Best Handgun Reload Powder

[shenecke]

I am currently using Alliant Bullseye powder to reload 9mm, .38, .357 & .40 s&w. Seems to be very smokie for a smokeless powder. Any recommendations for something less smokie, cleaner?

[ARFrog]

VV N320 and N330 are very clean - both in the handgun and on the press - and should cover most of your needs.

I have been using the N330 in 9mm for a couple of years and really like it. In fact, the UPS person just left me a care package of some today

EDIT: it is a little more expensive, but I feel it is worth it.

[Ned Ryerson]

I read the thread title and was going to suggest Bullseye for a time-tested all-around pistol powder, but since you’ve already tried that, I’ll suggest Win 231/HP-38 as a second choice, and TiteGroup as a third. Unique gets an honorable mention.

[Inkman]

Used BE when i started for 9, 40 and 45. Switched full time to VV N320 as BE was too smoky for USPSA (we'd shoot thru barrels a lot back then), then switched again to Sport Pistol which was virtually identical to N320 for loads and cleanliness. Plus it was 1/2 the price of VV back when i switched.

Stayed with SP to this day although it's not quite as cheap as it used to be, but what is these days.

[hambam105]

Often times the smoke comes from the lube. Especially that hard crayon type lube wax. And, this same lube is often
mistaken as being lead and not just unburnt crud.

Try comparing a fmj bullet of same weight & design to a cast bullet with identical powder charge and assembly practices.
Video the event or have someone else do the shooting so you can see the comparison difference from another angle.

Smoke and flash is one thing outdoors in broad daylight. Indoors, with poor lighting and poor ventilation, it's a real
educational experience if you're paying attention.

[rhodesengr]

I don't know if its more or less smokey but I use mostly AA #5. I have used it in 357mag, 38 spl, 9mm and 45ACP. Its not really for hot loads like full power 357mag where I use H110 or hot 45ACP where I use Silhouette but it seems to be a very versatile "everyday" target load powder. Its very available. Maybe give it a try.

[Sailormilan2]

Originally Posted by rhodesengr

I don't know if its more or less smokey but I use mostly AA #5. I have used it in 357mag, 38 spl, 9mm and 45ACP. Its not really for hot loads like full power 357mag where I use H110 or hot 45ACP where I use Silhouette but it seems to be a very versatile "everyday" target load powder. Its very available. Maybe give it a try.

Agreed. Unique used to be my go to powder. But it's bulky, doesn't meter well, and a rather dirty powder. But, very useful in quite a few calibers. I now use AA#5. Similar in burn rate to Unique, but smaller grained so it meters better, and more constant. Seems cleaner.

[Elgatodeacero]

Power Pistol is a good choice for full power loads, but you will trade smoke for muzzle flash!

.357 really requires Win296, Alliant 2400, or something similar.

[slayer61]

If Bullseye worked well enough, but smokey, consider BE-86. I'm a fan & used it in 9mm, 10mm, 357 Sig etc

[edgerly779]

win wst good powder. Meters well for me.

[rsrocket1]

If you can find BE-86, it is a very good versatile powder for normal medium speed loads. I have gone through about 14 pounds of it since it came out but its been non-existent out here in TX since moving here in 2020. I settled on W231/HP-38 as my all around powder for handguns. It?s a ball powder so it flows like water and meters very well and it burns very clean.

I enjoyed Bullseye after buying a 4 pound jug in 2010 but it left my hands black when shooting my SS Ruger Service Six and after a couple hundred rounds that stainless gun looked like a blued gun although cleanup was no big deal.

[golfish]

Another vote for BE-86...

[Beelzy]

Unique. It meters ok with me and I like the sooty cases. Makes it easier to see which cases are mine when I'm policing my brass.

[JagerDog]

My understanding is BE-86 is Unique with a flash suppressant.

While not optimal for different cartridges, it will obtain very functional performance for a great many.

[Dirtlaw]

Originally Posted by Ned Ryerson

I read the thread title and was going to suggest Bullseye for a time-tested all-around pistol powder, but since you?ve already tried that, I?ll suggest Win 231/HP-38 as a second choice, and TiteGroup as a third. Unique gets an honorable mention.

Good choices from what I have seen.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by shenecke

I am currently using Alliant Bullseye powder to reload 9mm, .38, .357 & .40 s&w. Seems to be very smokie for a smokeless powder. Any recommendations for something less smokie, cleaner?

Look at Winchester 231 or Hodgdon HP-38.
They are the same powder.

Smoke can also be caused by cast bullets though, especially if you are using a basic wax lube.

[Spanky8601]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Look at Winchester 231 or Hodgdon HP-38.
They are the same powder.

