What is your preferred powder for 9mm

[1Iron]

I just bought a 9mm pistol. I haven't loaded for 9mm in over 40 years. I have several powders on hand that I can use, but wanted to see what others are using. I plan on using my H&G #7 molds to cast 125 grain cast boolits.

Thanks.

1Iron

[Bosshaug]

I like TiteGroup myself. Meters well and is available locally for $29.99 a pound. I use it for both jacketed and cast.

[hades]

True blue for me, (135gr cast RF).

Buddy got into reloading and he picked up silhouette. Works nicely as well.

[txbirdman]

For target loads I use WST; 231; and 244. For higher performance loads I use Unique.

[MT Gianni]

Aa2 because I have a lot of it. Ramshot Silhuette does good work also.

[Ed_Shot]

I like WSF, Blue Dot, Promo/Red Dot in that order.

[anothernewb]

N320/W231 for target
HS6/power pistol for power

[jsizemore]

Started with SW Clean Shot (double base) and have moved to Vihtavuori N310 (single base). Both powders meter really good on the Dillon.

[upr45]

Lots of powders work well in 9mm, my usual is CFE pistol.

[Plate plinker]

Titegroup or 231. Usually 231 is my go to.

[parson48]

231 or Clean Shot here.

[Freischütz]

CFE Pistol and HS-6

[schutzen-jager]

RED DOT for many decades -

[dverna]

Mostly have used W231/HP38, but as mentioned, there are plenty of powders that will work.

[P Flados]

My google effort shows the #7 to look a lot like the Lee 120. I have loaded a ton of my powder coated Lee 120s. These are not really ideal "self defense" bullets, so I will just assume that you are interested in range ammo.

For me, getting leading free full power loads from the 9mm took a lot of effort. I played with all my powders in the process with no improvement from one to another.

I eventually determined that I needed a bigger expander die.

Once I worked out a process that worked, I found that any powder I had would work for "full power" loads with my range scrap alloy. When I say full power, I am not talking about maximum possible velocity, just a load that is not "reduced".

If you are interested in "just shooting" ammo, comparing what it takes for various powders to get the same predicted velocity is an interesting exercise using Quickload. My bet is that each of the loads below will all perform about as good as any other for plinking / making holes in paper. I would tend to go with one of the faster choices (the upper half of the list) just because they give you the same end result with less powder used.



Cartridge : 9 mm Luger (SAAMI)
Bullet : .356, 120, LEE 356-120-TC
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.075 inch = 27.31 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate Nitro 100 87.2 3.6 0.23 1050 100.0 27799 3696 0.461
Alliant RED DOT 93.6 3.7 0.24 1050 100.0 28647 3585 0.464
Alliant GREEN DOT 89.7 4.0 0.26 1050 100.0 26901 3773 0.473
Hodgdon TiteGroup 62.4 4.0 0.26 1050 100.0 29249 3512 0.456
Vihtavuori N320 86.0 4.0 0.26 1050 100.0 26438 3701 0.473
Shooters World Clean Shot 71.2 4.0 0.26 1050 99.5 27578 3898 0.460
Alliant BULLSEYE 77.3 4.1 0.26 1050 96.0 23570 4516 0.486
Hodgdon Universal 84.6 4.3 0.28 1050 99.8 23869 4306 0.498
Hodgdon HP38 64.9 4.3 0.28 1050 100.0 26283 3896 0.472
Ramshot Zip 65.4 4.4 0.28 1050 100.0 25915 3974 0.474
Winchester 231 72.9 4.4 0.28 1050 100.0 25915 3974 0.474
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol 56.4 4.4 0.29 1050 96.6 23542 4508 0.493
Vihtavuori N330 85.4 4.4 0.29 1050 99.9 23167 4235 0.491
Accurate No.2 84.9 4.5 0.29 1050 93.7 26504 4222 0.465
Alliant UNIQUE 90.1 4.6 0.30 1050 94.9 22543 4708 0.505

[P Flados]

And here is a repeat of the previous, but with a higher velocity and with more of the slower powders included.



