Powder Selection Advice

[hambam105]

Two Points:

(A) American Rifleman Magazine used to publish individual load data the pistol competitors used. For .38 Special and for the
45acp the go to powder was Bullseye or W231. So until you can exhibit 1960s superior shooting skills...

(B) Current benchrest shooters use Unique. They are interested in accuracy only. So what does all this mean to you?

Unique meters poorly as compared other powders and that characteristic caused a big drop in Unique's popularity among
shooters who shoot fast, reload fast, and shoot a lot. After you figure out which of these camps you are in the choice is easy.

[divingin]

I have winchester wst in sales foru. It works for my .38 spl 9mm and 1 1/8 ounces 12 gauge loads. Clean. It is same powder as in AA shells. I have 4 pounds new in canisters. Cheap

I run WST in 32SWL, 38Spl and 45ACP. It's marketed as a shotshell powder.

That said, I'm heading back to Titegroup when I run out, as it's available now, as opposed to the last time I ran out.

[pennstater]

I'd stick to Unique or Red Dot. Both work well for OP's needs. Not sure of RD in .357 tho. That's where Unique comes in.


MLC

[rhodesengr]

Take a look at Accurate #5. It is widely available online at least. It has listed loads for 9mm, 38spl, and 357Magnum. It's been very good for lower speed target/plinking type loads. Check the load data for yourself but I have used 5gr with 158LRN in 38spl, 8gr 357Mag with 158gr LSWC, and I forget my 9mm load with 125gr JHP but that's what I am using. I only use different powders for Gee Whiz high speed 357loads where I have tried Enforcer, Longshot, and H110. H110 delivered the highest speed by far.

[beerman]

I'd stick to Unique or Red Dot. Both work well for OP's needs. Not sure of RD in .357 tho. That's where Unique comes in.


MLC

[ptmn]

I think your choice of using 231 is a good one. I've had good loads with it in all the calibers you listed except for two, 44-40 and 12gauge. I've never loaded either of those two before so I have no knowledge if 231 works well in them.

[4DSJW]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I have checked this thread every day and have been doing some searches based on the recommendations. I have several tool heads for my Dillon 550, and at least two powder measures, so I may (or may not) abandon the idea of "one powder to rule them all".

Currently, I'm keeping an eye on prices for W-231/HP-38, Clays or Clay Dot, Unique, and maybe 700X. I bought two pounds of American Select to get things going. I'll have to see how the American Select meters through the Dillon, and work up some loads for the .38sp. Thx Again!

[pennstater]

Ohh, that they do![2400 and Unique]. Haven't tried 231 yet for some damn reason.

MLC

[dave the boar]

Can't go wrong with tight group for most pistol calibers, and varget is also a good powder for multiple rifle calibers if you load rifle calibers

[4DSJW]

Can't go wrong with tight group for most pistol calibers, and varget is also a good powder for multiple rifle calibers if you load rifle calibers

I tried using Titegroup a number of years ago. I remember that I didn't like it for some reason, I just can't remember the reason. I have not loaded any rifle calibers, yet. I have a beautiful Shiloh Sharps in 40-65, but I plan on using a dedicated powder when I make those loads.

[Cowboy T]

I tried using Titegroup a number of years ago. I remember that I didn't like it for some reason, I just can't remember the reason. I have not loaded any rifle calibers, yet. I have a beautiful Shiloh Sharps in 40-65, but I plan on using a dedicated powder when I make those loads.

Titegroup is actually one of my "go-to" powders for non-magnum handgun loads, due to its availability and its versatility. However, I have run into a situation where Titegroup didn't get me too excited, and that was .45 Colt. The reason is that in the large .45 Colt case, pressures are low enough that the powder does get the cases a bit sooty.

But that was it. The actual performance of the powder was just fine, as it is designed to be position-insensitive in these larger cases. It meters well in my powder measures, too. The soot was easily dealt with by tumbling the cases. So, I just accept the soot when using .45 Colt and continue to enjoy the target shooting. Once you get the pressures to about mid-range .38 Special levels, then it cleans right up.

TG is also my primary powder for .45 ACP. It is a splendid performer in that cartridge. Same for .44 Special, though I do use a "+P" loading, as all my .44-cal firearms are .44 Magnum-rated. My .44 Spl load is probably like your .44-40 loads. TG is also my secondary powder for .38 Special, where it also performs very well.

Bullseye is also a fine powder for the cartridges that you've listed. It's my primary powder for .38 Special, with Titegroup as my backup. It is one of my two powders for .357 Magnum, where I use it in a .38 Spl +P+ loading that is so clean-burning that I don't even have to tumble the cases afterwards. It is my backup powder for .45 ACP as well.

Between these two powders, I've got pretty much all my non-magnum handgun loadings covered. But there are, of course, plenty of other very good choices.

[jwb28]

I tried BE86 when I couldn't find Unique. I like it, but there is nowhere near the load data for it compared to 231 or Unique.

[beerman]

Ohh, that they do![2400 and Unique]. Haven't tried 231 yet for some damn reason.

MLC

[ar15barrels]

Hi All, back in the olden days I did quite a bit of reloading for my S&W 686 (4.7gr Unique w/158gr LSWC in a .357 case), as well as other guns, mostly handguns. That was back when powder was readily available at reasonable prices, LOL. My go-to powder of choice was Unique, and it worked well enough for all the ammo I loaded. My only complaint was that there was a noticeable amount of un-burned powder in my low velocity target loads.

I'm going to get back into reloading as I'm shooting much more often now. I have to re-stock my supplies and buy powder (thank you for the condolences) and I would like to get recommendations on some good go-to powders for "everything". I will be sticking with low velocity loads for practice/plinking/steel challenge/IDPA/Cowboy Action. I might also get back into trap shooting (which may require a different powder?).

I have heard that W231 should work as well as Unique and might be cleaner burning, but I thought I would ask here because you folks know way more than I do about what is currently available. Bonus points if the powder is clean burning at the low end loads, generally available, and not at the top price point. I will be making low(ish) velocity loads for:

.38 Special
.357 Magnum
9mm
.45 ACP
44-40
12g (shotgun for Cowboy Action)

Thank You Muchly for Your Help!

I use Universal if I don't have 231 or HP-38 handy.
It's close to Unique.

[ar15barrels]

I may abandon the idea of "one powder to rule them all".

Good plan.