9MM load for beginner

[Sasquatch-1]

I am just getting ready to start my daughter (25) on reloading. She has a 9MM and will be loading a 125 lead conical. After looking at the loading data for some of the more popular pistol powders, I notice a close rate between starting and max loads. Is there a good load where the tolerances are a little more forgiving for the beginner? I am use to .38spl 357 and 44 where there is a little room for fudging the load without catastopic consequences.:dung_hits_fan:

[rp85]

hello;

suggest hp38/ww231. ball powder, drops the same each time.

suggest you pull the pistols barrel and set the o.a.l. to the barrel.

also suggest, make sure ALL the case bell is removed when crimping the bullet,
check outside measurment of case with bullet in case per spec.

good luck

rp

[GT27]

Start with Unique,great "all around" pistol powder! It's pretty much the starting "Holy Grail" of pistol powders!:awesome:

http://i44.tinypic.com/s2wi6a.jpg

[shotman]

Number 1 on the ball type there are several. new ones out, that meter well.
you will need to work up a light load. Each gun will have a little play in the spring weight.
Load 5 each till they eject all the time. 1/2 grain is a big change in the 9mm

[GabbyM]

WW 231 is good for reduced power target laods but for full power laods powders like Unique and slower are best.

[canyon-ghost]

I'd go with Unique or slower, don't start on Bullseye! I did, and wish I hadn't. The 9mm isn't all that easy to load and builds pressure fast (pulling bullets isn't fun).

[garym1a2]

Unique is good, WSF is my favorite for 9mm. These powders are slower than the bullsseye, 231 types and hence more forgiving. I don't think you can get enough Unique in a case to blow up a modern 9mm. Don't try it though.

[oldreloader]

5 Gr of AA #5 with a 125 gr Missouri Bullet Co 9 cone or swc works well for me. Data at http://www.accuratepowder.com/

[Vinne]

My 9 loves AutoComp by WW. I can feel the change from 231. It is a little slower like the AA #5 so both will work just fine. I'm using 4.3gr AutoComp with 124gr lead.

[Sasquatch-1]

I would like to thank everyone who responded. It looks like a lot of you like the Unique and since I just bought 8 lbs for my 44 and 38/357 loads I guess I will start her with that. I'll just make sure she weighs a lot of charges after adjusting the powder measure.

[Houndog]

I use 4.5gr Unique under the Lee 124TC with a conventional lube groove lubed with BAC and loaded to 1.080 OAL It's a nice easy shooting round that works well for me.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

[parisite]

Start her off with 4.0gr of Green Dot, 4.5gr is max. A few tenths either way won't matter. Accurate and a mild recoil.

[Beau Cassidy]

WSF is a GREAT 9mm powder.

[flipajig]

I settled on HP-38 for my 9mm with a cast 124 grn boolte. I check my powder charge often. I also use HP-38 for my 38,357 and 44 mag with each one I have worked up my load.

[NuJudge]

Pick a powder that will overflow the case if she double charges the case. You want something that will make it painfully obvious if she has a double charge.

WW231 does not bulk up as much as I would like for a beginner, but I've gotten the best results with it and 125gr bullets. Slug her bore to make sure her bullets are big enough. All my Beretta and Walther barrels are almost .358".

[MaineJim]

Another vote for Unique,its a great powder for the 9mm giving high velocities with good accuracy while filling up the case.
No chance of doublecharge,my favorite load is 4.2 grains with the RCBS 124 CN that casts at 130 grains with ww.