Best Powders for Newbie
- Thread starter John Z
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BleysAhrens
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Can we add .40 S&W to that? I have been looking at load data for all 4, and wonder what the ideal powder would be...
MtnCreek
Member
I would buy HP38 for the 38 and 9mm and H110 for the .357 (assuming 158gr bullets or heavier). I know I'll get yelled at for this, but I would stay away from the Bullseye.
mbopp
Member
I find myself using more W231/HP38 in lead 38/357 loads. I still prefer W296/H110 for all-up jacketed ones.
For a newcomer I would suggest Unique, it is a bulky powder and if you had a double chage you would know it. It will work well in all of the cartridges mentioned however be advised that Unique will only put you at mid level performance in the .357. The only thing against Unique is that it meteres horribly, but that is fine by me as I just trickle it into the scale.
Power Pistol is fine with (+P) .38 SPL loads and and the 9mm. But it lacks the versatility IMHO when using standard data and lead bullets in the .38 SPL and I hear it is flashy.
I don't think Titegroup or Bullseye will fair to well in the .357, but then again I've never used either for the .357 either.
Power Pistol is fine with (+P) .38 SPL loads and and the 9mm. But it lacks the versatility IMHO when using standard data and lead bullets in the .38 SPL and I hear it is flashy.
I don't think Titegroup or Bullseye will fair to well in the .357, but then again I've never used either for the .357 either.
ColtPythonElite
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I load lots of those calibers using both Unique and Power Pistol. Unique will work very well with 9,.38. and .357 with either cast, jacketed, or plated bullets. I use PP only with plated or jacketed bullets. I've never seen much load data for PP and cast bullets.
If I could only have one pistol powder to use, it would be Unique.
If I could only have one pistol powder to use, it would be Unique.
soloban
Member
+1 Power Pistol is great for the the 9mm. (Good for .45 ACP too!)
+1 on H110 for the .357 Magnum (Its what I use in my SP101 and it THUMPS!)
I've used 700X for 38 Special but I don't recommend it since it meters like Corn Flakes.
+1 on H110 for the .357 Magnum (Its what I use in my SP101 and it THUMPS!)
I've used 700X for 38 Special but I don't recommend it since it meters like Corn Flakes.
Unique will work for all of them, but it's dirty.
TiteGroup is good for all of them too and it's much cleaner. It wouldn't be my 1st choice for .357, but it's OK. Good powder to start with.
NOTE: It's easy to double-charge .38 and .357 with a small-grain powder like TiteGroup. Check every case every time to be sure you haven't screwed up.
See Hodgdon's website for data.
TiteGroup is good for all of them too and it's much cleaner. It wouldn't be my 1st choice for .357, but it's OK. Good powder to start with.
NOTE: It's easy to double-charge .38 and .357 with a small-grain powder like TiteGroup. Check every case every time to be sure you haven't screwed up.
See Hodgdon's website for data.
Old krow
Member
Unique would be my pick as well, and for the same reasons.
Lost Sheep
Member
Consider Trail Boss
It is almost impossible to overcharge with Trail Boss. It is voluminous, like nobody's business. When I got my friend into reloading, I researched around for a powder that it would be impossible to overcharge his 500 S&W. TB won hands down.
It is not the most economical on a per shot basis, but for getting started, it was ideal.
He liked it so much that he still uses it for "pipsqueak" loads, for practice, familiarization and demonstration. Out of his 500, he can throw a 325 grain slug at 800 fps with somewhere around 10 grains of Trail Boss. Recoil is like a 22 rimfire, but energy is 150% of 45 ACP military hardball.
Trail Boss is not recommended for jacketed bullets, but apparently copper plated is OK. We had to dig around on the web and the powder manufacturer's web site to find load recipes, though, and I am not sure if the 9mm case will hold enough powder to generate the recoil to operate the action on a 9mm pistol reliably.
Good Luck, and thanks for asking our advice.
Lost Sheep
It is almost impossible to overcharge with Trail Boss. It is voluminous, like nobody's business. When I got my friend into reloading, I researched around for a powder that it would be impossible to overcharge his 500 S&W. TB won hands down.
It is not the most economical on a per shot basis, but for getting started, it was ideal.
He liked it so much that he still uses it for "pipsqueak" loads, for practice, familiarization and demonstration. Out of his 500, he can throw a 325 grain slug at 800 fps with somewhere around 10 grains of Trail Boss. Recoil is like a 22 rimfire, but energy is 150% of 45 ACP military hardball.
Trail Boss is not recommended for jacketed bullets, but apparently copper plated is OK. We had to dig around on the web and the powder manufacturer's web site to find load recipes, though, and I am not sure if the 9mm case will hold enough powder to generate the recoil to operate the action on a 9mm pistol reliably.
Good Luck, and thanks for asking our advice.
Lost Sheep
TheCracker
Member
Universal Clays is not listed and I believe greatly overlooked. It is right next to unique on the burn chart, burns VERY CLEAN, and meters superbly. It will do nicely for the calibers you listed.