Yep these are my go to pistol powders. I was told many years ago to make sure to have plenty of 231. You can try out other powders but....

[golfish]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

My understanding is BE-86 is Unique with a flash suppressant.

Same here, brother....

I've also found that BE-86 meters better through my RCBS Uniflow-III Powder Measure.

[pennstater]

BE-86 is a sleeper powder. It works well in .357 mag, .45 acp. Haven't tried it yet in .38 spl or .45 Colt, but, will. Mark and myself kinda stumbled into BE-86 a few years ago and, it works.

MLC

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by pennstater

BE-86 is a sleeper powder. It works well in .357 mag, .45 acp. Haven't tried it yet in .38 spl or .45 Colt, but, will. Mark and myself kinda stumbled into BE-86 a few years ago and, it works.

MLC

Like Unique, it won?t be as efficient (low charge weights) in the small stuff or achieve max velocity in the big stuff, but generally good performance in a large swath of cartridges.

45 ACP Ball = 123456. 1.23?, 45, 6 grains of Unique.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by golfish

Same here, brother....

I've also found that BE-86 meters better through my RCBS Uniflow-III Powder Measure.

Last I looked, it appeared Alliant converted a lot of their Unique pistol data to BE-86 and dropped the Unique data from their website.

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

Last I looked, it appeared Alliant converted a lot of their Unique pistol data to BE-86 and dropped the Unique data from their website.

Nope, still there.

MLC

[the86d]

Use what you can get right now, as you clearly still have primers, too.

I have been pretty happy with Universal for 9mm, .38 SPL, .357 MAG (non-full house loads), and the wife's (stupid-silly, AKA"cute" .25 ACP reloads (I make her reload these .25 ACP "her damned-self"). When I run out, I'll probably buy it again, as it seems like the most versatile pistol powder I've used, per Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, and Hogdon's Reloading data on their web page ( https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center ).

(For .357 Mag, full-house loads I've been using Lil'Gun, and almost have it up to Full-House PMC Bronze specs...)

When I started, Unique was my go to, but seems to have less load data for calibers I looked at...
However when loading on the heavier charges in 9mm, like toward NATO velocities,
I did notice there was powder floating through the air, and on stuff, and a LOT...

Even .45 Colt, and Shotshells, too, so I plan on buying 8 more pounds, god willing,
with this crap-show administration literally trying to control everything like it's Nazi Germany,
and his "AFT" is the new SS, and we are the new hebrews.

[JagerDog]

Originally Posted by pennstater

Nope, still there.

MLC

I didn't say they dropped all the Unique data. Just that there used to be more (pre- BE86).

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by JagerDog

I didn't say they dropped all the Unique data. Just that there used to be more (pre- BE86).

Ok then. Got it.


MLC

[wild_weasel]

Back in the good old day I did most of my handgun reloading with Bulls Eye, Unique, and 2400. What was unique about Unique is that I could use in in 12GA (trap loads), reduced loads in rifles using lead bullets (303 British w/ bullets meant for 32 S&W), and handgun (38 Special, 45 ACP, etc.)

[hundy]

Originally Posted by rsrocket1

If you can find BE-86, it is a very good versatile powder for normal medium speed loads. I have gone through about 14 pounds of it since it came out but its been non-existent out here in TX since moving here in 2020.

There was a lot of mention of BE-86, so I thought I might try that one also. I looked and right now as of this morning Brownells has BE-86 in stock in 8lbs. with "no haz mat fees". Just thought I would share that if you wanted to get some more.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/.../be-86-powder/

Good luck,

Jay

[Flouncer]

Dont be a cheap ahs and internet Wore and buy some manuals. Angry rant off.

[PoorRichRichard]

Clean you say?!?

700X and 800X!!!

j/k

[Revoman]

I just ran a test of 200 .38 specials, 100 with Bullseye and 100 with 231, both using the same bullets.
I shot 100 Bullseye one week and cleaned my revolver. Took about 30 minutes to get all of the soot off (Stainless Steel).
The following week I used the 231, it only took me 5 minutes to get the soot off.
Big difference.

[jwb28]

I like BE 86, but it seems more of a medium to full power powder in .38 special. Not sure how it would do for low end loads. 231 is great for that in 38. I used to shoot a lot of it with Speer 148gr HBWC and 3.4gr of 231.

[Che762x39]

Originally Posted by shenecke

I am currently using Alliant Bullseye powder to reload 9mm, .38, .357 & .40 s&w. Seems to be very smokie for a smokeless powder. Any recommendations for something less smokie, cleaner?

Late reply but nothing wrong with Bullseye. I have been using it for 40+ years. It is all about accuracy and you will clean your handguns after shooing.

W231 is comparable.