One handgun powder to rule them all...

[Jenrick]

I currently reloading 9mm, .45 ACP, and .38 special all with W231. I'll soon be adding .357 sig and .40 S&W to the list. From what I've read using W231 in .357 sig s not advisable if I'm looking for full power rounds. Is there another powder that can be used to load all 5 cartridges? It's a requirement that it meters well, as they will be loaded on a 550B.

I've done a bunch of searching both on THR and the web in general with no real answer.

Thanks in advance,

-Jenrick

 

[Walkalong]

Not really.

Most reloaders end with with a minimum of two and usually three powders if they reload a wide variety of calibers.

I am sure you could load .357 Sig with W-231, but not nearly to its potential.

W-231 is a great all around choice for the three you already reload, but .357 Sig is another animal.

 

[sansone]

alliant "unique"

 

[OFT]

Unique.

 

[kludge]

For that particular combination Universal or HP-38 will get you at or near max for all those cartridges. Universal for me.

 

[sansone]

for a time I used "clays" in all my handguns. My 6" .357 did not like that fast powder so a friend told me to try Unique and what a difference. Unique is a little slow burning for some pistols but I use it anyway. hard to choose just one pistol powder as previously posted

 

[RidgwayCO]

VihtaVuori N340, or Hodgdon's Universal Clays.

 

[Walkalong]

N340 is an outstanding all around powder, and I really like it, but the difference between .38 Spl target loads and .357 Sig loads is just too much for one powder to bring out their potential.

If you just want to make them all go bang, Unique, N340, or Universal Clays will work. Three very good powders.

Part of handloading is the versatility. Why handcuff yourself?

 

[sansone]

hodgdon HS-5 or HS-6 also ok

 

[Walkalong]

Would not be my first choice.

N340, Unique, Universal. In no particular order.

 

[CraigC]

Unique and 2400. Though I do have a strong fondness for Titegroup and it could, theoretically, replace Unique.

 

[sansone]

some powders flow better through a powder dispenser, mine hates tiny flakes

 

[Hammerdown77]

Power Pistol

or

Universal/Unique (prefer Universal as it's cleaner burning)

 

[Prion]

Power pistol or Unique

 

[Venado]

Top end loads: use Power Pistol

 

[ljnowell]

I would add power pistol or one of the Accurate powders for the sig and 40, perhaps #7.

 

[ljnowell]

Actually, I think its worth mentioning that Accurate has load data for #7 in 40, .357 sig, 45acp, and 9mm. They also have load data for one 38special load, but I think you may be able to find more if you looked around.

 

[buck460XVR]

Part of handloading is the versatility. Why handcuff yourself?

+1. Looking for the perfect do-all handgun powder is like searching for that magic bullet. Another part of handloading is trying to get the best performance from every gun and type of bullet used. FME, It generally don't happen with one powder....

 

[janobles14]

i used HS-6 for all of those you listed and they performed well. i did however branch out after a while and now have 3 i use. HS-6, Unique, and Bullseye.

 

[LiveLife]

I tried to do this myself last year and found that it really takes minimum of two pistol powders. One faster and one slower pistol powders. Otherwise, you'll always be compromising at either end.

For me, W231/HP38/Bullseye/N320/No.2 would take care of the faster end and WSF/HS6/PowerPistol/Unique/N340/No.5 would take of the slower end.

If I had to choose only one pistol powder, it would be hands down W231/HP38.

 

[noylj]

1) I would shoot .357 Sig with 231/HP38 even if I don't get full velocity. I would try a good S/D load and carry that but shoot a good practice load that is pleasant to shoot. Hodgdon should be able to give a load with 231/HP38.
2) A powder that I found was darn good in light .38 Special Wadcutter loads and 700fps .45 ACP Bullseye loads was AA5. Not quite as good as 231/HP38 or AA2 in my guns, but darn close. It was originally advertised on the can for use in mid-range .38 Special and .45ACP loads. It also performs very well in the .357 Sig and gets within about 50fps of the max velocity for any powder.
3) Unique is great, but it doesn't fit the "needs" of many shooters. Universal is better for them.

 

[Jenrick]

I reload so that I can shoot more, I'm not trying to push the envelope, max my accuracy etc. I'm just reloading so I can shoot more.

I've got loadings that work just fine for the calibers I listed that I currently shoot with W231. If I can use it in .357 sig to get something similar to a full house load, I'll be happy. I'm just looking for something that shoots roughly like a good SD round.

If that's not possible, then it looks like Universal and Unique are getting a lot of nods.

-Jenrick

 

[LiveLife]

At least there's no shortage of load data for Unique:

10 gauge
12 gauge
16 gauge
20 gauge
28 gauge
10mm Auto
32 Auto
32 H&R Magnum
32 S&W Long
32-20 Winchester
357 Magnum
357 SIG
38 Special
38 Special +P
38 Super Auto +P
38-40 Winchester
380 Auto
40 S&W
41 Rem Magnum
44 Rem Magnum
44 Russian
44 S&W Special
44-40 Winchester
45 Auto
45 Colt
45 G.A.P
45 S&W
454 Casull
480 Ruger
9mm Luger

 

[zxcvbob]

WSF will do it. Or Bullseye if you are OK with loading them down just a little.

 

[GLOOB]

As a beginner, I chose Unique and W231 to get me started with auto pistol and .357.

If I had to have only one, I'd take Unique. I don't have a good W231 load for full .357 or .40SW. I also like Unique because it doesn't leak out the side of my powder thrower.