Cartridge : 9 mm Luger (SAAMI)
Bullet : .356, 120, LEE 356-120-TC
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.075 inch = 27.31 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate Nitro 100 93.4 3.9 0.25 1100 100.0 32011 3908 0.432 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT 100.6 4.0 0.26 1100 100.0 33167 3803 0.435 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Clean Shot 75.5 4.2 0.27 1100 99.9 31756 4083 0.431 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BULLSEYE 81.9 4.3 0.28 1100 97.4 26628 4804 0.459
Alliant GREEN DOT 96.0 4.3 0.28 1100 100.0 31019 3977 0.443 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon TiteGroup 66.9 4.3 0.28 1100 100.0 33937 3714 0.427 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N320 91.9 4.3 0.28 1100 100.0 30785 3887 0.443 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Universal 89.8 4.6 0.30 1100 100.0 27287 4506 0.467
Hodgdon HP38 69.2 4.6 0.30 1100 100.0 30233 4081 0.443 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.2 89.3 4.7 0.31 1100 95.4 30272 4469 0.438 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol 59.6 4.7 0.30 1100 98.0 26696 4775 0.465
Winchester 231 77.6 4.7 0.30 1100 100.0 29762 4157 0.445 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Zip 69.7 4.7 0.30 1100 100.0 29762 4157 0.445 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N330 90.5 4.7 0.30 1100 100.0 26703 4407 0.461
Alliant UNIQUE 95.1 4.9 0.32 1100 96.5 25514 4996 0.475
Vihtavuori N340 94.6 5.0 0.32 1100 97.3 27594 4649 0.456
Ramshot Silhouette 78.3 5.4 0.35 1100 94.7 26733 4862 0.460
Vihtavuori N350 100.0 5.8 0.38 1100 89.8 25933 5012 0.461
Alliant POWER PISTOL 92.7 5.8 0.38 1100 79.2 24594 5436 0.473
Ramshot True Blue 73.4 5.9 0.38 1100 89.6 26923 4948 0.459
Accurate No.5 71.3 5.9 0.38 1100 84.2 26431 5111 0.461
Vihtavuori 3N37 96.2 5.9 0.38 1100 89.3 25593 5103 0.467
Shooters World Auto Pistol 71.3 5.9 0.38 1100 84.1 26431 5112 0.461
Hodgdon Longshot 74.6 6.0 0.39 1100 89.3 26519 5000 0.462
Hodgdon HS-6 78.2 6.1 0.40 1100 87.1 26781 5001 0.460

[gwpercle]

All of the following are good , and depending on what powders I can get / or what I have ... I will use with
124 gr. cast ... NOE 358-124-TC GC or RCBS 09-124-CN

700X
Bullseye
Red Dot
HP38 / W231
Unique ..................... old favorite
Acc Arms #2 (AA #2).. new favorite
Acc Arms #5 (AA #5).. might be a good powder , need more testing .

If I have it ... my first choice is Unique .
Accurate Arms powders are new to me but seem to work fine in the Nine !
Gary

[farmbif]

ive got some of just about all the powders that there is load data for 9mm and have settled on be-86, and in past ive used a lot of power pistol, bullseye and others, silhouette gives excellent performance with cast bullets, ive tried cfe pistol its pretty good too. but be-86 gives reduced muzzle flash and top performance. about 5.3 grains with mp 359-125 From old group buy. one powder that I do not have and would not mind trying is sport pistol.

[DaveTNC]

I've had good luck with 231/HP38 and Bullseye in 9mm (but have lately been saving what little Bullseye I have left for 38 special wadcutters.)

I remember seeing somewhere that Red Dot/Promo works and need to work up a load with it since I have a few pounds of it on hand.

[lightman]

231 or Unique for me.

