Best brand of powder for 9mm
- Thread starter johhny12gauge
- Start date
There are lots of different powders that can be used to reload 9mm. For new reloaders I suggest a slower powder like Winchester 231. It meters well and is not as sensitive to slight variations in charge weight as fast powders. It makes a double charge very visible in a case, and gives new reloaders a level of comfort they have the proper amount of powder in the case.
For your second pound of powder there are lots of other choices, that burn faster and are a little cleaner, I use Titegroup quite a bit.
For your second pound of powder there are lots of other choices, that burn faster and are a little cleaner, I use Titegroup quite a bit.
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Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester. Has, by far, the best distribution and availability around here. Nothing else matters if you can't get a hold of it. That said, Hodgdon makes good stuff; titegroup and HS-6 are very versatile, and I'd bet they'd be good candidates for the 9mm
- Location
- Fort St John BC
a search in this forum will get you many results on this being discussed before. I use Titegroup for my 9mm 40 and 45 acp. I like it because it is fairly clean cheap and efficient and it has proven to be very accurate in all 3 cartridges.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Depends on what bullet your decide on...
For plated 124gr, 147gr Hornady XTP's, 124gr FMJ's I like Power Pistol and Blue Dot... For lead bullets they are both a bit quick.
For plated 124gr, 147gr Hornady XTP's, 124gr FMJ's I like Power Pistol and Blue Dot... For lead bullets they are both a bit quick.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Off topic but I have a small stockpile of 125gr Cast bullets here, got a PP load you could share to get me started?
Clean is the way to go. I like VihtaVuori powders; N320 for 45ACP, N350 for 38 Super. People will mince over the higher cost of the stuff but really, running a 9 ?? the annual cost of using a premium powder just isn't a factor. Reduced cleaning time and supplies would mitigate a lot of the difference.
NShunter1254
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia Canada
I use 4.5 grains of unique or 4.1 grains of hp-38 for 125 grain cast lead round nose.
- Location
- Just West of the GTA
I really like titegroup for 9mm and .45ACP. I think you are the guy that just picked up the square deal? I have found that titegroup meters perfectly in that press, the powder is very efficient, so you get more rounds per pound. And as others have pointed out, it is very clean which gives you a higher degree of reliability when doing high volume shooting.
As for the double charge issue, your press is auto indexing which helps to minimize the possibility, but you can still double charge a case. You will learn how as you start to work with the press.
You need to develop the habit of having a bright light on the bullet seating station and checking each case before you put a bullet on it to be seated. This takes no extra time at all.
I think that there is a danger on relying on a high volume powder ie: one that is so voluminous per charge that you cannot charge a case 2x and still seat a bullet on top, because you may develop bad habits while relying on that powder, then switch powders to a low volume and have a double charge.
When you set up the press, double charge a case on purpose and look at it and you will find that there is no way you will ever miss a double charge as long as you check each one visually before you seat a bullet.
As for the double charge issue, your press is auto indexing which helps to minimize the possibility, but you can still double charge a case. You will learn how as you start to work with the press.
You need to develop the habit of having a bright light on the bullet seating station and checking each case before you put a bullet on it to be seated. This takes no extra time at all.
I think that there is a danger on relying on a high volume powder ie: one that is so voluminous per charge that you cannot charge a case 2x and still seat a bullet on top, because you may develop bad habits while relying on that powder, then switch powders to a low volume and have a double charge.
When you set up the press, double charge a case on purpose and look at it and you will find that there is no way you will ever miss a double charge as long as you check each one visually before you seat a bullet.
I've just started reloading 9mm and really like Clays with 124 gr bullets. It's a very mild powder for recoil, makes working on the fundamentals of shooting easier. It meters fine in my Hornady LNL (providing the powder drop is throroughly cleaned). Also, because it's an airy flake powder, a small mass of powder takes up quite a bit of volume in the casing. So, if you double charge your casing, powder spills all over your press. Very obvious sign to full stop and determine the source of the problem.
- Location
- Just West of the GTA
I have a halogen table lamp that shines down with a flexible neck. That way you have a really bright task light if you need to inspect anything while you are working. Some guys have something more specialized that attaches to the press, but I like the versatility that my light gives me.
Remember that it is virtually impossible to double charge when you are in a rythm on the press. BUT - you have to pay very close attention to what you are doing when you remove a case from the turret to weigh powder or do other checks. I would avoid drinking, talking to anyone (includes phone), watching TV, etc. while loading. It took me a while to train my ex to not talk to me while reloading, but we got there eventually! If you have any doubt that something may have gone wrong, clear the press and drop the rounds in a container and pull the bullets later. Cheap insurance.
One thing you may want to consider is the low primer alarm for the square deal. Otherwise, just keep track somehow of the number of rounds you have loaded to avoid charging a case with no primer in it. It isn't a big deal if you do it though. If you have a buddy that is familiar with dillon presses have him drop by for your first session. I learned on my own, but it would have save time and hassle if I had someone there to get me started.
Don't sweat the double charge thing too much but be aware of it.
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I am another one for VV N320.. I use it in all my pistol loads.. from 9mm , .40 S&W and .45 ACP and even 38 sp... Its a nice clean powder and because its fast burning, like titegroup, softens the recoil on all the loads when compared to slower burning powders.. Just be careful when developing a load.. start low and work up..
RDG
RDG
I agree. The other reason I stopped using it was because I found it difficult to meter. I just couldn't get it to meter consistently. I think the powder is quite coarse or something. I revisited it with an electronic scale but found it time consuming considering the results weren't all that great accuracy wise and it still burnt dirtily.
To be honest with you Power Pistol isn't really recommended for lead loads in the 9mm. Alliant doesn't list any lead load data. They consider this powder to be a "high performance" powder intended for high velocity jacketed loads.
That being said, Hornady does list data for the lead 124 gr. RN bullet.
Starting load is 4.3 grs with muzzle velocity of 900 fps. Their max load is 5.7 grs with a muzzle velocity of 1100 fps both out of a 4 inch barrel.
I have double checked this data from my Hornady manual but you should verify this.
While their data is available, it wouldn't be my first choice for lead bullets.
Just my $.02 worth.
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Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
To be honest with you Power Pistol isn't really recommended for lead loads in the 9mm. Alliant doesn't list any lead load data. They consider this powder to be a "high performance" powder intended for high velocity jacketed loads.
That being said, Hornady does list data for the lead 124 gr. RN bullet.
Starting load is 4.3 grs with muzzle velocity of 900 fps. Their max load is 5.7 grs with a muzzle velocity of 1100 fps both out of a 4 inch barrel.
I have double checked this data from my Hornady manual but you should verify this.
While their is data available, it wouldn't be my first choice for lead bullets.
Just my $.02 worth.
Thanks!
I will load up a half dozen ladder style and put them over my chrony on the weekend... Just need a super light load for the better half to play with... She's a trooper but full power loads are hard on her wrists.
