Green dot powder in 9mm

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bdixon

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Hey Guys, first post here.

I am just starting to reload, so sorry for the dumb questions.

I just bought a lee press and kit and I'm having a hard time trusting the powder scale. I am reloading 9mm with 115 gr fmj hp bullets. I am using green dot powder.

In my book, it says for 115 gr bullets to use 4.7 gr of green dot powder. I have my powder dispenser dumping a pretty consistent load, and my scale weighs it at about 4.7 gr, but the powder is pretty close to the top of the brass (see attached pic). I know it's hard to tell from the picture, but can anybody verify from the pic if that looks okay?

Thanks
 

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In my book, it says for 115 gr bullets to use 4.7 gr of green dot powder.
Click to expand...

Your book is likely giving you the MAXIMUM charge as this is what Alliant listed as maximum charge weight though I've seen heavier loads for 115gr 9mm. If this is the only load listed in the data it is the Maximum and you need to reduce by 10% for your start load as is mentioned in almost all loading instructions. That means your start load should be 4.2grs.

For 4.7grs you picture looks right. Green Dot and is faster cousin Red Dot are relatively bulky powders and will fill the case.
 

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Thanks for the info.

I just double checked my book, it lists the start and max load both at 4.7 gr. It'll be okay though if I reduce it by 10% anyway?

Thanks!
 
Green Dot

Alliant Powder's website does not list Green Dot for 9mm/115gr bullet.
Why did you choose Green Dot?
The site only lists Green Dot for shotgun use.

You would be better off using Bullseye or Unique if an Alliant your mfg. of choice.
Invest $20 in a pound of powder more suitable 9mm.
W231 or HP-38 are also good choices.


http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/green_dot.aspx

Tilos
 
Yep. Looks about right.

attachment.php
 

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The reason I bought green dot is, a couple of years ago I tried loading with a lee hand loader tool. The little card that came with the tool listed green dot as a choice of powder to use so that's what I picked up.

I did try to get some Unique or bulls eye powder yesterday, but everybody was sold out, so I'm trying the green dot for now.

I have read from a few different places that green dot works fine for 9mm. Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

Thanks
 
I have not tried it, but there is no reason it shouldn't work just fine within its limitations of being a bit fast for getting the most velocity from 9MM.

Speer #13 doesn't show it in 9MM loads with jacketed bullets at all, so in their estimation it wasn't one of the better choices there.
 
all of the 'dot' powders are bulky, which some loaders like me included. I haven't tryed GD in 9mm or even checked for data but ditto walkalong.
I've used Red Dot with fine results in 9mm under cast slugs though, better then BE IMO.
 
Thanks for the info everybody. I'm now fairly confident that my scale is measuring correctly. I'll give these loads a try and hope for the best!

Thanks
 
At least you won't have to worry about a double charge. :D

You could also do some (10 rounds?) of 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 to see which powder charge will give you the best accuracy.

Also, I use 1.125" OAL for 115gr FMJ. Let us know how they shoot.
 
Last edited:
jem375 said:
yep, me too..
Click to expand...
Yep ... when I first started reloading metallic it was all I could find. Fortunately I had recipes for 9mm, 45 Colt and 12 guage, which covered everything I was loading then. Not the -idea- pistol powder for sure, but it works reasonably well for me.
 
You're 9mm case looks just like my 40 S&W cases loaded with 9 grains of Blue Dot and a 165 gr Ranier. They shoot good! A full case of powder, right up to the base of the bullet is what I like. Unique will do the same thing for me as well, its a bulky powder.
 
I just got back from shooting a few rounds. Everything worked great, no jams.

I picked up my brass after I shot the rounds and some of it had a black coating on the outside of it. Is that pretty standard for the type of powder I'm using, or could it be something else?

Thanks
 
That is usually a sign of low pressure. The pressure is not up enough to get a good seal and it soots up the cases. Another tenth or two might clean it up, assuming it is still under max.
 
Bixon, that maybe why Alliant listed 4.7 as both the starting and max loads? In a small case like the 9, 10% makes a LOT of difference.

Prior Alliant data lists Green Dot for 9mm and it does a great job in the 9.

Green Dot is a very fine, very versatile pistol powder. You did well in purchasing it.
 
Another point to consider.

Some powders don't do well when compressed (really increases the pressure). I would check the charge you are using is not compressing the powder.
 
Bixon, that maybe why Alliant listed 4.7 as both the starting and max loads?
Click to expand...

Beginners need to read all the information provided and not just look at the data chart. Alliant never listed start loads in their data. This is their current warning on page 8 of their PDF download able manual:

The powder charge weights listed in our data tables are maximum. For rifle and pistol loads, the maximum powder charge should be reduced by 10% to establish a minimum or starting powder charge.
Click to expand...

There is a similar warning in every Hercules and Alliant pamphlet I have, the earliest published in 1974.
 
Get used to it with flake powders and small cases. It is disconcerting for a while until you get used to the "fill 'er up and scrape off the excess" loads with those big-flake low-density loads.
 
You say you don't trust your scale? Then you should check it with a set of check weights or at least check it with a bullet from a notable maker, like a Sierra MatchKing. They will vary slightly, but they are always close to their stated weight, close enough that you would know if your scale is way off.

Jimmy K
 
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