[GONRA]

GONRA's justa Collector/Tinkerer.
Used WW 231 for all (normal) auto pistols, aged collector items etc.
(Developed "loads to function" - NOT beat up the pistol !!)
BUT -Used Blue Dot for .44 Auto Mag, .44 MAG . .45 Win Mag, etc. auto pistols.

[ioon44]

I have been using Sport Pistol with 140 gr cast with Hi-Tek coating for the last 2years.

[John Wayne]

I like TiteGroup myself. Meters well and is available locally for $29.99 a pound. I use it for both jacketed and cast.

Same here.
JW

[TheGrimReaper]

Unique or Titegroup for me

[1Iron]

Thanks everyone for the input. A lot of thought and effort went into your responses and it all is appreciated.

1Iron

[SSGOldfart]

RED DOT for many decades -

Same here, but I'm going to try CFE Pistol because I have a couple of pounds.

[contender1]

(1) Get several manuals.
(2) Study the written info about .9mm & what the publishers have to say about what they discovered as the most accurate.
(3) Using several manuals,, you will find a selection of different powders that seem to be more prevalent than others.
(4) Select a couple of those powders and start low & build some sample ammo.
(5) Your gun will then tell you which powder & load it likes the best.
(6) Tweak a couple of the best ones to find the best overall powder & load.

[chambers]

Titegroup meters well.

[armoredman]

Accurate #2 is my go-to.

[dverna]

I am going through my powder inventory and using up odds and ends of powder I will not be stocking. The fast powders will load 9mm and .38 loads for plinking. Some “odds” are less than a pound and some “ends” are under four pounds.

My “go to” powder for both calibers will be Clean Shot because I have over 25 lbs of it. IMO people tend to overthink things. For what I do, the difference of an inch at 25 yards is not worth worrying about.

If I run out of Clean Shot I will revert to Promo. I am not shooting to win pickup trucks. Still like W231/HP38 but have less expensive choices at tge moment.

[wrench]

As you can see, lots of powders work well in 9mm. I load thousands of 9 every year, using VV n320, WSF, and Nobel Sport SV. All of those are just fine for range ammo, all will make power factor for USPSA.

[nueces5]

w231, cheap, measures accurately on the powder measure, it is always available, at least here in Argentina. I have no complaints.

In my country, a very good one is made in the military factory, which until recently sold to us civilians. It's called the A22b and it's the best powder I've ever used for 9mm, which is the caliber it was designed for. It burns very cleanly, fills the brass well, and measures very well on the dillon powder meter.
Unfortunately it is not exported.
I have not used all the powders you mention above either, but from my short experience it is the one I liked the most.

[Hickok]

Unique....also in .40 S&W, .45 Colt, and mid-range .357, and mid-range .44 magnum.

Makes logistics easier! But, "I am a man,...I can change...I guess...if I have too!" (Red Green words of wisdom)

[BD]

I have been using Sport Pistol with 140 gr cast with Hi-Tek coating for the last 2years.

I also use Sport Pistol behind powder coated 147 grainers in my Sig 365. I found it to be more consistent and cleaner than Titegroup in the 9mm. Still using Titegroup in the .45acp

[CastingFool]

Bullseye, cuz I have lots of it. Downside, is that you have to weigh every charge, if you're picky like , even though they are just target loads

[jdgabbard]

Personally, the two powders I use for 90% of my handloading of Pistol cartridges are Unique and Red Dot.

Honestly, when it comes to 9mm I use Unique for most cast loads, and Red Dot for jacketed. I load a lot of jacketed in 9mm due to having an AR9 SBR that doesn't feed all cast boolit types easily, often get flat spots from the impact into the feed ramp... That said, my new MP357-125-RN doesn't seem to have this problem, and feeds without issue. So I am just now starting to work up a load for it starting with 4.0gr Unique at 1.100" OAL. With jacketed, what I load most is a 115gr FMJ at 1.100" over 4.3gr of Red Dot. This is a decently spicy load, and may be close if not at a max load based upon the data I have seen and the recoil felt with my pistols.

