Powders for old guns?

TennBill2 · 07-28-2011, 11:17 AM

I have only recently gotten into reloading due to cost and difficulty finding ammo. I have Lugers in .30 cal and 9mm and Broomy in .30. Additionally, I shoot 44/40 and .44 Russian. I've bought Starline brass. A recent trip to the Sporting Goods store left my head spinning with the array of powders! How about a few suggestions that are adequate for old metal...to get the bullet out of the barrel.

omegaman · 07-28-2011, 12:34 PM

I've been reloading for over 35 years, and the easiest and most universal powder I've found is Unique. It's an older powder that's been around awhile, but performs quite well across the board. I'm sure there are those who are impressed with some of the newer powders, but Unique is time tested.

rhuff · 07-28-2011, 04:08 PM

I agree 100% on the flexibility, and "just works good in nearly anything" of Unique powder. It has been around approx. 100 years, and still does the job. Some folks complain that it doesn't meter as good as others, but if you are not loading to the max. loads, it should pose no problems. Different powder measures throw loads differently, as you know. I have just not had a problem with metering Unique Powder, and I started using it in 1971-72 timeframe, and still use it in many calibers. Give it a try, I think that you will like it. It is a medium burner, and is pretty forgiving.

Sieger · 07-29-2011, 02:25 AM

Hi:

For accuracy and function in a 9mm Luger, I've found nothing better, for jacketed bullets, than Power Pistol and SR 4756. For lead bullets, Power Pistol and AA# 5 have been the most accurate for me. Accurate means three out of three shots touching on a consistent basis.

For the .30s, I again would opt for SR 4756.

My experience with Unique dates back to 1979 or so. True, it would make my Luger function, but, for me anyway, was just too darn dirty, in fact, filthy and not all that accurate to boot!

Sieger

rhuff · 07-29-2011, 05:44 PM

The "new" Unique(last few years) is an improved formula and is cleaner burning then the older(Hercules Brand) of powder. Actually it is a slight bit faster also, but not by much.

TennBill2 · 07-29-2011, 06:06 PM

Thanks, Gents for the ideas. As it turns out, I looked at a can of powder I'd had for years, it is SR 4756! Got it in a chest with some reloading equipment bought at a yard sale. There was a bunch of 30-06 shells in the stuff and I assumed is was for reloading those. Put it on a shelf and never thought anymore about it. I'll look up some data on it and give it a try. Might see if I can find some of the older Unique, know of a shop that has a lot of old stuff sitting around. Bill

rhuff · 07-30-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennBill2

Thanks, Gents for the ideas. As it turns out, I looked at a can of powder I'd had for years, it is SR 4756! Got it in a chest with some reloading equipment bought at a yard sale. There was a bunch of 30-06 shells in the stuff and I assumed is was for reloading those. Put it on a shelf and never thought anymore about it. I'll look up some data on it and give it a try. Might see if I can find some of the older Unique, know of a shop that has a lot of old stuff sitting around. Bill

I don't believe that there will be any problem with using the newer Unique, and it is shoots cleaner. No real need to use the old Hercules Unique, unless you just want to do so.

SIGP2101 · 09-07-2011, 02:00 PM

Any powder in medium to slow burning rate for Luger.

pors12 · 09-08-2011, 02:32 PM

Hello,

I use hodgdon HP38 for my luger´s.
Works good, no problem with it.

regards

Otto

Xerato · 09-10-2011, 01:12 PM

I'm running HP-38 also.
I am using a Molly-coated bullet, so there is a bit of smoke generated.
(this is the standard load I make for all of my 9mm pistols, modern and old)

One thing I noticed is I need to slightly decrease the OAL, for the Luger, to make it feed correctly from the magazine into the chamber.

sheepherder · 09-10-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennBill2

...I looked at a can of powder I'd had for years, it is SR 4756! Got it in a chest with some reloading equipment bought at a yard sale. There was a bunch of 30-06 shells in the stuff and I assumed is was for reloading those. Put it on a shelf and never thought anymore about it. I'll look up some data on it and give it a try. Might see if I can find some of the older Unique, know of a shop that has a lot of old stuff sitting around. Bill

Old powder that has been sitting around for years makes me very uneasy...even if it is my old powder...

My advice - Chuck that old stuff and buy a new can.

...$.02...

JD · 09-12-2011, 05:06 PM

Amen to chucking the old powder and getting a new can. Since it came from a garage sale, you have absolutely no idea of what's in that can!!!! The previous owner could have dumped Bullseye in it for all you know. I know of several guns blown up with "garage sale" powder that wasn't what was listed on the original can label. Not worth the risk to you or the gun...

