Hodgdons new shotgun powders

[richhodg66]

Honestly, a Guy could do what he needed for pistols with Bullseye, Unique and 2400, rifles with something like 4895 or 3031 on the low end and 4350 or 4831 on the higher end and 700X, Red Dot, Blue Dot for shotguns it seems. I guess choices are a good thing, but I've never been the type to chase the newest thing.

That said, I'd really like to get my hands on some American Select. When a guy as knowlegeable as Ben says it's the stuff, I will listen.

 

[fiver]

it's pretty good.
i'll swap you a jug for some green/red-dot or 700-X though.

this new powder is a ball powder you gotta remember and it's super easy to make it from excess cannon, pull down, or whatever.
plus they got a lower price per jug.
only downside... you'll have a lower volume of powder in the hull.

 

[JustJim]

What, exactly, does Hogdon expect to do with the introduction of these new powders? Seems like 700X, Red Dot, etc. have well established themselves. Hard to figure they've developed something significantly better.

And what would "significantly better" look like?

Serious question there. Using Bullseye as an example: other than actually being able to find some, what would the folks who are fans want in an "improved" powder? What would folks want "improved" about Unique--cleaner burning maybe? What improvements does 2400 need?

I'm not a fan of B'eye so I don't know. In handguns, where folks use Bullseye I use 231, or when I'm short on that, Red Dot. Herco is likely to replace Unique in my powder stash: I've been happy with my results with it in the 44 Special. Blue Dot was my go-to for hot loads in the 45 acp; since I had to move away from the 1911, it mostly sits on the shelf. But Red Dot and Blue Dot I have--and that's a big point in their favor in these times.

 

[fiver]

Herco is a great handgun powder.
357 and 44 mag middle of the road loads are accurate for sure.

i avoided B-eye for a long time too.
it's pretty darn versatile, i think even moreso than red-dot [yes you can use it in the 12Ga.] and it doesn't pressure up like red-dot does.

 

[RicinYakima]

Huum. Bullseye is my most dependable and used pistol powder. But then I load lots of 32 Longs and 32/20 for every 38 special or 357. I have enough of hand to last my lifetime and only use it in one big bore, the 45 Colt. Next step up is SR7625 and old WW231 for the mid-bores. Herc/Al 2400 for everything else.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Totally agree with Ian :new powders seem to come out of nowhere and be gone a few moments later.Weird marketting!I like to experiment with many powders but it always seemed weird to me that a guy would work hard(read invest time and money)to try to find a load that performs great in a gun only to find out that this new powder has been discontinued after 3 to 5 years because sales weren't there.Good or bad marketting be darned,I stick with old prooven standby powders.