Single best pistol powder?

[theduece]

So I am getting to the point where the 1lb bottles are just simply too small(damn you big blue) so now I load quite abit with bullseye, and am considering cosolodating powders and just buying 8lb kegs.

Anyone do this or does everyone keep 3-4 diferent powders on hand? Main wants/needs are as follows

load 9,.38,.40,.45
Clean burning (I can adjust charges/pressure to compensate)
I typically load heavier bullets for the caliber .38=158 .40=180 etc
RELIABLE


Now this would only be for plinking range type ammo, and only in
pistols.

[Clownpuncher]

Interesting, I just did a cross check today in my sierra manual for powders they list for 9, 38/357, and 40.

AA#5, W231, and Unique will work for all of the above.

I have used Unique in 38 and 9 and liked the results with plated bullets. Others think it is dirty.

231 seems to be a favorite among other posters as well. I am going to pick some of that up at the gunshow and give it a try. AA#5, I know nothing about.

[Cowboy T]

Personally, I would consider Titegroup for just *one* powder. It's pretty versatile and does well in all of the cartridges you've listed. It does well even in the low pressure rounds like .45 Colt, but it seems happiest when it hits .38 Spl-type pressures and above, when it's very clean.

Another good one for those cartridges is W231. Heck, ye olde traditional Bullseye is a fine powder for those applications, too. I have a .38 Spl +P+ load that uses a 150gr cast boolit, and it's probably the cleanest load I have. Dead-on accurate, too.

[Bill Steele]

I use a lot of Bullseye for target loads through the whole range of 9mm to .45 ACP.

The downside to BE is it is very fast, so you will not be satisfied with it when trying to load heavier bullets to higher velocities.

Although Unique is not my favorite powder, I think for a wider loading window, Unique or W231 are probably better "one sized fits all" options.

Other powders I really like to load for handgun is VV-N320, VV-N340 and VV-3N37. The negative to these is they cost almost twice as much as BE or Unique, so maybe not ideal as your "one and only", 8lbs at a time, powder. I buy them in 1lb bottles and BE in 8lb bottles.

[XDRoX]

You can load any pistol cartridge with BE, Unique, or 2400

Unique is the most universal powder out there, but not ideal for many applications.

WST is great for your needs as it excels in light to medium loads in all those calibers.

Save the TG for the guy that wants to blow up his gun

Just busting your balls Cowboy, where you been lately?

[BigBronco]

At least 6 different powders here. BE, Unique,232, 2400, reddot, 4350, Varget, Clays, and a few others

[epcii]

I've used 231, which is OK. Winchester Super Target (WST) is pretty dirty in my experience. Lately I've had good results with Red Dot. All loads done in .45 ACP. If Red Dot works as well in my other calibers, I plan on using it exclusively.

[Abenaki]

If I had to use only one powder it would be unique.

Any one that thinks unique is dirty....has never shot much blackpowder!
That stuffs dirty!!!

Take care
Abenaki

[Na-vah-duh]

Id choose unique or imr 700x

[AG166]

I've had good luck with Bullseye, Unique and Power Pistol. 231 has also treated me good. Just my own two cents.

[theduece]

Bigbronco, you listed varget also is that just in your storage? Or do you use it for pistol loads also?