soloban
Member
Seconding what folks said about 700x. Meters like cornflakes but burns clean. Will be looking for a good spherical powder to replace it in the 38 sp.
Worst powder you have used
- Thread starter LiveLife
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USSR
Member
Couldn't get any velocity out of heavy bullet loads with H4831. RL22 drives them so much faster.
Don
Don
45-70 Ranger
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RX7 failed badly
Use to load RX7 a bunch in the Hercules days. The Alliant RX7 is a moisture trap in your bore! Loaded 45-70 with the Alliant powder. Fired one shot. Bore was rusted in less than 5 hours! And no, I wasn't in the rain or anything like that. And it did it more than once! Loading IMR powders again and leaving the Alliant powders alone!
Use to load RX7 a bunch in the Hercules days. The Alliant RX7 is a moisture trap in your bore! Loaded 45-70 with the Alliant powder. Fired one shot. Bore was rusted in less than 5 hours! And no, I wasn't in the rain or anything like that. And it did it more than once! Loading IMR powders again and leaving the Alliant powders alone!
2ndtimer
Member
I got some for free, and it was the worst powder I have ever tried to load in handgun cases. I wound up lighting it with a match for the amusement of my children on the 4th of July. It was okay for that....
bluetopper
Member
Titegroup..........it has been known to blow up a few 500 S&W Magnum revolvers with the published listed max loading.
FROGO207
Member
That 700-X.
Got 2 big square cans of it still. I solved metering problems by using custom dippers made from used pistol brass filed to the correct depth make a great measure. Never wrong weight and clean burning also. Win Win
Got 2 big square cans of it still. I solved metering problems by using custom dippers made from used pistol brass filed to the correct depth make a great measure. Never wrong weight and clean burning also. Win WinFor me, PowerPistol scorched a lot and made a huge fireball. Fun if your .44 mag makes a big bright blast, but when your 9mm does it, it looks like you're compensating for something. No, I didn't use it in my .44.
On the other side, Win296 is excellent and STABLE. I got back into reloading and used 20+ year old 296 (kept in poor conditions at times) and it behaved the same as the day I bought it. It's not the cheapest around, but I trust it.
On the other side, Win296 is excellent and STABLE. I got back into reloading and used 20+ year old 296 (kept in poor conditions at times) and it behaved the same as the day I bought it. It's not the cheapest around, but I trust it.
center shot
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- Feb 15, 2008
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I use Accurate #2 flows like water.
OP
OP
LiveLife
Member
W231/HP38 is more moderate pistol burn rate powder compared to Bullseye/Titegroup vs Unique/WSF and will produce less snappy recoil than faster burning powders. I consider it a compromise between the two extremes of pistol powders.
Of course, slower burning powders will produce less snappy recoil than W231/HP38, it's all relative.
Based on my experience, most premium factory JHP rounds' snappy recoil are comparable to near-max charges of W231/HP38 and even more snappy recoil of faster burning powders.
Look for the muzzle flash of factory JHP. If you don't see a big flame at the muzzle, it's loaded with fast burning powder.
Rokman
Member
Another RL 22 fan here. I have tried lots of rifle powders and have been happy with H, IMR, Alliant, Ramshot and AA so far.
lightman
Member
I have never gotten good accuracy from IMR 4320 or H 414.Kinda odd,as lots of shooters love them both. Lightman
I do not like Blue Dot. I have tried the powder in 9mm, 38 Spl, 357, 44 Spl, 44 Magnum, 45 ACP and 45 LC.
The only application that worked well was with Jacketed bullets in the 357. Even then, I got leading with cast bullets in the 357 at velocities with the same bullets that 2400 and AA#9 did not create leading. Blue Dot burns poorly at anything but Magnum pressures. I had teaspoons of unburnt powder rolling around in my fired case box. In non magnum loads, my chronograph data shows huge extreme spreads, around 200 fps, showing that the powder is just not burning completely.
