Powder reviews and recommendations

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  • ckyoursix

    Plinker
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Jul 20, 2011
    129
    18
    Over by there
    I see a lot of questions about powders in the normal threads . As a new reloader I also have questions that I would like answered. Lets keep this thread to just asking questions, and giving reviews about what are menbers are useing, and any other infomation that would be helpfull, instead of trying to search the normal threads.:):
     

    Obiward

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    9   0   0
    Oct 19, 2010
    155
    16
    Fortville
    I mainly reload straight wall pistol (9 mm, .45, .38 SPL). I use Titegroup a lot with all three. It's a bit smoky, but makes for really accurate loads, especially with .45. The main drawback/benefit is that it doesn't take much for a good load (3-5 gr.). This is nice with respect to cost savings, but it does present the opportunity for a double load. I usually triple check my powder levels before seating.

    I also use the classic Bullseye for .38 SPL. Seems to be a little more accurate than the Titegroup. It was harder to find, but is becoming much more available.

    During the last shortage, I bought 4 lbs of Hi-Skor 700-X. Good all purpose pistol powder. Not as accurate as Titegroup or Bullseye, but it definitely makes some good loads. It doesn't meter as consistently as the other two, but if I keep my rhythm consistent on my powder throw (RCBS) it seems to do ok. It's my go to powder for mass production 9 mm blasting loads. It doesn't take much like Bullseye and Titegroup as well.

    I just picked up some HP-38 and loaded some .357 SWC light loads with it. Good accuracy out of a lever action rifle, but was extremely smoky from the revolver. I haven't worked up any 9 mm or .45 loads with it, but will soon.
     

    OHOIAN

    Marksman
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 20, 2014
    157
    18
    NE OHIO
    In 38Spl With 158g SWC I can’t find anything better than 3.6g of Bullseye. It is a little bit smoky but man is it a good shooting load. It has shot well in every 38Spl I have ever owned.
    For 9mm it’s W231/HP38. 4.7g under a 115g JHP.
    In 357 and 44 mag I have to go with 2400.
    For 45ACP I load several powders including PP, Bullseye, and Red Dot among others.
    I am still working on 40 S&W, although PP is looking promising.
    I have a substantial stock of 2400 and Bullseye so I don’t need to try to find them. That could influence my selection quite a bit.
     

    Leadeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Jan 19, 2009
    36,690
    113
    .
    I load a variety of old cartridges. Have had the best luck with 5744 in rifles and Unique/2400 in pistols.
     

    spencer rifle

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    66   0   0
    Apr 15, 2011
    6,544
    149
    Scrounging brass
    9 mm - 124 gr Montana Gold JHP over 3.4 gr Clays: clean, hardly any smoke and flash, very economical
    .308 - depends - 147 gr FMJ over 42.5 grains H4895
    For deer - 165 grain Hornady BTSP over 42.2 grains H4895 using a trickler and careful measurement
    Working up loads for 7.62x39 once I get enough Berdan primers out of the cases - crimps are the bane of my existence.
    Just starting on .223, which I swore I would never get into.
     

    grunt soldier

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    71   0   0
    May 20, 2009
    4,910
    48
    hamilton county
    223 and 308 my main go to powders are cfe223, varget, 4064 and h335. I have had great luck with finding and keeping them.

    Pistol my favorite is longshot but I also run titegroup due to the prices and availability.
     

    JJM7288

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    May 4, 2015
    411
    18
    Zionsville
    I just started reloading too. Currently using HP-38 for .38 special and Titegroup and Power Pistol for 9mm. Last night I tested CFE Pistol in .40 S&W loads, quite impressed with the result.
     

    DIRTROAD

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Mar 11, 2013
    555
    18
    Started out with bullseye but it became to hard to fine so I went with titegroup and unique for my 9mm and 45acp
     

    oldpink

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 7, 2009
    6,660
    63
    Farmland
    I'm new to .38 Special loading, but so far I like what 700-X does for that, but HS6 also seems to work quite nicely.

    For serious business out of my Ruger Blackhawk and Marlin 1894, both chambered in .45 Colt, H110 really generates the power, and for general purpose mild to medium loads, it's tough to beat good old Unique.

    My 10mm Auto does okay with Blue Dot, better with AA#7, and gets top performance with AA#9.
    The latter two powders kick the muzzle velocity up a bit more, and they're very clean, unlike Blue Dot.

    I've used IMR 4895, W760, and IMR 4350 in my .30-06, but I have yet to see an improvement over the minute of angle that I get using IMR 4831.
     

    Doublehelix

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    15   0   0
    Jun 20, 2015
    1,874
    38
    Westfield
    Newbie here, but I have tried HP-38, Power Pistol and TiteGroup in my 9mm, and while all are acceptable, I *much* prefer Titegroup for accuracy and consistency. There are all for 124 gr. plated and 125 gr. FMJ loads. I just picked up some XTP JHPs in 147 gr. that I need to work up a load for as well.
     

    71silverbullet

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    36   0   0
    Oct 30, 2010
    736
    43
    Southern, In
    I'm new to .38 Special loading, but so far I like what 700-X does for that, but HS6 also seems to work quite nicely.

    For serious business out of my Ruger Blackhawk and Marlin 1894, both chambered in .45 Colt, H110 really generates the power, and for general purpose mild to medium loads, it's tough to beat good old Unique.

    My 10mm Auto does okay with Blue Dot, better with AA#7, and gets top performance with AA#9.
    The latter two powders kick the muzzle velocity up a bit more, and they're very clean, unlike Blue Dot.

    I've used IMR 4895, W760, and IMR 4350 in my .30-06, but I have yet to see an improvement over the minute of angle that I get using IMR 4831.

    I'm going to have to try the AA#7 and AA#9 for 10mm. How does it meter?
     

    Bennettjh

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Jul 8, 2012
    10,434
    113
    Columbus
    For pistol loads (9 and 380), I'm using TiteGroup. So far, I've had 100% reliability and they seem more accurate than factory ammo.

    I'm trying to move in to rifle now (.223 and 30-06). Still doing research on those.
     

    oldpink

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 7, 2009
    6,660
    63
    Farmland
    I'm going to have to try the AA#7 and AA#9 for 10mm. How does it meter?

    They're both fine spherical powders, so they do quite well.
    I've been told that they're a bit fine such that the Lee Autodisk powder measure tends to get leaks with them, but I don't have any such problem with my well worn old RCBS Uniflow.
     

    Cynical

    Sharpshooter
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Nov 21, 2013
    682
    93
    peru
    They're both fine spherical powders, so they do quite well.
    I've been told that they're a bit fine such that the Lee Autodisk powder measure tends to get leaks with them, but I don't have any such problem with my well worn old RCBS Uniflow.
    Yep, exactly right. I've loaded AA 2,5 and 7 out of my auto disk and do get some leakage but not enough to be a problem. When the shortage hit I had a good supply of Bullseye and haven't looked back. I get the typical " It's dirty" line but I clean my guns after every shooting session and haven't had my guns stop functioning so it's a moot point. I use Bullseye in 9mm,.40,.38/.357 and .45 and I get it for $17.00 out of the bulk jug from my LGS.
     
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