one powder to do it all?

[cracker]

looking for one powder to load 45 ACP 230 grain 40 cal 165 grain and 9mm 115 grain. I also like to fill my cases over half so no way to double charge, I have good luck with winchester 231 for the 45 and the data for that powder for the 40c and the nine seems to catch my eye. Any other one does it all suggestions. with the way things get and nothing available every couple years I would like to stock up on just one powder.
Thanks

[5pins]

Unique.

[BN]

Yep, Unique.

[revchuck38]

Unique fills the bill for what you're looking for. I've gone with BE-86, which is close to the same burn rate as Unique but meters much better. The downside of BE-86 for you is that it's easy to double-charge a case with it, especially with .45 ACP.

[vcdgrips]

I am a big fan of 231/HP-38. I found a load that works in both 1911 and glock and never looked back.

I do not reload for .40 so I do not have experience to share.


5.4-5.6 with a 230 Grain RNL or FMJ/Plated 45


4.3-4.4 with a 115 and 124 9mm FMJ/Plated.

[olstyn]

What is the goal for the loads in question? The answer, especially for 9mm, depends on the application. If you're loading to a power factor target for USPSA/IDPA, then in 9mm you'll want powders on the fast end of the burn rate spectrum - N320, Sport Pistol, Titegroup, etc. (Well, probably not Titegroup given your expressed case fill preference.) If, on the other hand, you're chasing higher bullet velocity, you'll want a medium or slow burning powder. Unique, CFE Pistol, BE-86. Unique definitely does it all, but it tends to be dirty, and it doesn't meter particularly well through powder measures, so I'd probably recommend going another way.

I've never loaded for .45, but my understanding in the past has been that most powders which work well in 9mm will also work well in .45 - it's just a matter of finding a recipe (or at least a starting point for testing).

[cracker]

Loads in all calibers will be for paper punching FMJ rounds, no IDPA.

[ER_STL]

I always recommend Winchester WSF. 9mm charges for 124gr (5gr or so) fills up about 50% of the case, making a double-charge very obvious. It burns clean and allows you to safely load up to +P ranges if you so desire.

[TOTS]

Titegroup is what I use for everything. Caveat; it won’t fill.45 up halfway but will keep from seating 9mm with a double charge. I visually check every case prior to seating a bullet.

[CCT125US]

Unique, followed by 231.

[mtnbkr]

Unique.

I've used it in:
32swl
32-20
38spec
357mag
44spec
44mag
45acp
45AR
308win
35Whelen

I used it's cousin, Power Pistol, in 32acp, so I'm sure I could make Unique work there.

Chris

[TCB]

It ain’t cheap but VV N320... used it for 9, .40 & .45 for a long time. Great stuff...but not cheap.

[Archer1440]

I’ve used N320 for more than 20 years for .45 ACP with my Dillons, meters perfectly and very clean. Works great for 9 as well. I have enough to last a while, and I’m glad for that as the price has more than doubled in the past 12 years.

I loaded an average of 35k rounds of .45 per year between 2001-2004 with it, never once had any kind of malfunction over those ~200k rounds. Went through nearly 30 lbs in one year back then- 2003.

[Hambo]

Are we talking about the ideal powder, or one you can actually buy right now?

[olstyn]

Are we talking about the ideal powder, or one you can actually buy right now?

N320 shows in stock at Powder Valley right now. Probably need to buy at least 8 pounds plus some primers for the hazmat shipping to be worthwhile, but it's available.

[Hambo]

N320 shows in stock at Powder Valley right now. Probably need to buy at least 8 pounds plus some primers for the hazmat shipping to be worthwhile, but it's available.

Then that should be his starting point. Unique is fun to talk about, but not in stock anywhere.

[Eyesquared]

Even with hazmat and paying a premium for N320, I would think it still beats paying 35cpr or more for factory 9mm ammo right now.

[NETim]

I've been burning W231 in 9, 45, 38 Special for years now because I have a ton of it. It might not be the best powder for all applications, but it works well enough.