But, the there are three other powders I want to dip my feet into: Power Pistol, Ramshot True Blue, and Ramshot Silhouette. But with pounds and pounds of Unique and Red Dot left, it may be a while before I do.

[Shopdog]

700X and PB

[gwpercle]

I've had good luck with 231/HP38 and Bullseye in 9mm (but have lately been saving what little Bullseye I have left for 38 special wadcutters.)

I remember seeing somewhere that Red Dot/Promo works and need to work up a load with it since I have a few pounds of it on hand.

If I'm short of Bullseye ... Red Dot will step up and fill the bill very nicely not only in tthe 9mm but many other cartridges . I have learned to keep a good supply of Red Dot on hand .
Gary

[Hogtamer]

Longshot as I load it in 20 ga, 28 ga and 12 ga HV loads.

[Slugster]

Red Dot for most 9mm loads, as I have a lot of it. Still using some from the 70's.

[Wheelguns 1961]

Another Unique fan.

[P Flados]

a 115gr FMJ at 1.100" over 4.3gr of Red Dot. This is a decently spicy load, and may be close if not at a max load based upon the data I have seen and the recoil felt with my pistols.

Quickload says you are not over max, as long as you are talking 9mm +P.

Of course seating depth gets real important in the 9mm when close to or over 100% fill. With this charge, QL says the load goes close to 46,000 psi with 0.05" setback.



Cartridge : 9 mm Luger +P (SAAMI)
Bullet : .355, 115, Hornady FMJ/RN ENC 35557
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.100 inch = 27.94 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm
Powder : Alliant RED DOT

CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
+00.0 93 3.80 1082 299 29284 3690 100.0 0.454
+02.6 95 3.90 1100 309 30799 3770 100.0 0.444
+05.3 98 4.00 1118 319 32361 3849 100.0 0.434
+07.9 100 4.10 1135 329 33970 3928 100.0 0.424 ! Near Maximum !
+10.5 102 4.20 1153 339 35627 4006 100.0 0.415 ! Near Maximum !
+13.2 105 4.30 1170 349 37333 4085 100.0 0.406 ! Near Maximum !


To get a good velocity, any of the following would seem to be more forgiving if a setback were to occur.
Note that the COAL show below does reflect a 0.05" setback from 1.10" as loaded:



Cartridge : 9 mm Luger +P (SAAMI)
Bullet : .355, 115, Hornady FMJ/RN ENC 35557
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.050 inch = 26.67 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant BULLSEYE 99.7 4.7 0.30 1234 99.1 37500 5052 0.392 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.5 84.5 6.2 0.40 1229 87.6 37500 5376 0.393 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Auto Pistol 84.6 6.2 0.40 1229 87.6 37500 5377 0.393 ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol 71.8 5.0 0.32 1227 99.4 37500 4928 0.397 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Longshot 88.1 6.3 0.41 1224 92.3 37500 5171 0.394 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Silhouette 93.1 5.7 0.37 1223 96.9 37500 5016 0.394 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WAP 93.4 5.7 0.37 1222 96.7 37500 5019 0.394 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6 91.8 6.4 0.42 1218 90.0 37500 5152 0.395 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot True Blue 86.3 6.2 0.40 1217 92.3 37500 5087 0.395 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Universal 104.0 4.7 0.31 1187 100.0 35154 4430 0.416 ! Near Maximum !

[jdgabbard]

Quickload says you are not over max, as long as you are talking 9mm +P.



Cartridge : 9 mm Luger +P (SAAMI)
Bullet : .355, 115, Hornady FMJ/RN ENC 35557
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.100 inch = 27.94 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm
Powder : Alliant RED DOT

CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
+00.0 93 3.80 1082 299 29284 3690 100.0 0.454
+02.6 95 3.90 1100 309 30799 3770 100.0 0.444
+05.3 98 4.00 1118 319 32361 3849 100.0 0.434
+07.9 100 4.10 1135 329 33970 3928 100.0 0.424 ! Near Maximum !
+10.5 102 4.20 1153 339 35627 4006 100.0 0.415 ! Near Maximum !
+13.2 105 4.30 1170 349 37333 4085 100.0 0.406 ! Near Maximum !


