Powder suggestions

[lfinsr]

I started acquiring the equipment, books and supplies to reload last summer. I had just about got what I thought I needed, sans powder, when the holidays and Sandy Hook came along. Being short on cash I had to postpone the remainder of my needs. Now I need powder and it's slim pickens.

I'm trying not to have dozens of different powders around. I believe ultimately that could lead to mistakes that I'm not interested in learning the hard way. If I can "keep it simple stupid" that's what I'd like to do. For the purposes of this discussion I'm only reloading .45 Auto and 9mm Luger. Rifles are an entirely different discussion.

I'd like to keep the minimum # of powders on hand. In fact if there were a single powder I could use that would be great. I've got some .45 230gn FMJ-RN, .45 230gn Hornady XTP, and some 9mm 115gn FMJ-RN for plinking. I can't seem to find a powder suitable for all 3, or at least published recipes.

Right now all I have is 700X used for the .45 230gn FMJ-RN as that was all that was available. Since the line is long I'd like to go ahead and get my order in. Anyone more experienced than me have any suggestions on a suitable powder?

Thanks,
Larry

[mr surveyor]

Unique

[philbo]

Lot of choices for powders that would work for 45/9mm. Titegroup is my goto powder for plinking rounds, but Universal, Clays, Power Pistol, red dot, Bullseye, Unique, Accurate #2 & #5. I've used them all and any would be ok and all have plenty of load data for the normal bullet weights.

[mr surveyor]

Accurate #7 as well

[Napier]

Hodgdon TiteGroup works for all three, if you can find it.

[Jumping Frog]

I have used all of the powders mentioned above, and I would use all of them except Unique. Unique simply does not meter well from a powder measure, while most of the others mentioned will meter like water. it was a great powder 100 years ago, but there are simply better and safer choices today. I will not use a powder that meters poorly.

In addition to the products mentioned above, if you run across any Ramshot offerings they are good versatile powders too. True Blue, Zip, Silhouette, and Competition are all good choices.

[PBratton]

I've always used Bulleye for my .45 loads and prefer Zip for my 9mm.

[canvasbck]

+1 for Titegroup, It's not the cleanest burning around but a good pistol powder, measures well, and cost effective.

HP38 is another recommended powder.

[MoJo]

If you want a single powder to load everything it's hard to beat Unique. I have been using Unique for over 35 years I have never experienced problems with metering. Some other good multi caliber powders are Red Dot, Bullseye, HP38, WW231, Hi-Skor 700X, and Titegroup. I'm not a big fan of Clays, but that's just me there is nothing wrong with it.

[Hamourkiller]

Bullseye, Unique and 2400 will handle 100% of normal handgun needs. Unique would be the powder if you can only have one.

[lfinsr]

OK, I've looked at all of the suggestions and I'm still where I was when I asked the question.

My problem is that I'm concerned about the XTP. Since the bullet is longer than a standard FMJ-RN, but the OAL is the same, some manufacturers treat it differently. What I'm taking from that is higher cartridge pressure due to the greater seating depth required to maintain the correct OAL.

Am I making way too much out of this? Would you use the same load for both XTP and FMJ-RN? Hornady doesn't make a distinction but their powder selection is limited. Lee has a list of about 40 powders for the FMJ and one for the XTP (Accurate #7).

I should just throw them away and buy my SD loads but at over a buck each I thought I could save some money.

Larry

[philbo]

Am I making way too much out of this?

Simply put... Yes.
Choose a powder that meets your needs and start with a minimum load and work your way up to a load your comfortable with. Same as any load development.

[LTUME1978]

Larry,

I, like you, can get caught up in over analyzing things. I can get so bad that I get stalled and nothing happens. Like others have said, go with Titegroup. It is a very good low volume powder that fits many applications. I use it for .380, 9mm, .357, and 45 ACP. Is it absolutely perfect for all of them and for all applications? No. But it works very well for all of them in just about everything I do (target, IDPA, and self defense if needed). Would I be concerned about using it for self defense? No. I have a bunch of 45 ACP with 230 grain LRN over 4.8 grains of Titegrounp for the "just in case" situation. I sure would not want to get shot with that ammo. Remember, a 45 makes a BIG hole even if the hollow point does not expand.

Look at the Hogdgon online site for loading data on Titegroup and your bullet. Also, go to the AA site as well if you decide to go to #7. You may be surprised at the different information you get there. If you are concerned about high pressures, start on the low end and work up in charge weight, watching the primer for clues that you are getting to the hot side.

Can you up make up something better for self defense? Yes. But don't sweat the details now, just get started. I generally carry factory self defense ammo anyway but if you want to load your own, you can always start with something (Titegroup), then improve that load over time as you find a powder you like better.

Carry on Sir and don't be afraid to ask more questions. Many of us have been down the same road before you.

John

[lfinsr]

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm just being cautious as mistakes are costly. Complicating matters is availability but Cabela's has Ramshot in stock. I'll take it from here and figure it out. Just hope you're not in the stall next to me when I go to the range...

Larry

[Napier]

As you work your way through this intimidating process, don't hesitate to ask for advice and experiences from this crowd. I suspect that for most of us, reloading is like procreation, we spend more time talking about it than doing it.