It burns dirty compared to newer powder formulations though. It does meter well, so there's that.

I would not hesitate to use it as my "do all" handgun powder (with the exception of heavy big boomer loads in 44 mag or the like.)

[revolvergeek]

Odd man out here, but I have used Red Dot. for virtually all of my bulk range practice ammo reloading over the last 28 or so years (wow, I am starting to feel that birthday coming on saturday). Works well in most pistol rounds. It will fill a 9mm case. Shot may thousands of .45ap 230 LRN over 5 grains and .357 158 over 5 also. Don't like it for .380, but oddly it is great in.32 long. Got good accuracy with it in 9mm with lead, but not as good with FMJ. Load data isn't always as plentiful as it once was so I have started using unique and bullseye more.

I have a buddy that uses Unique for every pistol caliber he loads with good success. Both Red Dot and Unique have been reformulated in recent years, so use old manuals with caution.

That all said, the cleanest burning powder that i have seen so far is BE-86. Another friend uses it a lot and has been very pleased with it and he doesn't get the carbon fouling buildup that Red Dot and Unique can cause. No personal experience with it yet, but it is on my list to try.

[OfficeCat]

I'll join the chorus for Unique or its modernized cleaner burning equivalent BE86. It meets the criteria of being hard to double charge and has the versatility to be used in a wide variety of loads from light to heavy. W231 would be a distant second for me, although I've been using it exclusively of late for 9mm and 40 practice ammo due to having been given an 8 pound keg a while back. It's easier to overcharge, however, and doesn't have as wide an operating window as Unique/BE86. I've always found Unique to be very forgiving and easy to work with. Maybe not always the best choice for a given handgun caliber and bullet combination, but never a bad one.

[Ivantheterrible]

Take a look at Alliant's Power Pistol. I've used it a LOT in 9mm and .40 with great success. Haven't tried it in .45 but Lyman lists it for most all bullet weights. I like it in 9mm and .40 because I get good velocities, without pressure issues, and a double charge will overflow the case making it easier to spot.

[mmc45414]

I always recommend Winchester WSF.
I have used a bunch of Longshot and it might be another slower one to consider. I used it because ended up with eight pounds a long time ago, but at the time I was loading a lot of 155g 40S&W and like the idea of a slower build on the pressure, and it seems pretty bulky also. Now I am starting to load more 147g 9mm and it seems ideal, and I also loaded a bunch of 115g loads. And a bunch of 230g 45ACP, though it might not be idea for that.

It is also rather obscure and not always in as much demand. I just went and looked and it is In Stock at Powder Valley in all three sizes at pretty much normal prices.
https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product/hodgdon-longshot/

[revchuck38]

That stuff ought to be called Loudshot. I've gone through a few pounds of it. It's a pretty good powder for .357 Magnum. Except...one time I shot a nighttime IDPA match with my M681 and full-power loads. Flash wasn't too bad, but afterward another shooter said that it hurt his ears. I told him he should've been wearing ear protection. He told me he was wearing ear protection.

I didn't like it in 9x19. Even at the max listed load in Hornady's manual, cases were smoked.

[Patrick Taylor]

Take a look at Alliant's Power Pistol.

Local gun shop stocks Power Pistol because the owner says "it works with everything". I am only loading .40 with it so far but works fine and has been easy to get.

[03RN]

Hows herco for an all around powder?

[revchuck38]

Hows herco for an all around powder?

It's been a while since I've used it. It's slower-burning than Unique, and my recollection is that it was dirtier and metered worse. Looking at Alliant's website (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/herco.aspx), it sounds like it went through an update similar to what they did with Unique. Alliant only lists four handgun calibers for it, though there's lots of data in reloading manuals. IMO, there are better all-around powders.

[03RN]

It's been a while since I've used it. It's slower-burning than Unique, and my recollection is that it was dirtier and metered worse. Looking at Alliant's website (http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/herco.aspx), it sounds like it went through an update similar to what they did with Unique. Alliant only lists four handgun calibers for it, though there's lots of data in reloading manuals. IMO, there are better all-around powders.

