recommend a powder, please

[Whiterabbit]

Hi guys,

For simplicity I like to minimize the number of powders I use. One powder, one purpose. Makes things simple, I don't want a shelf with 9 1-gal containers. Not if I can have a shelf with 3 8-gal containers

Anyways, I need a pistol powder recommendation. I use trailboss and H110 for when I want .22-like performance and, uh, H110-like performance. But I want a plinking powder for in between. When I don't want to (or can't) use H110, but give me more oomph than the trailboss.

I picked a good alternative (so I thought) and called around, it's an unpopular powder. Noone stocks it.

So I'm hoping to get a powder rec that is easy enough to buy a pound or two easily from local shops and gun shows, something people stock so I don't have to ask for a special order.

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(250 grain bullet)
If it helps, I load 45 colt to 460 S&W. The trailboss gets me 1000fps, the H110 will get me 1700-1900 in 454 casull, and 2000+ in 460 S&W. I'm looking for a powder that is in the 1400-600 fps range in 454, and less than 1900 fps in 460 S&W

[Bill Steele]

I only shoot .44 RM in the bigger bore revolvers, so I am not sure how applicable the following will be in your .45LC.

I have had good results with the following powders. I have found them to work reasonably well when downloaded (below book start loads) and still work for in the range loads (i.e. "I want to make sure it is really dead load")

AA #9 - my favorite, downloads well and goes up to very stout levels. The downside is it is not the least expensive as even light target loads use a fair amount of powder in my .44. This is the only powder I have found that can compete with the other stalwarts in the nosebleed magnum ranges (W296, H110, 2400, etc.) when going upscale in velocities but also download far below start loads with good results.

VV-3N37 - Will not take your velocities up to AA #9 levels, but downloads well and is a good mid-range loader. This one is also a little more expensive as the powder costs more than most.

W231 - Works great for light target loads (more pop than TB), will not look that great when compared to H110 when going for punch. Probably one of the least expensive plinking powders for my .44. Great value for everyday shooting.

Unique - Many seem to really like this for an all around powder. Personally I don't like it. When loading it for my .44, the velocity/pressure curve seems to have a knee in it, where as you go around the knee in the curve you go from a Trailboss like "kerpuff" to an H110 "KERPOW!" pretty quickly. I might be kind of biased here as I have never found I liked Unique in any caliber/load.

I think Cowboy T loads LC's, when he happens along, he will probably hook you up.

[Whiterabbit]

#9 looks very very promising, I like that barnes has some data for it, and seems much lower in velocity than H110 (in general).

What are the risks loading #9 below recommended minimums? are there general "rules of thumb" to be aware of? You can keep anything pretty qualitative, I won't ask for extreeme detail till I go out and try a few minimum loads to see if they are just what I'm looking for or too strong still.

[noylj]

For mid-range loads, use a mid-range powder. The #1 such powder for over 100 years has been Unique. It was doing what TrailBoss does long before the inventor of TrailBoss was even born. It works great in nearly every cartridge and, despite not metering perfectly, is not very sensitive to charge weight variation and seems to always be in the running for best and most flexible powder. Can Not imagine NOT having it on the shelf.
Also, consider 231/HP38, Universal, and HS6--and many more.
Personally, I can not imagine being limited so in my powder choices.

[Kokopelli]

Unique covers most of my handgun needs and WW748 covers most of my rifle needs. If I were limited, I'd choose those two.

[Bill Steele]

#9 looks very very promising, I like that barnes has some data for it, and seems much lower in velocity than H110 (in general).

What are the risks loading #9 below recommended minimums? are there general "rules of thumb" to be aware of? You can keep anything pretty qualitative, I won't ask for extreeme detail till I go out and try a few minimum loads to see if they are just what I'm looking for or too strong still.

I have loaded AA #9 and 240gr LSWC's down well below 1000fps in my .44 Mag cases with good results.

Have fun.

[EmmaGoldman]

Unique or Universal (which is cleaner and meters better)

[All Nav]

W231 or Titegroup are my gotos. Like you, I use TB and 296 when I want what each offers, but sometimes you want that in between.

[Bongos]

I've tried many powders and have settled on 231, h335, and Varget/RL15.
though I have a friend who swore by Tac and True Blue

[Fishslayer]

A lot of reloaders will say there's not a pistol cartridge you can't reload with either Bullseye, Unique or 2400.

I keep Bullseye, Green Dot and 2400 on hand. Plenty of data and between 3 local sources I can always find it when I need it.

[ireload]

I pretty much settled with Unique for my .38spl., .357mag, 9mm, 45acp for my handgun needs. I load mid to max with Unique. At times I do use W231 but with Unique gives me more speed.

Rifle wise, H335 for my .223 (55 to 62 grain bullet weight). 1680 for my 7.62x39mm.

[LGB Loader]

Unique or 2400

To this, some would even say, "Is there anything else?"

My dad only uses these two powders for his side arms for at least 25 years that I can remember and his handloads are just fine. He loads 9mm, 45acp, 38 spcl, 357 mag, and 44 mag.

I need a bigger menu.

LGB