Ruger Forum

Rodfac · October 15th, 2012, 04:45 PM

For all handgun use, I'd recommend:Winchester 231 or HP38 (they're the same powder, just different labels) for all target level or medium loads in: .32 H&R .38 Spl, .357 Magnum, 9mm, .41 Magnum, .44 Spl and Magnum, and both the .45 ACP and LC. It's truly a wonder powder..measures well through any powder measure I've tried....Lee, RCBS, and Dillon and is extremely uniform....

Unique, while a perennial favorite, has measuring problems for many of us when used in RCBS or Dillon measures...especially with loads under 5 to 6 grains....the flakes are the problem, they 'bridge' giving light loads. To some extent, Bullseye has the same problem, and also tends to clump together, tho not as severe. With Bullseye, the very light loads are subject to a doubled load if caution is not used. For my part, I used Unique and Bullsyes for almost 40 years, and put up with their fickle natures and measuring problems, and I found that both gave good accuracy with most calibers, but were a PITA to use.

For magnum handgung uses, I'd recommend 2400. It measures well and there is a multitude of data and a long history of use all the way from heavy .38 Special loads to reduced loads in the .30-06...In the rifle calibers, its use in 16 gr charges has been called "the Load" for several center fire calibers by a number of well known American Rifleman Dope Bag contributors. Modern 2400 seems a bit faster than that of two decades ago. For that reason, I'd recommend strict adherence to the "work up slowly to heavy loads" mantra when using the modern 2400. In that regard, I've reduced my maximum loadings with it by 10% in a number of calibers and found that the velocity obtained is similar to that with "old" 2400, through chronographed testing.

Best Regards, Rodfac

TMB · October 15th, 2012, 05:38 PM

I'm another one that likes unique.

K57 · October 15th, 2012, 09:04 PM

There is a newer powder that can be loaded in just about any handgun caliber and that's Ramshot True Blue. It is a dense very fine grained ball powder that meters exceptionally, much better than Unique and will give you higher performance than W231/HP38. Definitely usable for the calibers you listed, as a matter of fact it can be used in .380 up to the .454 Casull. For loading multiple calibers it can't be beat and yes, I've used the others and still have W231 on the shelf. Ramshot for data.

87hurricane · October 16th, 2012, 03:50 PM

Well that was fairly easy. Now that I basically have it narrowed down to two basic choices, Unique and W231/HP38, which is better, and why? I have noted several people mention that Unique is harder to meter, is this true? I am leaning towards W231, but Unique is available at the local Walmart, which would make it more convenient.

andybothel · October 16th, 2012, 04:11 PM

+1 for W231. I use it for 38sp, 9mm, and 45.

krwada · October 16th, 2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87hurricane

Well that was fairly easy. Now that I basically have it narrowed down to two basic choices, Unique and W231/HP38, which is better, and why? I have noted several people mention that Unique is harder to meter, is this true?

I would get 1 lb of each and find out for myself. As I frequently say; It is not whether or not you like the powder, it is whether or not your particular firearm LIKES the powder. What is stellar for one, will wind up being mediocre for another. If you get 1 lb for each, and were loading for .45ACP, this is approximately 5.5 grains per round. Since there are 7000 grains per pound, this will yield approximately 1272 rounds or shooting fun per pound, for a total of 2544 rounds for two pounds.

Since now, you will be reloading, you will be shooting more, and I mean LOTS more. Going through 350 rounds of pistol will be like nothing, especially if you are using an auto-loader. This comes out to about 7 trips to the range. If you go to the range every other week, then you will go through this amount of powder in approximately 3-4 months.

Of course, I know of reloaders that easily go through 500-700 or more rounds of pistol in just one range trip. You really do not save any money reloading. What it does is maximize your shooting within a reasonable budget!

And if you are to do competition ... I do not know of any competition shooters who do NOT reload. It is just too expensive to purchase ammo if you are going to shoot in any volume.

Shoot to reload ... Reload to shoot ... that is how it works!

rclark · October 16th, 2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Sooner or later everyone tries Unique and then leaves it because it's so dirty. IMO.

Not me

. I think I'll be shooting it in .44Spec (and .44Mag) until I can't see the press anymore

. As for dirty ... I just don't notice it I guess. I do have other favorites for other calibers ... as you all know, but Unique work work great in all of them unless loading really light (I'll go to Trail Boss)... or really heavy (2400 for me... I hear H110 is good too). Unique fills the case enough that a beginner (as well as experienced) will find hard to over/under fill too at a glance. I have not found Unique to be a problem to measure either ... But that is just my experience.

Exmilitary · October 19th, 2012, 08:00 PM

Unique. Tightgroup are good choices.

87hurricane · October 20th, 2012, 12:37 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I picked up a pound of Unique yesterday, figured its worth a shot since its more readily available to me. If I don't care for it, I'll give w231/hp38 a try.

OldCrow · October 20th, 2012, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAWKEN

Most any shotgun powders are fine to make target loads. I like and use Hodgkins Clays, because it is consistant and burns clean. In my 230 gr lrn .45acp loads, I use 4 grains of Clays.......Robin

My problem with shotgun powders is they are intended for a long barrel to burn completely and build maximum pressure. 22 WMR rounds are loaded with rifle powder, other than CCI short barrel ammo. Which leads to erratic results due to the fact that often the powder fails to burn completely. I have a Heritage 22LR/22WMR combo with a 9" barrel. Even with the short barrel ammo I have burning powder coming back on me. You can't blame it on spacing....There is .004 clearance between The cylinder and forcing cone.

I found this article that focuses on the 357/38 family of ammo: http://www.chuckhawks.com/most_versatile_handgun.htm

BW64 · October 20th, 2012, 03:56 AM

Titegroup, Bullseye & 700x.

BW

GunBlue · October 24th, 2012, 08:17 PM

Just to be different, you might consider Green Dot. It's a terrific powder that works in all medium pistol cases, is extremely accurate, and burns very clean. Alliant will supply you with data for those cartridges by email if you drop them a note. It has good density, and cycles softly, with mild recoil, and tosses cases just four feet away with a standard spring. It's my hands-down favorite in .45 ACP with 230 grain ball loads, at 5.1 grains. I've used it in .44 Special, too. It meters perfectly with a Lee Auto Disk measure, to the tenth. My favorite 9mm powder is Accurate #5. Flake powders like most of the Alliant group tend to give metering inconsistencies with small charges below 2.5 grains, just so you know. I'm not fond of Unique. Shoots well enough, but there are lots of powders that do as well without the carbon fouling.

Salmoneye · October 25th, 2012, 03:12 AM

Red Dot

Sr40ken · October 25th, 2012, 04:48 AM

I've tried several and seems I come back to Unique. Loaded properly I see no problems with it. I use a RCBS Uniflo w large tube and have no problems with uniform loads. I load it in .38, .40 and .45AP.

Kenny Lee · October 25th, 2012, 10:26 AM

2 cents
Powder is fairly cheap, so experment with a few and devolope loads for each caliper. If 1 powder did it all then you would only find a few powders to choose from, and we all know thats not the case.