Help me choose a powder for 9mm
- Thread starter Zerex
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I've noticed when reloading for my .38s&w revolvers, lighter loads leave lots of unburnt powder, but if you bump that charge up a few 10ths of a grain it is very clean. Atleast that is my observation with both unique and bullseye.
i'm also using Win 231 for my 9mm bullets, I load 124 gr. Berrys plated as well as 125 gr. LRN with CCI #500 small pistol primers. I have been using 4.3 grains of powder and these work fine in my M&P 9mm as well as my JR Carbine 9mm but I noticed recently that with my pistol I was getting some tumbling bullets so I just loaded up 10 more tonight with 3.8 grains of powder to see how they perform.
I "think" I paid around $18 per pound for the Win 231 locally.
I "think" I paid around $18 per pound for the Win 231 locally.
I fired off 10 rounds with my M&P 9mm today with a lighter load, I did up 10 rounds with 3.8 grains of 231 and they all cycled fine and didnt appear to show any signs of tumbling in the paper. I did however find they were hitting higher up on the target than when I use factory or 4.3 grains of powder.
I use berry's 124 gn with 4.4 gn of win 231 @ OAL 1.125. Works primo! For my 124 gn hollow points I use 4 gn of Titegroup @ 1.050.
The Titegroup burns a lot cleaner and there is relatively no smoke/sparks but it is difficult to measure accurately. Win 231 is great for bulk reloads because it measures perfectly almost every time.
The Titegroup burns a lot cleaner and there is relatively no smoke/sparks but it is difficult to measure accurately. Win 231 is great for bulk reloads because it measures perfectly almost every time.
"Ganderite, I just loaded up some Hornady 147gr. RN FMJ with Bluedot for my JR Carbine that is on it's way. Also, I loaded up some 147's in Titegroup as well. Do you experience with 9mm in carbines or just pistols?"
The only experience I have at the moment with 9mm carbines are in my full auto SMGs. I just use a medium power load with a 135 cast lead bullet and they burp just fine. But single shot accuracy is hard to measure in a gun shooting from an open bolt.
I have some semi-carbines on order, so next month will try to develop an accuracy load for them.
The only experience I have at the moment with 9mm carbines are in my full auto SMGs. I just use a medium power load with a 135 cast lead bullet and they burp just fine. But single shot accuracy is hard to measure in a gun shooting from an open bolt.
I have some semi-carbines on order, so next month will try to develop an accuracy load for them.
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I'm a fan of Bullseye powder. I load 9mm, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, .30 Mauser and mild .41 Mag loads all using Bullseye. It makes for a simple supply chain if I only need one powder! Buy it by the 8 lb keg and it runs around $16/lb. Titegroup powder is very similar on the burn rate charts so it would also be a good choice if you plan on reloading several calibers as well.
digitalblue
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My personal favorite is Hodgdon HS-6, works for pretty much any caliber or weight but requires near max charges to burn cleanly.
It's a slow burning ball powder that meters exceptionally well and can yield excellent accuracy if loaded right.
I personally load above recommended maximums(7.0gr of HS-6) with a 124gr bullet, haven't noticed any pressure signs; burns very cleanly and is very consistent.
However, this may not be the case for your gun, work up your loads accordingly; what works in my gun may not work in yours.
It's a slow burning ball powder that meters exceptionally well and can yield excellent accuracy if loaded right.
I personally load above recommended maximums(7.0gr of HS-6) with a 124gr bullet, haven't noticed any pressure signs; burns very cleanly and is very consistent.
However, this may not be the case for your gun, work up your loads accordingly; what works in my gun may not work in yours.
Two I use right now, but not perfect by any means - Universal and Clays. Univ is very good for 'knock down power' and low flash in 'low light' shooting.
Clays is very good as it's very 'soft' shooting powder for 9mm.
Winchester's WST and WSF are very good powders for 9mm too!!!!!!!!
Clays is very good as it's very 'soft' shooting powder for 9mm.
Winchester's WST and WSF are very good powders for 9mm too!!!!!!!!
Clays should be used with caution in heavier loads. It is a very fast powder and a little extra powder or a bit more bullet setback can spike pressure significantly. Same applies to Bullseye.
An observation about "soft shooting" loads. A few years ago, I had tried some loads a friend was using in 40 S&W. Loaded long, to major PF with 200 grain bullets using clays. Really soft shooting, but I looked at the fired brass, and the fluted chamber pattern was embossed into the brass (likely proof load pressure or higher). Factory loads aren't high enough pressure to emboss the chamber flutes into brass. After that, I have stuck to titegroup and similar speed powders for heavy/major PF loads.
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