9mm Luger Reloading Powder Choice

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cbh560

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I've been successfully reloading for rifles for about the last 8 years. But I've recently acquired a new pistol in 9mm. I intend to reload for the 9mm on my single stage press. I won't be doing huge amounts of ammo by any means so the single stage should serve me fine.

I will likely be loading for the 115 to 124 gr range of bullet weights. Pretty much always going to be FMJ for punching paper at the range. However, I have no idea where to start in the powder department. Considering that I will be loading on a single stage and throwing powder with an RCBS Uniflow, I'm looking for something that is going to meter accurately and consistently. Most of my rifle loading experience is with Hodgdon and IMR powders, but I'm open to other brands.

Powders available locally to me:

Hodgdon
- Tightgroup
-HS6

Alliant
-Power Pistol
-Unique

Winchester
- Win 231 Ball
- Autocomp

VihtaVuori
3N38

HS6, Power Pistol and Autocomp seem to be right in the middle of the lists in all my reloading books....not too fast, not too slow.... Which would you recommend?
 
I use Titegroup too. Cheap. Meters well. Dirty, but I don’t care. 3.9-4.0gr, (closer to 4.0), with 124gr Campro, loaded to 1.12” is what I’ve done.
 
You might want to consider LongShot. It meters well, is cleaner (IMO) burning than 231 and has been very accurate in a number of 9mm pistols.
VV3N38 will be your most accurate (but not the cheapest) powder for 9mm.
 
I load the same as jimbo14. 4 grains of Titegroup with 124 grain Campro projectiles. Seems to work well for me as well. I'm sure the guys with more experience have some better recipes. It keeps things simple for me on my 650 set up.
 
Unique most charge weights fill the case 115 through to 147 grain work with lead and jacketed . generally accurate safe 4.1 grains meters well not primer fussy low recoil . HS6 for hot stuff . Works for me on paper and pins . My two cents but that's not worth much now days.
 
9mm loves fast burning powders. Fast powders are more economical because they are more energetic, & lower powder throws means a pound lasts longer. Compressed loads are not required, & you can skip using Federal SPP’s as most other primers work in 9mm. Save your Federal 100’s for 38 special.
Standard bullet weights for 9mm are the three (3) favourites: 124 RN, 115 RN, & 147 TC.

Red Dot, WW231, TiteGroup, 700X, WST, Bullseye, ClayDot, Clays, IMR Target. Slower powders are a waste in my IMHO.
 
I use Titegroup these days but I will be switching to Longshot once I run out. Longshot is cleaner and gives better velocities. It's a ridiculously useful powder for the loading I do.
 
Unique is a flake powder and will not throw in my Uniflow thrower.

231, Titegroup and Power Pistol throw perfectly.

Since you are not needing full power to make Power factor for competition, I suggest Titegroup.

Run a test of 3.6, 3.9 and 4.2 to see which groups best in your pistol.

CamPro plated bullets are a good choice, and cheaper than FMJ.
 
Ruger007 said:
That is a fantastic read. Thanks for posting!
Click to expand...

Be careful the loads at the link I posted above were much hotter than what caused the blowups at "Catastrophic failure on 9mm Reload Help" link here.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2107709-Catastrophic-failure-on-9mm-Reload-Help

As always start low and work up, and again I prefer light practice loads that are easy on the pistol and cases.

Also note at the top of the page I linked for the 9mm it covers cleaning methods, equipment and primer tests.
 
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