OK...just for fun. We see all kinds of all around if you could only own one gun type threads.

So in that vein. If you had a to pick a single pistol powder as your ONLY powder what would it be? What has the most universal application--obviously its not an ideal choice. But a good choice that works in a wide variety of cartridges.

My choice? Unique==yeah its a little dirty. Its not going to give you magnum velocities. But you can load it down for something like a .38 Wadcutter and you can jazz it up enough to matter in something like a 44 mag. But of course you'll never compete with a slow burner like Green Dot or 2400 in the big cases. But it will give a respectable showing.

Close second? AA #5

Thoughts?

I'd probably have to go with something in a semi-auto (again, if I had to - end of the world and all that), like Titegroup.

unique is a step slower than green-dot.

I'd probably pick Power Pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
unique is a step slower than green-dot.

Yeah....I meant blue dot... Not Green Dot.

I like power pistol and 2400 but have had some sucess with tire group lately in a 45 colt.H110 for real heavy loads.

Herco has served me well across the board.

But only one powder would be tough.


If one shoots the really big stuff 460 500 S@Ws

BE-86, Power Pistol, Herco, Longshot, Silhouette. All are medium to medium slow burn rate, giving decent case fill with good to very good velocities and still pretty economical.

Unique.. if you're not a progressive press user.

Silhouette if you are.

I'm trying the AA number powders now AA5,AA7,AA9

Unique; no question about it.
New lots are not dirty; old lots smoke like black powder, which, in a Cowboy match, is an advantage.
Even in a progressive loader, it is fine. All the new powders are just marketing ploys to sell powder; little real need for them.
Unique. Since 1898.

Well, I like diversity because of diverse uses. Having stated that, one powder as a do-all would have to be W231. Burns clean and can be loaded up to moderate pressures in about every pistol cartridge I have ever loaded for, and some I haven't loaded.

blue dot

power pistol or 2400 ...

but i generally only load 45colt or 30 mauser both with mild loads

I use unique in many handgun loads.

I’m a big fan of Unique. It can be used in a variety of pistol cartridges and I even use it in cast bulletin rifle loads. To me it’s a “do all” powder.

I use unique. I set it for 7 grains and can load 44-40, 44 special, 44 magnum and 45 acp without resetting the powder measure. All velocities about 840 fps.

Hey, that is exactly what I used do, when I loaded mass quantities of revolver ammo; 7 grains of Unique for everything.
Now, you guys who recommend the slow pistol powders as "all round"; try some in your 380 and you can throw bullets faster.

There is no better all around powder than BE86.
It does what Unique, and power pistol does.
Very elastic. loads from Bullseye to Blue dot.
In Alliants book, there are more loads for BE86 Than any other powder.Yes, I like alliant.

quote:

There is no better all around powder than BE86.

Sounds like a very useful powder.

But I said Herco as I have a couple kegs of it.

Same with Red and greed dot.

Guess if I get to the point I have to go buy I will look into it.

For the rounds I reload for I would say it's a toss up between 231 and Unique, leaning more toward Unique.

Steve........

Unique has been my go-to for years and years but lately (last 5 years)it's been 231 because I have a keg.

Great in 38 Sp and 9mm.

For 357 loads, I use a more specialty powder and it depends on bullet weight so I don't have just one.

Zeke

quote:

For 357 loads, I use a more specialty powder and it depends on bullet weight so I don't have just one.

I love AL-7 for 125gr JHP 357 loads I was lucky to fined a 5lb keg at a gun show years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

For 357 loads, I use a more specialty powder and it depends on bullet weight so I don't have just one.

I love AL-7 for 125gr JHP 357 loads I was lucky to fined a 5lb keg at a gun show years ago.

That sounds like a great choice!

I haven't seen AL-7 in my neck of the wood in quite some time but maybe I wasn't looker very hard.

Zeke

quote:

I haven't seen AL-7 in my neck of the wood in quite some time but maybe I wasn't looker very hard.

Must of been 30 years ago I brought that keg

Aw yes, the search for the one powder do all continues and continues and continues, the illusive dream!

2400