P Flados, thanks for the QL Run!

That pretty much confirms what I was thinking it was running at. If I'm not mistaken 36K PSI is max for standard pressure. All my guns are +P rated except for one or two which I rarely shoot. Either way, I think this is still within tolerance limits of those two as well. Besides, I mostly use this in my AR9 SBR, which I consider to be a stronger action than any normal pistol. That's good to know though!

[Arkansas Paul]

I've mostly used Bullseye and W231. I love them both.
Oddly, I didn't care for Unique in 9mm. It's been a while since I loaded for it, so I don't remember exactly what my issue was with it. Just remember I preferred the first 2.

[Handloader109]

Whatever you got.... it's the caliber I load the most. Yeah factory is pretty cheap but I can load for less than half even with $100 a box primers. I've used red dot, CFE, power pistol, Sr4795, and others. I just opened up a 4pounder of WSF. It actually works well, some 147 gr hit exactly the Hodgson probably won't finish that bottle for a long while at 3.8 or 3.9gr per case.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[P Flados]

If I'm not mistaken 36K PSI is max for standard pressure.

35 ksi for std, 38.5 ksi for +P.

And for any existing/future ammo loaded above 35 ksi (as best you can guess), putting a "+P Only" label on it is a good idea.

[Petander]

For 9 mm I use any powder that I can not fit a double charge with. VV N340 now.

I'm loading 162 grn subsonics on a Dillon Square Deal.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

TiteGroup or HP38/231 work well for me, both meter very well, I have much more TiteGroup, so that is what I'm using.

[Kraschenbirn]

Currently, VV350 'cause I scored an unopened 4 lb. jug from an estate auction last year for $90. (5.0 gr. under a PC'd 125 gr. RNFP produces 1030 fps from my SIG 365 with an SD of 19.3)

Bill

[funnyjim014]

Normal target loads 231 (hp38) I loaded some 124gr fmj for a ar with max load cfepistol and actually impressed how snotty they are.

[1006]

I have always used any fast powder that is available, but prefer Red Dot for cast and jacketed target loads-there is no room for a double charge. If I was only shooting FMJ bullets, I would use TiteGroup-it has been clean, cheap, and accurate.

I like HS-6 and rifle primers for maximum power.

[popper]

Was using hp 38 but changed to WST as it is a faster burn. 135gr, fast powder in a sub compact (Carry guns) produces less flip and faster follow up.

[atfsux]

The majority of my loading for 9mm is subsonic in the "super-heavy" bullets like 160 and 165 grains. I get the best velocities within the proper pressures with CFE Pistol.

For lighter 115 and 125 grain +P+ JHP ammo, I've grown to prefer AA#7.

[gifbohane]

Another vote for HP 38, about all I use.

[rbuck351]

Tight group or 231/hp. Both meter very well. I don't load a lot of 9mm as I prefer the 45acp also with 231/hp 38.

[dr_rick]

I concur with Hodgdon TiteGroup. It works with all my 9mm cast bullet sizes. Burns clean and a good over all powder.

[atfsux]

I concur with Hodgdon TiteGroup. It works with all my 9mm cast bullet sizes. Burns clean and a good over all powder.

I have only one minor argument with that statement. When using small minimum charges of Titegroup with heavier subsonic 9mm projectiles, Titegroup tends to burn rather dirty at those low pressures. But, if using charges of closer to middle or maximum, yes, Titegroup burns clean under THOSE circumstances.

[P Flados]

I have only one minor argument with that statement. When using small minimum charges of Titegroup with heavier subsonic 9mm projectiles, Titegroup tends to burn rather dirty at those low pressures. But, if using charges of closer to middle or maximum, yes, Titegroup burns clean under THOSE circumstances.