I did shoot it in 45 ACP. Even when the velocity average was 800 fps in a M1911, it gave a very hard recoil. Which to me indicates a high residual breech pressure. Maybe if you are going to shooting something like a Thompson, or some submachine gun that has a huge blowback breech block, it might work well. But I don’t want to peen the frames of my pistols.
I think it is an awful powder and don’t wish it on any one.
The only application that worked well was with Jacketed bullets in the 357. Even then, I got leading with cast bullets in the 357 at velocities with the same bullets that 2400 and AA#9 did not create leading. Blue Dot burns poorly at anything but Magnum pressures. I had teaspoons of unburnt powder rolling around in my fired case box. In non magnum loads, my chronograph data shows huge extreme spreads, around 200 fps, showing that the powder is just not burning completely.
I did shoot it in 45 ACP. Even when the velocity average was 800 fps in a M1911, it gave a very hard recoil. Which to me indicates a high residual breech pressure. Maybe if you are going to shooting something like a Thompson, or some submachine gun that has a huge blowback breech block, it might work well. But I don’t want to peen the frames of my pistols.
I think it is an awful powder and don’t wish it on any one.
In defense of Titegroup:
It can be seen in the case when reloading if you position a light to shine down into the case--which is a good practice for all reloading sessions.
It does leave residue on the gun, but Flitz on a rag will easily/quickly remove the color.
It has served me well in reloading with lead and jackets: .32-20, .32H&Rmag, .380, .38spl, .357mag, 9mm, .38-40, 10mm, 44mag, 45ACP. Handguns and a couple rifles.
It can be seen in the case when reloading if you position a light to shine down into the case--which is a good practice for all reloading sessions.
It does leave residue on the gun, but Flitz on a rag will easily/quickly remove the color.
It has served me well in reloading with lead and jackets: .32-20, .32H&Rmag, .380, .38spl, .357mag, 9mm, .38-40, 10mm, 44mag, 45ACP. Handguns and a couple rifles.
A Historian
Member
I think the thread containing my complaints about BL-C(2) is still up. For my two rifles, it was just inferior across the board: big muzzle flash, slower speeds, higher pressure, dirtier, and I had to use a lot more of it per cartridge. Most importantly, accuracy, while not necessarily worse, certainly wasn't better either.
Since I weigh my charges by hand, the fact that it poured well didn't really matter.
Since I weigh my charges by hand, the fact that it poured well didn't really matter.
Other than talcum or baking, I guess my best and worst powder would be Win 231/HP-38. It's all I've ever used and it has never given me a reason to look elsewhere for results satisfactory to me.
We all have our unqiue reloading needs and desires. For example, I have absolutely no interest in experimenting - none, my present reloads kill my paper zombies with ease and cycle thru my pistols, pure function... I am a happy camper.
Others truly enjoy the quest for that elusive single hole 5 string shot group, so their needs are different. Some reloaders simply enjoy tinkering to seek out their 'best' load.
Lots of ways to participate in this enjoyable passtime at all budget and interest levels. It's all good.
We all have our unqiue reloading needs and desires. For example, I have absolutely no interest in experimenting - none, my present reloads kill my paper zombies with ease and cycle thru my pistols, pure function... I am a happy camper.
Others truly enjoy the quest for that elusive single hole 5 string shot group, so their needs are different. Some reloaders simply enjoy tinkering to seek out their 'best' load.
Lots of ways to participate in this enjoyable passtime at all budget and interest levels. It's all good.
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I feel like the warden in The Shawshank Redemption...
... 'cuz I think I'm just being obtuse. And maybe this is the leadup to a new thread. The complaints about smoky powders have me a little confused. Do y'all raise that objection because you primarily shoot indoors? I've been shooting for 40+ years, reloading for well over 30, and smoke to me just means there's a little more crud to clean off the gun, which I was going to do anyway. BUT, I can count on my hands the number of times in my life I've shot at an indoor range and have enough fingers left over to grip a gun.
