Powders for pstols

E

enefgee

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In response to the fact that there's a shortage of "pure" pistol powder out there (I haven't seen W231 in what feels like a decade) and knowing that there are some powders that cross over well from other cartridges, I feel we should have a list of such powders (and regular pistol powders) that will work. So here we go, list the calibre, bullet weights, and powder - then we can do a list of what works, for the next time you see something unfamiliar on the shelf, and want to know if it will work, and in what calibre and weight. Here's what I'm thinking:

9mm, 124-147, Blue Dot (shotgun)


What do you say?
 
You just have to know your load manual or have a smart phone. Several times I've run into the exact situation you describe where there is an unfamiliar powder on the shelf. I ask myself; does it work in the calibres I shoot? Then I just check the powder manufacturers data site and see if it lists loads and what the velocities are.

I ran into this recently with pistol powder at LeBarons. They had TiteGroup but I'd never used it before and was looking for powder for 44 special/magnum loads. I pulled out my phone, went to the Hodgdon load data website, and looked up 44 mag. TiteGroup was listed as a medium-velocity powder that worked with all the bullet weights I used.

If you want to memorize or carry a list you can make one from the manuals and data sites. If you have a smart phone you can just check the online datasites from the powder manufacturers. I suppose a community list would help prevent missing some but I don't see it as that useful as opinions on what powders work or not even if the data is in a manual tend to be very strong around here.
 
The only other powder types that translate to handguns are shotgun powders, and those are harder to find than handgun powders are.

I think a better idea would be to carry a powder burn rate chart around with you when powder shopping. It's 1/3 of a page, and will quickly give you a very good idea of what any particular powder is capable of doing for you.
 
jongun said:
Think it's time I stopped relying on mine so much n actually went out and bought myself some real good old fashioned information the way it used to be stored, on paper in books.
Click to expand...

The real good old fashioned way is on wax tablets, or cave drawings.........but we've progressed through the years.
 
pmt said:
The real good old fashioned way is on wax tablets, or cave drawings.........but we've progressed through the years.
Click to expand...

Very true. But we can still read the Lascaux Caves images 17,300 years after they were made. Probably not true of accessing a smart phone in the year 19,314. Just sayin'....:p
 
Here is a list of good pistol powders, fastest to slowest.

fast powders are very good for accuracy loads. Slow powders are only good for full power. high pressure loads.

Powders around #20 to #30 are good all purpose powders. Take the list with you to the store to see what powder they may have is most suitable for your needs.


6. Bullseye (Alliant)
10. Red Dot (Alliant)
11. Promo (Alliant)
12. Titegroup (Hodgdon)
13. No. 2 (Accurate)
15. AA Plus (Winchester)
16. Clays (Hodgdon)
17. N320 (Vihtavuori)
20. WST (Winchester)
22. HP38 (Hodgdon)
26. 231 (Winchester)
28. 700X (IMR)
29. Green Dot (Alliant)
31. International Clays (Hodgdon)
33. HS-5 (Hodgdon)
34. WSL (Winchester)
35. Unique (Alliant)
36. Universal Clays (Hodgdon)
37. N330 (Vihtavuori)
39. Power Pistol (Alliant)
40. SR-7625 (IMR)
41. HS-6 (Hodgdon)
43. WAP (Winchester)
44. N340 (Vihtavuori)
45. 540 (Winchester)
46. Herco (Alliant)
47. WSF (Winchester)
48. SR-4756 (IMR)
51. 3N37 (Vihtavuori)
52. 800X (IMR)
53. No. 7 (Accurate)
54. Longshot (Hodgdon)

56. True Blue (Ramshot)
57. N350 (Vihtavuori)
58. 3N38 (Vihtavuori)
59. HS-7 (Hodgdon)
60. Blue Dot (Alliant)
61. 571 (Winchester)
62. N105 (Vihtavuori)
63. No. 9 (Accurate)
66. Steel (Alliant)
67. 2400 (Alliant)
68. N110 (Vihtavuori)
69. Lil Gun (Hodgdon)
71. H110 (Hodgdon)
72. 296 (Winchester)
 
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Pistol powder seems to be coming online as of late. Twice in the past month I have walked into a local gun store and asked for Titegroup. Once I came home with two one pounders. Next time I walked out with an 8 Pounder. I wasn't really trying too hard. If they have a list just ask to be put on it.
 
#40 IMR SR7625 has been discontinued. Too bad, because it is similar in speed to Unique, but is bulkier and meters much better. For years it was my general purpose pistol powder. If you can buy a couple 8 pounders of 7625, you would be sitting pretty. It will make warm loads, but not full power.
 
I have spent so much money driving from store to store looking for powder and none of the dealers know when they will get anything. It has really turned into a good form of soft gun control, for the hand loaders for sure !
 
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