I fixing to switch to reloading 40S&W and 45ACP and was going to just use IMR Blue, but I am seeing a lot of hype over Accurate No.7. What is your powder of choice for non-magnum pistols?
I hate to say it but there are already 1.6 million threads on everyone's favorite powder. Dive into the search feature and good luck!
I like Unique and Titegroup. I’m wanting to try some PowerPistol as I hear it’s somewhat similar to Unique...
Mine was Unique for years and my bench will never be without it because it its so versatile. However, the past couple years I have been switching to Titegroup. It meters better, burns cleaner and is not position sensitive! C.S.
I prefer Bullseye. I have used various powders; Titegroup, Blue Dot, Unique, Trail Boss and Accurate#7 but still end up using Bullseye for 9mm, .40 and .45. I use IMR 4227 and H110 for my magnum revolvers and .30 carbine.
Acclaym said it best. 1.6 million posts on the subject. All powders have their specific uses.Read up on powders. ' Burn rates (slow fast) Bullet weight etc.' (very important) Lots to stuff into that grey matter. And as a side note, W231 is the same as HP38. Good luck too,be SAFE,and have fun.
Can’t speak for .40, but W231 always worked in my match loads for .45. Just a little dirty burning maybe but metered very consistently and gave good consistent major power velocities.
Shooters World Clean Shot. It’s clean, accurate, meters like water and can usually be bought for around $20/pound
Well decided on Titegroup and loaded some 155gr XTPs @ 4.6gr. Will check velocities and if all is right with the world I'll report back. If my hand is blown off, well, it will take me longer to type my reply.
Are you an experienced handloader? If not, Titegroup isn’t usually recommenced for novices because it has a very small safety margin. Measure your charges very carefully and be safe.
I used to love Unique for pistols but it was dirty. I still like it for the 30-30 and 45-70, but my favorite powders for pistols is Ramshot Silhouette and 231/HP38. Silhouette is probably my favorite as I Ramshot provides "+P" load data which subjectively feels close to my factory carry ammunition. I load my 9mm's with the +P data and shoot it to approximate carry ammo and have all my other calibers covered (45ACP, 40 S&W, 10mm, etc.). I know, +P will likely wear the mechanical components quicker, but I'd rather replace parts and shoot something similar to what I carry rather than shoot target loads and then carry something hotter.
Power pistol. Have loaded over 4k rounds with it. Works well in almost every caliber and almoat every bullet weight.
HP38 / 231 for .45 ACP Unique for .44 Special & .45 Colt SR4756 & Bullseye for .38 & SR4756 for .357 TrailBoss for .44 Special & .45 Colt Unique and TrailBoss for 44-40
I am an extremely simple reloader. Bullseye. It’s like the Glock 19/Toyota HiLux of pistol powders. The following is not a reloading guide, advice, or data. 38 Special brass in your 357s or +P Guns? 5 of bullseye and 110 grains. 357s? 158s with 5 of bullseye. 9mm? 115 grain with 5 of bullseye. 40S&W? 180 grains with 5 of bullseye. 45 ACP. 230g and 5 of bullseye. 10mm 200 grains? 5 of bullseye. 45 colt 250g casts? 5 of bullseye. 44 Magnum 240 grain casts? 5 of bullseye. The real strength of bullseye is truly in small cased calibers for mild to moderate loads. It can be very accurate and consistent FPS in this area. It is fast burning, and not going to give you your best, highest velocity loads if you are chasing that. It is low volume, and looks ridiculous in large, old, black powder era developed cases. And more importantly, would fit a double charge if somehow you use reloading set ups or practices that could let that happen. But, if you are trying to keep the different powders you need to a minimum, are in a pinch for powder selection, like to keep things simple, just want to crank out ammo that is good enough, It’s a Swiss Army knife of powder.
45acp W231 5.0-5.5grs depending on which 1911 Old National Match, or 70 Series Gold Cup Bullets H&G 68 or MiHec 68 Clone N310 4.1grs. Zero 185gr JHP Accurate load shoot it in old..Clark Customs, Bar-Sto barrels Brass is all large primer, WW, WCC or Federal headstamp Primers CCI-300 Sorry don't reload 40 -Rock
I find that I use a lot of Red Dot. For a midrange powder I like Universal. I shoot “Frontier Cartridge” in cowboy action pretty regularly. For a black powder substitute I use American Pioneer Powder and Alliant Black MZ (which is APP marketed by Alliant).
I forgot to add, at the end of my do everything with Bullseye post, When you really are trying to make your 44 Magnum, 45 Colt in your Redhawk or Henry carbine fly, or some serious .357, I have found Winchester296/H110 to be the go to.
Adding on to it....and getting away from OP 44 Mag Mag 2400 Powder and some heavy Cast Keith Style bullets in the old 3 screw Ruger 357 Mag use the old W630 no longer made but a great powder. of course the 38Spl good ole Bullseye.. -Rock
IMR 7625 for 45 ACP and HP38 for 357 mag plinking. I use 2400 for hot 357 mag loads. Those are my three favorites.
I'm a fan of WIN231/HP38 (same thing). I use Unique, just because I have a bunch of it, but with volume metering, it is inconsistent. I prefer WIN296 for my slow-burning magnum stuff. I also do SASS, so I really, really like Trailboss, even though it is pretty dirty. It, Trailboss, also works well in almost any revolver cartridge that I shoot in a gun that I want to go easy on (collectible N-frames). Trailboss also does really well in 45/70 when you don't want to beat up on your shoulder too much.
