Which powder for 9mm

[Jamesconn]

I am just starting and am compiling a list of items I need to buy.
I really dont know what powder to get for 9mm and I also need powder for 12ga shotgun and fir 30-06.

[Alchemist]

One powder which will work for all three (if you are shooting cast boolits in the '06) is Unique. WW Super target will do both the 12 ga & 9mm. Jacketed loads in the '06 will need something like IMR4895.

My best advise is to start "the old fashioned way" and buy at least one current loading manual and read up until you understand what you are doing and what you need...and proceed from there.

[theperfessor]

I really like Blue Dot in my 9mm. I don't reload for shotguns so I don't know about that use, I also don't own an -06 but I have seen threads about BD for cast bullet rifle shooting, maybe somebody else will chime in here.

+1 to Alchemist's suggestion for Unique and also getting at least one good manual.

[turbo1889]

+1 on Blue Dot being the A+ top rung choice for cast boolit loads in the 9mm cartridge. Will also work for field loads in your 12ga. and can be used for cast boolit plinker loads in 30-06.

Down side is for the 12ga. the "lightest" load you will be able to load will be 1-1/4oz. high velocity field loads (1,350-1,400), its not a trap load powder in that gauge unless your going after mutant clay birds that you have to be sure are going to be absolutely dead. Down side on the 30-06 side is the exact opposite that being its a plinker/target load powder not a heavy hunting load powder for cast boolits in that cartridge. There is no down side for using Blue Dot in the 9mm for cast boolits that I am aware of.

[zxcvbob]

Red Dot will do all three (but it's pretty wimpy in .30-06)

[Freischütz]

I've had good results with HS-6 in the 9mm and shotgun. I never tried it in a 30/06 but see no reason why it wouldn't behave like any other pistol powder in rifle loads.

[454PB]

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record.......Blue Dot!

[fredj338]

Rifle rounds need rifle powders for anything but uber low vel loads. RedDot is a good sg powder & ok for light 9mm loads, but not ideal. Unique works well in heavy sg & any 9mm loading. For the 06, depends on bullet weight & your rifle's preference (yes, they all have a pref) H4350 would be my starting point there.

[MT Gianni]

James I would go with two powders. 2400 will give you good cast loads in 30-06 and magnum handguns when you get one. Unique or Herco will fill the 9 and 12 gauge slot as will many others. Use the search function for different powder companies and you will get a lot of other choices too.

[Thumbcocker]

Very few .30-06's won't shine with 20-21 grns of 4759 and a good 180-200 grn boolit.

[Blammer]

I'd suggest Blue dot and IMR4895.

[winelover]

Unique & 2400 will cover most everything.

Winelover

[Doble Troble]

UNIQUE. And eventually something else for the -06, but Unique can be just as good or better than anything else in the 9 and 12 ga.

[Bullwolf]

I would have to say Unique since it will do all 3 well. I could make a pretty good argument for Bluedot too, but you would use a bit more of it than Unique. I tend to use Bluedot more for heavy shotgun loads, or higher velocity pistol loads that require lower pressures. Bluedot can be a real nice powder for 40S&W if you are having trouble with it.

You would be well suited with Unique to start off I think, with since it would do all 3.

My personal preferences.

9mm - Unique, occasionally Bluedot
12 gauge - light loads like trap loads Red Dot, then Unique. Heavy slug or buck shot loads Bluedot.
30'06 - Light Plinking or cast loads Unique. Heavier loads for 30'06 and I go to IMR 3031, another wide use powder.



- Bullwolf

[BMWrider]

Anyone (other than me) using WSF for 9mm?

[zxcvbob]

Anyone (other than me) using WSF for 9mm?

I have 8 pounds of it; it's my next powder to try in 9mm. Currently using Bullseye.

[Nora]

I agree with the 2400 and Unique suggestions. Another powder not yet mentioned that I've had the best groups with in all flavors of 9mm that I've got is Hodgdon Universal. It seems to shoot equally well in 9mm Luger, Largo, and Makarov. It has replaced both Bulls Eye and Unique as my go to powders for them.

Nora

[noylj]

Blue Dot is OK in 9mm but it needs to be near max for good combustion and really fills the case (with lighter bullets, I often had compressed powder loads).
I prefer AA5, AA7, 231/HP38, Unique and Herco. Back in the '70s-'90s, Herco had the best balance of accuracy and velocity in 9x19. Blue Dot could give you a little more velocity, but generally was not more accurate.
For 12 gauge, get a loading manual, determine the load, shot size, hull and wad you will use, and find a powder for those specific items and that is your powder. Whatever powder it is, it will do just fine in 9x19.
There are lots of powders for the .30-06, just as there are lots of bullet weights and styles. Decide what you want, what bullet will work for you and then reference some reloading manuals. You may want to stick to a spherical/ball powder first as the stick powders can be difficult to meter.

[skeet1]

Unique is what it's name implies unique.

Ken

[lead slead]

+1 for WSF in 9mm cast loads. Power Pistol was actually a little better with my cast loads but not by much. I use Titegroup for my 12ga target loads and most pistol loads. I have even tried it in the 06 with good results for a quiet plinker.