Just starting - Reloading 9mm and .223

[rbygrave]

Just getting ready to start reloading. Got a good deal on a XL650. Been saving brass for a couple of years.

I am taking a trip to Edmonton tomorrow so I was going to hunt for powder there as there is none here so, and since I will be shopping might as well get anything else I need. ...

I will be reloading 9mm for a few p01 and p38's so I am looking at 115g to 124g what would be the best pistol powder to start with?
.223 is for an AR and XCR so suggestions for powder to start with?


If i want to reload norc brass is there anything special that would help or can you treat it the same as factory brass?
Any idea where to get low cost bullets in bulk?

Thanks,

Richard

 

[Brianma65]

I've loade norc brass without any issues. Regards to powder, you need to call the stores and see what's available , then you can check out hodgdonsreloading website and see what matches up.

 

[BCRider]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

Write down all the powders listed for those two calibers and take that list along with you when you go shopping.

In addition if you don't have it already the Lyman's 49th, or 50th if they are up that far, are good references for other powder brands. Again if you have such a book write down all the powders listed under the loads you want to use and bring that with you. If you don't have this sort of manual then buy one at one of the stores then turn to the appropriate pages and ask "Got any of these powders?".

For handguns there's really no "one best powder" anyway. Some are dirtier than others and some prefer to be loaded closer to the maximum to deliver consistent performance. But if it's listed in the tables of loads then you can use it.

For handgun powder I'm a big fan of Alliant Bullseye and Hodgdon Titegroup. Both use only a few grains of powder so you get a lot of loads out of a pound of powder. 231 is another popular powder but I found that it burns with LOTS of ash fouling and the guns become overly dirty very quickly. Used up the 1 lb and never bought any more. Some folks like it though. A buddy and I bought some IMR4756 recently. He found that it's a powder that works best when used with near max loads before it was consistent for recoil and sound and went over the chrono with less variation in speed. But for 9mm it should be OK. I got mine to use in .38Spl where there'll be a LOT of air gap. So now I'm going to use it for my own 9mm and .45acp instead frees up the Titegroup for .38Spl.