rclark

I would have to take exception to this.... Look at Red Dot, Green Dot, and Blue Dot at where they sit on the burn rate chart.

Powder Burn Rate Chart

Red Dot is #10
Green Dot is #29
Blue Dot is #60

Compared to

Bullseye #6
Unique #35
2400 #67

I find all three shotgun Dot powders work really well in revolver cartridges! In fact my favorite .357 target load is using Red Dot and I've found loads for .44spec, .44Mag, and .45 Colt that also use these powders.

Well actually I think it is because us human being are never quite satisfied . There just HAS to be something better . I could be perfectly happy with Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 (and BP) if it came down to it. BUT, it is fun to try different powders ... who knows ... you might find one that puts the bullet into the bullseye all by itself . Just like one never really finds his perfect pack'n pistol ... there just must be a 'better' one out there .

Chuckdog

I got tired of Unique's flakes in my face years ago.

Universal from Hodgdon is near identical in burn rate, meters much better, and it burns without leaving me and my pistols freckled faced!

Try a pound of it, I believe you'll be sold.

topo42

Started using different powders but wound up with Accurate #2 probably the most overlooked powder there is.
Started using it in loading 380 because I could load a shorter over all length round than with other powders.


Since I use plated bullets I was finding that some of these contained heavy # recoil spring actions in order to cycle
The loads I had to use with other powders the plating would seperate.

Accurate # 2 does not give the fastest bullets but the high pressure it produces
makes my guns work perfectly.
It meters fantastic and I use 4.3 gr for 38 spl 125 gr FP and the same load for
9mm 115 gr rn - both Berry . And on my 9mm 115 gr FMJ I use the same load
(this is a max load) & have never had a problem
I reload about 8000 rounds a year ,different calibers, and have never had a problem .

The older edition of the Lee reloading manual was very informative about Accurate # 2 loads - the new one is not

FYI

Ruger45LC

Don't rule out WST and WSF. WST in both my .40s and .45s are some of the most accurate loads I've ever loaded. Works very well with lead bullets to, meaning it's not smokey.

Unique is good, but as stated, sometimes can meter funny. The only two squibs I've ever had were with using Unique, and I'm not sure why. It is however, good for just about everything, and can be used with lead and not be real smokey. Max charges bring up the velocity, 230gr .45 ACP @ 1000 fps from my 5" KKM Gen4 Glock 21 and a 180gr .40 S&W @ 1180 fps from 6" G24.

TiteGroup isn't a bad choice, but if you plan on shooting lead watch out because it's the king of smokey. Many don't like it because they claim it's temperature sensitive and the low charge weights bother some because of one could easily double charge if not paying attention, and that's bad news. IMHO, best used with jacketed or plated bullets, use another powder for lead.

Power Pistol is another great choice, very good velocities and meters like a pro. I use it a lot for warmer .40's and the .45 Super (230gr @ 1200 fps, 200gr @ 1350 fps, 5" KKM Gen4 G21).

I've not messed with 231 but I hear it's good. The powders listed above have all proven good by me.

opos

I'm a fan of Unique and 231 as are many...I do add two but that's for special stuff...I have a 30 carbine Blackhawk and I load it with 2400...I don't load hot loads in my magnums but if I did I'd probably use some of the 2400 for that..it's just what I use when I shoot the 30 cal Blackhawk...the other powder I use a lot is Trail Boss....in my case it's for lighter loads with lead projectiles in my 44 and 45 revolvers...I don't handle big recoil any more (arthritis) and find I can load softer lead projectiles (12 hardness) with lighter loads of Trail Boss and really enjoy a shooting session and still be able to sign my name.

LunaticFringeInc

Im old school Ill admit. I use Unique and Bullseye for most of my handgun and shotgun loads, in fact I buy both by the Keg not the pound! Been that way for me for about 30 years now and counting. While you might be able to go better you cant go too far wrong with either of these. Yeah occasionally I will use a pound of something else, but these two cover a lot of territory very well and there is a ton of data out there for both. I reload for over a dozen cartridges and I cant afford nor do I have the space for over a dozen powders in bulk.

ThreeFiveSeven

I am a big fan of Unique for 38/357 and 45. It just "feels" right when you shoot it. Feels like a nice even push. I prefer W231 for 40 cal, as my Beretta didn't feel right with Unique (perhaps because 40 is supposed to be snappy).

No doubt Unique is dirty, but the dirt wipes right off. I'd say can't go wrong with Unique.

dickttx

Like 8.0gn of Unique, 5.0gn of HP38/231 will load anything.

Gray wolf

I load a number of different calibers and like universal.

Kenner

I load thousands of plinking rounds a year in .38, .44 mag and .45 APC using Bullseye in all three. 3 grains in the .38 and 3.5 in the other two. Brass is a little dirty but cheap!

Ken