Pistol powder

[gmitchell]

If you were going to buy a versatile pistol powder that would work in a pinch for anything from 9mm,40 s&w, 45 acp, 357 mag, 38 special, 45 long colt, and 44 mag? Or should I say 2 powders? Or do I need 3?? I have CFE pistol, Longshot, red dot and going to be out of AL-5

 

[avidflyer]

sport pistol and cfe...

 

[PopCharlie]

Unique checks all the boxes listed above. I've used it in all of the rounds listed, except 45 long colt. I never owned one.

 

[tominboise]

Herco would also work in all the pistol cartridges - a slightly slower version of Unique.

 

[LVLAaron]

CFE Pistol is pretty flexible.

Check out the Shooters World (Lovex) powders as well. I got a bunch of Heavy Pistol and Major Pistol for 9mm and 38/357.

 

[rockrat]

Red dot and Unique

 

[nilebartram]

W231 for most of the mention calibers,

 

[DumpHollow]

Unique checks all the boxes listed above. I've used it in all of the rounds listed, except 45 long colt. I never owned one.

Unique works well in the 45LC. I've used it in 38, 357, 44 mag, and 45 LC. Dirty but accurate.

 

[DiffEQ]

You can work with any of the ones you list.
On the heavier ends, I'd use H110 / W296

 

[acloco]

HS6

 

[wagonman]

red dot is a proven powder in 45acp, 45colt, 38spl, good to go 9mm,40s&w 357 and 44mag, to bring 357 and 44mag up to magnum speeds 2400, h- 110, w296, aa#9, blue dot.

 

[OLeveraction]

Unique is never the best powder for any caliber.
But, Unique is one powder that can be used for any caliber.

 

[pirate ammo]

Winchester Auto-Comp is another. All the above are good.

 

[AccelR8]

Don't forget Bullseye. A little bit goes a long way.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Unique has been unavailable for quite a while so Win231 has replaced it for my pistol loads. I also found Shooters World Ultimate Pistol to be good, but leaves too much empty space in the case for my liking, as it is extremely fine.
Might be a good idea to find 3 or more powders based on today's market. Versatility in reloading options can never be a bad thing for most.

 

[MikeT124]

I use W231 for many loads in those calibers, I found Longshot to be too slow for my .45ACP medium to heavy loads, got a shower of unfired powder from a short ported barrel.

Mike

 

[457ciSBC]

My choices would be Univ Clays and AA#9

 

[Hoser]

Unique.

 

[K22]

I've used 231 for years in the 38 special, 357 magnum, 45 ACP and 44 magnum**.

However you must be absolutely careful using 231 to avoid a double charge.

**light loads with lead bullets. For magnum jacket bullet velocity - 2400.

 

[EdHarley]

TIghtgroup will handle those, but you may want AA9 or H110 if you want hot magnum loads.