favorite 9mm&38spl powder?

I agree also with BE-86. It's accurate, cheap, clean and meters very, very well.

For "plinking" loads Clays also works very well, but will not make PF in 9mm for competition purposes.

ohihunter2014 said:

bds said:

What bullets are you using and powder charge? I have found bullets used is a key factor in how accurate a load can be along with powder charge range depending on the burn rate.

As illustrated by target shot groups on post #18 and post #20, accuracy of a load is dependent on bullet, powder charge and OAL/COL consistency.

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Mostly RMR RN 124gr but have been testing MPR and FN 124gr.

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ohihunter2014 said:

bds said:

How about velocity? Are you pushing W231/HP-38 at max charges or wanting lighter target loads? If looking for below max target loads, you may obtain more accurate loads with faster burning powders like Titegroup, Bullseye, Target, etc.

If looking for higher velocity full-power loads, you may obtain accurate higher velocity loads with powders like BE-86, WSF, CFE Pistol, HS-6, AutoComp, etc.

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Well, Part of me says i carry 124/147gr +p at work so load something in the normal factory specs. Not necessarily +p but normal factory velocity so if i ever do get a bad situation im not used to light mouse fart loads.

Im loading hp-38 to 4.2-4.3gr now for RMR RN. seems [to] cycle the gun and accuracy is decent. Hodgdon says i can crank it to 4.8 but 4.4 is the most ive ever went and was always told don't beat the gun up unless its necessary like sending a few duty rounds down range for verification. I guess im more just looking for a more accurate powder. Right now im just shooting some amateur idpa matches and sometimes they do courses where accuracy counts.

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RMR 124 gr FMJ FN and MPR are great choice for accuracy as they have longer bullet base (bearing surface) than FMJ RN which shifts center of gravity back towards bullet base for greater rotational stability and longer bearing surface to engage the rifling.

Both bullets will produce working OAL/COL with deeper bullet seating depth than FMJ RN to increase neck tension and likely more consistent chamber pressures.

ohihunter2014 said:

i like them to push more then flip.

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For recoil that "pushes" rather than "flip/snap", I suggest slower burn rate powders than W231/HP-38. As already suggested, BE-86, WSF, CFE Pistol etc. are great choices. Many like Power Pistol but I prefer smaller muzzle flash, especially for indoor shooting.

ohihunter2014 said:

I guess im more just looking for a more accurate powder. Right now im just shooting some amateur idpa matches and sometimes they do courses where accuracy counts.

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To be honest, 9mm IDPA power factor loads around 125-130 are better produced by W231/HP-38 and faster burn rate powders as slower burn rate powders won't burn efficient enough at lower charges to produce optimal consistent chamber pressures.

And many faster than W231/HP-38 powders at 125-130 PF will produce accuracy better than we can shoot them. My current 9mm plinking/general purpose round for pistol/carbine is loaded with RMR 115 gr FMJ with 4.1-4.2 gr of Promo loaded short at 1.110"-1.115" OAL (.2 gr powder charge variance and OAL range produced by Pro Auto Disk/Pro 1000) which produces light enough recoil to shoot fast double taps comfortably with M&P Shield and produce around 1"-2" groups at 7-15 yards off hand (With Glock 22 and 9mm KKM barrel, even smaller shot groups).

As indicated by below 25 yard 10 shot groups of RMR 115 gr FMJ RN/Promo loads, these loads are more accurate than we can shoot them (And they were even loaded using mixed range brass that were reloaded several times) and accurate enough that I would not hesitate to use them for USPSA matches.

If you are using longer OAL with your FMJ RN bullet and 4.2-4.3 gr W231/HP-38, try incrementally decreasing OAL by .005" to see if accuracy improves.

I like CFEPistol for both 9mm and 38spcl. I found max charge as listed on the Hodgdon site in both to be best. In 9mm accuracy was best at max and in 38spcl it was needed for complete powder burn and accuracy. I prefer RMR 124gr RN FMJ for the 9 and MBC Cowboy #17 Hi-tek for the 38.

Bullseye gives good accuracy in 38. I use it for 9mm too but not sure about it being the best for accuracy in 9mm.

For recoil that "pushes" rather than "flip/snap", I suggest slower burn rate powders than W231/HP-38. As already suggested, BE-86, WSF, CFE Pistol etc. are great choices. Many like Power Pistol but I prefer smaller muzzle flash, especially for indoor shooting.

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Agree
I would put them in this order
1 WSF
2 CFE-P
3 BE-86
For me CFE-P and BE86 seemed to be happier at the higher end of the charge range, WSF seemed more flexible. YMMV

Unique, Titegroup, Power Pistol. Blue Dot is also pretty good for 38 Special.

Unique is best toward the top end. It is at least cleaner. bulky. Not likely to double charge.

Titegroup is economical and relatively clean. High density, so be careful not to double charge.

Power Pistol is an excellent top end powder as well, fairly clean and not likely to double charge.

Tried Blue Dot with my 9mm and was not thrilled with the results, but it is good for 38 Special on every weight/type bullet I have tried it in.

