Is Bullseye Versatile?

[FAL GRUNT]

If you've read any of my threads you know im stocking up on components and getting into reloading. Im looking for a versatile powder to use to reload pistol cartridges. I have found load data for 9x18 and .45 with Bullseye. Im looking for the following blend, accuracy, cost (actual cost and amount used) and usability. Following are the cartridges I would be loading for. .45, 9x18, 9mm, and .40.

Let me know your thoughts.

Is there a cheaper, yet versatile powder? Is there something that would work better for those?

thanks

-myers

[MAINER]

Bullseye is a very good powder in the pistol calibers you mention if you want the most loads per pound of powder or for target loads. ie, loads at reduced velocity.

For powders that will give you full load or close to factory specs, You may want to try Unique or Win. 231. Accurate #5 would fit here also. In the 4.0 to 7.0gr. charges for these loads, you'll get 1100~1300 loads per pound of powder, so cost is much less significant than for rifle loads.

There is a whole bunch of "new" powders available now, but the ones I've listed are the ones I use and have experience with.

[ftierson]

I load .380ACP, 9x19mmP, 9x18mmMak and .45ACP with Bullseye.

Many years ago, I played around with many other powders while looking for a good, top-end defense load in 9x19mmP and .45ACP. Mostly, I tried the old Hercules flake powders, including Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique and Blue Dot.

After quite a bit of experimentation, I found that the Bullseye would give me the velocities that I 'wanted' with the bullets that I was using with lighter powder charges (cheaper to use) and that it burned cleaner than the others as well.

If I was doing a lot of shooting of these cartridges out of carbines, I'd think about using a slower powder (Blue Dot would work really well out of 16 inch barrels for both 9x19mmP and .45ACP).

With barrels in the 3.5 inch to 5 inch range, it's really hard to beat Bullseye...

My standard defense load for .45ACP uses a 200gr JHP, and I use a 115gr JHP in the 9x19mmP.

Good luck...

Forrest

[FAL GRUNT]

Sounds like Bullseye is the way to go.

thanks guys!

-myers

[kycrawler]

bullseye bluedot and wcc 820 are the only pistiol powders i use

[Indycar]

The biggest drawback to Bullseye is, that it is extreamly dirty. I've seen some revolvers that the cylinder face will drag against the barrel/forcing cone after shooting 100 rounds of Bullseye. I've also seen guns that will shoot it all day and not have a functioning problem.

Bullseye is very economical and very accurate though.

[FAL GRUNT]

Just due to cost, I have never shot more than 100 rounds of pistol at a time... might switch between calibers... but I doubt it in one gun.

I don't mind cleaning, and it can't be worse than say Wolf or Bulgy or rimfire .22

:)

-myers

[BUFF]

Bullseye is great if you are into staying in the lower end of a pistol cartridge's velocity. It is the fastest burning canister powder available.

If I could only have one powder, it would be Unique. It handles mid-range to higher velocity loadings in the cartridges yu mention. Plus, it works as a rifle cast bullet and shotgun propellant.

Unique's name came from it's wide range of applications; no other powder can be used for so many things.

[SHARPSHOOTER]

I like bluedot it has a bit more use to it .

[Adventurer_96]

I use Bullseye w/my .45 ACP 200gr LSWC match loads, in addition to my .38 148gr LWC rounds. It's a bit dirtier than some, but I load towards the lower end of the spectrum for my reloads and as I understand it Bullseye will burn cleaner the closer you get to full powered loads. I don't have anything to prove that by, just anecdotes from the range.

Like I mentioned, my handgun reloads in these calibers are relatively slow lead rounds. I am, however, working on some loads with Ramshot Silhouette, which may become my second powder. After Bullseye...

What are you going to use your reloads for? Self defense? Hunting? Plinking? IDPA? Stockpiling? I'm as thrifty as the next guy when it comes to buying powder, but if a $20/lb powder works better than a $15/lb powder, I'll pony up the extra money for the performance.

BUFF makes a good point, though, if you're looking to reduce your "powder footprint" and have only one, Unique is a good choice.

[Cava3r4]

I've used Unique and even the they have a "new and improved" version of it, I find it to be dirty.
I have been served well using Win231 in a .45 ACP
I can also load more bullets with the Win231.. about 1200 rounds vs 975 for unique
HTH
Bob

[Shootability]

I like Titegroup and W231 - not every auto will like every powder - accuracy or reliability. My CZ 75 does not care for Titegroup.

[pumpkinheaver]

I use bullseye for 85% of my handgun reloading. I use it in .32 H&R, 9mm, .38spl, light .357 loads, .40 S&W, light .41 mag loads and .45acp. People complain and say that bullseye is a dirty powder, well I have never had a gun malfunction from a buildup of residue from bullseye. I clean my guns after every time I shoot them as well though.