OT- Reloading help

[505stevec]

I have been reloading for a few months. I guess i need to narrow my powder supply to just a few types. So first question is...

1. what is your best all around pistol cartridge powder? now this is going to be used in pistols but in rifles too. 44mag, 357mag, 38 spl, 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP

2. What is a good all around (if there is such a thing) rifle powder? I have 30 carbine, 30-30, 308, 223, 300 savage, 45-70

I know this is a tall request but i need the help. and besides that is what you guys love to do. help the helpless

One last question. WHERE OOOOH WHERE CAN I GET POWDER BESIDES MIDWAY?! They dont seem to have much selection.

Thanks for all your help.

[Klondike]

First and foremost, you need to check the loading mauals and manufacturers specs and recommendations.
That being said, all the pistol caliber loads you mention work well with Hodgdon Titegroup. I use it in my pistols and rifles (pistol caliber only). I have tried a lot of others, but always wind up going back to Titegroup. Titegroup is excellent in light loads and up to max loads. In the large cases, it is not position sensitive and gives a clean burn, nice report and excellent uniform ballistics and shot groups.
I do not have any recommendations for rifle loads.

[horsesoldier03]

I dont reload any rifle calibers at this time. However, I prefer W231 and TITEGROUP for my .38/.357, .45 ACP, and .44 mag. Both burn clean and push the bullet at nice self defense velocities. The .38/.357 and .45 ACP generally get approx. 5 gns of powder and 9-10 for the .44. That makes it very economical to shoot. I prefer to buy my powder at a local dealer. That way I dont pay the high hazmat fee. Best thing I can tell you is take a Saturday and just go hit some pawn shops or google reloading supplies for your area.

[Blaine]

I've found BlueDot flexable with different pistol loads. It's real close to 2400 in the way it burns, and it will come to within 10% or so (fps-wise) to H110 with much less powder. I can't think of any single powder that would cover your rifle needs.

[O.S.O.K.]

Well, you could do quite well with H110 or W296 for the 357, 44 mag and 30 carbine, and W231 or Unique for the rest of your pistol cartrides. W748 could serve very well for all of the other rifle cartridges listed.

[Buffboy]

As OSOK said, 748 will do all the rifle cartridges surprisingly well. BL-C2 would work too, it's just a touch faster and that might make the 30 carbine a little happier. There are a lot of good powders in that range that would work for all you listed(4198, RL7, 3031,4895 just to name those I've used) but those two meter great.

Personally, I'd go with 800X for the pistol, I love its clean burning if not its metering. It's not optimum for all and it works well, light load or heavy. I've used it in everything listed but the 40S&W(never loaded that) with no complaints. There are a lot of powders in its range that would be as good.

[AJMD429]

I've been thinking along the same lines, and have decided to see what I can do with Unique, 2400, and 4895. I do have some 5744 for a Savage smokeless muzzleloader, and realize that it ALSO can be used in many, many cartridges, as well.

I started wanting to limit powders just for simplicity and safety, but now the ugly reason of limited supply and potential regulations has reared its head.

[Blaine]

If it gets bad, yer gonna need to be flexable with powders and accept less than excellent load variations.......as long as they are within pressure, of course.

[505stevec]

I have heard a lot of good things from a freind the competes in IPSC about Tightgroup for pistols. I also use 5744 in my 45-70s. The Trapdoor likes this one a lot. I have not really worked the sharps with it. Thanks for the help. I have seen some of your posts on Graf & sons and MidSouth for other distributors. thanks

[txbirdman]

When it comes to powders if I was limited to a single handgun powder it would be Unique. If only one rifle powder then H4895. If only one powder for both rifle and handgun then 2400. Looking at the loading manuals it's amazing the versatility of Unique and 4895.

[Don McDowell]

I have been reloading for a few months. I guess i need to narrow my powder supply to just a few types. So first question is...

1. what is your best all around pistol cartridge powder? now this is going to be used in pistols but in rifles too. 44mag, 357mag, 38 spl, 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP

2. What is a good all around (if there is such a thing) rifle powder? I have 30 carbine, 30-30, 308, 223, 300 savage, 45-70

I know this is a tall request but i need the help. and besides that is what you guys love to do. help the helpless

One last question. WHERE OOOOH WHERE CAN I GET POWDER BESIDES MIDWAY?! They dont seem to have much selection.

Thanks for all your help.

For the handguns you really need at least two powders. unigue to make everything run, and 2400 to get the bestest out of the 357 and 44.