The above is confusing to me.

First off, I run TG for lots of loads from warm mid range stuff to mouse farts. Many of my mouse farts leave residue regardless of powder selected. If you are running real low on pressure, do not blame the powder for being dirty.

Secondly, low pressure under a Heavy 9mm sounds just plain goofy. I run a lot of Quickload stuff and most typical fast burning powder subs (with preferred velocities in the 950 to 1000 fps range) are generally in the high chamber pressure category. I ran TG with a 158 in the 9mm, and found greater than 30,000 psi is needed to get 906 fps from a 4" 9mm with 3.9 gr of Titegroup. You should be around SAAMI max at 940 fps. This is no where near the statement "burn rather dirty at those low pressures". Now if someone is going for under 800 fps, you can get into 38 Sp pressure (where Titegroup is still decent and gives 100% burn). To get less than 100% burn in a 4", you drop down to around 600 fps.

[atfsux]

The above is confusing to me.

First off, I run TG for lots of loads from warm mid range stuff to mouse farts. Many of my mouse farts leave residue regardless of powder selected. If you are running real low on pressure, do not blame the powder for being dirty.

Secondly, low pressure under a Heavy 9mm sounds just plain goofy. I run a lot of Quickload stuff and most typical fast burning powder subs (with preferred velocities in the 950 to 1000 fps range) are generally in the high chamber pressure category. I ran TG with a 158 in the 9mm, and found greater than 30,000 psi is needed to get 906 fps from a 4" 9mm with 3.9 gr of Titegroup. You should be around SAAMI max at 940 fps. This is no where near the statement "burn rather dirty at those low pressures". Now if someone is going for under 800 fps, you can get into 38 Sp pressure (where Titegroup is still decent and gives 100% burn). To get less than 100% burn in a 4", you drop down to around 600 fps.

I am glad your results have been better than mine. All I can point to is my own experiences.

Yes, I was loading some FMJ 147 grain Magna projectiles from Midsouth over a charge of 3.1 grains of Titegroup, which BARELY cycled my Glock 19. The cases seemed to just sort of burble out of the top of the slide, flying up just millimeters, then falling at my feet. And it was DIRTY.

[ChuckS1]

Accurate No. 5 for me, because I have a lot and it meters well.

[steve urquell]

I am glad your results have been better than mine. All I can point to is my own experiences.

Yes, I was loading some FMJ 147 grain Magna projectiles from Midsouth over a charge of 3.1 grains of Titegroup, which BARELY cycled my Glock 19. The cases seemed to just sort of burble out of the top of the slide, flying up just millimeters, then falling at my feet. And it was DIRTY.

Totally agree on Titegroup. I will not use it. Dirty sooty powder. I have most of a pound left and have no use for it. I like TiteWad instead really well. Actually is clean burning and super cheap to load 9mm.

[jdgabbard]

Totally agree on Titegroup. I will not use it. Dirty sooty powder. I have most of a pound left and have no use for it. I like TiteWad instead really well. Actually is clean burning and super cheap to load 9mm.

If you guys don't like Titegroup, you ought to try Unique once or twice. Now THAT is a dirty powder. But I do love it....

[scattershot]

I like Red Dot.

[Electrod47]

I like Red Dot.

Me too....its not like its some super accurate requirement for the 9mm for ringing steel. 3-3.5 grains all thats needed to get 1000fps across most popular weights of cast boolits. Meter's "good enough" and since I will load up 500 at a time having 8lb kegs on hand makes it an easy choice.

[Soundguy]

Tightgroup is my general handgun powder of choice.

[steve urquell]

If you guys don't like Titegroup, you ought to try Unique once or twice. Now THAT is a dirty powder. But I do love it....


I find TiteGroup to be dirtier than Unique. I used TG after using Unique for years and was shocked at how dirty it was because I had heard good things about it.

