best all around pistol powder

The Accurate Reloading Forums

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/2511043/m/5151063301

16 February 2009, 05:43

rick boggs

best all around pistol powder

I have been reloading for rifles for a while now and am just starting pistols and dont want to buy alot of different powders as i have a ton already for the rifles i will be loading for the .38 special .380 acp .40 s&w and .45 acp i know bullet weight and all does change powder choices but just looking for a good all around pistol powder. thanks for the help

16 February 2009, 05:57

30378

Hands down W-231. Not a pistol ctg out there that cannont be loaded with W-231.

Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry any firearm. NRA Benefactor

16 February 2009, 06:11

N E 450 No2

While there are a lot of new pistol powders out there I would pick Unique.

You can load the calibers you listed fairly light, to max loads with Unique.

16 February 2009, 06:54

gwindrider1

+1 for Unique!

16 February 2009, 07:16

craigster

Again, Unique. There's applications for it in just about everything, be it pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

16 February 2009, 07:18

Ol` Joe

It`s not called Unique for nothing, it works well in almost all handgun cartridges.

------------------------------------
The trouble with the Internet is that it's replacing masturbation as a leisure activity. ~Patrick Murray

"Why shouldn`t truth be stranger then fiction?
Fiction after all has to make sense." (Samual Clemens)

"Saepe errans, numquam dubitans --Frequently in error, never in doubt".

16 February 2009, 07:44

Cheechako

If you knew that the world was on the brink of collapse (like next week maybe) and you had to pick one powder to last you for the rest of your life - Unique would be my number one choice. It can be used to load any pistol cartridge, all shotgun shells, and many rifle cartridges.

JMHO

Ray

16 February 2009, 08:21

fredj338

quote:
Originally posted by 30378:
Hands down W-231. Not a pistol ctg out there that cannont be loaded with W-231.

Hardly.

W231/HP38 is just a bit fast for anything in the 40 but midrange loads. A med. burner like Unique or WSF will cover everything you listed w/o pushing pressure envelopes trying to get to factory vel.

16 February 2009, 08:44

Winchester 69

Alliant's Power Pistol and Hodgdon's Universal Clays are very similar to Unique and will serve as well.

16 February 2009, 21:33

the jigger

There are many good ones but Unique gets my vote. It will work well for all that you listed; "best" for some, not quite as good as for others.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

16 February 2009, 22:29

tnekkcc

To get the most recoil is use LIL'GUN or H110/W296 in the 38 sp.

To get the most recoil in the 380, 40, and 45acp I use Power Pistol.

The absolute most recoil from a 40 is with 800X, 200 gr bullets, and double compression, but there is no way to deal with the recoil given the volume available for recoil springs in conventional pistols.

16 February 2009, 22:37

Boxhead

Hodgdon's Titegroup has become my go to powder for light loads.

17 February 2009, 00:49

fredj338

quote:
Originally posted by tnekkcc:
To get the most recoil is use LIL'GUN or H110/W296 in the 38 sp.

To get the most recoil in the 380, 40, and 45acp I use Power Pistol.

The absolute most recoil from a 40 is with 800X, 200 gr bullets, and double compression, but there is no way to deal with the recoil given the volume available for recoil springs in conventional pistols.

Sorry T, but what does the most recoil have to do w/ best powder choice?

17 February 2009, 03:29

Jerry Eden

+ whatever for Unique. Best powder of it's type going.

Jerry

17 February 2009, 09:10

swheeler

Unique

17 February 2009, 09:16

SlamFire

Best all around: Unique.

You can more than adequately cover all handgun cartridges with Bullseye, Unique and 2400.

But if you had to pick one: Unique.