It took me a while, but I found two uses for Blue Dot in magnum charges for the .357 and .44. They shoot similarly to my default Unique and 2400 loads, so when the cannisters of BD are empty, I probably won't replace them. Similar story for W-540/HS-6. Sat on the shelf until I stumbled on a .38/.357 load that my buddy's 586 likes. Couldn't make it work for me. I will probably never see the bottom of the H-110 can. I have simply given up on it and lots of people swore to me that I would love it for .44 mag. W-760 has never sung to me or lived up to its reputation, so I'm stuck hand weighing for 2 guns that insist on IMR-4350; my 22-250 and .30-'06.
Some of these powders I have simply because a friend of mine got out of reloading several years ago and gave me all his stuff. He experimented with EVERYthing and I mostly kept the things I used regularly or could see some future potential for and sold off the rest. I reload 14 or 15 calibers and honestly, if the fit hit the shan, I could compromise down to... 5 powders: Unique, 2400, W231/HP-38, W-748, IMR-4350. Well, I could give up 2400 and make room for IMR-4198 for the 45-70. Okay, maybe 6 powders. Oops, need some FFFg for the Navy Colt. Work up a 748 load for those two rifles and I could off the 4350. Crap, okay, 7 powders. But that's all I need.
Those 7 powders and this thermos. And this chair. And this lamp... but that's all I need.
... 'cuz I think I'm just being obtuse. And maybe this is the leadup to a new thread. The complaints about smoky powders have me a little confused. Do y'all raise that objection because you primarily shoot indoors? I've been shooting for 40+ years, reloading for well over 30, and smoke to me just means there's a little more crud to clean off the gun, which I was going to do anyway. BUT, I can count on my hands the number of times in my life I've shot at an indoor range and have enough fingers left over to grip a gun.
It took me a while, but I found two uses for Blue Dot in magnum charges for the .357 and .44. They shoot similarly to my default Unique and 2400 loads, so when the cannisters of BD are empty, I probably won't replace them. Similar story for W-540/HS-6. Sat on the shelf until I stumbled on a .38/.357 load that my buddy's 586 likes. Couldn't make it work for me. I will probably never see the bottom of the H-110 can. I have simply given up on it and lots of people swore to me that I would love it for .44 mag. W-760 has never sung to me or lived up to its reputation, so I'm stuck hand weighing for 2 guns that insist on IMR-4350; my 22-250 and .30-'06.
Some of these powders I have simply because a friend of mine got out of reloading several years ago and gave me all his stuff. He experimented with EVERYthing and I mostly kept the things I used regularly or could see some future potential for and sold off the rest. I reload 14 or 15 calibers and honestly, if the fit hit the shan, I could compromise down to... 5 powders: Unique, 2400, W231/HP-38, W-748, IMR-4350. Well, I could give up 2400 and make room for IMR-4198 for the 45-70. Okay, maybe 6 powders. Oops, need some FFFg for the Navy Colt. Work up a 748 load for those two rifles and I could off the 4350. Crap, okay, 7 powders. But that's all I need.
Those 7 powders and this thermos. And this chair. And this lamp... but that's all I need.
Funshooter45
Member
I have tried Lil Gun in all my heavier handgun loads including .357, .44 mag, .454 Casull, and 480 Ruger. It just down't seem to do as well as the other magnum powders like 296, #9, Enforcer. I might not ever finish the can of that stuff.
For rifles, the most frustrating powder I have tried is IMR 7828. It shoots just fine, but it bridges the drop tube of my Lyman 55 measure every single throw. Lots of rifle powders do that, but usually one good solid rap unclogs the tube and the powder drops down OK. With 7828 though I have to slam down the lever on the measure, get a little bit of powder fall into the pan, whack the measure again, get a little more to fall out, whack it again, and again, etc. It might take 5 hard whacks to get all the powder to fall out of the drop tube. H-1000 and Retumbo can also be a bit difficult to get to fall, but not nearly as bad as the 7828 is. I know they make a 7828 SC now but I haven't tried it yet. One of these days I'll get the Chargemaster dispenser to go along with my Chargemaster scale and hopefully those problems will go away.
