked Ruger or Contender loads will be just fine. A modern Colt has a lot more strength than most people realize.

Would Unique fill all three needs...

Yes

but what would be optimum?

No

I want accuracy first and velocity second.

Unique can be a very accurate powder but no one single powder is the most accurate in every caliber with every bullet. If there was such a powder there wouldn't be much of a need for any of the rest.

I'm confused as to even what bullet weight to chose but I feel I want to use cast bullets.

You need to determine what you WANT to shoot so you can determine what you NEED to load. The two books I mentioned in my previous post will help you greatly.

Are gas checks necessary for any of these guns?

Unless you are shooting lead bullets at very high velocities then you probably won't need gas checks. You can only use gas checks on bullets that are designed for them. And bullets so designed don't work as well without them.
If you are buying bullets from a commercial manyfacturer they will come with them if they are designed for them.

 

[LAH]

BluesBear is right on. Do some reading and start with one cartridge. I would also suggest the 45 Colt. The case is large, the bullets are large, the primers are large so it just make handling things easier.

For powder it's very hard to beat Unique. Some say it's dirty, especially with lead bullets. So be it. Just wipe the sixshooter down and throw it in the drawer. When it gets so dirty you can't stand it, tear it apart, soak the barrel and cylinder in solvent for a week or so. Wipe them out and scrub the rest with hot soapy water and your good for another 6 months.

Another powder ranked near the top by one of the masters (Skeeter Skelton) is 231. He used 7.1 grs. with a 250/255 gr. swag lead bullet. According to the article, he was impressed.

But first of all................READ

 

[halvey]

Bullseye should work in all those.

 

[BluesBear]

My Daddy taught me to be cautious of any advice that contained the word should.

What a beginner beginner needs is advice on what WILL work.


There is too much danger of a double charge for me to advise Bullesye in a .45 Colt for a beginning reloader.


That is the very reason I half jokingly mentioned Trail-Boss in an earlier post.
You just cannot put enough of it into a standard pistol case to create a hand grenade.

 

[joneb]

IMR Trail Boss warning !

certain powder measures will through 1/4 to 2/3 charge TB is prone to bridgeing with micro pistol meters.

 

[CLB]

Thanks!

I've been away from here for awhile. Long story, but I didn't blow myself up LOL. Just wanted to say thanks to all who advised and commented on my (old now) questions concerning load,cal and bullets. I'm still using factory ammo but saving all the brass. Work demands have me sidetracked but not derailed. I'll be reloading this spring and probably bugging you guys some more. BTW, I do own the aformentioned books. ABC's of Reloading and I got the Lee book in a package deal when I ordered my reloading press. I do know to rely on these as primo factorial but you all certainly confirm and clarify. Many thanks again.