Whats Your Favorite Powder

[Justintoxicated]

I just started reloading this (week 45 acp) and I'm using longshot. Seems like it is a good powder for a newb like me, there's a big difference in grains between min and max loads, so if I end up a little off it probably won't be as noticable as with other powders.

Using CCI primers.

[fabguy]

9mm = HS6
.40 cal. = HS6 (starting this weekend)
.223 = H335

[Cowboy T]

For .45 Colt, it's Titegroup for its position-insensitivity and remarkable flexibility. If I had to choose just one powder for all my handgun applications, this would probably be it. It soots up the cases a little, but it does a good job downrange.

For .38 Special, it's Bullseye, hands down. It just works so well here. Same for my light .357 Magnum load (feels about like .38 Spl +P or +P+).

For Magnum-style handgun loads, my choice is 2400. Granted that for full-power loads, H110/W296 are very good. But I don't typically run full-house loads, and 2400's considerably friendlier to being downloaded. I use this powder in my .38 Spl HV, .357 Magnum, and .45 Colt "Magnum" loads.

[Cowboy T]

Being a n00b reloader and so far only reloading about 100 45ACP and 300 9mm rounds the only powder I have used is Bullseye, and I have nothing else to compare it with.

What's everyones take on Bullseye? Does anyone recommend other types of powder for handgun reloads?

Bullseye's a fine powder for non-Magnum handgun loads. It's the traditional choice for .38 Special, and for very good reason: it works very well there. It's also a traditional choice for .45 ACP.

Titegroup, HP38/W231, Unique, HS-6, Red Dot, Clays, and several others are also fine choices. Basically, try a lb each of several, work up loads with each, and see which one your gun likes best. Gotta love competition. :-)

[Bill Steele]

Fly swatter versus sledge hammer...

For those that said that trail boss, you guys really do like it? its SO CHEAP compared to H110 it seems like I almost have to give it a try based on that alone.

Pretty different powders.

On the price thing, I have not seen it any cheaper to buy than H110.

[EmmaGoldman]

For those that said that trail boss, you guys really do like it? its SO CHEAP compared to H110 it seems like I almost have to give it a try based on that alone.

No it isn't. That cheap price you see is for a 9oz bottle rather than a pound bottle. Not cheap, fluffy.

[Whiterabbit]

Reeds has a 1 lb bottle for 14.99 (or 16.99?). H110 is just shy of double that. More specifically, they have a lack of bottles smaller than 1 lb on their entire rack.

fluffy.

If it's for a 9 oz bottle, they ran out of stock and forgot to put the right sticker on the shelf. Either way, sounds like it's time to buy some regardless.

[toyotaguy]

My new favorite is 19.5grains of Ramshot Enforcer under a 240g Bear Creek LSWC in 44 magnum. Zero leading, i love it, and im loading them for under $.20 a round!

[EmmaGoldman]

If it's for a 9 oz bottle, they ran out of stock and forgot to put the right sticker on the shelf. Either way, sounds like it's time to buy some regardless.

Read the label. That can the size of all the other one pound cans only holds nine ounces of Trail Boss. Fluffy, big, low density, takes up space with less weight.

[Whiterabbit]

disappointing Thank you for the clarification.

[bohoki]

ive got it down to 3

bullseye for 9mm, 45acp ,45 colt
2400 357mag,44mag,30carbine
tac .223rem .308win

i hate saying never

but i will never reload shotshells

[chim-chim7]

For me its Bullseye and green dot. I also on occasion use WST for. 45acp and Blue Dot for 9mm. Just personal preference. I usually by powder in 8 lbs jugs so its a better cost savings.

[Marlin Hunter]

Trail Boss is the do everything powder. You can load pistol or rifle cartridges with it. It isn't powerful enough to cycle a semi-auto rifle, but the bullet does go down range.

[Craigwood]

I see a lot of unanimous users of tightgroup. I have yet to try it. Time to update my shopping list.

[Fishslayer]

I have been sticking with Hogdon tightgroup for pistols 40 and 9mm. When I first started somebody sold me on Alliant blue dot, and it shot terrible and used almost twice the amount of grains that the Tightgroup does per shell.

Blue Dot is a pretty slow powder better suited for Magnum loads with heavy bullets. It's also known to be a bit twitchy approaching max loads.

I've seen data for Blue Dot in calibers I wouldn't expect, but I dunno. Maybe .40 or 9mm with heavy bullets. Slow powder will accelerate the heavy bullets while keeping pressure down.