Simplyfing pistol powders

[crabo]

I load 38 super, 45 acp, 38 spec, 357 mag, 44 with Unique and 44 mag.  I am using WST  and 231 for the 45 acp, bullseye  and 231 for 38 spec. Unique for 44 med loads, 540 and one of the Vit powders for 38 super and 110 and 296 for the 357 and 44 mags.

I think I would like to have fewer kinds of powder around.  Any suggestions for simplyfing my powders? 

First requirement is that I am really wanting the most accurate powders in my pistols.  I am going to shoot cast bullets exclusively. (That's the plan anyway)  I have opended up all my cylinder exit holes and have firelapped most of the guns, and will do the rest. 

I am not opposed to using  a bunch of different powders, but would like some recommendations on where to start.  I have used up most of my powder and am about to buy some more.

I know that each gun will shoot a particular set of components better than others, so I don't need the advice of working up each gun's pet load.

It may be that I just need to stick with the old plan of of a lot of different powders, but I thought I would give you guys a try and see what you think.

Thanks,

Craig

[41 mag]

I went through a similar thing several years ago. Finially just went through and listed all the calibers I had on a sheet, then the bullets weights I shot the most, and then how many rounds I figured in a years time I would shoot from each.

After this I went through the manuals and found the top velocity powders for all above listed weights in each calibers, and then picked out the powder which I could load something in all of them with. This ended up being Unique and 296 in my case.  Bought 8# of each and have been happily shooting since.

They aren't the "best" powders for everything, but they do what I need and have actually worked out pretty well. Sure simplified things when trying to keep up with this and that for load data.

Good luck,

[jpsmith1]

I didn't get as technical as .41 mag did.  I just picked up a can of powder and started loading.  Unique was my choice for lighter loads as well.  I just 'discovered' W296.  I tried a few different powders in that neighborhood like WC-820 and H110.  When my local shop was out of H110, I bought w296 because I knew that they were close.

I'm very opportunistic in that I use what is available to me, but I think that one powder over another is over-rated.  Pick a powder and work with it.  If you are shooting in a competition, then take every possible advantage and powder might help, but for general practice and knocking around I doubt it's going to be a huge factor.

[Castaway]

I use Unique for plinking loads in 380 ACP, 38 Spc, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP and 45 Colt, not to mention shot shells.  My preferred hunting powder is H 4227 in the 45 Colt but am using surplus H110 until I empty the 6 lb. can, then it's back to 4227 for me.  I reduced the number of powders on my bench three years ago and am quite satisfied with the decision.  Unique gives surpurb accuracy in all the calibers listed and with the exception of 9mm, all are with cast bullets.

[Lloyd Smale]

if it came down to picking three it would be bullseye unique and either 2400 or h4227

[tony212]

 Unique and W296 get my vote, although you could also replace unique with 700x.
Tony212

[OLDHandgunner]

Most used for my pistol reloading are Bullseye, Unique & 2400.
OLD school I guess.

[Glockman]

You can do every thing if you choose the 3 right powders.  You need one each of Fast, Medium and Slow.
The old timers would say Bullseye, Unique and 2400.    Nothing wrong with that except the big flakes of Unique are not ideal in progressive loaders like the Dillion.

A more modern selection would be three fine grained Ball powders that work well in progressive loaders.  WW231-----HS6-----and WW296 

These will handle every load from the lightest to the heaviest magnums.

If someone is just getting started in reloading variables can be confusing.   With just these three powders and published data they can do it all.

[Evil Dog]

Unique, Bullseye and W-231 are all I use.

[PaulS]

If you limit your powder selection you limit your ability to produce the best ammo you can for any given round. If you only have three guns then you only need three powders but if you have several guns in each category then you need more powders. Say you have a 357 mag that you use for plinking, target and general carry and hunting. You need at least two powders. You can use your target loads for plinking and your hunting load for personal protection. But you could use up to four different powders, one for the best ammo in each situation. If you have that 357 mag and a 3006 you might have several loads, each using a different powder to get the optimum use for each load. Your powder magazine is supposed to be full. At least as full as your gun cabinet.