Thanks, maybe Ill try some for my .45 colt and acp and save my unique for my .38s and .357s.

Herco seems to be available and cheaper

[Tennessee Jed]

In these dark times of component shortages, I've found AA #5 to be a great all around powder. It's not the best powder for any particular caliber, but very versatile. I've used it with good success in 9mm, 38 Special, 357 mag, 44 Special, lower end 44 mag (be careful with this caliber, I only did it after some dialog with an Accurate tech), 40 S&W, 45 acp, and I'm about to try it in 10mm.

As the cliche goes, it meters like water, allowing very consistent powder throws, and I've not had any difficulty finding it. In addition, as plated and fmj bullets are getting harder to find, AA #5 has worked great for me with coated bullets and cast bullets.

[SecondsCount]

Accurate #5, WSF, and Ramshot Silhouette are good powders for your application.

ETA: Unique and 231 are as well, and agree with others that posted :cool:

[deputyG23]

I'll join the chorus for Unique or its modernized cleaner burning equivalent BE86. It meets the criteria of being hard to double charge and has the versatility to be used in a wide variety of loads from light to heavy. W231 would be a distant second for me, although I've been using it exclusively of late for 9mm and 40 practice ammo due to having been given an 8 pound keg a while back. It's easier to overcharge, however, and doesn't have as wide an operating window as Unique/BE86. I've always found Unique to be very forgiving and easy to work with. Maybe not always the best choice for a given handgun caliber and bullet combination, but never a bad one.

BE-86 is my go to pistol powder for the last few years. Easy to duplicate +P 158 grain .38 service loads with standard pressure .38 data and works well for 9, 40, and 45.

[ViniVidivici]

Used plenty of HP-38 and Win. 231 for those, current favorite do-all is Titegroup.

[psalms144.1]

While in Lexington on TDY this week, I found a hole-in-the-wall reloading shop that had LOTS of Unique available. No 8# cans, or I'd have grabbed one. Due to a bunch of other expenses recently, I had to temper my appetite to just two 1# bottles, but I know where it is now...

[JHC]

I ordered 4lbs of Unique from Powder Valley yesterday when I saw this awesome thread. New press just delivered. Dies on BO at Midway. Shouldn't have sold off all the old equipment in 93 that's for sure.

[richiecotite]

I ordered 4lbs of Unique from Powder Valley yesterday when I saw this awesome thread. New press just delivered. Dies on BO at Midway. Shouldn't have sold off all the old equipment in 93 that's for sure.

https://media4.giphy.com/media/kMM3vtBEgSsLu/giphy.gif


But to echo everyone else, unique is the shit, though it’s dirty and leaves lots of particles

I use WSF in 9mm and that would do if I couldn’t get unique. Blue Dot is another that would probably be ok, is cheaper and might be more easily available right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JHC]

https://media4.giphy.com/media/kMM3vtBEgSsLu/giphy.gif


But to echo everyone else, unique is the shit, though it’s dirty and leaves lots of particles

I use WSF in 9mm and that would do if I couldn’t get unique. Blue Dot is another that would probably be ok, is cheaper and might be more easily available right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 in my heyday it was all Unique and 2400. Later 231 for the DL-450 and .45ACP. But I dig the "old" powders and loads for nonsensical nostalgic reasons partly ;)

[19852+]

I've used several but I keep coming back to VV N320 for 9mm, .38 super, .38 spl loads. Kudos to Ramshot Competition, a close competitor to N320 for me. VV N310 is a good .45 auto powder but I stopped using it for 9mm and .38 super, just to risky.

[Hambo]

I've used several but I keep coming back to VV N320 for 9mm, .38 super, .38 spl loads. Kudos to Ramshot Competition, a close competitor to N320 for me. VV N310 is a good .45 auto powder but I stopped using it for 9mm and .38 super, just to risky.

What's risky about it?

