Is one pistol powder "better" than another? 

 

I have yet to load anything and I need to pick a powder. I have an unopened pound of AA#2 and that is it. Most of my loading will be plated or FMJ .45 ACP, although I have a .38 K-Frame I also want to load for. To the best of my knowledge there is no powder that can load .45, .38 and .30 carbine well. There are a few cast .30 carb pistol powder loads in my Lyman book, but I will be loading FMJ in that as well. 

 

Are any of them "better" for .45? I'm looking to load basic standard pressure loads for a Series '70. 

I use Unique for 38, 45, and a cast bullet load for 30 carbine. Probably 90% plus of my handgun calibers are loaded with cast bullets. I also use it for reduced lead bullet loads for 30-30. I like the bulk of Unique as it helps prevent double charges in most handgun calibers. It also is good for standard to warmer loads. You can't do that easily with faster powders like Bullseye, Red Dot, or AA2. You can use these for standard pressure loads but they lack the versatility of Unique IMO.

 

My standard 45 ACP load is a 200 gr cast SWC over a charge of more than a grain less than Lyman lists as max. It still gives me over 900 fps in my guns.

Right now,  Any Pistol powder you can get is better than the one you can't get --  Not much room to be picky

 

 

 

I use promo for all my pistol loads -- promo is a red dot substitute -- 38 spec, 45acp, 9mm, 38 super  all loaded with promo with either copper plated or coated lead bullets

 

The 30 carbine I have loaded with AA#9 --  Pistol powders aren't recommended, at least in my books

 

I would have no problems using Bullseye in any of the pistol calibers I load as well --  Once again it's what can you get in quantity????

I use 700x for my .45 and will probably switch to it for 9mm when I run out of Titegroup.

 

 

This signature is AWESOME!!!

Whoa whoa whoa....you can get the powders mentioned? Tell you what, get yourself some Unique, then trade me for the Titegroup that I have.

I use AA-2 in all my pistol loads very versatile powder.. meters very well especially in dillon  loader.

 

I use #2  in .45 uspsa load.

 

Have used it in 9mm uspsa but moved to #5 with 124 gr bullet..

 

I find unique to be a dirty powder have not used it in a long time i have replaced unique  with #5

 

accurate arms load data.

 

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/accurate_load_data_3.5.pdf

Use that AA#2 in the 45ACP, great use for that.  I used to prefer AA powders for pistol. Used #2, #5, #7 all the time. Till things settle down with the powder supply use that.  I went from AA#2 to W231 because I could not get AA#2 anymore. Got some AA#7 left and that is it.  Even the W231 I have is just about gone.  Used to load 200SWCL over 5.5 of AA#2 YMMV.  Burn rate AA#2 is very close to Titegroup.

My dad bought one pound of Bullseye at Garden State after work. They were nice enough to let him in early. They had unique.

Heritage guild in easton had some 1 pounders of red dot yesterday.

How have shotgun powders been lately? I use clays in my 45acp loads. bout the smoothest I have ever shot.

First, Hodgdon Clays in made is Australia and that plant had a fire.  Clays production has been shutdown for the last year at least.  Suppose to come back online sometime this year.  Look to  Hodgdon TiteGroup, or IMR 700-X as possible substitutes, YMMV.

 

Second, most shotgun powders work well in pistol calibers.  Because of that, good luck finding anything that can be used in shotshells.  Take what you can get and use it wisely. 

 

Hopefully this mess will ease in 2015.

700x performs quite well in 45 and 38, but, due to it's large flake, it is a pain to meter unless you have a decent electronic type dispenser.  Dunkelbergers in Brodheadsville PA has had some in stock every time I've been there over the last 3 months or so.

If you can find Bullseye, grab all you can. One of the most consistent powders, especially in Minor loads for 40S&W. Current formula is clean burning.

Probably the best over all powder unless you go for Max loads for compensated guns.