Ive used 800x for 20+ years now. Ive never had 1 single issue with the stuff. Yes, no doubt its messy (flakes everywhere when reloading), it leaves residue in the bores (no big deal, I clean barrels after each use anyway). I have really had no issues with consistency in regards to drop weights. I still use 800x if Im loading 1 1/8 loads (rare for me, unless Im loading for waterfowl, sometimes a heavy pheasant load or two). Ive heard for years that 800x could become unreliable in cold weather. I havent experienced that. Im not quite sure what others consider cold, but Midwest winters can be somewhat brutal, and Ive also used the loads on ptarmigan in the interior of Alaska in December-Feb.
I have favorites when it comes to powders, and I always have a couple pounds of 8 hundy in the cabinet.
