Finally decided to start reloading 9MM. A couple of Q's for ya'all.

[Lennyjoe]

Normally buy 9MM in bulk but with the craziness going on I decided to start collecting 9MM stuff. So I have the dies, brass and about 500 each RMC 124gr plated RN bullets to start with. Powders include WSF, W231 and others like Unique, Longshot (which I use in .40 cal loads) and that's about it for pistol. I've been reloading for years, just not for the 9MM.

As for the platforms, Kel-Tec PF9 and Kahr CW9 are the only two 9mm's we own for now. I'm a .45 guy and my lady is a .40 gal. We got the 9's for pocket carry when we don't want to carry full size stuff.

So, with the short barrel, what powders to you suggest with the 124's?

 

[jwrowland77]

I carry a Walther PPS, very short barrel. I use Unique, Titegroup and Autocomp. All work great, but the Autocomp is actually the most accurate out of my Walther.

 

[rcmodel]

Barrel length has no bearing on powder selection.

Whatever powder gives the highest velocity in a long barrel will also give the highest velocity in a short barrel.

I use Unique in 9mm.
But any of the powders you listed will work fine.

rc

 

[nix4me]

231 is probably one of the most used powders for 9mm.

 

[RandyP]

Any of the powders listed will let you work up a sufficiently stout but safe SD load.

 

[SP2000]

124 gn with 4.0 grains of Titegroup.

I try to load all my 9mm 124 at 1.150.

Oops. I thought you had Titegroup. My mistake.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use WSF in the 9mm, 124gr Berry's Plated, 4.8-5.0gr. It basically a ball powder version of Unique. Since I load on a AP Unique is not a powder I use.

 

[Potatohead]

Since I load on a AP Unique is not a powder I use

Can you elaborate? im a noob

 

[jwrowland77]

Can you elaborate? im a noob

Unique meters very poorly.

 

[CatPuke]

4.8 of wsf is a nice practice load - 4.3 of 231 seems to shoot soft & accurate in my guns as well. I've been running a 1.15 col with plated rn 124gr berrys.. the light 231 load seems to leave the cases "sooty".. i made a few rounds up with 5.7 of unique, which shot the tightest groups for me, but I haven't played much with the unique loads, because I have so much wsf & 231..& only a partial can of unique..

 

[ETXhiker]

I have been loading some Precision Delta 124 gr. FMJ's lately and I have had good accuracy with both Unique and Green Dot. These are just plinking and target loads. Strangely enough, Unique through my cheap Lee powder measure seems to meter quite well. If I weigh every charge, I'll have 3 or 4 that are right on, then maybe one that is off by +/- half a tenth of a grain or so. Close enough for me.

 

[gamestalker]

Loading for the 9mm is really no different than loading for the .40, in that they are both high pressure handgun cartridges. The 9mm is fairly OAL sensitive, so if you shorten the OAL on an already range tested load, or shorter than what a published load was tested at, it is prudent to re-work the load at the shorter OAL to avoid excessive pressure spikes.

Of the powders you mentioned, I use Longshot, and with excellent results. I've been working with Longshot in the 9mm for a very long time and absolutely love it. My other go to powder for 9mm is HS6, which has proved to be just as good. I'm not going to provide data though, as I feel it is always best to acquire that first hand from a published source.

I load for large array of 9mm pistols and barrel lengths, but as already clarified by others here, barrel length plays no part in powder choices. As for plated bullets though, I have very little experience with them, other than to say that thick plated one's are capable of being pushed at jacketed velocities, while others with thinner plating should not be. It is always best to use the manufacturer's recommended velocity guidelines, and data when obtainable.

GS

 

[hAkron]

HP-38 is wonderful in 9mm in my experience. I like 4.3gr of HP-38 with a 124gr FMJ seated between 1.135-1.14

I have used this with Rainer plated. Berry's plated, and Montana Gold jacketed.

 

[Blue68f100]

Can you elaborate? im a noob

Unique is like Large Corn Flakes so it has a tendency to not settle down when using a AP. WSF, WST, 231 and Ball powders flow freely giving you a very consistent drop/charge every time. I get a ±0.2gr swing using Unique on my LNL. Which is a 8% variation in charge on a 5gr load.

 

[GLOOB]

^ Not only that, but a max charge of Unique for 115/124 grain bullets gets pretty close to the top of the case. On a progressive press without a stable mount, this can make a mess.

Using dippers, Unique is my preferred powder for 9mm. Good case fill (slightly compressed), clean, and accurate. I use a fair bit of W231, too. But mainly in 45ACP, where it burns better at the lower pressures of 45 ACP cast loads.

 

[cfullgraf]

To add, I discovered True Blue for use in the 9x19 during the shortages of 2009. It is another good option to consider.

But, you cannot go wrong with any of the powders listed.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have plenty of Longshot (used in my .40 loads) and W231 (.45 loads) and found some WSF in Tucson yesterday.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[david bachelder]

I had a little trouble with 9mm at first. I found out that I was crimping too heavy. All of my bullets are cast lead. The heavy crimp was expanding the circumference just above the top edge of the brass and my rounds would not chamber. After a lot of misery, pulling bullets and rethinking things, I eased off on the crimp and all of my problems went away.

I use the same as the guy above, 4.0 grains of Titegroup. Over a 124 grain round nose cast bullet (BHN runs around 12 or so).

Works for me.

 

[Lj1941]

9x19

You can't go wrong with W231 for target loads.I prefer Power Pistol for warmer/SD loads.It is not a tough cartridge to load for.Watch your overall length and use the "plunk" test.