Powder for multi calibers

View · by **Evad** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 11:34 am

Did a little reading. I'd like to find a "universal" and I have two picked out. I will be loading 9mm, .40 and .45 with it.

Ramshot silhouette and Winchester autocomp. Comments? Burn rate is very close...so I am thinking of buying both and seeing if I can even tell the difference. Price difference isn't much to worry about between the two.

As I think, maybe a little more detail is needed. I'm new to reloading. These will be range use only. What reading I have done makes me think that these can be used pretty effectively for a lighter load and still have some punch. Yes, the .40 will be a glock. No, I don't want to hot rod it and see what happens.

I won't be loading ANYTHING until I have old eyes watching me for my first loads.

View · by **crbutler** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 1:34 pm

If all you are worried about is making some cheap plinking loads, doing something that is safe and effective is possible for the cartridges listed, although it will not optimize performance in them.

Look in a reputable loading manual and I think you will find options using a faster powder like bullseye. With a fast powder, you will also be using less powder and saving more money with those loads, though of course, then you need to make sure you don't double charge a case.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:11 pm

Yes, RTFM!! and there is ONE powder that has been known for decades that is EXACTLY what you are asking for: Unique!! It is called specifically that because no other powder out there can be used in more calibers and loads, and its ability to do this is still unchallenged.

View · by **Evad** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:43 pm

Seismic Sam wrote:Yes, RTFM!! and there is ONE powder that has been known for decades that is EXACTLY what you are asking for: Unique!! It is called specifically that because no other powder out there can be used in more calibers and loads, and its ability to do this is still unchallenged.

I have been reading. I see cons to both.

Unique isn't readily available...so I was looking at these two. They are both listed in charts I've read for each caliber. Maybe I could get some of each and see what works better for each.

View · by **LarryFlew** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 2:52 pm

Too bad because another Unique trait is filling those calibers enough to make it nearly impossible to double charge without overflowing.

View · by **smurfman** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 3:40 pm

I second Unique but if one cannot find it, look at Hodgdon Universal Clays. It is similar in burn rate to Unique but I place it second as it is not as inexpensive. Both also double for 20 and 28 ga target and field loads and 12 or 16 ga field loads which is a bonus for me. In reality, I tend to use whatever shotshell powder I have on hand rather than a handgun specific powder as they seem to fill the case better. I haven't loaded 9mm but I have used a fair bit of Red Dot and Green Dot in the other two as well as some Hodgdon Clays and Titegroup. I still prefer Alliant as I find it cheaper but what ever is handy works.

View · by **bpacman** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 6:24 pm

I do like Win 231 as long as you are loading FMJ or Plated. It is a little to smokey for lead rounds.

Bp

View · by **Evad** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 6:44 pm

bpacman wrote:I do like Win 231 as long as you are loading FMJ or Plated. It is a little to smokey for lead rounds.

Bp

The silhouette is the same as win231. Winchester stopped selling it. I have seen a lot of praise for it, but your lead comment is the first I have seen. I appreciate it.

View · by **SIGP240** on Sun Mar 10, 2013 8:23 pm

In a nutshell : Unique. Double charging is avoided by paying attention. Buy the antique RCBS LIL DANDY powder measure. Use Extreme caution and go back wth LED flashlight and doublecheck each case before you plug them. Yes unique is smoky so shoot outside. Inside the range it is a little bit annoying. I don't think that it will melt the base of a lead bullet until you get into 357/41/44 reloads. Then, a gas check would be the best protection for the bullet. The Dillon does not like disk powder, but Unique is cheaper than some ball powders. Good luck in your efforts, there is a lot of data out there that can help direct you toward satisfactory results.

View · by **s4s4u** on Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:53 pm

I've been using HS-6 for the 45ACP, 45 Colt (midlevel), and 38/357.

View · by **PowderBurn14** on Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:25 am

I've had good luck with Alliant Power Pistol in 9mm and .45 ACP. Load density is good and it is very clean burning. The best group I ever shot with my G-17 was with PP.

View · by **SmoothAR** on Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:08 am

I use both Unique and Power Pistol in all 3 calibers (9mm, .40 & .45 ACP). Some people have issues metering Unique consistently due to the large flakes. Power Pistol works in all 3, but is best suited for .40 S&W.

View · by **tator2k** on Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:19 am

I go through more W231 than anything else. It is a tad dirty with lead but it can be used for everything in standard power target loads. Magnum loads I switch to H110 another favorite for everyone.

View · by **cobb** on Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:26 am

smurfman wrote:I second Unique but if one cannot find it, look at Hodgdon Universal Clays.

I basically agree and shoot more Universal than Unique, although I do not think Universal is as well suited in lighter bullet/load combinations.

View · by **Evad** on Tue Mar 12, 2013 7:47 am

I'm open to more discussion...but I think I have made up my mind.

I'm going to start on unique. I might decide to get a few different powders since the loads are different, and I will be using lead some of the time. Since a rifle larger than 22LR is somewhere in my future I might as well accept I should have the best powder for each job sometime in the future. Unique sounds like it will get me a solid start while I get used to loading.