Preferred Powder?

[kirkdbergeron]

Well I'm ready to upgrade to 4 lb or 8 lb containers instead of the 1 lb HP-38 I been using, anyone got any suggestions for something that can be used to reload for 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP? Not looking to break the bank, but looking for something reliable as well

 

[jmcrawf1]

Find out what powder works for you before you buy 8 lbs. of it.


That said, I use WST for 9mm and .45 ACP.

Gonna use some unique for some .45 LC loads for a buddy, soon.

 

[scooterj]

Another vote for WST

 

[kirkdbergeron]

Roger that, and thanks guys, I been thru about 3 lbs of HP-38, I mean I like it, but all i see is 1 lb containers, I will get a 1 lb of WST tomorrow and try it out!

 

[jmcrawf1]

Roger that, and thanks guys, I been thru about 3 lbs of HP-38, I mean I like it, but all i see is 1 lb containers, I will get a 1 lb of WST tomorrow and try it out!

What calibers are you loading?

Edit: nevermind, I see it in the OP. Duh

.45= 4.2 gr. WST
9mm= 3.9 gr.

 

[scooterj]

What calibers are you loading?

See 1st post

 

[sraiford]

titegroup... use less powder

 

[kirkdbergeron]

ok guys if you wouldn't mind giving me your reload data for the WST on what works for you for:
125 gr 9mm LRN,
143 gr .40 S&W LFN,
180 gr .40 S&W LRN,
200 gr .45 LSWC,
230 gr .45 LRN,
So at least I have a start point for WST, Lee reload manual doesn't list WST at all, mainly 231....

 

[jmcrawf1]

What calibers are you loading?

Edit: nevermind, I see it in the OP. Duh

.45= 4.2 gr. WST
9mm= 3.9 gr.

ok guys if you wouldn't mind giving me your reload data for the WST on what works for you for:
125 gr 9mm LRN,
143 gr .40 S&W LFN,
180 gr .40 S&W LRN,
200 gr .45 LSWC,
230 gr .45 LRN,
So at least I have a start point for WST, Lee reload manual doesn't list WST at all, mainly 231....

The 9mm I posted was for 125 gr. and the .45 is for 200 gr.

 

[kirkdbergeron]

The 9mm I posted was for 125 gr. and the .45 is for 200 gr.

Thanks!
I know I was reloading my 200 gr and 230 gr of lead with the same gr so I will try that for both, thanks again!

 

[tactical723]

Winchester 231 is what I use for all 3 calibers

 

[kirkdbergeron]

ok so far this is what I gathered...

125 gr 9mm LRN, 3.9 gr of WST
143 gr .40 S&W LFN, ??? gr WST
180 gr .40 S&W LRN, 3.6 gr WST
200 gr .45 LSWC, 4.2 gr of WST
230 gr .45 LRN, 4.2 gr of WST

I just need some data for 143 gr Lead for WST

 

[Pale Horse]

Honestly, using that much in the way of cast bullets one of the Accurate powders, #2, #5, or #7 would probably give you a lot more available load data.

Other than the 143gr .40, all of them are listed for Bullseye too, which is VERY economical and available pretty much everywhere.

 

[Guate_shooter]

The problem you will have if you wanted to use bullseye is the pressure I was using bullseye to load 180gr .40s&w round nose but now that I switched to 200gr Tc I made the switch to wst it also requires less powder, I've used blue dot as well and it's a very slow burning powder which involves a lot more powder per load but it is safe for all calibers as well. I use bullseye on my .45ACP but wst for 40 and 9, cabelas had a crap Pile of powders and primers last weekend I went after the eaps match and I bought 4 pounds of wst but they only sell in 1lb jars.

 

[Pale Horse]

According to my manuals, Bullseye gives lower pressure in .40 than Blue Dot for most weights and types of bullet.

 

[Leadslugga]

I use Unique almost exclusively for handgun loading for the exact reasons you're asking about; I like to buy a big 4 pound jug. I've loaded 9mm, 40, 45, .38, .357, .44spl, .44 mag, all with Unique, and it has worked just fine.

I like to have lots of powder that I know for sure will work with any handgun I might get, and unique fits the bill.

 

[BayouSlide]

Don't load .45, but Titegroup is my go-to pistol powder for 9mm and .40, 8# at a time. May not be ideal for lead bullets but all I shoot are JHP.

 

[FTRrookie]

I use titegroup for all three calibers. I use Bayou Bullets and have pushed the 9mm 125 gr to 1200 fps with no leading problems. Titegroup is a little dirtier than some but you use less and you have to clean you guns anyway

 

[henry]

Unique all the way, it's cheap, burns clean, and it fills the case, you'll know if you would ever double charge one.
Just my opinion...

 

[Leadslugga]

Unique all the way, it's cheap, burns clean, and it fills the case, you'll know if you would ever double charge one.
Just my opinion...

I'm not sure I'd necessarily say it burns clean... not compared to other candidates like 231. True it is "cleaner burning" then it used to be (it says so on the can), but I find I get a little bit of ash left over, especially when shooting revolvers and ejecting cases by hand.

That being said, it doesn't actually make any functional difference. Like I said before, I take comfort in the knowledge that I have a giant jug of powder that will work in any handgun cartridge.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't meter as easily through my powder measure as 231, probably because the size of the flakes is bigger. When throwing small charges, (under 5 grains) it is sometimes hard to get very consistent charges and you get that feeling that the powder measure is "cutting" flakes when you throw a charge.

Still works just fine, though, any my light .38 loads are accurate. Still don't like to go less than 4.7gr with it in .38 spl, though, because of the difficult metering, and 4.7 is the max load under a 158 grain bullet at standard pressure. At least according to speer.