Recently my FIL was shooting at my house and his gun and brass looked like charcoal. I asked him what powder he was using. Titegroup of course.

[jdgabbard]

I find TiteGroup to be dirtier than Unique. I used TG after using Unique for years and was shocked at how dirty it was because I had heard good things about it.

Recently my FIL was shooting at my house and his gun and brass looked like charcoal. I asked him what powder he was using. Titegroup of course.

I guess I just haven't shot enough Titegroup to notice it being dirtier than Unique... But to be fair, in my experience most dirty powders are dirtiest at lower pressures. I know even Unique cleans up quite a bit when I start approaching book max loads.

[Soundguy]

I've found light tg loads tend to be dirtier..mid and high loads can be as clean as many others.

[atfsux]

Once upon a time I left a load of .45acp brass tumbling in the garage all weekend. Just plain forgot until I went out there 2 days later. After 48 hours of that, the walnut media was like half the granule size it had been, and a pulverized talcum powder like residue of walnut was static-clung to all brass, inside and out.

Being my typical lazy self, I didn't want to have to wash and dry all that brass. Since it had already been sized and decapped, it only needed to have a primer, charge and projectile seated. After which I could give it a quick run through a new batch of walnut for about 5 minutes and only contaminate that batch of media with about half of the powdery residue I would if I did it right away, prolonging that batch and not creating so much dust. I figured the powdery residue inside the cases would burn up along with the surplus 30 year old IMR PB propellant I was using up because it had been nearly free. (Yes, I'm a cheap SOB. And lazy, too.)

Well that was an adventure.

I had loaded some 230 grain plain cast, and was shooting it out of my Thompson M1A1. Holy mother of smoke,...that was nearly like shooting black powder! Not only did the exhaust have a unique smell of lead, wax lube and smoldering walnut (which I have to say was rather pleasing), not only did it chug great puffs of what you might see out of an old out-of-tune 1959 Nash with a stuck valve,...but it was throwing flaming sparkles of still burning clumps of powdery walnut crud.

Now THAT was dirty!

[kenrh]

For year's I've used AA#7 with great results. When that runs out I have a few lbs of AA#5, which also worked well.

[Kosh75287]

MY favorites are Alliant Unique, Alliant Herco, and AA#5, with no preference among them. I'm more familiar with Alliant propellants than from any other manufacturer, so I'll use them for reference. Generally, any propellant with a burn rate between Red Dot and Blue Dot (including these) will work at least adequately for 9mm, and the ones toward the middle of this range offer you the best compromise between performance and economy.
W231 is probably a not-half-bad propellant. It meters well, burns cleanly, and behaves well. It will not give you the last possible millijoule of kinetic energy possible from the round, but its economy usually makes this forgivable. W244 or W572 will give you better performance, and fewer rounds reloaded per pound. but if the extra 100-150 f/s is worth it, then use the less economical propellant.

[dale2242]

I`m using 700X, because I have 10# of it.
I have used several other powders with equal success.

[Loudenboomer]

AA#5, HS-6 and WSF for most loads. 700X is a good one for 147's suppressed. I don't really like the way 700X meters threw the Dillon but it is clean enough and quiet.

[Pirate69]

Whatever you got.... it's the caliber I load the most. Yeah factory is pretty cheap but I can load for less than half even with $100 a box primers. I've used red dot, CFE, power pistol, Sr4795, and others. I just opened up a 4pounder of WSF. It actually works well, some 147 gr hit exactly the Hodgson probably won't finish that bottle for a long while at 3.8 or 3.9gr per case.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Not trying to be picky, but did you mean SR4759?

[jsanch03]

Since I’m mostly shooting my own powder coated bullets my go to powder is alliant sport pistol. It was designed to prevent burning or melting of the coating from lead bullets. I’ve tried bullseye and titegroup but those powders would weaken the powder coating if I let them sit for a few weeks. I still use the bullseye and titegroup whenever I get ahold of plates or jacketed bullets