9mm and 357 mag powders/bullet questions

[brandon1977]

Im about ready to get ordering my reloading components. I have a Glock 19 and a Ruger GP100 4inch that I will be ordering bullets, primers, and powder for.

My thoughts are to order from Montana Gold and Powder Valley for everything.

For the 9mm I was considering ordering the 124 grain JHP, as I've read the hollow points are more accurate for some reason. Is there an all around good powder that can do 9mm, 45acp, and 38spc?

For the 357 mag I'm leaning towards Alliant 2400, small pistol primers, and the Montana gold bullet. The thing I'm most unsure of is which bullet weight to go with for the 2400 powder. Does 2400 work good for 125 grain and 158 grain bullets? Need opinions please.

 

[357 Terms]

For 9mm, 45acp and .38 you can't beat Universal or Unique.

2400 is a good choice for 357 mag.

 

[Waywatcher]

2400 is a great powder; I always keep it well stocked.

It will work great for either weight. Using a Chronograph I have found that the powder does have 'sweet-spots' where it is remarkably consistent--almost ridiculously consistent. With 158 hardcast LSWC and 14.0 grains the ES for 10 shots was a mere 38fps from an avg of 1244 (At 13.5 grains the ES was 83fps, which is still Ok but not great.) With 180 grain hardcast and 12.0 the ES was only 30 (avg 1149.) I stopped working up because I was very satisfied with those velocities, extreme spreads, and accuracy. (4" GP100)

I personally haven't tested 2400 with 125 bullets, but I am 100% positive a great load could be found with it. Pick whichever bullet trips your trigger.

 

[LiveLife]

My thoughts are to order from Montana Gold and Powder Valley for everything.

I used to, but Montana Gold prices are not as competitive now. Powder Valley has good prices but they are showing a lot of "out of stock" for popular bullets.

For the 9mm I was considering ordering the 124 grain JHP, as I've read the hollow points are more accurate for some reason.

Hollow point increases the bearing surface of the bullet (part of bullet base that rides the rifling) and it also reduces the amount of fouling/leading from exposed lead base of FMJ, especially if you are using pistols with compensated barrels (that's why many match shooters like them).

If you are looking for accuracy, I highly recommend you try Berry's HBRN-TP (Hollow Base RN - Thick Plated) bullets. It has thicker plating good for 1450 fps, longer bearing surface from the hollow base and better bullet base seal with the barrel. I use both 115/124 gr HBRN-TP bullets and they are more accurate than my reference Winchester 115 gr FMJ load. TJ Conevera's sells them for $88/1000 with free shipping which is much cheaper than Montana Gold 124 gr JHP at $124/1000.

Is there an all around good powder that can do 9mm, 45acp, and 38spc?

It would be hard to beat W231 or HP-38 (same exact powder in Hodgdon container at lower price).

 

[PO2Hammer]

Welcome to the forum.

In my Glock 19 I've had better luck with Berry's 124 grain HBFP-TP than I've had with the round nose version, not sure why. My CZ prefers them too.

If your .45 auto will feed SWC's, the 200 grain plated SWC is a great bullet.

I've used Titegroup in 9mm, 45 auto and 38 spl with good results.

In the .357 magnum I like the 158 JHP/JSP for full power loads. Easier on the ears and the powder can. I use Lil'gun, but I think it's too slow, 2400 is probably a better choice.

For light .357 and .38 spl loads I really like the plated 148 grain DEWC.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

For jacketed bullets in 9mm, .45ACP and .357, I would simply get Power Pistol. It will give good results in all three. As far as the .357 goes I would skip the 2400. You can get 90+% of the results that 2400 will give you with only half charge of Power Pistol.

I also would not rule out Unique. It will also give great results in the above three calibers and .38.

Currently, I have at least 5 lbs of Unique and Power Pistol on my bench. If could only choose one, it would be Unique.

