New Pistol Powder Suggestions?

[zoid 24]

I'm down to my last pound of Accurate #2. That's all I've used since I've started reloading.

Nothing wrong with it, but from what I've read and been told it's a fast burning powder. I

am trying to load very light and with Accurate #2 it seems to work, but you get a lot of

powder left not burned so it gets messy fast.

 

Do you guys suggest anything else that is good for lighter pistol loads? I think something

that fills the case more might be beneficial, but let me know your thoughts.

 

I load 9mm and 45 only right now. In the future I may do 38spl/357mag. Thanks.

[alec.mc 180]

I'm down to my last pound of Accurate #2. That's all I've used since I've started reloading.

Nothing wrong with it, but from what I've read and been told it's a fast burning powder. I

am trying to load very light and with Accurate #2 it seems to work, but you get a lot of

powder left not burned so it gets messy fast.

 

Do you guys suggest anything else that is good for lighter pistol loads? I think something

that fills the case more might be beneficial, but let me know your thoughts.

 

I load 9mm and 45 only right now. In the future I may do 38spl/357mag. Thanks.

 

Look into

 

TiteGroup (9mm/38) (Fast though....)

NV320 ( 9mm/38)

Clays ( for 45 )

[JonF 79]

Clays will load a lot of different pistol calibers but its not the cleanest of powders. Fast burning, soft shooting and Full burn.

VV N320 is always a small caliber favorite. Very fast burning and VERY clean and VERY soft.

Lots of people like tightgroup as well for those calibers, its also very versatile.

Second selection powders would be W231, Unique and maybe Bullseye.

[Dan 177]

Maks turned me onto WSF for 9mm. I'm hooked, liked it so much I bought a big jug and its my goto powder for 9mm now. Makes a nice load that hits power factor for USPSA, along with a nice pop/push feel without any harshness in my 9mm 1911. If you weren't going for PF, you could lighten it even more to make it feel like a .25acp I'm sure.

[zoid 24]

I do prefer something universal and that's why I picked Accurate #2. Lots of load data on it (well least in my Lee Reloading Handbook).

It was listed in almost every caliber and weight and type of bullet so that to me showed it was versatile. I'd rather not buy one powder

for each caliber. Someone gave me a little bit of Clays to try out so I will do that. Any reason why N320 would not work for 45ACP?

 

Will look into the others. Thanks.

[Sig226GuyNJ 128]

I'm using TiteGroup, but my buddy who has been reloading for over 25 yrs likes Power Pistol.

[Bully 749]

I like Unique in my 9mm and Trail Boss in my .357. I haven't played with any other powder in 9, although when I'm looking for a bit more punch, I like 2400 in my .357.

 

C

[Socom 19]

WSF love it!

[JonF 79]

N320 will work fine for 45, however, clays just does it better and cheaper, thats all.

[AS350Driver 56]

I use W231 for 9mm and .45, it works well, and it's cheap.

[zoid 24]

Is this the Clays that you guys use (for those who use/have used it)?

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1009110922/hodgdon-universal-clays-smokeless-powder

 

There seems to be a few kinds. I think Universal is the one, but want

to be sure.

[alec.mc 180]

No , you want regular old clays for 45, universal operates differently.

 

HODCLAYS-04 * @ powdervalleyinc.com

 

[bulpup 98]

WSF for me too. Great for 9 mm loads and clean.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zoid 24]

No , you want regular old clays for 45, universal operates differently.

 

HODCLAYS-04 * @ powdervalleyinc.com

 

 

I saw this but got put under the impression it was for shotguns due to the clay birds on the container. Thanks.

[AS350Driver 56]

It is for shotgun, but doubles as a pistol powder, there are others that do this as well, but haven't committed to memory which ones.

[ronhonda 86]

As others have said, Regular Clays is great for 45 and 9mm.

For my 45, it is the only powder I have used. 3.5-3.7gr for a plinking load and 4.3gr to make major for USPSA(using a 200gr LSWC win primer, standard oal)

You can use it for 38/357 and 40s&w( no room for error on 40s&w)

[zoid 24]

As others have said, Regular Clays is great for 45 and 9mm.

