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Best powder for 357 and 45acp?

6K views 26 replies 24 participants last post by  rooster59 
#1 ·
I am getting ready to leave in probably 30 minutes, if anyone out there can answer in that time. I have to drive 45 miles and thought I would get some power at the gun shop there. I've heard people in other threads say Unique power is good, but is there a certain kind of Unique or number that I should get or any Unique power?

Thanks
FES
 
#5 ·
Are you still using Blue dot for the 125gr bullets despite the recall or are you using it for 158gr only bullets? Just wondering because I used to load it for the lighter bullets but haven't sense the recall. Just wondering if you are seeing any signs of high pressure that Alliant claims will happen.
 
#4 ·
+1 on universal clays. It is a good all around powder too. I've not had much expierence, but I've been workin on h110 load in 357 and 44.

I hear the titegroup by hodgdon is a good powder too, that is not as position sensitive. At least that is what they advertise. I was gonna order it but they sold out before I got it, and I settled for the Universal clays.

I've also read that the HP38 is a good powder for 45 ACP. It performed well in the few I've loaded. I will say it was on the lower spectrum of power for sure, the load manual I used was way off base as far as minimum/maximum charge.
 
#9 ·
Unique is hard to beat. There are alot of powders that work, but Unique is my favorite. Top end .45's and mid range .357's it works like a charm. And there is plenty of load data for it. There are better powders out there for the .357, but it still works well. But for the .45, I dont think you can find a better choice.
 
#13 ·
Not sure if this has been asked before but here goes anyways...What is the advantage between H110 or 2400. What are the differences in these two powders as far as a .357 mag load is concerned? Are you able to get decent target loads with these two powders that aren't super powerfull? And if you had to choose between the two what would be your choice and why? Just have no experience with these slower burning powders but would like to try them out as my W231 and Unique do not fill the cases up enough for my taste when I load for the .357.
 
#14 ·
There really is no ONE powder that you can use to load 45 ACP AND 357 Mag full house loads with. win 231(HP 38) works really well in 45 ACP and .38 spl loads that can be fired in 357 mag guns but that load is far from Magnum velocities.

On the subject of 2400 vs. H110(win 296) the two are both slow burners and will deliver magnum velocities but they aren't the same thing at all. H110 is note for being very consistent when used properly in magnum loads. If you are going to use that powder you need to be sure to follow the load book data and DO NOT under charge the cases as it can result in squib loads where the powder doesn't light off properly, you also need to use magnum primers with this powder to insure proper ignition.

2400 is another animal entirely as it can be used in varying charge weights and in is HIGHLY recommended that standard primers be used to touch it off. Iowegan has a nice dissertation on the woes of using 2400, about how it's pretty temperature intolerant and can give pretty wide deviation across the velocities of multiple rounds that are loaded the same. I've used it and have had decent results with certain particular loads in my GP 100 but I like H110 better. I will say this, 2400 is the most impressive from a muzzle blast/flash standpoint. If you want to impress people, especially non gun aficianados, load up some rounds with it and give them a show they will not forget.

In this situation the best plan is to use the correct powder "for the job", not to try to find one that will "get the job done".
 
#17 ·
I have used Unique in both calibers with good results, and I've used blue dot in both calibers with good results.

Universal or 231 do well in the .45 acp, but in my opinion are too fast for any loads with bullets over 125 grains in the .357.

H-110, 2400, and 4227 do well in the .357, but in my opinion are too slow for .45 acp loads.
 
#18 ·
I have a feeling that my next mid range powder buy will be Universal Clays. I have used Unique for long time reaping the benefits and living with having to clean a little harder. Everybody has steered me toward Universal so soon as the next gunshow I'm going to buy some and give it a whirl. Looks that it would be good for lots of different calibers. My main use will be mid range loads for my .44s.
 
#19 ·
I still load for the .357, and used to load extensively for .45 ACP (no longer have any .45 guns, though). For practice/plinking in the .357, I use .38 Spl. cases and Win 231. Win 231 is a good all-around powder for the .45. For the highest velocities, SR 4756 and Herco worked well in the .45. Blue Dot is a good high-vel powder for .357, and seems to give similar velocities with the lighter bullets as Win 296 (H-110) or 2400, but with less powder. For full-power 158 gr. .357 loads, the 296 works best for me.

I'm trying to whittle down my powder selections these days, to make it easier to store and keep track of. My main pistol powders are: W231, Blue Dot, AA-7, and W296.
 
#20 ·
I have always liked Unique for standard calibers and moderate loads in the magnums, and 2400 and H110 for full magnum loads. There's a smorgasboard of good powders out there for handgun cartridges, so experiment a little.
 
#22 ·
I can’t say what is best. It’s up to the individual, and we all have our favorites.

Went into town today, about 45 minute drive, and there is next to nothing left on the shelves. Wanted some 444 Marlin brass for fire forming but had to settle for 303 British instead. Also managed a pound of True Blue powder for my 357 SP101. Have been wanting some for ages. Luckily, I didn’t need anything else as stocks in the stores are low to non existent.

Chris
 
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