Favorite Powder

[Billy346]

So, I've been reading through the load data posted in this section and I'm getting a pretty good feel for what would be a good load for my purposes.  I am working up some mid range loads for my Delta Elite using 200 grain FMJ projectiles, and I have a couple questions for you veteran 10mm reloaders:

1) It looks like Blue Dot and Unique yield similar results.  The Blue Dot seems to give similar performance with less chamber pressure, but the Unique seems to give similar performance with less powder.  For those of you who have used both, which do you recommend and why?

2). AA#9 looks like it works well.  I use it for .357 SIG and get pretty good results, albeit with a huge muzzle flash and loud boom.  Do any of you guys use it?  How does it compare to the Unique or Blue Dot?

3)  I already use Unique and AA#9, so using one of these powders for my 10mm loads will save me having to stock another brand of powder.  However, I have heard many recommend blue dot for 10mm.  Is blue dot superior to AA#9 and Unique when it comes to 10mm loads? 

[14 GT-500]

I use Unique for my midrange loads that are in 1150 fps range, Blue Dot I will use for my upper end loads that are @ 1260 fps or maybe a fuzz more and 800X for the real hot stuff that comes in @ 1360fps. I shoot all these loads through a stock Colt Delta Elite or my Kimber with no problems. I just bought a Colt .38 Super and love it !! but I still grab one of my 10s as it hits my steel much harder, and has that nice boom to it and let's everyone take notice.

[The_Shadow]

I started using Blue Dot in 10mm before there was published data at the time.  It is a very good powder and has produced some of my most accurate loads with many cartridges.  However as time went on and new powders came to market and loads were being tested, I ventured to using other powders as well...
Blue Dot, LongShot, 800X, AA#7 & #9, Power Pistol, BE-86, Unique, Red Dot, Auto Comp, CFE Pistol, Silhouette (Action Pistol), HP-38/231, Tight Group, and some others.

There is a specific use for each of these powders were some yield best accuracy and some are better for upper velocity and the uber faster powders are good economical plinking stuff.  Finding the balance to performance with a given bullet type, weight can bring you what you look for in a particular round.  I like accuracy and clean burning performance, Blue Dot gives me with jacketed and cast bullets 170 to 200 grain selections.  Longshot and 800X can exceed the velocities here but I find accuracy can suffer some.

Lighter bullets 135 to 165 grain tend to work well with most all of the powders listed.

The pull-down section has shown that the companies like UW, SF, DT and BB get their numbers by exceeding what is published by the various powder makers, or handloading books.  You can work up your loads with the gun you intend to use as setup!

[Billy346]

I like accuracy and clean burning performance, Blue Dot gives me with jacketed and cast bullets 170 to 200 grain selections.  Longshot and 800X can exceed the velocities here but I find accuracy can suffer some.

Great answer.  I'll pick up a pound of blue dot next chance i get.  It sounds like the powder that I'm looking for.  What are your thoughts on Unique for 10mm?

[sqlbullet]

Unique - Great economy for "practice" rounds.  Will not reach top velocities in 10mm at safe peak pressure levels.

Accurate #9 - Best velocities with safe peak pressures using 175 gr  and heavier bullets.  Not economical being both expensive per pound as well as using heavy powder charges.  Combination of the two means this powder costs about 50% more per round.

Blue Dot - Very, very good velocities, reasonably economical.  Max loads will trail Accurate #9 10-25 fps.  Clean burning at pressure, but can burn a bit dirty in lower pressure loads.  Good accuracy.

[Driftwood]

Here are my experiences with a  couple of the powders you mentioned. 

I like AA#9 when shooting a 6" or longer barrel and 180+ gr bullets.  It shoots accurate and can get amazing velocities while staying within published data.  It meters well, but not very economical.  In shorter barrels, it loses its shine.  Velocities go down, so you get much less "bang for your buck".  I load #9 primarily for my hunting loads.

As mentioned, Blue dot shoots nice.  I have loaded and shot more with Blue dot than any other powder.  You get accuracy, respectable velocities and a nice fireball with a loud report that makes any 10mm owner feel good inside.  It doesn't meter the best, so unless you trickle charge, stay away from the bleeding edge.  Its more economical to shoot than #9 and was always available when times were tough.

Lately, I have been working with BE-86 more.  I can get respectable velocities and accuracy.  It shoots clean and is very economical.  Less "Shock and Awe" coming from the end of the barrel when compared to Blue dot, but meters great.  Considering I also load 9mm, I like the versatility of having 1 powder that can effectively load both.  This will likely be my go to powder for both plinking and self defense loads.

[sqlbullet]

Lately, I have been working with BE-86 more.  I can get respectable velocities and accuracy.  It shoots clean and is very economical.  Less "Shock and Awe" coming from the end of the barrel when compared to Blue dot, but meters great.  Considering I also load 9mm, I like the versatility of having 1 powder that can effectively load both.  This will likely be my go to powder for both plinking and self defense loads.

I picked 8 lbs of BE-86 right when it came out.  It was the only pistol powder at my LGS at the time.

I have loaded 10mm, 38 super, 357 mag, 44 mag and 7.62X54R gallery loads with it.  Very versatile powder, burns clean, meters well.  Not a top performer in "magnum" calibers, but good velocities none the less.

Solid powder to add to the shelf.

[Ten Ten]

You cant go wrong with A #9, its one of my favorite powders for 180 and 200 grainers...it meters slicker than a frogs belly and burns very clean

Blue dot is my other favorite.

[Duck of Death]

I didn't buy a Glock 29 to shoot "midrange" loads.  I've shot nothing but #9 thru a Storm Lake barrel.  14.5gr #9/Zero 180 & 13.0gr #9/180 cast bullets.  It's a HOT PUPPY.