What is your preferred powder for 9mm

[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.