The best all around powder ?

[Snap Cap]

Chris, is the Bismuth 10ga. load you need for a 2 7/8" hull or a 3" or longer hull?

[chris dawe]

I load for both 2 5/8 and 2 7/8

[Hammer Fan]

Originally Posted by chris dawe

is there one all around powder for low pressure loads that will work in all gauges ?

Probably not the answer you are looking for, but, I use FFFg black powder in everything from my heaviest 10 gauge loads, to my 297/230 rook rifle. You can not beat black powder for it's versatility.

As far as smokeless powder, that is going to be tough. You might be able to do it with two, or three. Picking just one will be tough.

[Snap Cap]

Chris, if you are set on one smokeless powder for all the loads I would start with Blue Dot for the 10 bore 2 7/8" Bismuth load. According to current published data I can locate, it will do all the types of loads you asked (except the 2 5/8" 10ga Bismuth), but it will be less efficient in the smaller bore loads and may require you to go up to a one ounce load in 20 ga.. This is predicated on you being willing and able to acquire very specific hull and wad combinations for each load. It may prove more time consuming and onerous than just using multiple powders. I liked Daryl's suggestion of two powders but I would go with Blue Dot for the 10 and 12 gauge Bismuth loads and 20/28 for the 12, 16 and 20 gauge lead loads. Blue Dot and another powder might be equally well suited. HTH.

[chris dawe]

Thanks guys for all the help,I'll run through some load recipes and see what I can come up with re; the powders mentioned.

[Mike Franzen]

Hey Chris! My 2 cents worth is I'm inclined to agree with Hammer Fan about FFF Black Powder for hunting. I have been using it lately and I believe it will do anything smokeless will do. Plus it's more forgiving, easier to obtain, loading tools are cheap if you shoot solid brass hulls and in a pinch a guy like you could make your own BP. It is dirtier than smokeless but clean up isn't that big of a deal. Now if I was going to be shooting a lot of trap or clays I probably wouldn't use it. But for the amount of hunting shots you are going to take it might be a solution. And it seems my Parker tend to pattern a little better with BP.

[charlie cleveland]

blue dot powder is a good choice for hunting loads in the 8 ga 10 12 16 and 20

[Bill Murphy]

I can load well balanced low pressure loads in all four gauges with Unique. I can also load pretty hefty hunting loads using the same Unique.

[William Davis]

Agree with Mr Murphy, .410 excepted, Unique will load any Shotgun shell. It's as close to a universal powder as you can find.

William

[Mark Garrett]

If was going pick just 1 , I would go with want Murphy said , Unique or Universal .

Herco would do what you want to do also .