It doesn't get much better than what you are already using. W231/HP38

I already responded regarding my most accurate powders in 9mm, but never responded for 38spl. In 38spl I think the powder choice is probably going to depend on the bullet you use. I have found lately that it seems I get better accuracy using 125gr bullets in 38spl. My top performing powders for accuracy in 38spl, all with 125gr bullets, are:
1) BE-86
2) Power Pistol
3) Unique
4) 700X (I like this load as a plinking/practice at 803fps)
5) HP-38 (I like this load as a plinking/practice at 808fps)

Walkalong said:

What power level?

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I probably should have qualified my statement better. These were actually my most accurate loads in 38spl. using my Ruger SP101 3". I have updated my previous post to indicate accuracy:

1) BE-86, 5.4gr (HSM 125gr PFN, 767fps,PF 95, .52" @10yards)
2) Power Pistol, 5.8gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 881fps, PF 110, .58" @7yards)
3) Unique, 5.4gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 892fps,PF 111, .62" @7yards)
4) 700X, 4.0gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 803fps,PF 100, .65" @7yards)
5) HP-38, 4.6gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 808fps,PF 104, .73" @7yards)

Bullseye for .38 special and Unique for 9mm.

vaalpens said:

I probably should have qualified my statement better. These were actually my most accurate loads in 38spl. using my Ruger SP101 3". I have updated my previous post to indicate accuracy:

1) BE-86, 5.4gr (HSM 125gr PFN, 767fps,PF 95, .52" @10yards)
2) Power Pistol, 5.8gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 881fps, PF 110, .58" @10yards)
3) Unique, 5.4gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 892fps,PF 111, .62" @10yards)
4) 700X, 4.0gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 803fps,PF 100, .65" @10yards)
5) HP-38, 4.6gr (ACME 125gr FPHTC, 808fps,PF 104, .73" @10yards)

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How many rounds are you shooting in all those less than 1" groups and are they free hand or off a rest or what?

ArchAngelCD said:

How many rounds are you shooting in all those less than 1" groups and are they free hand or off a rest or what?

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I always use a rest and they are 5 shot groups. I think the groupings could be better since I just use the open sights. My eyes are not that great and it is difficult to find a consistent focus point on the target.

Following is the test target for the 700X load I like. Over the last few months I started testing my SP101 38sp/357mag loads at 7yards due to my eyes, and it seems this is one of them. I have updated my previous post to reflect when I changed from 10 to 7 yards.

My favorite powder for both calibers is titegroup.

.38 Spl - 3.7 gr under a 125gr PHP
9mm - 3.9gr under a 124gr PHP

If the excessive report of Longshot is unacceptable to you

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Nicknamed Loudshot for a reason

I've had good luck using Bullseye, Win231 and Unique for both calibers.

Unique. I tried and still have some Universal but still had to clean my guns. I also like Unique because I can see the powder in the shell. I use Unique for light to medium .357 loads as well. I've had very good luck with accuracy with Unique.

American Select is a superb powder to use with lead and coated bullets in .38 special. It is a fairly bulky flake powder made by Alliant with a burning speed a little slower than Bullseye. It burns cool due to a very low nitroglycerin content, has next to no muzzle flash, and burns clean throughout its load range. I use it for my .38 spl IDPA loads with 125gr to 158 gr bullets. I use 231 with 125 gr Berry's plated bullets for practice with my SW snubnose. It works fairly well but has noticeable flashes at the cylinder gap and barrel. I will not use Titegroup with lead bullets or in any revolver loads. It is too dark, too dense, burns quite hot, and makes a mess with plain lead bullets. Titegroup is also temperature sensitive.

For 9mm competition loads I use Titegroup with 124gr and 147gr FMJ and CMJ bullets. Hodgdon's Universal is also a good choice for 124gr bullets and Winchester Super Field is excellent for 115gr through 147gr bullets.

I have a couple favorite powders for those. Likely the result of being a powder nut. The powder shortage in the last few years forced me to try a nimber of new ones.

I really like n320 for 115 and 124 loads in the 9. and HS6 for the 147's although BE86 may soon replace that
Clays for the light loads in 38apl. and 231 for 158 cast.

Once (if I ever) I run out of the different powders I will consolidate them into a bit better. I find I really like the VV powders- but some of that can likely be attributed to them being on the shelf when the others were long gone. Sure they are a bit more than the others - but - you can't reload without powder either...

BE 86, I use it in all my handgun loads.

If the only pistol powders made were 700x (or bullseye), unique, and H110, I would be perfectly happy. Then at least every shop would have what I want!

Bullseye is the oldest continuously manufactured smokeless powder on the market having been introduced in 1898. Unique has been getting it done since 1900.

I have been a power pistol fan for full power 9mm loads and 38 plus p loads,with w-231 being used for low power 9mm and lead bullets in every thing else but lately have started using sport pistol and be-86 in there place. So far sport pistol and be-86 is doing a good job replacing them. I'm really liking sport pistol in the 9mm for 124gr and 147gr bullets in the lower vel range with be-86 doing good for the upper vel stuff.

I can't say for the 9mm, but for 38 special I use Bullseye. Excellent results for years.