Powder advice

[dirt5track]

I am brand new to reloading and am looking for a universal powder to start with. I will be loading .223 45 acp 10mm and 38 super. I know there is not a powder that will work for everything, I am just wanting something that will work for more than one caliber so I can keep costs down to start out with while I build up my skills.
I have 2 loading handbooks and will follow the recommendations listed for load data. I appreciate any advice you have.
thanks

[rsrocket1]

Unique for 45, 10, 38 super. Not the best, but will work fine and you'll easily spot a double charge. 223 is a different animal. If you are shooting a bolt action, then a low velocity charge of Unique will work but isn't very exciting unless you overcharge (kaboom). For .223 there are a ton of powders that work. You would more likely be limited by the powders that you can find. I've used H335, Varget, RL7 through RL12 (Reloader 10X is ideal), H4895, IMR3031. I like H335 because a 25g load is perfect for 55g fmjbt's and fills the case so that there is just enough space to feel the powder shake up and down.

[tanks]

For Pistol calibers Titegroup is another one and probably better than Unique in performance (see http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol for load data) . For .223 any of those listed that you could find would work.

[davek8s]

I use Win231 for my pistol rounds 9, 38, and 45 acp.

I use CFE223 for loading 223 for my AR and Remington 700.

There are plenty of choices out there but these 2 work for me

[SMarquez]

BLC-2, CFE223, H335 work well because they meter really well through most powder tricklers. Stick powders like Varget, IMR4895 are a little trickier because they hang up a little. For the small case capacities of .223 I prefer the ball type powders for very low variance in case load.

[stilly]

I am brand new to reloading and am looking for a universal powder to start with. I will be loading .223 45 acp 10mm and 38 super. I know there is not a powder that will work for everything, I am just wanting something that will work for more than one caliber so I can keep costs down to start out with while I build up my skills.
I have 2 loading handbooks and will follow the recommendations listed for load data. I appreciate any advice you have.
thanks

If that was my loading, I would do the following:

1. .45 ACP: CFE Pistol or HP-38/Win231
2. 10mm: Longshot (which can be used in 38 super as well)
3. .38 Super: HP-38/Win231 or CFE Pistol
4. .223: Win748 or BLC2, or CFE-223.

I like that CFE stuff for pistol. It gives an extra pop when I used it in .38 and 9mm.

HP-38 and others will do just about all pistol calibers. You can also load up your 10mm like a .40 if you use HP-38 instead of Longshot, but why do that to a 10mm? Longshot is the bestest for 10mm...

[milotrain]

bullseye works too, takes a bit more work and you need to be careful but the charges are so small that an 8lb can will need to be part of your will.
W231 and Tightgroup are other good options.

[dirt5track]

thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it.

[Pardini]

Titegroup. A little goes a long way and its cheap.

[rsrocket1]

Being new to reloading, just be careful of the powder density. A double charge can ruin your day.

Here's a double charge of Titegroup in a 40 S&W case next to a double charge of Unique. Can you easily spot a double charge?

[gixxnrocket]

Winchester 231 or Hogdon HP-38 (same powder) for pistol. It meters well to start out and is flexible across most common pistol calibers. Also there is plenty of load data available.

For .223 I'd recommend H335 or BLC2. Rifle powders can be less utilitarian but there is plenty of load data for these powders.

Varget is a very flexible powder across rifle calibers but can be finicky with some powder throws. (only reason I wouldn't recommend to start with it)

This is all assuming these powders can be found locally or you don't mind mail ordering.

[dirt5track]

As the saying goes, a picture is worth 1000 words. A double charge is my worst fear. thanks for the photo.

[noylj]

For a new reloader, avoid TiteGroup and Clays.
Start with somewhat slower powders.
Buy a couple of manuals and look at what powders they used for each cartridge. Will give you some idea of what powder in "universal."
For almost any handgun, Unique will do fine. May not be best, but it will do pretty good. Today, I would consider Power Pistol to be an improved Unique and would buy that if I could find it.
Of course, you should take note of what happened 8 years ago and buy what you can FIND. If you can find a great powder for each cartridge, buy it.
There might not be any powder on the shelves come Dec.

[hntnnut]

My go to pistol powders are unique, accurate #5, hp-38 and win 231. For.223 I use imr 3031, varget BLC, H335, H4895, and reloader 15 (for heavier bullets)


Richard

[huckberry668]

For a new reloader, avoid TiteGroup and Clays.
.

why?