9mm Powder

W231/HP-38 is a good choice for loading the 9mm. I use mostly W231 in my 9mm ammo. (and most other handgun calibers too)

231

W231/HP-38 is a good choice for loading the 9mm.

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Agreed, and Power Pistol for hot loads

I only use 231 and HS-6 in my pistols. They're the only ones I've tried besides Unique (didn't like it) and I like them so much I don't see a reason to try anything else.

AA#5, #7, HS-6, Power Pistol are all good.

shane8168 said:

What are your suggestions for a target/plinking possibly USPSA load with 124 grain lead bullets, 115 jacketed bullets, etc.

I'm looking for good all around performance with LOW bulk!

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You didn't mention your pistol/barrel length but here are some "low bulk" target/match loads that should make USPSA minor power factor and have worked well in my Glock 22/23/27-Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrels (but you would need to chrono them out of your pistol/barrel to be sure). They are based on current published powder manufacturers' load data and Lyman #49:

115 gr Winchester FMJ, 1.125"-1.135" OAL - 4.8 gr W231/HP-38

124 gr Montana Gold FMJ, 1.135" OAL - 4.5 gr W231/HP-38

124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP - 1.135" OAL - 3.8-4.2 gr Bullseye
124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP - 1.135" OAL - 3.8-4.0 gr Titegroup
124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP - 1.135" OAL - 4.5 gr W231/HP-38

125 gr Missouri RN, 1.080"-1.100" OAL - 3.8-4.2 gr W231/HP-38
125 gr Missouri SWC, 1.045" OAL - 3.8-4.0 gr W231/HP-38

Is it LOW volume compared to my trusty Unique?

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It has about 2/3 the volume of Unique.

and meters better too!

J_McLeod said:

I only use 231 and HS-6 in my pistols. They're the only ones I've tried besides Unique (didn't like it) and I like them so much I don't see a reason to try anything else.

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I agree but I will add just one more, W296.

My powder trinity is W231 (HP-38), W540 (HS-6) and W296 (H110).

I do try other powders including Clays, Universal, Longshot, Lil'Gun, AA#2, AA#5, Power Pistol, 2400, 4227 and probably a few more I can't remember right now but I always come back to the trinity I listed above...

Getting back to the 9mm, I forgot to mention above, when I don't use W231 I use Longshot for jacketed bullets and hotter SD loads.

In 9mm, Titegroup and Clays are pretty economical, as they use smaller charges than Longshot or Win231.

I also use W231 I like it because I can load 9mm, .45ACP and some light target loads for my .44 Rem mag

I'm getting tired of spilling my Unique powder in my 9mm loads because of the volume.

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What are you doing that spills a charge of Unique???

A max load doesn't overflow the case so something is going wrong. Single stage, turret or progressive?

Unique is one of the best performing powders you can use in the 9mm from mild to +P velocity equivalents at standard pressure.

HP-38 & AA#5 work great for me in 9mm.

I like Titegroup myself. Very little powder needed to get the job done.

I also switched to Titegroup from HP-38/W231. I can use it in 9MM, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt for practice loads.

For low bulk 9mm loads try Titegroup, as mentioned above, and/or Bullseye. I've had good luck developing loads with both and neither takes up too much room in a 9mm case.

Good Luck.

Dan

231 for me.

I'm using AA#5 for 9mm, mostly because it meters beautifully.

I use Bullseye.

Try HP38. It is the same as 231 but $1 per pound cheaper. A double charge will fill up the case and is quiet apparent. It is also very easy to see a regular charge in the case, so no squibs.

A fellow production USPSA shooter turned me on to Winchester WSF.

Burns clean, meters nicely through my Dillon, and has a very low flash. While flash is normally not a huge issue, I had the opportunity to shoot at a night shoot recently and was surprised at how minimal the muzzle flash was compared to some of the others that were shooting.

5.0 grains behind a 124 FMJ bullet is the load I use.

I've had good accuracy results with W-231 ( HP-38 ) and with Universal.
Give either of them a try. If I had to go with one, I think W-231 would be my choice as it works good in most calibers.

For 9mm WSF and 231 are my favorites.