Reloading powder for 9mm

I've used a bunch of Blue Dot in the past. It's relatively clean at 9mm pressures, and fills the cases up nicely - no double charging there. It's always been reliable as far as ignition and performance. And it works well in a wide variety of higher power handgun and magnum handgun applications. Makes nice fireballs at dusk, too.

I'm thinking about switching to Clays for a while though, to simplify my powder inventory - hodgdon powders are easy to get around here, but availability of Alliant is hit-and-miss. Clays is supposedly super clean and really versatile, especially for lower-power loads (like in the 38 spl, or for cowboy-level loads). Charge weights are low, too, so you get a lot of loads out of a jug of powder. Titegroup also looks pretty versatile, if you're looking at higher-power applications. But I've always been partial to 'flake' powders - It just seems to me that they're usually cleaner (less coatings needed) and ought to be easier to ignite; although I really can't substantiate that last point. Still, given a choice, I usually default to a flake powder.
 
I've used w231 for years because it meters very well and if you load it close to max, it burns quite clean. You want dirty try IMR 700X, light loads.
I use W231 in my 38, 9mm, 45acp, 12 gauge and for fun in my 45/70.
 
Ramshot Silhouette.. Very similar to Winchester WSF, but WAY, WAY cleaner.. some guys here have 3,000+ rounds with no nasty powder buildup on the ramp\etc..
 
I've used Bullseye, Titegroup, Bluedot, Longshot & Power Pistol. By far the best I have seen for now is Power Pistol and Bullseye.

My $0.02!
 
I've used a bunch of Blue Dot in the past. It's relatively clean at 9mm pressures, and fills the cases up nicely - no double charging there. It's always been reliable as far as ignition and performance. And it works well in a wide variety of higher power handgun and magnum handgun applications. Makes nice fireballs at dusk, too.

I like the idea of filling the cases - no chance of a double charge - plus you are ensured of ignition at all angles because the case is full...

I'm thinking about switching to Clays for a while though, to simplify my powder inventory - hodgdon powders are easy to get around here, but availability of Alliant is hit-and-miss. Clays is supposedly super clean and really versatile, especially for lower-power loads (like in the 38 spl, or for cowboy-level loads). Charge weights are low, too, so you get a lot of loads out of a jug of powder. Titegroup also looks pretty versatile, if you're looking at higher-power applications. But I've always been partial to 'flake' powders - It just seems to me that they're usually cleaner (less coatings needed) and ought to be easier to ignite; although I really can't substantiate that last point. Still, given a choice, I usually default to a flake powder.

I'm liking the Clays series as well - it's clean burning and a flake powder. However I went to Universal - just cause 1.1grs difference between Clays and Universal isn't gonna make that big a dent in 1lb of powder...
 
9mm pistol powder

I was also using Win 231 but have since switched to Ram Shot Silhouette and have been very impressed. I'm also shooting a CZ Shadow and 1911 in 9mm the 1911 has about 1200 rounds true it and looks amazingly clean compared to the Win 231 after 1000. The 231 seems to leave a lot of carbon in the action and mag well. The shadow I only have about 400 rounds true it but it once again looks much cleaner then when I was using 231.
 
I was also using Win 231 but have since switched to Ram Shot Silhouette and have been very impressed. I'm also shooting a CZ Shadow and 1911 in 9mm the 1911 has about 1200 rounds true it and looks amazingly clean compared to the Win 231 after 1000. The 231 seems to leave a lot of carbon in the action and mag well. The shadow I only have about 400 rounds true it but it once again looks much cleaner then when I was using 231.

good to know...thanks for the post. I was told from my distributor that Silhouette was WAP...but now sold under Ramshot as Silhouette.
 
Who cares if its dirty--isn't that why we clean our guns from time to time? I would be more concerned about accuracy of the load myself. If you are shooting lubricated cast bullets its going to be dirty no matter what you shoot. with jacketed/plated accuracy would be the deciding factor.
 
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