 

[LiveLife]

In my Glock 19 I've had better luck with Berry's 124 grain HBFP-TP than I've had with the round nose version, not sure why.

It maybe due to longer leade in Glock barrels that allows more high pressure gas leakage around the bullet before the bearing surface of the bullet engages the rifling. Hollow base would allow faster expansion of the bullet base to seal with the barrel and produce more consistent chamber pressures which will result in improved accuracy.

 

[joneb]

AA#5 would be a good choice for 9x19 and 45acp but for 38spl it only works well for me at near or maximum loadings. I use AA#5 for cast and plated bullets for 357 mag.
W-231 would be my choice because of 38spl, it will also do well with plated bullets for 357 mag. in light to medium loads.
2400 is a great choice for full power 357 mag.

 

[CGT80]

Montana gold bullets are the same price or cheaper than berry's, but............you have to order MG's by the case of 3750 bullets. I run the MG 124 jhp over 4.2 grains of win 231 in a modified xd service model for competition. My dad runs the same bullet and powder but loaded to 5.3 grains in a comped 1911. I like berry bullets and have used many thousands of them, but for the same price I like MG a little better.

231/hp38 work very well in many calibers. It is a great all around powder. It isn't for hot loads in magnum calibers, but for general target shooting it is my favorite.

I didn't like the berry's hollow base 124 grain 9mm bullets. They had more recoil and a higher velocity than the non-hollow base.

I buy bullets direct from berry's or MG and powder and primers from powder valley or Wideners.

 

[J_McLeod]

I'd also go with HP-38. My other powder is HS-6, and that'll give more power, but if I only had one it'd be HP-38. In case quantity, Montana Gold is the same or cheaper than Berry's. Same for 124gr, cheaper for 115. So why buy plated when you can have jacketed for the same price?

 

[Mike 27]

I use Bullseye for 9mm, with 124gr rn Winchester projectiles. They are very accurate. For some reason my 9mm's do not shoot the 115's as well. The 124gr's are within an inch grouping at 25ft off the bench. I have not loaded 357 in a while so I won't weight in there.

 

[Blue68f100]

I'm not a fan of one powder to fit all. You will not get the performance going that route. 2400 for the 357Mag is one of my favorites. 9mm, WSF for 124gr, 231 for 115gr.

Unique being a large flake it does not work well in some dispenses, not one I recommend. I prefer the use of ball powders.

 

[Waywatcher]

In my experience, Power Pistol meters just as well as HS-6 or Accurate #5.

Power Pistol is superior to Unique in just about every important way. Higher velocity, much cleaner burning, superb metering.

For .38+P or midi-mags, Power Pistol would be my choice. For midi to full magnum, 2400 would be my choice.

 

[GLOOB]

I'm a big fan of Unique. But I gotta admit HP38 is pretty much equally great for plated/jacketed bullets in 9mm. It is maybe even better for cast bullets in 357. And it'd also pretty darn good for 45ACP.

 

[ryan3465]

I use HP-38 for my 9mm loads in my Sig-Sauer P226 and for mid-range loads in my Smith & Wesson Model 19. Works pretty well for both. The magnum loads with HP-38 (if you can call them that) are nowhere near as punishing as my loads I've cooked up with 2400. I reserve the 2400 loads for when I want to relearn what the word "Magnum" means haha.

 

[BBDartCA]

I've had good luck with both power pistol and AA#7 with both 357 and 9mm.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Is there an all around good powder that can do 9mm, 45acp, and 38spc?

For those 3 calibers I'm a big fan of W231/HP-38. I feel W231 was made for the .38 Special and .45 Auto and it also does well in the 9mm. All the ammo I build with W231 is very accurate in my guns.

For the 357 mag I'm leaning towards Alliant 2400, small pistol primers, and the Montana gold bullet. The thing I'm most unsure of is which bullet weight to go with for the 2400 powder. Does 2400 work good for 125 grain and 158 grain bullets? Need opinions please.

