[rmart]

I'm getting back into reloading after a 20-year hiatus.
I used to reload .38/.357, and .45
I used Hercules (now Alliant?) Unique powder for each of these rounds.

Now I'm looking at adding 9mm, .40, and .30 carbine into the mix.

I'm trying to find a single powder that would work well for each of these calibers.
When I crack open my Hornady Reloading Handbook I don't see a single powder that applies to every one of these reloading recipes.

So, I guess I'm going to have to decide on a powder and then go to the powder manufacturer's website and look for their suggested loads specific to their powder.

But, I need a good powder. One that will feed consistently through a powder measure and one that also burns cleanly. One of the things I didn't like about Unique was that it seemed to be a very dirty powder fouling my guns within a couple hundred rounds. Especially the ported 1911. (I'll never do that again...)

So, any suggestions for a clean powder that measures consistently through a powder measure?

Thanks much in advance.

R

 

[steve4102]

Sorry, can't be done. The 30 Carbine takes a much slower powder than the others, cept for maybe the 357.

You will need more than one if loading for all 6 cartridges.

 

[rmart]

I was browsing around on the Alliant site and found that to be the case.
Looks like they recommend only the 2400 powder for the .30 carbine.

For the other calibers it looks like my choice will be between Power Pistol and Unique if I'm going to go with Alliant.

My rifle calibers look like they'll all be met with Reloder15.

Now, regarding Alliant powders...
Good? Should I be looking at another brand? I hear Vihtavuori is supposed to be good.
What do you guys like today?

 

[myfriendis410]

Also; be aware that Unique was reformulated to be much cleaner. It's probably the most versatile powder for handgun out there but you are still loading across a much broader range than it can handle.

 

[USMCSpeedy]

With the exception of the 30 carbine, you can use Power Pistol for the others. I use it in 9mm, 38/357 and 45acp. I've also seen data for the 40. I just tool a quick look and didn't see anything for the 30 carbine though.

 

[carver]

AA #5 will reload all of the pistol calibers you have listed. Won't do the .30 carbine though. While #5 will reload all the calibers you listed, #5 is not the best for all calibers listed.

 

[312shooter]

Powerm Pistol is a fantastic propellant for the 9mm .40 and 45acp with lighter bullets. It will work in .357 just not to optimum performance.

 

[rmart]

.40 - Power Pistol 1,013fps, Unique 1,000fps (180gr. GDHP)
.38+P - Power Pistol 1,082fps, Unique 1,082fps (125gr. GDHP)
.38 - Power Pistol 986fps, Unique 980fps (125gr. GDHP)
.357 - Power Pistol 1,078fps, Unique 1,040fps, 300-MP 1,686fps!!! (158gr. GDHP) <== big difference here
.45ACP - Power Pistol 881fps, Unique 806fps (230gr. GDHP) <== 10% difference here

The 2400 powder is the only one that Alliant has load data for .30 carbine but it also has a recipe for .357 at 1,265fps (158gr. GDHP). More than with PP or Unique, but still significantly less than the 300-MP. I'm guessing that with my 4" barrels on my .357s that I wouldn't see that velocity anyway.

So, so far I'm looking at PP for the .40, .38+P, .38, and .45ACP, and 2400 for the .357 and .30 Carbine.

Any experience on how these powders feed through a powder measure? Also, do they burn cleanly?

Thanks again.

R

 

[stev32k]

I use power pistol for 9mm and .40 S&W. It feeds good and burns clean, but I do get a pretty good muzzle flash. I like it because there is a wide spread between start and max loads so I don't worry about a +/- .1 or .2 grain error in weight.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Unique for everything except the Carbine. Use 2400, or 4227, or H110, or L'ilGun for that.

 

[JLA]

Youll need 2 powders to rule them all, and they can both come from alliant..

Powerpistol for the .38 spec, 9mm, .40 and .45
2400 for the .30 Carbine and .357 mag

Ideally though, I recommend power pistol for 9mm and .40
bullseye for .38 spec and .45 acp
and 2400 for .30 carb and .357

So for me, Id have 3 powders to rule them all.

 

[oldgunfan]

Stop being a cheep skate, and get some H110 or 2400 or both for the 357 and the 30 carbine and some Unique or W231 or both for the others and rule the range.