What powder should I put on my Christmas list?

[jwcrosby]

I have been reloading .357 for a while now, using Missouri Bullets’ Match 158 gr. SWC with Bullseye or Trailboss. I recently purchased a Springfield Armory 9mm XD (4” barrel) and I have a good supply of Missouri Bullets’ 115 grain Parabellum bullets. I know I could probably use Bullseye with them, but I’m open to trying a new powder if anyone has a suggestion. Thought it might make for a good “stocking stuffer!” (I mostly do range/target shooting.)

Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Everyone except me uses WW-231 for lighter loads in all those calibers.

I'm so old I still use Unique for almost everything.

I think Bullseye is really not a great powder for 9mm, as it is really fast.
WW-231 is a little bit slower, and Unique is slower still.

Either will give a little longer duration slide impulse then Bullseye, which should help functioning to some degree without pounding the gun to death.

rc

 

[orrwdd]

RCModel hit it right on the head!

Bill

 

[32dgrz]

9mm WST or WSF
Unique but it doesn't meter as well
I shoot a lot of 9's. WST for me

 

[mbopp]

231 or Unique. I'm with rc and use Unique.

 

[Walkalong]

If you don't have any W-231 or Unique, buy one of them.

 

[Shimitup]

I've had pretty good results with HS6. Real nice metering.

 

[Hondo 60]

Titegroup does a nice job with .357 & 9mm

I also use it for .38 spl & (sometimes) 45 Colt.

AA5 would probably be alright too (my other 45 Colt powder)

 

[Wildbillz]

9MM I like Win 231. Done them with Unique before.
357Mag and 38Spl hard to beat Unique.

I just did up some low end 38Spls using Win 231, Unique and Bullseye. Now all I have to do is test them out.

WB

 

[LiveLife]

I mostly do range/target shooting.

As many posted, I think you'll find W231/HP38 very appropriate for your intended application of lead 9mm bullets.

As rc posted, I found Bullseye loads for 9mm produce snappier and firmer recoil than W231/HP38. I do like Bullseye load for 115 gr jacketed bullets at high range load data.

For plinking loads, I even find Promo/Red Dot with similar fast burn rate as Bullseye to be adequate for 9mm. I have tested Promo in 9/40/45 with good results, especially 4.0 gr for 200 gr LSWC 45ACP (produces surprisingly tight shot groups).

 

[floydster]

Unique, hands down, a good all around powder

 

[HOWARD J]

Power pistol------4.8gr. to max 6.7gr. for 115 gr. bullet for 9MM

 

[Armored farmer]

Unique in my .357 and .45colt maybe 12ga also(haven't tried it yet).

 

[Seedtick]

I like Power Pistol and HP 38 for 9mm.

But 2400 is my favorite for 357 and more recently for 45 Colt.

YMMV

Seedtick

 

[Sky King]

231 or Universal, both are cleaner firing than bulleye or unique and both meter more consistant than unique.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

9mm w/lead bullets
W231 and HS-6

9mm w/jacketed bullets
W231 and Longshot

 

[joed]

I've used Unique forever, but have finally broke myself of that bad habit. It is a dirty powder and doesn't meter well.

My replacement in Power Pistol. It gives great velocities and is very clean burning. Second choice would be Universal.

 

[Kernel]

Ask Santa for some Accurate No. 5. It's perfect for all your stated uses.

 

[KosmicKrunch]

I asked my wife to have santa send me 1-8lb of Trail Boss and 1-8lb of Universal for loading mild mid range .38's. I already have 8lb of HP38 and 8lb of Unique.

 

[zxcvbob]

Green Dot works great with light 9mm cast bullets.

 

[sig220mw]

Unique is a good choice for range or target shooting.