Tough powder question

[RedDot]

I reload:

45 ACP
40 SW
44 MAG
357 MAG
38 Special

I use Plated or hard lead in all loads.
Right now I use SR4756 with fair results, just because it meters well in my LoadMAster. (Only used for the 45ACP for now.)
Anyone know of another powder that works well in the above calibers and meters smooth and burns clean as well.
I want to buy powder in bulk and stop messing with 1lb containers.

Thanks RD

[shooter357]

I have not found one that will work in the .38 and .357. For the magnums and .45acp I use Blue Dot. .40 S&W I do not reload, yet. You best bet would be to look through a reloading manual, or manuals, and see what powders are used in those calibers.

[Franchi20/28]

You won't find any one powder that will work very well for all of those cartridges.

Universal is a good all around choice for the .38, .40 and .45.

You can do some .44 with it as well, but is a poor choice for the .357. 4756 is probably a better choice for that one.

[Dave_n]

Except for the 0.40 where I use Vitavouhori 340, I have had excellent results with Clays International for the last ~20 years. When it first came out it listed loads for a large number of pistol cartridges, then it moved to shotgun listings only. However, I have found it exceptionally clean-burning and effective. Dave_n

[Plain Old Bill]

Bullseye or 231 for the light loads, 2400 for the magnums.

[Xringshooter]

You're probably not going to find ONE powder that works best in all those calibers. In one manual, Unique shows up for each of those calibers, but it may not burn as clean in some, or give as good an accuracy in others, etc.

That's the fun of reloading, doing the experiments until you find that one powder that burns cleanest, gives good velocity, and makes your gun shoot accurately. Most reloaders that I know have many different powders on hand, some because they have already developed pet loads and so they keep larger amounts of that particular powder on hand, and other powders because they haven't quite found that "perfect powder" for a particular caliber.

[RedDot]

Thanks you all for the info.
I guess I searching for something that really isn't there.
I have so many 1lb containers of powder, I figured if I can find one that works good in all for target loads, I could buy that one in bulk.
SR4756 comes close. I can find loading info for all calibers listed.
Maybe I'll just buy a bunch of 4756 and use the other stuff for hotter loads.

Thanks
RD

[Xringshooter]

I know my 7 1/2 barrel Redhawk 44 mag loves 20.0 grains of W296 behind a cast 250 grain LSWC, very accurate for me. I also put 25.5 grs behind a 200 grain JHP and it is also very pleasent and accurate.

My 357 (Ruger GP100) likes Hercules 2400 with 140 to 158 gr jacketed bullets.

My 45 acp is very accurate with 200 gr LSWC or JHP's and 6.0 - 6.3 grs of Universal Clays although I also load it with Unique and Solo 1000.

A load of 2.7 grs of Red Dot with a 148 gr LHBWC has almost no recoil and it is very accurate in a 38 special (only goes about 700 fps).

That what I mean by the fun of coming up with different loads (you're always going out shooting) and that you'll probably never find one perfect powder.

BTW - LSWC = lead semi wadcutter, LHBWC = Lead Hollow Base Wadcutter

[shooter357]

I know my 7 1/2 barrel Redhawk 44 mag loves 20.0 grains of W296 behind a cast 250 grain LSWC, very accurate for me. I also put 25.5 grs behind a 200 grain JHP and it is also very pleasent and accurate.

My 357 (Ruger GP100) likes Hercules 2400 with 140 to 158 gr jacketed bullets.

My 45 acp is very accurate with 200 gr LSWC or JHP's and 6.0 - 6.3 grs of Universal Clays although I also load it with Unique and Solo 1000.

A load of 2.7 grs of Red Dot with a 148 gr LHBWC has almost no recoil and it is very accurate in a 38 special (only goes about 700 fps).

That what I mean by the fun of coming up with different loads (you're always going out shooting) and that you'll probably never find one perfect powder.

BTW - LSWC = lead semi wadcutter, LHBWC = Lead Hollow Base Wadcutter

Slow down there old timer. Hercules is now Alliant.

[RedDot]

I never tried Clays, I gotta give that a shot...

RD