[revchuck38]

What's risky about it?

I’m not 19852+, but it’s a very fast powder, and you may not be able to match factory velocities with it in those calibers at safe pressure.

[Hambo]

I’m not 19852+, but it’s a very fast powder, and you may not be able to match factory velocities with it in those calibers at safe pressure.

Thanks. I've used very little VV, and that was in rifles.

[EricP]

What's risky about it?

I don’t know that I would say risky, but at least in 9mm, the charge weights are very small and have a equally small range.

Example: 125 Hornady HAP - 2.5-3.0 gr N310 giving a pokey 900fps.

There also isn’t a lot of published data (in 9mm).

https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/?cartridge=89

[19852+]

What's risky about it?

Sorry I did not elaborate, I was in a hurry. VV N310 is a very fast powder which means it's pressure spikes very quickly. This can be dangerous in a small case like 9mm. Competitors looking for an edge use with a heavy bullet for powder puff recoil. I used it in a .38 super and suffered one blown case head. I no longer reload for the lowest recoil possible, instead I reload for reliability and accuracy. VV N320 is safe for use in 9mm and is the fastest powder I use for that caliber. I'm using N340 in .38 super now and I really like it.

[willie]

Hows herco for an all around powder?

This site will give much information about various powders and will provide data from many sources. Herco is a useful powder in revolver cartridges.

http://castpics.net

[willie]

This site will give much information about various powders and will provide data from many sources. Herco is a useful powder in revolver cartridges.

http://castpics.net

The above is a combination of an older reference site with a newer one. One result is that it is not easily navigated. Things change, and I would not have recommended the newer version had I known it is not maintained as it once was. It has value but not as it once did.

[chances R]

BE-86. 3.7gr with 145 gr Bayou PC. 9mm, Easy on shooter and pistol. Have used it for several years now. Use 5.9 gr in 45 ACP with 230 gr plated RN

[Whirlwind06]

2nd BE-86 its becoming my goto powder. Meters well, load data for what I reload.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[revchuck38]

BE-86. 3.7gr with 145 gr Bayou PC. 9mm, Easy on shooter and pistol. Have used it for several years now. Use 5.9 gr in 45 ACP with 230 gr plated RN

FYI, I’ve settled on 5.9 grains under a 230-grain coated RNL and it runs just over 800 FPS in my 4” M&P45.

[tankpondman]

+1 in my heyday it was all Unique and 2400. Later 231 for the DL-450 and .45ACP. But I dig the "old" powders and loads for nonsensical nostalgic reasons partly ;)

UNIQUE was first sold in 1900!!!

:cool:

Dam...lol

[Toonces]

UNIQUE was first sold in 1900!!!

Some of the guys in this thread were just wee lads then!:p

[tankpondman]

Some of the guys in this thread were just wee lads then!:p

I'm no young rooster myself!!:(

:cool:

[KevH]

For what you're describing I really like Alliant Red Dot. Actually "like" isn't accurate...I love it.

Red Dot is an old shotgun powder that has good volume to it, yet somehow still meters pretty decent through a powder measure. It also has red flecks in it (hence its name) so it's hard to mix up with other powders and its volume makes it easy to see if you're double-charging. It is very fast burning (low recoil) and I find it to be very forgiving. It's also fairly cheap and readily available.

You aren't going to be making magnum loads out of it, but if you're looking to make bulk practice loads I don't think it can be beat. Light recoil due to its burn rate, it doesn't take a lot of it by weight (like Unique with similar loads) and its fairly inexpensive which makes it economical and the most recent iterations of it is fairly clean burning. Add that into the fact that it plays well with plain lead and powdercoated rounds (unlike some other hot burning powders) and I think it's one of the best out there. It can also be used in large rifles to create "The Load."

Load data isn't always super-easy to find, but is around in the normal places. Alliant is trying to steer people towards their newer (and more expensive) powders like Power Pistol and Sport Pistol. Lyman and older Speer and Alliant manuals list it for literally every pistol caliber you can imagine.