For rifles, the most frustrating powder I have tried is IMR 7828. It shoots just fine, but it bridges the drop tube of my Lyman 55 measure every single throw. Lots of rifle powders do that, but usually one good solid rap unclogs the tube and the powder drops down OK. With 7828 though I have to slam down the lever on the measure, get a little bit of powder fall into the pan, whack the measure again, get a little more to fall out, whack it again, and again, etc. It might take 5 hard whacks to get all the powder to fall out of the drop tube. H-1000 and Retumbo can also be a bit difficult to get to fall, but not nearly as bad as the 7828 is. I know they make a 7828 SC now but I haven't tried it yet. One of these days I'll get the Chargemaster dispenser to go along with my Chargemaster scale and hopefully those problems will go away.
Interesting thread and lots of opinions both ways on several powders.
I can't say I have tried a powder that i thought was the worst ever. I have discovered some powder applications that did not work well for me. IMR 3031, Hercules 2400 (I have never used Alliant 2400), IMR 4227 and Hodgdon Lil Gun have not set my life on fire.
I seem to be in the minority as I like Unique, Blue Dot and 700-X.
700-X is my main 45 ACP powder. Unique is used everywhere including 20 gauge and 28 gauge shot shell loads. Blue Dot gets used primarily in 38 Super and 357 Magnum.
I do not have any problem with getting these "corn flake" powders to meter well in any of my drum style powder measures.
In the last 4 or 5 years, i have been working to find alternate powders for when my primary powder is unavailable. Accurate #5 and #7 and True Blue have been the primary alternates.
W296 sees lots of use in .410 shot shell, 30 Carbine and full power 357 Magnum.
I used to prefer to keep my powder inventory at a minimum but as my number of different cartridges has grown, I tend to have specific powders primarily for each cartridge.
I can't say I have tried a powder that i thought was the worst ever. I have discovered some powder applications that did not work well for me. IMR 3031, Hercules 2400 (I have never used Alliant 2400), IMR 4227 and Hodgdon Lil Gun have not set my life on fire.
I seem to be in the minority as I like Unique, Blue Dot and 700-X.
700-X is my main 45 ACP powder. Unique is used everywhere including 20 gauge and 28 gauge shot shell loads. Blue Dot gets used primarily in 38 Super and 357 Magnum.
I do not have any problem with getting these "corn flake" powders to meter well in any of my drum style powder measures.
In the last 4 or 5 years, i have been working to find alternate powders for when my primary powder is unavailable. Accurate #5 and #7 and True Blue have been the primary alternates.
W296 sees lots of use in .410 shot shell, 30 Carbine and full power 357 Magnum.
I used to prefer to keep my powder inventory at a minimum but as my number of different cartridges has grown, I tend to have specific powders primarily for each cartridge.
FROGO207
Member
As far as the worst powder to use I have the answer. All the modern powders are really good to use for the greatest extent but have you tried to use Cordite? I was playing with some that I pulled down from some BRIT 303 ammo and IIRC they would fill the round with those long spaghetti sticks before forming the neck to be able to get the full charge all inside. I am really glad that we don't have to deal with that sort of thing today when we reload. And don't forget that this was really corrosive stuff.
And don't forget that this was really corrosive stuff.BADUNAME37
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- Aug 10, 2008
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No powder was ever worst that I used, they all seem to function normally for me, I have no problem metering any and all powders I use and even black powder is fine, it does its job and it just means I need to clean the gun right away after using it.
71Commander
Member
Winchester Action Pistol/Ramshot Silhouette.
After 100 rounds, I had enough unburnt powder to load another round.
After 100 rounds, I had enough unburnt powder to load another round.
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