Need some powder suggestion for loading 38/357 magnum & 9mm

[misterarman]

Is there really 1 powder that works best in both?
Even in .357 mag is there really just 1 powder that works best in all bullet weights?

 

[orygun]

Is there really 1 powder that works best in both?
Even in .357 mag is there really just 1 powder that works best in all bullet weights?

Unique.

 

[misterarman]

Unique.

The best in each caliber and weight or just that it will work in all?

 

[Mikej]

Unique.

A powder that's readily available would be a good choice. When is the last time anyone saw Unique on a shelf/at a web site?

 

[aasbra]

Is there really 1 powder that works best in both?
Even in .357 mag is there really just 1 powder that works best in all bullet weights?

I have yet to find one powder that works best in both. Especially across the range of projectiles I've tried and in different applications (handguns and carbines/rifles) in 9mm and 357. There are some that work OK, but I haven't found one powder that is good enough to cause me to stop using several different powders for such loadings.

Unique is pretty versatile as others noted, as is Hodgdon Universal, but both have been hard to find since the shortage started several years ago.

 

[solv3nt]

Unique is kind of dirty. I used it for bunny fart loads and lead bullets.

 

[aasbra]

For the OP, this site has some information I found helpful for considering different powders in 9mm. Always check any loads you see someone share online with a reliable source (published reloading manual or powder/bullet maker's website).

9MM

9MM reviews

www.natoreloading.com

 

[BlindedByScience]

Been a while since I've done any reloading, but my first choice would be WW231 for 9mm, WW296 / H110 for the .357.

 

[JRMadrid]

I haven't tried CFE Pistol yet, but I really like Unique.
Tagged you in @misterarman 's post for CFE Pistol.

CFE is ok for 9, .38 and .357 but you get more oomph from 4227 out of .357. Can make it smoking hot.

I make subs with .38 using CFE

 

[orygun]

The best in each caliber and weight or just that it will work in all?

38 Special/357. Don't know about 9mm. Never loaded for it.

In fact, Blue Dot, too.

 

[2ndtimer]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some suggestions on a new powder to load 38, 357 magnum, and 9mm (but looking for best performance out of 357 & 9mm). I'm currently using titegroup which is economical, but not quite what i'm looking for.
I'm mostly loading 125 gr for 357 & 115 gr for 9mm. Looking for a powder that does not need use of magnum primers. Any suggestions? Thanks

There are a plethora of powders that can be used n .38, 357 and 9mm, some better than others, depending on how much performance you want.
Mild plinking/target: Titegroup, Bullseye, Red Dot, Accurate No. 2
Mid/warm: HS-6, Accurate No. 5, Ramshot Zip, True Blue, Silhouette, Unique, Power Pistol,, BE-86
Maximum .357 only: Accurate No. 9, Ramshot Enforcer, Win 296/H-110, 2400
These are powders I have or have used in the past. That you are limiting yourself to 125 gr bullets in .357, I would stick with a mid/warm powder and can personally vouch for Power Pistol as a good option, as well as BE-86. The Ramshot powders are cheaper, and True Blue has pushed 125 gr bullets over 1400 fps out of a 5" GP-100. I recently picked up an 8 lb keg of Alliant BE-86 for use in 9mm, .357 and even does decently in 10mm. I haven't tried it yet in .357, but since it is very close to Power Pistol in performance, I am confident it will be satisfactory. All of these mild to mid powders are fine with standard small pistol primers.

 

[Spitpatch]

Can't answer to any loads except what I've used to actually kill stuff.

In .357, W231 was highly recommended in an American Rifleman article on "Loading .357 for Accuracy." So I used it (with a 140gr JHP) to take a couple deer. Worked great.

Then I was advised that Blue Dot would grant a significant amount of velocity gain, and the scoped Trooper shot it just as well as the 231. Seemed cleaner than 231 (and WAY cleaner than 2400!).

It worked on Antelope very well.
...and a Rattlesnake.
...and a Turkey.

 

[Brassy Bill]

Is there really 1 powder that works best in both?
Even in .357 mag is there really just 1 powder that works best in all bullet weights?

Hodgdon Titegroup

 

[Dillon1000]

Power Pistol

 

[Caveman Jim]

As had been mentioned Bullseye is a good powder for those calibers. I also use A#2, it works very well for me.

 

[dangerranger60]

I use lots of Tite Group in mild and practice loads. It is not position sensitive, so no filler needed in a 45-colt case. it's mostly available, And it's cheap. But where it loses its shine is in performance loads. Loaded to the Max loads it has a larger report than the performance increase. and at max loads the Extreme Spread goes way up. So I don't blame the OP for looking at more suitable performance loads.
To the OP, you are probably going to find one powder that works well in both the 38 spl, and 9mm, and be looking for another that works best in the .357 mag. Good Luck DR

 

[orygun]

The best in each caliber and weight or just that it will work in all?

I just reread this thread and I don't think I gave a very clear reply.

For 38Special, Unique may not generate the fastest fps, but it is not far behind. There's more of a speed gap in the 357, but Unique is a still a solid choice. It can also be used is soft shooting loads. I say this pretty much holds true across the range of bullet weights used in these two cartridges.
I also believe Blue-Dot is similar, just a little more "oomph".

 

[Brassy Bill]

I use lots of Tite Group in mild and practice loads. It is not position sensitive, so no filler needed in a 45-colt case. it's mostly available, And it's cheap. But where it loses its shine is in performance loads. Loaded to the Max loads it has a larger report than the performance increase. and at max loads the Extreme Spread goes way up. So I don't blame the OP for looking at more suitable performance loads.
To the OP, you are probably going to find one powder that works well in both the 38 spl, and 9mm, and be looking for another that works best in the .357 mag. Good Luck DR

I agree, I used it in my 45colt. Not position sensitive. Not for high velocity. Bullseye, 4227, H110, HS6 Universal fill the bill

 

[Brassy Bill]

What I do when faced with such decisions is to go to the Hodgdon web site and play with their load data portion of the web site. With a pad and pencil you can filter out what you are looking for.

Lyman load manual is always good. Some lead bullet loads. I hive them to beginners, has a good primer.

 

[357 MAX]

I used to load 41 Mag with Blue Dot. It was one of my favorite loads. At some point the warning about using Blue Dot in the 41 came out, but was still OK for other Magnums. Honestly, it makes no sense to me, especially when it's ok in the 44 Mag, but by then I wasn't loading the 41 anymore and would prefer to not tempt fate.
I've only loaded 158gr in the 357 and the last batch, at near Max loads, was just a little too hot. I still have most of a box to pull bullets out of and do over.

Good info, @Certaindeaf

I also loaded 41 mag with blue dot with good results, in 3 guns Ruger S&W and TC, but that was 40 years ago. powder formulas do change.