When I stared loading about 3 years ago I wanted Unique because that's what a lot of ppl talk about. I couldn't find any in stock and a experienced loader explained Universal Clays to me and all it's benefits. I have shot some unique and in my experience is it is dirty.
When I stared loading about 3 years ago I wanted Unique because that's what a lot of ppl talk about. I couldn't find any in stock and a experienced loader explained Universal Clays to me and all it's benefits. I have shot some unique and in my experience is it is dirty.
rfwobbly
Member
I would steer newbies away from TiteGroup since the load range is so tight. Start with something a little more forgiving. Unique, Win231/HP-38, maybe Accurate #5.
ColtPythonElite
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A couple of guys have mentioned Unique being dirty...Yep, I find it pretty dirty in a .38. However, once it gets bumped up to .357 pressures it burns much cleaner. I also find that it burns pretty clean in my .45 loads.
All these powders are good in a variety of calibers. But most people wouldn't recommend Bullseye for a first powder. Fast powders aren't as forgiving, and BE is one of the fastest. TG isn't far behind. And they won't do much for your .357 loads.
Power Pistol is a medium pistol powder. And it meters well. And it's cheap. Can't really go wrong there.
Unique is medium/fast, and it's a good compromise. And using manufacturer load data, Unique will most certainly give you the highest velocities with most of the bullet weights in your calibers.
Power Pistol is a medium pistol powder. And it meters well. And it's cheap. Can't really go wrong there.
Unique is medium/fast, and it's a good compromise. And using manufacturer load data, Unique will most certainly give you the highest velocities with most of the bullet weights in your calibers.
rangerphil
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Another vote for Universal Clays.
The second powder I bought 30+ years ago was Unique, and I still keep a can of it in my cabinet. The first being Bullseye 'cause I loaded .38 Specials only. Since all my guns get cleaned after shooting, "dirty" powder isn't important to me as long as it doesn't interfere with functioning, and Unique never has in any of my reloads.
I don't understand why so many people like to bash Unique. I've never had any problems when using Unique in my .38 SPL, but then again I don't load powder puff loads either. My most often load is by no means hot it consists of 4.6 under a 158gr SWC for about 850fps and I have no problems. If you load on the light side of course you will have some unburnt kernels of powder. To that I'd have to ask why is Unique being used for powder puff loads to begin with when there are clearly better choices for those type of loads. I bet if anyone trys loading 4.0gr of Universal Clays behind a 158gr SWC you will get some unburned powder left behind too.
When shooting cast bullets any powder is going to leave some kind of residue behind. This being due to the bullet lube, which melts to some degree and escapes from the barrel cylinder gap on a revolver. When everything is taken into consideration it just plain hard to beat the versatility of Unique and I'll never be without it. If I were limited to only two powders it would be Unique and H4895.
When shooting cast bullets any powder is going to leave some kind of residue behind. This being due to the bullet lube, which melts to some degree and escapes from the barrel cylinder gap on a revolver. When everything is taken into consideration it just plain hard to beat the versatility of Unique and I'll never be without it. If I were limited to only two powders it would be Unique and H4895.
Searcher4851
Member
+1 for unique.
Very versitile powder, nice bulk (I prefer a more full case), somewhere between fast and medium burn rate. Loads more toward the top end range burn cleaner, as with most powders. I shoot mostly cast bullets, and it's my powder of choice for cast.
Very versitile powder, nice bulk (I prefer a more full case), somewhere between fast and medium burn rate. Loads more toward the top end range burn cleaner, as with most powders. I shoot mostly cast bullets, and it's my powder of choice for cast.
howlnmad
Member
For a newbie, i would suggest any powder that is fluffy and fills the case enough so as not to be able to load a double charge. Unique is known as 'flammable dirt" to some but hey have managed to clean it up some. Like I said, go with something that fills over half the case. Trailboss, you can fill the case with but you DON'T want to compress it or crack those little donuts 
.
.Cosmoline
Member
I agree with Lost Sheep. TB is *THE* powder I'd recommend for a newbie. It's much easier to handle than the sometimes-greasy Unique and the bulk makes it easier to weigh properly. It's also all but impossible to overcharge and you'll know if you dumped two loads in a shell.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Nother vote for Unique.
I like powders that can be used for a variety of rounds and Unique is very versatile.
I like powders that can be used for a variety of rounds and Unique is very versatile.
gamestalker
member
I like HS6 for 9mm and 38 spcl. and H110/296 for .357 mag. But if your not using a jacketed bullet for the .357 H110/296 won't work.
I don't load with lead or plated bullets, so can't help if that is what your using. Actually you didn't mention the bullets you are using?
I don't load with lead or plated bullets, so can't help if that is what your using. Actually you didn't mention the bullets you are using?
zxcvbob
Member
I'd recommend Bullseye. It's bulkier than you'd think, and it measures really well.
Unique or Herco might be a better choice IF your powder measure can handle large flake powders.
Unique or Herco might be a better choice IF your powder measure can handle large flake powders.
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