The rifles you could get by real well with Rl 15 for everything but the carbine and the 45-70
If you must use smokeless in the 45-70 then 5744 for cast loads and 3031 for jacketed.(goex cartridge if you want it to work like it was intended)
The carbine could use the 2400 , lilgun,4227 or H110

Check with Grafs for the powder, primers etc. The prices they show include the freight so all you pay is the hazmat, and handling. 9 times out of 10 if you fill your cart at midway and then fill it at Grafs , Grafs will be the lower price. Natchez and Powder Valley are another couple of places to get powder and primers, and it always pays to check with Cabela's , as many times they got sales going and end up being the cheapest.

[Tycer]

I think Unique and 3031.

[JustaJeepGuy]

How about Universal Clays for the handguns?

[Redhawk1]

I usually have a few powder's I use for a round. I don't want to be stuck with just one choice. Also I find what works for me, may not work good for you. You have to find what works best in your guns.

As far a powder, I get all mine from the local gun shops. A lot better prices then having them shipped. Also buy in bulk, I buy 4 and 8 pound containers, a lot less expensive per pound. .

[Hobie]

If it gets bad, yer gonna need to be flexible with powders and accept less than excellent load variations.......as long as they are within pressure, of course.

I was going to make exactly this point. In fact, it is happening in some areas. Can't find Varget here. Great powder=high demand=shortage.

There is Grafs, Natchez, Midsouth, Powder Valley, and others. Midway allows you to ask for notification when an item is stocked. Best act quickly though. E.g. yesterday morning Midway had CCI magnum large pistol primers and they were sold out by 5 PM...

[okdee]

You are gona get a lot of different powders folks use with this request for help!

Klondike has it right, though!

First and foremost, you need to check the loading mauals and manufacturers specs and recommendations.

If you are starting out, you need the most up-to-date Reloading manuals, PERIOD! And I suggest getting at least TWO different Reloading Manuels. I have my Dad's old Lyman Reloading manuel from the 1960's and there are a number of changes in the information as compared to the newest Lyman reloading manuel (2007/08). You need to be careful and ask questions and do research, the internet is a great place, but you need to validate your findings. That can be time intensive.

Your desire to find a few types of powders for each set of pistols and rifles, may wind up showing performance standards not to your liking. The range of calibers and type of guns maybe too wide or extensive to narrow it down to one or two powders, without a loss of performance of some of the firearms at either end of the spectrum.

DID I say that right????

Any way, this is a great forum for this question! Great Luck in your journey!

Cheers,
Oklahoma Dee

[505stevec]

I have a Lyman Manual and a Hornady and Lyman Black Powder Manual. I just need to see what folks like best and why. I really am not a "Bench Rest" loader. I am looking to reload to save money and besides I heard that the AG said the administration is officially going after Assault Rifles and Ammo. So I want a couple kegs of just a few powders to survive. Paranoid? maybe but heck I like to shoot.

[okdee]

Sounds like a plan. Clays will do nicely for all your pistols.

[stretch]

I use WW231 for a general pistol powder, 2400 and H110 for the magnums. 231 isn't really
ideal for magnums, although it can be used for light loads. For 38 Special, 44 Special, 45ACP,
most of the 9mms (maybe all!), 40 S&W, and even up to 10mm it's fine.

I load more pistol ammo than rifle. H4895 is an old standard for rifle. 2400 has also been used in rifle for
many years, especially in calibers like the 30-30.

I tried to stock only 2 powders year ago - one for pistol and one for rifle. I'm too fussy, so I have four
or five now. I think it could be done with ww231 and 2400 - as long as the rifle calibers aren't too large.
Otherwise H4895 and WW231 - and you'd have to give up maximum performance for your magnum pistol
calibers.

[Blaine]

I have mostly big bore rifles and I'll be using H4198 for .405, .444 and 45-70. R7 or H322 will do the same with slightly differing but useful results.

[505stevec]

I was looking in Lymans and I see that with lead bullets i can use Unique in 45-70 and 30 carbine. This would sure simplify matters but looking at the charge for unique in the 45-70 it states 405 gr bullet at 11 grains powder. it does not give a CUP table for it. all the other IMR powders listed start at 22 gr up to 35 gr. How do you think the 45-70 would perform? does anyone have experience with the 45-70 and 30 carbine with this powder? thanks

[Tycer]

11 grains under the 405 works great.

[TedH]

11-13 grains of Unique works fine for "trapdoor" level loads with a 405 gr. cast bullet.