Best Replacement Powder

[gonoles_1980]

This is for my SA Bisley Valquero 357. I shoot 158 LSWC, currently I'm using 6.9 gr of HS-6, is a soft load even though it's at the high end of the Hodgin site. I'm down to 160 small pistol magnum primers. After that I'll only have small pistol primers. I have Unique, BE-86, HP-38, Titegroup and Bullseye. I'd like to have a similar feel.

 

[Jim Watson]

Review of www data indicates a heavy load of Unique or BE86 would be close to your HS6.
The others are too fast for the job.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I have liked be-86 everywhere I have tried it.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’m a Unique guy, my all time favorite mid-magnum .357 load is 6.5 gr Unique and a 158 gr SWC (usually coated). These are .38 WC rounds on top and .357 with the non WC bullets below. The coated SWC bullets I like (Eggleston coated) are in the middle.

For .38’s, I like 4.5 gr unique with the same 158 gr SWC bullet.



In .357 Ive gone up to as much as 6.9 gr of Unique, I didn’t think this load shot as accurately as the 6.5 gr one. (I think that the 6.9 gr load is just about max in my book.)

Stay safe.

 

[nofendertom]

I am with Riomouse911---Unique in .357 or .38 spl for me---all I ever use with any weight bullet.

 

[Captcurt]

Chalk me up for Unique. Shot lots of it back when I was shooting my Security Six and GP100.

 

[J-Bar]

What are you shooting at? Yeah, I know, poor English.

If you are just punching paper, around 3 grains of Bullseye works dandy for me in .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

 

[rfwobbly]

For precise performance, then BE-86.

For good results and excellent case fill, then Unique.

 

[rfwobbly]

What are you shooting at? Yeah, I know, poor English.

"A preposition is a TERRIBLE thing to end a sentence with."

 

[Reloadron]

What are you shooting at? Yeah, I know, poor English.

If you are just punching paper, around 3 grains of Bullseye works dandy for me in .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

Same here. Today I loaded some new brass .38 Special with 3.0 grains of Bullseye and some old Dillon 148 grain HBWC I use the same load with coated Missouri Bullet 148 grain DEWC bullets. I have some Unique around here and should load some using it.

Ron

 

[derek45]

HP38 / win231 works well and is cleaner than good old Unique.



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Unique is a great, classic 357 powder, but some call it "conbustable dirt" LOL

 

[Rod47]

Unique or BE 86, whichever will be more consistent in your powder measure.

 

[Catpop]

What are you shooting at? Yeah, I know, poor English. .

My high school English teacher, Mrs Carolyn Lloyd, is rolling in her grave!!!!!!!!
Thanks for bringing up that fond memory

Oh, I’m a unique man! It’s my go to pistol powder!

 

[Catpop]

HP38 / win231 works well and is cleaner than good old Unique.



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Unique is a great, classic 357 powder, but some call it "conbustable dirt" LOL

View attachment 967081

I heard flaming dirt, but a great flaming dirt it is!!!!!

 

[JO JO]

BE 86 would be my choice I have used it for 44mag did well enough should work for the 357

 

[bullseye308]

My go to load for years has been 5.0 grains of bullseye under a 158 lswc and it is a nice load that is very accurate in my gp-100.

 

[Walkalong]

BE-86

 

[gonoles_1980]

Of course my ideal situation would be to find some more small magnum pistol primers. It looks like for burn rates Unique and BE-86 are the closest to HS-6. I use Unique for my moderate loads in my 44 mag and BE-86 for the heavier loads. I want to reserve my BE-86 for the higher end 44 magnum loads, so I'll give Unique a try for my 357. Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[Average Joe]

Another for BE-86

 

[Cooter Boolit]

BE-86
Once you use it you`ll be hooked.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Of your options I would pick Unique. Personally I prefer Universal. It's almost identical to Unique. Just cleaner.
I'm not a fan of ball powder if I'm not running a full case.