Powder for handgun reloading?
- Thread starter randall1
- Start date
Are you new to reloading or just looking for a new powder?
My recommendation for newbies is to use Trail Boss. (BTW it is also a pretty clean powder) Because it is designed as a very bulky powder.
Unique is not the best powder for lighter charges in high volume cases, such as 38 special/357 since it is position sensitive within the case and can affect velocities/pressure quite a bit.
As for a clean powder, Titegroup is good, or if you want a faster and cleaner powder, then Clays. However you must be very careful with Clays, only suitable for lighter loads because it is so fast burning. Plus charge weights and volumes are tiny and double charges are really easy to miss.
W231 is a clean powder BUT ONLY if you load max/high pressure loads, and the same goes for many of the mid to slower pistol powders.
My recommendation for newbies is to use Trail Boss. (BTW it is also a pretty clean powder) Because it is designed as a very bulky powder.
Unique is not the best powder for lighter charges in high volume cases, such as 38 special/357 since it is position sensitive within the case and can affect velocities/pressure quite a bit.
As for a clean powder, Titegroup is good, or if you want a faster and cleaner powder, then Clays. However you must be very careful with Clays, only suitable for lighter loads because it is so fast burning. Plus charge weights and volumes are tiny and double charges are really easy to miss.
W231 is a clean powder BUT ONLY if you load max/high pressure loads, and the same goes for many of the mid to slower pistol powders.
I would strongly suggest Trail Boss as your first pound of powder. It will cost you a few dollars more (maybe $5 more) but will give you a nice warm fuzzy feeling that you haven't double charged a case, especially a deep case like 38/357.
After you have gone through your first pound, you will have a good feel for handloading. Then go for the more efficient, and slightly less expensive powders.
- Location
- Winnipeg, now
There is no one magic powder. A lot of good suggestions here and I have tried most of them. Right now I have 231, 700x, WSF, bullseye, Power pistol, #7, HP 38. Some just plain work better for different loads.
There are several - titegroup for cost, metering, relatively clean burning, and low ejecta.
That being said I like W231 for .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm, .44 Magnum & .45ACP. This powder gives me the results that I want with every handgun that is loaded in. Every firearm is different and to maximize its potential you have to experiment with various loads. There are no short cuts.
bushwacker
Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg,Manitoba
Unique
Also to the OP AA#2 will work in all those cartridges and is similiar to 231/HP38 but harder to find around here. 2400, and AA#7 are slower and more suited to the big magnums or small rifle cartridges, Unique is the all around powder it will work in almost any handgun cartridge but i find its not the best for most and is very smokey.
Just My 2 cents.
PS if you want load suggestions for 231/hp38 for those cartriges you can PM me.
ANdy
Just My 2 cents.
PS if you want load suggestions for 231/hp38 for those cartriges you can PM me.
ANdy
jcfoxcroft
New member
- Location
- SW Ontario
I use W231.
For 9mm I use 124 gr FMJ and use 4.9 grains W231 which is 0.45 CC's with an over all length of 1.125 inches.
For .38 Spl I use 158 gr FMJ and use the same quantity as 9mm above with an over all length of 1.42 inches.
For 9mm I use 124 gr FMJ and use 4.9 grains W231 which is 0.45 CC's with an over all length of 1.125 inches.
For .38 Spl I use 158 gr FMJ and use the same quantity as 9mm above with an over all length of 1.42 inches.
