Newb Question-reloading 9mm powder?

pete_viking

pete_viking

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Hi all,

I am just getting into reloading and will be getting the Hornady AP Lock and Load from Budget Shooter Supply next week. Henry has been great at advising me, but the one thing he mentioned he doesn't do is make powder suggestions. So any suggestions on what powder to choose with this press and 124gr bullets for a CZ Shadow? I am looking to make decent target ammo but am not into competition at this point. This is my first automatic aside fom my Ruger Mk III so I am just looking to get lots of rounds for my buck so I can get in a lot of practice. Once I've been reloading a while I will focus more on precision ammo but right now my priority is ease of loading, economy and safety while I climb the learning curve. This is the bullet I am leaning towards. http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=467&CategoryID=10 I will start with with these bullets with the intention of casting 124gr bullets once he has the 6 cavity moulds in stock. These are the powders I have to choose from http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/catalog/Smokeless_Powder_12.cfm

Also, any suggestions on which manual to buy that he carries, the Lee or the Hornady? http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/catalog/Books_13.cfm

Any help would be greatly appreciated.:redface:
 
You can use many powders. I like Bullseye. Be careful when using Titegroup as it is possible to double charge a case with it.
 
I have the same setup and I'm using the same bullets. I'm liking Clays powder. Nice and light recoil, cheap powder and it meters wells in the LNL auto-powder dispenser.
 
I cut my teeth on HS-6. It's not as efficient as Titegroup (fewer shots per lb), but as a powder it's pretty forgiving. Tough to double charge a case, as I was loading 6.2 gr of HS-6 and a 9mm case holds 12 gr. A double charge is obvious. I recommend using magnum small pistol primers with HS-6 as it's a bit slower than other pistol powders. It works just fine with regular primers, if you want to use them.
 
I have been having good results with Universal Clays in 9mm. I was having keyholing problems with Titegroup and properly sized (.357" for .356" groove diameter) lead bullets.
 
Titegroup and Unique work well for me. TG is a little snappy and unique has more of a "pushing" feel to it. Both are clean and I have the same setup bought from Henry as well. 4gr of TG or 5gr of Unique are my go to loads. Blue dot works well too but its as dirty as hell, lots of people I've talked to use Power Pistol as it seems to be one of the velocity kings and has a nice bright muzzle flash.

Most people seem to start out with TG and then play around with others.

Good luck
 
Henry is great guy to deal with. Got my LNL AP from him last yr along with all the stuff for 9mm, 45ACP and 357 magnum.

Using 4-4.5 Titegroup with Berry 124gr RN (more consistent than HBRN on my G17 Gen4).

As others noted plus for TG is cheap as it uses so little, also a negative in easy to double load. Get the RCBS lockout die from Henry. If you're using separate crimp die (ie Lee deluxe 4 die set) get the Hornady powder expander from Henry.

Hornady stuff is often backorder so contact Henry ASAP. I also had to wait several weeks for my RCBS lockout die.


I cast 45ACP RN and 357 WC. 9mm is a lot cheaper so wasn't worth the effort.
 
I started using Titegroup and I am now using WSF for 9mm. I prefer WSF but titegroup works well. Just make sure to check for double charges. At some point I would like to try 320 for 9mm.

I started loading for a G34 and a G17 (9mm) and recently bought a CZ Shadow. The COAL that I used for my G34 (with 125g Zero JHP-C's) is 1.135, and that COAL with that projectile will lock up the Shadow. What that projectile, I have found that I have to use 1.08 COAL to pass the drop in and out test everytime.
 
I was just reading on the CZ forum someone was posting a similar question for the same gun, bullet and reloading setup. One response from an experienced reloader was suggesting Winchester 231 (http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=104&CategoryID=69) as a good choice for newbies.

Quote:

"Personally, I tell everyone to start loading with Winchester 231 (which is also sold as Hodgdon HP-38). This is a great little powder with a load window of 3.9 to 5.1gr, so if you happen to be 0.1gr or 0.2gr off, you'll still be allowed to keep all your fingers. It also is fluffy enough where it will over-fill a 9mm case should you double-shot your powder."

That sounds like a good argument for a beginner's choice for me. Given how "fluffy" it is, this sounds to me like you will get fewer charges per pound, but it'll be more forgiving of minor inaccuracies in measuring. Any thoughts?
 
For making the most accurate ammo possible, Titegroup or Bullseye are your choice.

For a medium speed, general purpose powder, 231 and IMR SR7625 are excellent choices.

When making suggestions of a powder to start with, I suggest IMR6725. It meters very well, has a medium speed and is "fluffy" enough to be obvious in a double charge situation.

I have also found it very accurate.
 
If you are looking for a reliable powder to load for IDPA or IPSC the 231, Unique, HS 6 and Titegroup are powders that work well. PM me and I can send you my spreadsheet containing loads I have run over my F! Chrony.

Take Care

Bob
 
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