I will soon be loading for a few pistol loads. I have only loaded for rifle so far and have not tried pistol caliber loading.

I would ultimately like to keep one universal powder on hand for all pistol calibers that I will be loading. I will be loading the following

9mm
45acp
375/38
and most importantly 45 Colt. My main conern is that it works the best for 45 Colt. As long as it works ok for the rest I would be happy.

what ONE powder would you choose to load for all the above calibers?
I have heard Unique or even Tightgroup for ado all powder. What are all of your opinions?

[ 06-04-2003, 07:51: Message edited by: Embalmer ]

Alliant ( Hercules ) Unique.

This is their most versitile Powder for pistol loads and some reduced rifle loads too!
Steve from New Joisey

Embalmer: I'd have to agree that Unique would work well for the pistol calibers that I reload for.....45ACP, .45 Colt and .44 Mag.

I've got to agree with everybody else on Unique, It works in just about everything.

I saw this same post on another forum, and I'll repeat my answer here - Titegroup gives me the best groups, burns cleaner and a little goes a long way. It works well in medium cases like .45 ACP, .38 Special, 9mm, .45 Colt and is good for medium loads in magnums. It won't give you the velocity of H-110. Another option is Blue Dot, but I prefer the cleanliness and economy of Titegroup.

Embalmer, go with the flow...Unique. A good second choice would be Blue Dot, but I believe there is a better choice and it might be the best one of all, VihtaVuori Oy N 340. It is clean as well as flexible...just the qualities you are looking for.

packrat

Reddot! I use it in everything, shotgun, 9mm, 38, 45, 44 mag, even plinking loads in 30-30, and .458 win.

Hey, guys...

Unique? Maybe but I'll take Universal Clays any day! Cleaner, the same burn rate and meters very, very well!

Accurate Number 5. Works well in .38, .357 and .45 ACP. I have only these CF pistols and use only this powder.

WW 231, or Unique.

L.W.

I would like 4 powders to maximize velocity:

*POWER PISTOL
25 acp
7.62x25mm
32sw
32acp
380
9x19
9x23
38sw
45acp

*800X
40sw
10mm

*LIL'GUN
38sp/357 mag

*H110
32 SW LONG
32-20
44 mag
45 Colt/454 Casull

[ 07-11-2003, 07:08: Message edited by: Clark ]

HS 6.

Unique is a good powder, but does not meter well in a powder measure - it has to be weighed to assure uniform charges.

[ 07-15-2003, 16:28: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

I guess this is a poll...

I vote for Unique. In fact that IS what I used when limited (by budget and space constraints) to one powder.

One more vote for Universal Clays (the name says it all).

Hodgdon HS-6. It works for me in 9mm, .38, .357 and .45 Colt. No particularly hot loads, but a good, consistent powder.

DC

I'VE ALWAYS USED AND HAD GOOD LOADS FROM BULLSEYE IN THE CALIBERS YOU MENTION.

THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS US ALL..........

Don't know about the 45 LC, but I'm with tasco 74 on this one: I use BE for damned near everything held in one hand.

Keeps the logistics simple, and I can do kegs!

Winchester 231

My pick are as follows,

W231 or AA#2 (in that burning rate)
AA#5 (as opposed to unique)

I have used HS-6 & 800x as well as others mentioned here. I have picked the above for reasons of acuracy and velocity.....

Blue dot works well in the smaller cases, but was very dirty when I tried it in 45colt. I use 700x for all of my fast powder applications.

Having worked with a number of pistol powders over the past 30 years, I would recommend W231 or HP38 (same powder). It is about 10% faster burning than Unique, has given very good accuracy in a number of different calibers including the .45 Colt AND ...it meters through a powder measure better than Unique, Universal, 700X, and bullseye.

w30wcf

I found that WW 540 works well in 357 mag, 44 Mag & 45 LC. 14 grs. WW 540 w/ Lyman 452421 = 1100 fps. Burns clean and shows no pressure in Ruger Blackhawk. Godsdog.

In my 357 Mag and 454 FA I use the old 2400 with heavy bullets, 180 grains in the 357 mag. and 300 grains in the 454 Cas. A little dirty but accuracy better than H110 or #9.

My vote goes for Titegroup. I use it in .32 H&R mag & .45 ACP; my buddy uses it for .41 Mag & .44 Mag. It's true what the say on the bottle - "A little goes a long way." AND - it has given us both our pet loads !

? what will you be doing with the 45 colt? I cowboy shoot and had verry good luck with the bullseye all temps and any position and I load 38 9x18 45 scolfield 45 colt and 9x19 all with the same the reason I asked is bullseye downloads verry well if this is what you will be doing thats what I do now I load black powder in mine and bull in my boys (12 years old) for cowboy shooting

I think it would be hard to beat any of the powders in Uniques burning range. The faster powders will limit your vel. in bigger cases like the 45colt & .357mag. If I could have only one, Unique.

Unique seems to be the most versatile but it sure leaves a mess.

Unique

Winchester 231