Sieger · 09-13-2011, 02:36 AM

Guys,

"Old" powder is usable until it finally breaks down chemically (rusty dust in powder, acrid smell).

You are correct in assuming that this may not be the original powder for that particular can, so if any question (and there should be) chuck it!!

Sieger

rhuff · 09-13-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieger

Guys,

"Old" powder is usable until it finally breaks down chemically (rusty dust in powder, acrid smell).

You are correct in assuming that this may not be the original powder for that particular can, so if any question (and there should be) chuck it!!

Sieger

Agree 100% Powder is cheap....hands/eyes, and guns are expensive!!

07-28-2011, 11:17 AM	#1
TennBill2 RIP Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 6 Posts	Powders for old guns? I have only recently gotten into reloading due to cost and difficulty finding ammo. I have Lugers in .30 cal and 9mm and Broomy in .30. Additionally, I shoot 44/40 and .44 Russian. I've bought Starline brass. A recent trip to the Sporting Goods store left my head spinning with the array of powders! How about a few suggestions that are adequate for old metal...to get the bullet out of the barrel.

07-28-2011, 12:34 PM	#2
omegaman User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good Powder I've been reloading for over 35 years, and the easiest and most universal powder I've found is Unique. It's an older powder that's been around awhile, but performs quite well across the board. I'm sure there are those who are impressed with some of the newer powders, but Unique is time tested.

07-29-2011, 06:06 PM	#6
TennBill2 RIP Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 101 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 6 Posts	Sr 4756 Thanks, Gents for the ideas. As it turns out, I looked at a can of powder I'd had for years, it is SR 4756! Got it in a chest with some reloading equipment bought at a yard sale. There was a bunch of 30-06 shells in the stuff and I assumed is was for reloading those. Put it on a shelf and never thought anymore about it. I'll look up some data on it and give it a try. Might see if I can find some of the older Unique, know of a shop that has a lot of old stuff sitting around. Bill

07-28-2011, 04:08 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	I agree 100% on the flexibility, and "just works good in nearly anything" of Unique powder. It has been around approx. 100 years, and still does the job. Some folks complain that it doesn't meter as good as others, but if you are not loading to the max. loads, it should pose no problems. Different powder measures throw loads differently, as you know. I have just not had a problem with metering Unique Powder, and I started using it in 1971-72 timeframe, and still use it in many calibers. Give it a try, I think that you will like it. It is a medium burner, and is pretty forgiving.

07-29-2011, 02:25 AM	#4
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Hi: For accuracy and function in a 9mm Luger, I've found nothing better, for jacketed bullets, than Power Pistol and SR 4756. For lead bullets, Power Pistol and AA# 5 have been the most accurate for me. Accurate means three out of three shots touching on a consistent basis. For the .30s, I again would opt for SR 4756. My experience with Unique dates back to 1979 or so. True, it would make my Luger function, but, for me anyway, was just too darn dirty, in fact, filthy and not all that accurate to boot! Sieger

07-29-2011, 05:44 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	The "new" Unique(last few years) is an improved formula and is cleaner burning then the older(Hercules Brand) of powder. Actually it is a slight bit faster also, but not by much.

09-07-2011, 02:00 PM	#8
SIGP2101 User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 256 Thanks: 74 Thanked 67 Times in 32 Posts	Any powder in medium to slow burning rate for Luger.

09-08-2011, 02:32 PM	#9
pors12 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 115 Thanks: 24 Thanked 59 Times in 21 Posts	Hello, I use hodgdon HP38 for my luger´s. Works good, no problem with it. regards Otto

09-10-2011, 01:12 PM	#10
Xerato User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 12 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I'm running HP-38 also. I am using a Molly-coated bullet, so there is a bit of smoke generated. (this is the standard load I make for all of my 9mm pistols, modern and old) One thing I noticed is I need to slightly decrease the OAL, for the Luger, to make it feed correctly from the magazine into the chamber.

09-12-2011, 05:06 PM	#12
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Amen to chucking the old powder and getting a new can. Since it came from a garage sale, you have absolutely no idea of what's in that can!!!! The previous owner could have dumped Bullseye in it for all you know. I know of several guns blown up with "garage sale" powder that wasn't what was listed on the original can label. Not worth the risk to you or the gun...

09-13-2011, 02:36 AM	#13
Sieger User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,575 Thanks: 2,124 Thanked 400 Times in 249 Posts	Guys, "Old" powder is usable until it finally breaks down chemically (rusty dust in powder, acrid smell). You are correct in assuming that this may not be the original powder for that particular can, so if any question (and there should be) chuck it!! Sieger