How do you like 800-X powder in medium power straightwall handgun cartridges

I’ve used it in 45acp, and the only thing I didn’t like was how it metered. I seem to recal that it did not have a steep pressure curve, so a +/- 0.2gn variation did not swing the velocity too much. I think it would be a good mid-range powder for 44.

Love 800x in 10mm and 44 Mag.
My 10mm:
180 gr @ 1300 fps
200 gr @ 1250 fps

My 44 Mag:
240 gr @ 1340 fps

Yeah it meters bad but I don't mind weighing each charge given the modest volume I shoot of these loads.

I use it a lot for my 44 mag loads. I hand dip and weight each load, so metering, or lack of, is a non issue.

I also hand dip most of the large flake propellants just to keep myself safe. I will often make a custom scoop out of a used brass and some electrical wire. Either file it off or fill the base to customize it for your charge. I can dip with precision 3X faster than my uncle and his chargmaster can go. I use a lot of 700X and 800X for handgun ammo and IIRC it will work well for 44 mag loads and that bullet but now I mostly load Promo and LSWC target ammo.

Toprudder said:

I’ve used it in 45acp, and the only thing I didn’t like was how it metered. I seem to recal that it did not have a steep pressure curve, so a +/- 0.2gn variation did not swing the velocity too much. I think it would be a good mid-range powder for 44.

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I use it in 20 gauge loads precisely because it produces the desired velocities at relatively low pressures. Can dial it up to zippy field loads, or just leave it at 1200 FPS and have a big margin of error. Should work similar in handgun. Haven't tried it in 45 ACP, but it is on my list.

Oh yeah: and since everyone hates on 800X I was actually able to get it during the Obama panic.

You won't like small charges of flake powder through the chargemaster. They take FOREVER.

I have tested with 800-X in 9 mm, 38 spl, 357 mag, 455 Eley and 45 Colt. Poor results in 9 mm. The others did best with heavier lead bullets and loads in the upper end of the load data. I like it enough in 45c Colt that my house load is 9.0 gr under a 255 LSWC.

800x is NUTS GREAT in 9mm. Check out my results.
http://www.natoreloading.com/800x/

It was high velocity, accurate, and I ever did MAJOR @ 170 PF with it, and it ran great. I really like this powder. Really surprised me.

NATO Reloading said:

800x is NUTS GREAT in 9mm. Check out my results.
http://www.natoreloading.com/800x/

It was high velocity, accurate, and I ever did MAJOR @ 170 PF with it, and it ran great. I really like this powder. Really surprised me.

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Looks like you loaded jacketed bullets. My loads were lead.

It metered so poorly, I literally gave up on it and lit a strip of it for the 4th of July years ago. Unique meters like a ball powder compared to 800x.

Use it in the same place you'd use Unique. The thing is, though, it meters so poorly, as all have said.
If I had some handy, I'd use it, but I wouldn't go out and get any.
You might use a scoop that throws a bit short, the trickle the rest.
Gene

Loved it in 10MM under 200 grain XTP’s. Wouldn’t use it in any powder feeders and would hand measure only since it’s so course.

A friend of mine uses it for 357 mag and really likes for reduced loads, he has a charge master.
My powder throws do not meter hockey pucks well.