2400 without a doubt is a good magnum powder but there are others. For full power .357 Magnum ammo W296/H110 is a good choice but it can't be downloaded and requires magnum primers. AA#9, 4227 and Ramshot Enforcer will also do a good job as will Hodgdon Lil'Gun or the new Alliant 300-MP.

I know I listed almost every "magnum" powder made but I figured I'll list them all in case you can't fine what you're looking for. This way you know of the other powders.

 

[2Bad4u]

2400 without a doubt is a good magnum powder but there are others. For full power .357 Magnum ammo W296/H110 is a good choice but it can't be downloaded and requires magnum primers. AA#9, 4227 and Ramshot Enforcer will also do a good job as will Hodgdon Lil'Gun or the new Alliant 300-MP.

By downloaded, do you mean that you should not load below the suggested starting powder weights in the loading manuals?

 

[Dustin0]

Titegroup or Unique. I like titegroup a little better.

 

[Loic]

I used to, but Montana Gold prices are not as competitive now. Powder Valley has good prices but they are showing a lot of "out of stock" for popular bullets.



Hollow point increases the bearing surface of the bullet (part of bullet base that rides the rifling) and it also reduces the amount of fouling/leading from exposed lead base of FMJ, especially if you are using pistols with compensated barrels (that's why many match shooters like them).

If you are looking for accuracy, I highly recommend you try Berry's HBRN-TP (Hollow Base RN - Thick Plated) bullets. It has thicker plating good for 1450 fps, longer bearing surface from the hollow base and better bullet base seal with the barrel. I use both 115/124 gr HBRN-TP bullets and they are more accurate than my reference Winchester 115 gr FMJ load. TJ Conevera's sells them for $88/1000 with free shipping which is much cheaper than Montana Gold 124 gr JHP at $124/1000.

It would be hard to beat W231 or HP-38 (same exact powder in Hodgdon container at lower price).

I teluad for my 9 and 38 spl, I use win 231 powder for both and I am happy with it. I had loaded couple thousand round using rainers platted bullet with no problems, now I have the berry hollow base for my 9 but haven't try it yet. The review for then is really good.

Sent from my EVO 3D using Tapatalk

 

[bubbacrabb]

Montana gold is a significant amount cheaper than berrys just order than by the case.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

By downloaded, do you mean that you should not load below the suggested starting powder weights in the loading manuals?

No, downloaded as in lighter loads than up near the Max charge.

Usually you can reduce a powder 10% or more from the Max recommended charge and be just fine. Hodgdon recommends no more than a 3% reduction from the Max charge when using H110/W296. That's what I'm talking about.

From the Hodgdon Load Data Site:

For those loads listed where a starting load is not shown, start 10% below the suggested maximum load and then approach maximums carefully, watching for any sign of pressure (difficult extraction, cratered and flattened or blown primers, and unusual recoil). H110 and Winchester 296 loads should not be reduced more than 3%.

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%.

 

[2Bad4u]

No, downloaded as in lighter loads than up near the Max charge.

Usually you can reduce a powder 10% or more from the Max recommended charge and be just fine. Hodgdon recommends no more than a 3% reduction from the Max charge when using H110/W296. That's what I'm talking about.

From the Hodgdon Load Data Site:

Good to know and thanks for the clarification.

 

[FROGO207]

I first choose the weight/type of bullet in each caliber. Then choose a propellant that has max velocity vs minimum pressure for that particular combo and work up a load. I most generally have a specific setup for each one. Using one propellant for loading a lot of different calibers due to economy is often short sighted in the long run as you will end up with many OK loads that will work rather than the BEST load for each individual firearm. IMHO accuracy in each firearm is the biggest reason to reload so why settle for almost the best. YMMV

 

[4895]

Unique works quite well for most pistol cartridges, good for all types of boolits. Winchester 231 is a bit more economical and clean, I use it with plated and moly coated. Bullseye works well with lead boolits, IMO. I still prefer H110 for magnum loads with jacketed.