As prices of 9mm rise I'm thinking it's time to start reloading it. I'm not new to reloading but never bothered with 9mm as it previously wasn't worth the effort. I've read comments about tightgroup and people seem to like it, however it is possible to double charge. So I'm looking for experience of good powders that can't double charge without pouring out of the case mouth.
What's a good 9mm powder
- Thread starter cyclops666
- Start date
Have you guys tried paying attention? That's a great way not to double charge. You only need to keep your eyes open at certain times. Just because you can fit two or three charges in the case doesn't mean the bullet is going to seat... I use whatever is cheapest, that's typically titegroup. In tens and tens of thousands of rounds on a progressive I haven't had a single issue...
coleman1495
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Whitecourt
3N37 is excellent. Meters very well, good velocity, good consistency. 3N38 works good too but only for max loads.
- Location
- West Quebec
Bullseye or Titegroup are my goto powders which ever is cheaper
I also like to use Unique for 9mm (in some other handgun calibers as well). Burns fairly clean and is accurate for all my 9mm, Handgun and PCC. It can be hard to accurately dispense with some of the powder measures on the market. Found the Hornady Lock-N-Load dispenses Unique without varying widely in charge weight.
Hope this helps!
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I used to use Bullseye almost exclusively. But then I fell in love with the Hollywood flash of Power Pistol.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
My father swears by it. He's been using it since we first started to reload 20 years ago. I haven't seen it around here. So I just use W231/HP38 like everybody else does. Easier on group buys.
I got a inspection camera on my press. Saves me leaning forward to check, before I plop the bullet on top. Double charge is easy to spot.
Also if I get distracted, I dump all the cases on the shell plate and start over. Never had a squib.
I got a buy on 8 lbs of HP-38; I have been very happy; been using it for everything; 9mm, .40, .45, .38 special. Yes, it is a bit dense, but I use progressive presses which greatly reduce the risk of double charges. I am loading just over Hodgedon's minimum loads for each. I find it meters well, is very clean, very pleasant to shoot, very accurate, and because of the price, when this box of powder is gone, I will be buying the same thing. Hodgedon data for .38 +P and .357 magnum are the same for this powder, and I will be loading some of these later today for my GP100, for when our range reopens.
For 9mm 124 gr. copper plate hollow point campros, I am using 3.9 gr.
I reload, have for years, and I have dies for 9mm Luger. However I think that 9mm Luger ammunition is still value priced, I watch the sales and buy bulk. To be economical, components have to be fairly cheap, or you end up paying more for handloads. Obviously, if what you want to shoot is premium ammo or something special, that changes the game.
Double charging is more of a progressive press thing. If you use a single stage, it's pretty standard to check the whole tray after the cases are charged. 9mm cases are pretty squat, 3.8 gr of anything fast still occupies a good part of the volume. A 38 Spl case is substantially larger and the usual target load is about 3 gr of something fast. The bulkier powders do make it less likely, or impossible to double charge, as does paying attention when you reload.
IMHO loading 9mm on anything other than a progressive press is a frustrating experience. My thumb is wider than an empty brass, and you end up handling each case too often. Loading without a tray isn't good, but a 9mm is hard to pick out of most trays. I started shooting 45 Auto, and the ammo I need has to have lead bullets and I'd like the power factor to be just a touch over 150 for Wild Bunch. Handloading, or buying reloads from the club seemed like the only option. I did find Federal ammo loaded with a painted bullet, and bought a case of that.
I came across a bargain on components, so I started handloading. I loaded some 45 auto in my single stage and not long after bought a progressive. I chose a 550 Dillon, and at first found the process a bit intimidating. I was not used to pumping out a round with every stroke of the handle. You can also load one at a time, which is still fairly quick. There is even a kit available to make the 550 into a single stage. My friend loads everything he shoots on his 550's.
I use some of the bulky powders, like Trail Boss, but I also use denser ones like Titegroup. I consider the bulkiness to be a feature, but not a "must" criteria for my powder choice. IOW, I use Trail Boss in my 44 because it gives me the velocity I want, with enough pressure to prevent leading. It does fill the usable space in the case, bonus.
The 9mm Luger isn't too picky on burn rate, lots of choices. Some of the other caliber pistols work smoother and better within a narrower range of burn rates. In the 45 I choose WST, it is a popular choice. 231 works well in the 9mm for target loads. Power Pistol is a good choice for high performance loadings. I knocked down a 9mm target round, the powder looked like Titegroup.
Nitro
