Why not Bullseye?

[toysoldier]

I started reloading for .45ACP, then .38 Special. After looking at loads listed in Modern Reloading, I settled on Bullseye. I will soon start loading for .357 Mag. Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

 

[Beaver Creek]

Nothing wrong with Bullseye. Just don't try to push it too hard. I use 4.0 gr Bullseye with Donny Miculek's 200 SWC. I couldn't ask for better.

 

[bigboredad]

the only down side is in the mag case it real easy to double charge a case. If you go that way use a loading block and look inyo each case and make sure the powder level is the same

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Way back in the day, we shot a ton of Bullseye in NRA "bullseye" competition. Worked great and was relatively inexpensive.

The only caution is, as mentioned, you can easily double-charge a case.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

Hi,

Yes and no answer:

If Bullseye doesn't do the job you want it to the way you like, OR, for some reason you can't get Bullseye, and something else is all that's available, yes, switch.

If Bullseye does what you want it to do in a way you're happy with, no, don't switch.

Come to think of it, I s'pose that answer could be applied to ANY powder, eh?

Rick C

 

[DGW1949]

Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

Hi,

Yes and no answer:

If Bullseye doesn't do the job you want it to the way you like, OR, for some reason you can't get Bullseye, and something else is all that's available, yes, switch.

If Bullseye does what you want it to do in a way you're happy with, no, don't switch.

Come to think of it, I s'pose that answer could be applied to ANY powder, eh?

Rick C

True that.....And while we're yacking, shouldn't one be verifying the powder charge in the case, no matter which powder they use?

Just sayin'.

DGW

 

[Rick Courtright]

And while we're yacking, shouldn't one be verifying the powder charge in the case, no matter which powder they use?

Hi,

Amen to that!

Being a confirmed single stager, I use a loading block, charge all the cases, then get the flashlight or move the desk lamp over, and take a look. It's surprising how small a difference in volume one can pick out after doing it a while. A couple of charges from that block are weighed, then off we go to the next step...

Guys using turret and progressive type machines need to come up w/ different techniques, but, in the end, each round really should be "looked at" if nothing else.

And, while we don't see much about doing this, digital scales make quick enough work of weighing finished rounds to ensure they're "within tolerance" so a round w/o powder or maybe w/ a double charge can be picked out.

Rick C

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I bet if you try a medium burn rate powder in the 357mag especially with heavier bullets you will like it better. Something like Green Dot, Universal or Accurate #7. These powders will give you more velocity, smoother recoil and a bigger 'boom' instead of a 'bang'. ...or maybe not.

 

[mr surveyor]

I too like Accurate #7 in the .357 mag. My two favorite loads were AA7 and/or Unique for .357, but recently got hooked on 2400. The AA7 does measure well though, and makes for consistant loads.

surv

 

[Rclark]

Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

Nope, as long as you are looking for light loads and the load you pick is 'accurate'. Move to another powder if looking for Magnum loads. I prefer the light loads myself.

As a single stager, I too check every load. I test the first five powder charges on the scale, and then randomly from there on. I load powder into case, glance for correct depth, and then seat bullet. Has worked for me for 30 or so years. I can't see how I could ever double charge, but do look for 'under' charge.

I am ready to test Bullseye in .44Special for fun. Have some loads worked up. See how it goes on target and over chrono...

 

[Bud0505]

I just bought my first pound of Bullseye to load .38 spl 148 gr HBWC. I've been reloading for 25 plus years and have always used W231 or Unique. I tried those using the WC but a guy at the range let me shoot some of his reloads using Bullseye and I liked the results better than those I was getting with Unique. I intend to load some 158 gr SWC using Bullseye for .357 mag once I'm through loading all my .38 spl brass.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I tried those using the WC but a guy at the range let me shoot some of his reloads using Bullseye and I liked the results better than those I was getting with Unique.

Hi,

There have only been something like umpty-eleven billion .38 Spl rounds loaded w/ a 148 gr WC over Bullseye (check most any book--you'll find the same recipe!) All those bullseye shooters using Bullseye might just be onto something!

Betcha like it for your .38s... I haven't tried it in .357s that I recall.

Rick C

 

[mr surveyor]

HP38 is also great for .38 spl wad cutters. Mild and clean in the .38... I have not tried it in .357 mag cases though.