For my 45, it is the only powder I have used. 3.5-3.7gr for a plinking load and 4.3gr to make major for USPSA(using a 200gr LSWC win primer, standard oal)

 

I used around 4.3 for my 200gr 45 loads with Accurate #2. Shot great, very soft, but a lot of unburned powder so it's messy.

Is Clays burning completely and clean with 3.5 - 4.3 gr?

[o_gabs 0]

Before we have lots of choices, but now i have to go whats available on my nearest gunstore

[Sigman 41]

Win 231 (HP38) is a great all around powder. I've loaded thousands of rounds.

[scarecrow 0]

I load 45's, 38's & 357. I use Unique for 38's, Power Pistol for 38+P and 357. Bullseye for 45's Very popular powders and readily available everywhere. You can if you want use any one of these powders to load all three calibers with Unique being the most versatile

[Maksim 1,504]

N320 is very versatile and clean burning. A pretty fast powder, slightly slower burning than 231 iirc. Only downside more expensive Nd not able to find it as readily.

 

Wsf is a fantastic alternate. A bit slower burning, but really nice. I use it for 9mm, 45 acp and 45 gap. I also use it as backup for 40 sw after n320.

 

Just picked up wst to try as well. Supposed to work well for. 9mm.

 

Only issue with winchester powders is being single base, they are inverse temperature sensitive.

 

BTW, wsf and n320 also meter very well.

 

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[hd2000fxdl 422]

Agree Maks, really like the way N320 meter's and shoots, price and availability could be better but I'll pay the difference and stock up when we do group buys here..

[Parker 213]

I saw this but got put under the impression it was for shotguns due to the clay birds on the container. Thanks.

Clays was Hodgdon's shotshell powder answer to Alliant's Red Dot, but slightly more versatile in large-bore (12 ga.) loadings using 24 gram to 1 1/8 oz. loads. It is still slightly slower in burn rate than Hodgdon's Titegroup. All three can be used in applications for shotgun or pistol. Other favorites for auto. pistol are 231, WSF, Bullseye, Unique, WST, Int. Clays.

 

Just about every pistol powder meters nicely except 4227.

[Col. Mortimer 11]

Another vote for WSF for 9mm. IMO one powder will not work well for all three calibers. 9mm is high pressure and .45ACP is low pressure. My powder for .45ACP is WST. .45ACP seems to work best with a fast powder and makes for soft recoil.

[Jon 264]

I load 9mm, 45, and 38spl all with W231 without any issues. Very happy with that powder.

[JayWilling 33]

I have used Clays but it seems dirty. I have loaded 38/357 and 45 with Clays, TiteGroup, and Alliant Bullseye. I really like TiteGroup and Bullseye- I've had some really nice shooting loads in 45. Haven't tried Bullseye for 9mm but TiteGroup makes up nicely.

[zoid 24]

What do you guys mean when you say it "meters well"?

[Col. Mortimer 11]

What do you guys mean when you say it "meters well"?

 

It consistently drops the same weight of powder. Consistency improves accuracy and adds to safety, especially when you are at the maximum load.

[RobertJames 14]

At the suggestion of a friend who has been shooting and reloading longer than I have been alive, I load .45's (Colt and ACP) and 9mm with Bullseye. No complaints, other than some soot after a prolonged range session. I recently got a pound of Unique to try.

[KpdPipes 388]

At the suggestion of a friend who has been shooting and reloading longer than I have been alive, I load .45's (Colt and ACP) and 9mm with Bullseye. No complaints, other than some soot after a prolonged range session. I recently got a pound of Unique to try.

 

personally I Like both Clays and Titegroup for both cartridges both powders give good performance without the gunk from Bullseye..I used bullseye when i first started, and i think my Black powder guns were cleaner after a range session sometimes. Since I started reloading again i;ve stuck with the two i mentioned and havent had any problems.