Shopping for new handgun powder.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Shopping for new handgun powder.

Posted: 1/18/2013 8:04:27 PM EDT

Since I've been loading handgun cartridges, I've been using Accurate Arms #7 and I've been very happy with it.

However, two things have made me look for a new powder. First, almost all powders EXCEPT Alliant powders (other than Unique) are in short supply. Second, I'm going to start loading 38/357 (cast) and my reading seems to indicate the #7 really doesn't work that great, especially for .38.

Friends have recommended Tite group as it seems to fit the bill nicely. Unfortunately it's not available, and neither is Unique, another recommendation.

Going powder shopping tomorrow, need some ideas for a versatile powder for 9/45/38/357. Suggestions?

Posted: 1/18/2013 8:17:28 PM EDT

[#1]

Posted: 1/18/2013 8:20:21 PM EDT

[#2]

There are a good number of "do all" powders, as long as you're careful about never throwing a double charge. Since you want to shoot lead, this means you should stay at the faster end. Look at a burn rate chart. Just about everything between Bullseye/Accurate#2/Win.231 at the fast end and Unique at the slow end will be just about fine. Pay attention to pressure more than velocity.

Posted: 1/18/2013 8:36:23 PM EDT

[#3]

As an aside (and I really like Titegroup), one of the hottest burning powders is actually Titegroup and it will smoke a lot with uncoated/unplated lead. Less with coated/plated bullets (like Precision Bullets, for example, or plated ones), but it's a hot-burning powder. I do love it, but that's one noted disadvantage for when supplies free up to keep in mind.

Posted: 1/18/2013 8:54:15 PM EDT

[#4]

I really am starting to like Longshot. Excellent 9 and 45 velocity, and not bad in 357 either. It's what I use in my 9 and 45 defensive loads.

Posted: 1/19/2013 4:13:14 AM EDT

[#5]

Clays (NOT International Clays, or Universal Clys) for .45 acp, .38 spl, .40 S&W. WSF for 9mm. I've tried a lot of powders and these worked best for me (IDPA shooter).

Posted: 1/19/2013 5:16:40 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Clays (NOT International Clays, or Universal Clys) for .45 acp, .38 spl, .40 S&W. WSF for 9mm. I've tried a lot of powders and these worked best for me (IDPA shooter).

+1 Supposed to be Hodgdon's equal to Unique. I have used it with cast bullet loads in 357, 44 mag and 45 acp.

Posted: 1/19/2013 11:29:30 AM EDT

[#7]

Thanks guys.

Picked up a pound of Clays to try. They should just give the load data for .38 in the number of flakes

Posted: 1/19/2013 12:46:47 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Thanks guys.

Picked up a pound of Clays to try. They should just give the load data for .38 in the number of flakes

Meters well in my 550B!!!

Posted: 1/19/2013 3:02:09 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20%20and%20Primers/P9300219.jpg

+1 on True Blue, meters like water, cool shooting, clean and it's easy to find.

Posted: 1/19/2013 6:48:45 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20%20and%20Primers/P9300219.jpg

+1 on True Blue, meters like water, cool shooting, clean and it's easy to find.

We're going to have to start calling our self's the True Blue crew.

Someone will listen, and then there will be 3.

Posted: 1/20/2013 3:01:24 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20%20and%20Primers/P9300219.jpg

+1 on True Blue, meters like water, cool shooting, clean and it's easy to find.

We're going to have to start calling our self's the True Blue crew.

Someone will listen, and then there will be 3.

After not having good results with 9mm and Clays, I went with True Blue for a 9mm minor round and it has been great so far.

Meters good, and my rounds are accurate. I just loaded another 400 today.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:13:55 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20%20and%20Primers/P9300219.jpg

+1 on True Blue, meters like water, cool shooting, clean and it's easy to find.

We're going to have to start calling our self's the True Blue crew.

Someone will listen, and then there will be 3.

I love Ramshots powders but I have had better luck with Zip then True Blue.

Posted: 1/20/2013 5:46:18 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Powder%20%20and%20Primers/P9300219.jpg

+1 on True Blue, meters like water, cool shooting, clean and it's easy to find.

We're going to have to start calling our self's the True Blue crew.

Someone will listen, and then there will be 3.

I love Ramshots powders but I have had better luck with Zip then True Blue.

I will have to try that next. I am using Silhouette and True Blue.

TBC#2

Posted: 1/20/2013 6:17:49 PM EDT

[#14]

Just bought a pound of Zip to save on using my AA#7 lol. I loaded a hundred of them with 124 gr rnl, I'll be testing them shortly.

Posted: 1/20/2013 6:21:26 PM EDT

[#15]

Here's my vote:

Alliant Power Pistol

I'm currently using it for 9mm, but have seen plenty of load data for the other calibers you listed. It has a nice wide range of velocities, and seems to be on the slower end regarding burn rate. It meters well, but tends to have a bit of a static problem when trying to empty the hopper on the powder measure. The only other drawback is the muzzle flash, which is bright white. I don't notice it at all on the lower end, but it's definitely noticeable on the mid-range loads.

It sounds like I might need to give True Blue a try...