Need help selecting a powder.

[Papa Irish]

Take a look at Ameriican Select by Alliant.  I have been using it in .38 spl, 9mm and .45 ACP for several years.  It burns clean and my cowboy guns really like it for accuracy in my own load formulation.  I happened upon as a door prize at a gun club annual meeting.  After trying it I bought more and am very happy with.  I have been reloading for over 40 years.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I can only recommend what I have tried.

I like both Bullseye and Titegroup.  I've used a LOT of Bullseye in the last 37 years - especially in 38 Spl & 357 loads, both plinkers and full-power.

But they call it "Unique" for a good reason.  If only one powder were available I would HOPE it was Unique.

I've also been impressed by Win 231 (another hot powder like B.E.) and lately, I've used a lot of Clays for my non-CAS and CAS smokeyless loads.  I shoot 45 Colt and the published load of 5.1 grs of Clays pushing a 250 gr bullet is very good.



How-some-ever,   for nearly ALL (in the last 5 years) of my CAS loads I use ...

3F Black Powder - Goex.  The Original and one TRUE Gunpowder!

[litl rooster]

I can only recommend what I have tried.

I


How-some-ever,   for nearly ALL (in the last 5 years) of my CAS loads I use ...

3F Black Powder - Goex.  The Original and one TRUE Gunpowder!

It sure took long enough to steer him in the right direction.

[Advertising]

[Sod Buster]

Black Powder - The Original and one TRUE Gunpowder!

It's got my vote!

[Ramblin Ron]

I use Clays for my 38's and 12 ga. When using just 3 grains or under on my CAS rifle and revolver loads the bulk of the powder is used in the shot gun. I've also loaded 45 Colts and 44 Special with Clays for Cowboy use and find it cleaner to use then Unique.

Ramblin Ron.

[Delmonico]

There is something that has always confused me in discussions on nitro powders, that is worrying which one is cleaner burning.  I have never had a malfunction shooting smokeless because the powder was a little dirty burning.  Of course I do clean my guns when I'm done or at least within a few days.  Unique seem to catch a lot of, "but it's dirty burning."  Well a little, but I figured out that by keeping it, I keep from having to stock at least 3 or more powders to do in the guns I load for what Unique will do.  Instead of having several 1 pound cans around, I can just buy an 8 of Unique.

What is even funnier, in 3 modern guns I own, ones I'm very serious about performance from, the best loads in them are very dirty, in fact my 7/8th's Oz load in my 28 Gauge that has killed 100's if not thousands of game birds is so dirty a friend tried it in his 1100 and it fouled it up at less than a box, but there is no such problems in my 870.  So since it gives me the performance I want and need, I use it even though after a good day in the field the first couple of cleaning patches look almost like I've been shooting black.

Just my thoughts.

[rickk]

Delmonico, have you tried the more recent variation of Unique, packaged in the plastic containers instead of cardboard?

They messed with it a bit, and it burns a tad cleaner, not that I ever cared either.

[Delmonico]

Delmonico, have you tried the more recent variation of Unique, packaged in the plastic containers instead of cardboard?

They messed with it a bit, and it burns a tad cleaner, not that I ever cared either.

Not yet, there is still some of the old dirty stuff in the 8 pound keg.  I haven't been shooting as much lately, the cooking keeps my too busy.  But I will replace the Unique with Unique. 

Also going to try that Litl' Gun stuff some time, I think for my uses I can get rid of  AA1680, H-110 and have a replacement for the now gone HS-7.  In other words it will take care of my 22 Hornet, heavy loads in the 32 mag and 28 gauge upland loads.

My brother is now loading for himself and with Unique, Litl' Gun and Magpro for the 243 I think I can take care of all my smokeless reloading I do right now.

[rickk]

H110 is on the other end of the spectrum for when you want to do something serious.  It is in my top 5 powders.

[Delmonico]

H110 is on the other end of the spectrum for when you want to do something serious.  It is in my top 5 powders.

It's a fine one, but Litl' Gun gives more velocity with the same pressures in the 32 Mag. 

[Ranch 13]

Del , lilgun was disappointing in the 41 mag, worked fair in the 45 colt, and will really make a 357 sit up and pay attention.

[Delmonico]

Del , lilgun was disappointing in the 41 mag, worked fair in the 45 colt, and will really make a 357 sit up and pay attention.

It gives almost the "Ruger only" velocity that H110 gives but at SAAMI specs that would also be allowed in the weaker guns if one wanted.  It shows about 350 fps in the Hornet at the pressures I'm getting with AA1680, comforting in the case hardened Low-Wall, and there is a nice 13/16 28 Gauge load that doesn't need the wad modification the 7/8 th HS-7 load needs.  Guess they named it right, it's for little guns.

[Delmonico]

Del , lilgun was disappointing in the 41 mag, worked fair in the 45 colt, and will really make a 357 sit up and pay attention.

Forgot to ask, were the guns cleaner when you were done than when you started?

[Ranch 13]

Naw they was the same ol grubby gunked up guns they always are.
The low end 45 colt loads were pretty sooty..

[Delmonico]

Naw they was the same ol grubby gunked up guns they always are.
The low end 45 colt loads were pretty sooty..

They still worked fine though I'm betting.

[Ranch 13]

Yessur that they do 

[One-eyed Jack]

How 'bout pointing us beginners to a resource that will explain all the different characteristics of powders and how to choose.  Ya'll keep talking about using a different powders for different situations, is thar a book that explains all this???

OEJ

[Delmonico]

How 'bout pointing us beginners to a resource that will explain all the different characteristics of powders and how to choose.  Ya'll keep talking about using a different powders for different situations, is thar a book that explains all this???

OEJ

Lay your hands on several reloading manuals and read the information in the front before you do anything else.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

One Eyed Jim, I'm afraid that MOST of us comment due to our experiences, NOT because there's a book that covers all the powders.  I don't believe one exists, but Del is right.  In the first chapters of EVERY loading manual I've ever seen there is a great reference section.  Of course, each manual is going to highlight their own products, but if you get enough books you'll get a lot of good info.

[Cliff Fendley]

I've ran Lil' Gun in my 480 Ruger and the other big rounds but even though there isn't a nickels worth of difference in the performance I'm just sticking with H110 in the magnums. If anything on sandbags with scoped revolvers the H110 has better overall accuracy and consistent velocities.

As for the original post, when I do load 38 special I use Clays, I dont shoot much 38 special but I do load a few for playing around the house and for my wife to shoot. I actually prefer to hear a boom instead of a crack