 

[Snobal]

If I ever found a powder that produced more uniform velocities (and accuracy) than Bullseye in .38 Special, .357 Mag, and .45 ACP target loads --- I'd use it.

HP-38/231 is a very good powder too, but my chrono shows better uniformity with Bullseye at target velocities, and I find less unburned flakes in the action with Bullseye than HP-38.

JMHO - YRMV

 

[mikld]

Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

Hi,

Yes and no answer:

If Bullseye doesn't do the job you want it to the way you like, OR, for some reason you can't get Bullseye, and something else is all that's available, yes, switch.

If Bullseye does what you want it to do in a way you're happy with, no, don't switch.

Come to think of it, I s'pose that answer could be applied to ANY powder, eh?

Rick C

True that.....And while we're yacking, shouldn't one be verifying the powder charge in the case, no matter which powder they use?

Just sayin'.

DGW

zackly!. I won't recommend anyone change powder to cover up sloppy reloading techniques. Best to learn safe reloading techniques whether the powder can fit one charge per case or 5 charges per case...

 

[jackruff]

I started using Bullseye a few months back after using Unique. Actually, I still use Unique. I like them both and am hard pressed to come with a reason to like one better than the other. They both do the job.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

Bullseye is a good powder and it has given me great results. I've used 5g with both a 200g LSWC in 45Auto and 240g in a 44 Special.

However, for the 45Auto, I have found out that American Select works better. Using a 5.7g charge of AmSel under that same 200g LSWC, I have noticed a bit tighter groups and a lot less soot. Being a somewhat bulkier powder, a double charge would probably fill the case so much that one could not seat the bullet. But whatever the case, AmSel has actually outperformed Bullseye for me in me P90. A friend of mine from the forum with whom I regularly shoot, has also used my load (we both shoot the same LSWC, a Lyman 452460) in his Colt Series 80 1911 and he too has noted an increased in performance over Bullseye.

 

[Paul B]

For my .38 Spl. target loads, I shoot my home cast 148 gr. wadcutters (Lyman $358495) with either 3.0 gr. of Bullseye or 3.0 gr. of W231. For the record, W231 and HP38 are just different lots of the same powder.
For my 156 gr. SWC loads (Lyman #358156) either 5.0 gr. of Unique for the light loads and 14.0 gr. of #2400 for the serious ammo.
The original loads for the .45 ACP BTW was with a 200 gr. RN bullet later changed to 230 gr. with a charge of 5.0 gr. of Bullseye. :shock: I prefer 5.0 gr. of Unique with a 200 gr. SWC (SAECO #068 a clone of the famous H&G #68).
I much prefer #2400 over W296/H110 due to less muzzle blast and flash.
Again, W296/H110 are just different lots of the same powder.
Right now, my biggest problen is finding the time to sit down and cast the several thousand of each bullet mentioned to fill up my brass. The brass is all prepped and ready to load. I have the powder on hand. Just have to do the bullets.
Paul B.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I started reloading for .45ACP, then .38 Special. After looking at loads listed in Modern Reloading, I settled on Bullseye. I will soon start loading for .357 Mag. Any reason to switch to another powder? I like to keep things simple.

Beaver Creek and RClark are right on the mark.

As I understand it, Bullseye is for the lower power range. If you want more power, you can only go so far with Bullseye before your pressure levels get unsafe.

All brass needs a certain pressure level to operate properly, and needs it very early in the process. (Get the bullet started down the barrel, expand the case to seal the chamber, force the base of the cartridge against the breech).

Bullseye gets up to that pressure very quickly. A larger charge of Bullseye gets up to the pressure just as quickly, but it doesn't stop.

Slower powders get up to that pressure very quickly, too, (partly because the larger charges leave less empty case volume to cushion the pressure rise). But they are formulated to burn slower, too and keep up the pressure for a longer period of time. Thus you get more velocity by the time the bullet reaches the muzzle.

So, the rule of thumb is, slower velocity, quicker/faster powder ("Quickness" is the technical term). Higher velocity, slower powder.

This holds for straight-walled and bottlenecked cartridges. Don't ask me about shotgun cartridges/shells. I don't know.

Lost Sheep

 

[Rick Courtright]

So, the rule of thumb is, slower velocity, quicker/faster powder ("Quickness" is the technical term). Higher velocity, slower powder.

