Which powder for which caliber?

[sjb269]

I reload for

.45ACP 230gr plated RN
9mm 124 Plated RN
.40 s&w 160gr plated RN
.38/.357 various projectiles

I am down to one pound each of the following powers.

HP-38
PB
Autocomp
Bullseye
Titegroup

Which caliber would you match these powders with in order of "best use"? I am trying to maximize my effectiveness and have never loaded with PB or Autocomp.

[thenodnarb]

This probably doesn't help but I use WST for all of those except .357.

[rm1911]

25 years ago when I started reloading we didn't have nearly as many powders but then again we didn't have this craziness and any powder we wanted to use or even try out was easy to get.

I'm today's world, beggars can't be choosers so if you find something hat works and can make it work, that's huge. Also find a powder that does double or triple duty. That way you're on the hunt for one powder, not three, and also develop back up powders as well. Sometimes you'd be surprised what will work well.

If I'm not mistaken, hp38 is win231. A lot like bullseye. I uses 231 many years ago but like bullseye better. Both will be great in 45 and very useful on light to medium 38/357. Will also be serviceable in 9 and I imagine 40 as well.

All of those powder are faster burning and lower volume powders. Although autocomp I'm not sure about so don't quote me on that. Most should have established loads for lead and plated projectiles. Don't expect to run magnum loads or hotter type loads with them in any caliber.

Check all the loading manuals and the manufacturer online data.

I'll tell you this though. Bullseye will work for all them.

[noylj]

Auto-comp for 9 and .40
The rest for .45, .38 spl, and light .357 mag

[Fishslayer]

I'll tell you this though. Bullseye will work for all them.

^^^ This, although I would put away the 158gr .357 Magnum projectiles until I got some proper magnum powder like 2400.

Strictly unscientific and anecdotal but it sure seems like a lot of kaboom stories involve Titegroup & .40 S&W...

[Rac97crawford]

If I was trying to figure this out.. I would look at max number of rounds per pound of the powder with a given caliber.

For instance, in 45acp with suggested starting load numbers in mind, and a lb of powder, you could make about 200 more rounds with bullseye than with titegroup

[sargenv]

Titegroup and the 40 cal kaboom thing is related to the press specifically.. Generally a Dillon 550.. wherein someone forgot what they were doing and double charged the titegroup in the 40 and then "kaboom". If you are not careful, you can fit 10 gr of titegroup in a 40 cal case and if you are not paying attention, put the bullet right on top and seat without any issue.

[Capybara]

This probably doesn't help but I use WST for all of those except .357.

What is your recipe for 9mm and WST and where did you get it from?

[d0wnShifT]

Have you thought about Unique?

[krwada]

Pistol Powder

Good luck finding the stuff.

I have used HP-38 and Bullseye with great success for all of the calibers you list.

[Tom-ADC]

As noted Bullseye will work in all, I also like and use Unique it will work in all also.

[thenodnarb]

What is your recipe for 9mm and WST and where did you get it from?

I found this somewhere on the internet

Hornady Abridged Addition 1997 Titled "Hornady HandBook Of Cartridge Reloading" has the information for loading 9MM with Winchester WST Powder. Page #174



The Bullet weight is 124 Grain as follows:



Hornady # 3556 FMJ-FP............(Full Metal Jacket Flat Point)

Hornady # 3557 FMJ-RN...........(Full Metal Jacket Round Nose)

Hornady # 3567 LRN.................(Lead Round Nose)



Using WIN WST Powder load as follows:



4.8 GR @ 1025 FPS



5.0 GR @ 1050 FPS



5.2 GR @ 1075 FPS



5.4 GR @ 1100 FPS Maximum Load Use With Caution!



All loads use small pistol primers

WST is not the perfect powder for these calibers but I developed loads for these calibers using it because that is what I could find in the last powder panic. It doesn't always develop the full velocity potential of a cartridge, and it is very low volume. However it is very clean burning and very low smoke. I never shoot maximum loads so I don't mind slightly lower velocities in 40 and 9. But it works just fine for 45 acp and 38spl which are already low velocity.

[Fetterly Powders]

Titegroup has by far been our best seller for years along with HP-38/231. Unique, Bullseye Power Pistol always noted as being dirty but working fine. Heard some good things even today from a customer looking for PB. Uses it in all those cals. Doug

[rdfact]

Of the powders the OP listed I have only used Titegroup. Worked well in .45 and .40, same bullet weights listed using Xtreme plated. Titegroup was very clean. Loads were about half way between min and max as shown on Hodgdon's site. Semi autos cycled well.

[cindynles]

I reload for

.45ACP 230gr plated RN
9mm 124 Plated RN
.40 s&w 160gr plated RN
.38/.357 various projectiles

I am down to one pound each of the following powers.

HP-38
PB
Autocomp
Bullseye
Titegroup

Which caliber would you match these powders with in order of "best use"? I am trying to maximize my effectiveness and have never loaded with PB or Autocomp.

HP-38 (9mm, you should be able to get 1500 rounds per pound at 4.6gr)
Bullseye (45 ACP)
Titegroup (40 S&W)

I've never used Autocomp or PB. You can use HP-38 or Bullseye for 38 special