This holds for straight-walled and bottlenecked cartridges. Don't ask me about shotgun cartridges/shells. I don't know.

Hi,

Tiny addendum which leads us into shotshells: the heavier the bullet the slower the powder (regardless of velocity) is one of those "truisms" I was taught early in the game.

How this correlates to shotshells is sorta like this:

Until recently, most shotshells being handloaded ran in velocity ranges from about 1100 fps to 1250 fps. A few loaders carried it further to match certain "high velocity" field/waterfowl loads that ran up to around 1350 fps.

Now, today there are newer powders, wads and hulls that can be used to up the velocities considerably further than just a few years ago--for example, there are steel waterfowl loads touching 1750 fps these days--but let's stick to simple for now!

The word "magnum" is used w/ shotshells as w/ metallic cartridges, but it has a different meaning. In metallics, it normally means a given weight of bullet goes faster in the chosen caliber. In shotshells, though, the word normally means there's a greater weight of shot that most likely goes SLOWER.

So we still use faster to slower powders for shotshells. In fact, a great number of our popular handgun powders actually started life as shotshell powders!

The difference is we normally use the faster powders to move LIGHTER shot charges FASTER, and go to slower powders to move HEAVIER charges THE SAME VELOCITY (if not a bit lower.) The slower powders allow the heavier charge to get moving some before chamber pressures go out of bounds (most shotguns run in the 12kpsi and lower range.)

There's much more to it, as there always is in these discussions, but that's a "nutshell" version to get started.

Rick C

 

[I_Like_Pie]

I love bullseye powder for my 38 and 45 acp loads. It works well, is cheap, and 8 pounds will last you a LONG time.

I have some 38 special brass that has been loaded with 3.0 gr of bullseye and 148 dewc....Some of them have over 30 loads gon through them. The primer pockets wear out before they split.

...I lose my 45acp before I get anywhere near that much.

 

[Chief_10Beers]

And while we're yacking, shouldn't one be verifying the powder charge in the case, no matter which powder they use?

Hi,

Amen to that!

Being a confirmed single stager, I use a loading block, charge all the cases, then get the flashlight or move the desk lamp over, and take a look. It's surprising how small a difference in volume one can pick out after doing it a while. A couple of charges from that block are weighed, then off we go to the next step...

Guys using turret and progressive type machines need to come up w/ different techniques, but, in the end, each round really should be "looked at" if nothing else.

And, while we don't see much about doing this, digital scales make quick enough work of weighing finished rounds to ensure they're "within tolerance" so a round w/o powder or maybe w/ a double charge can be picked out.

Rick C

I use a Snakehead LED Light to check every Charge on my Turret Press and I weigh every Tenth Charge, working good so far..........................

 

[protoolman]

I shot Bulleye for years in my .357 always worked really well actually.

 

[volshooter]

Man, I have used a pick up truck of Bullseye. If it works for you go for it! Alot of bang for the buck and reliable! I still use a 74 edition reloading manual. I am very pleased with my old data. Just to many new powders to try em all. Bullseye, Unique and WW296 are just hard to beat.

 

[Lee Martin]

It's good propellant. Yes, you can double charge it but the same can happen with Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, etc, etc. Give it a try. I think it'll work well for you.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I started with Bullseye, CCI500s, used cases (both 38 Special and 357 Magnum), and lead bullets.
Then I got more of everything.
And I learned.
I learned that in MY guns there are better choices. I take the time and expense and test other options. I find them.

Except this one particular bullet in this one particular gun; it still gets Bullseye fuel.
But only that one.....



Note: I keep Bullseye in stock in case it proves to be the best choice from my testing. Testing, ay?

 

[Rclark]

Testing, ay?

ay! That is why I have probably 15 or so different powders on my shelf..... Testing .... Testing ... Ahhhh, found a load the gun likes! Testing ....

 

[WESHOOT2]

Only fifteen? You call that testing?

 

[Lost Sheep]

Only fifteen? You call that testing?

He probably meant there are only 15 (out of how many?) that made the cut. :lol:

Lost Sheep

 

[Rick Courtright]

Only fifteen? You call that testing?

He probably meant there are only 15 (out of how many?) that made the cut. :lol:

Hi,

I've got work to do, but you guys now have me counting how many powders I can remember using in my lifetime. Thanks! I think...

Rick C