9mm Powder (again) this is different.

[Unflappable]

Most of the questions about powder for 9mm Luger seem fairly generic, but I have some specific observations and questions.

I'm fairly new to reloading and so far have only loaded 45 ACP. I've experimented so far with Clays (not Universal Clays) and Bullseye. I really like the way my reloads shoot with Clays, I can be at either end of the load scale and they work great in the 3 guns in which I have tried it. (kimber 1911, XD Service Pistol and M&P 45) The felt recoil is low, it is accurate and clean.
The Bullseye is more picky. It does not work well in my guns at the low end of the scale and it is dirty (but I could live with the dirty part)

I'm getting ready to start reloading 9mm and want to find a powder with a fairly wide loading range, but not so wide or requiring high relative weights that I'll get into compressed loads.

As much as I like Clays, the range from min to max powder load is fairly small. Bullseye meets this requirement, but the powder flakes are very small and in the dry climate where I live I have some issues with static cling and the metering, while not bad, is not dead nuts perfect on every drop like Clays (Hornady LNL AP).

So the question is... which powder to use with a broad load range and granules which are not so small. Or if there is a powder with small granules that is not so sensitive to static that would work too. A powder with soft felt recoil like Clays would be an added bonus.
Thanks,
Unflappable

 

[something vague]

I just now started using Universal Clays and so far really like the way it has performed in 9mm 124gr FMJ's. Today is the first day I had a chance to shoot my Universal loads and was extremely impressed with the accuracy of my loads and the cleanliness. Up till now I have been using Unique, which I find to be pretty dirty and doesn't meter well in my powder measure (+/- 0.3gr.). I have used a little W231 and like that as well, but the min and max swing isn't very large. So far Universal has performed the best for me, although my experience with it is very minimal.

 

[chunk]

try vihtavouri n-350 or n-320

 

[IndianaBoy]

I have had excellent results with Green Dot.

I haven't worked on any loads in what I would call the 'upper spectrum' of power and pressure.

I have loaded for consistent accuracy and mild recoil for shooting minor USPSA.

I have experimented on the low range down to loads that would sometimes fail to cycle the slide fully.

I am less experienced with handgun than with rifle loading.

 

[bullseye308]

I use Bullseye and like it a lot. Unique also works well, but for me not as well. If you are having a problem with static, wipe everything down with a used dryer sheet and it will rid you of most, if not all, of your static.

 

[rfwobbly]

The most generic powder for the 9mm is probably Win-231. There is a general belief that this is the same powder as Hodgdon HP-38. It is so ubiquitous, that one of these 2 powders appear in almost every load manual you can buy for the 9x19 Luger cartridge.

It's easy to find. It's easy to find load data for. It's right priced. It's a fairly clean shooting powder. It feeds well in most every brand of powder dispenser. And it also has application in the 45ACP.

There are certainly other powders that beat it in specific areas, but I believe it's a great all-around powder.

 

[schmeky]

I have not found a better 9mm powder than Ramshot Silhoutte. 5.3 gns burns incredibly clean and in my CZ SP-01, is amazingly accurate. Silhoutte is priced right to, but not as easy to get as VV, 231, Bullseye, etc.

There are several powders that work well in 9mm, Silhoutte is certainly one that does.

 

[rangerphil]

I'm another fan of Universal Clays for 9mm. It meters well and has about the same burning rate as Unique, but is cleaner in my experience.

 

[evan price]

I prefer Titegroup- meters well, low load weights, case position of the charge is not important, and it shoots clean and accurate.

 

[philbo]

Another Titegroup preference here. Bullseye would be a close second.

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye is the best I've found. If I wanted more oomph than I can safely get from Bullseye, I'd use either Power Pistol or WSF.

 

[Snowboy]

I used V-V 3N37 (6.0GR), clean, very accurate but more recoil than American Select (4.7GR) which is equivalent for clean burning & accuracy but smoother on the recoil. Only thing, A-S almost fill a 9mm case if you go more than 5.0GR

 

[bluetopper]

Power Pistol, Universal, American Select, and Bullseye all are terrific in 9mm.

 

[Steve C]

For full power factory equivalent loads I like Unique or Power Pistol. Power Pistol is the canister grade powder of the powder developed for the military 9mm NATO loading and is very good in the 9mm to optimize velocity.

For practice loads with cast bullets any of the faster powders you've listed will work fine. I've used Red Dot, W231, Clays, AA#2.

For heavy 147gr bullets HS-6 really shines.

 

[Jetsurgeon]

I'm shooting titegroup or power pistol in 9mm.

 

[Eric F]

I am not a 9mm shooter, however I do shoot 38 super, kinda sorts close to each other. I have shot many many powders over the years try vihtavouri n-350 or n-320 both work very well but they are more expensive than most other powders. Then I went with AA#2 this by far is the best powder ever for me. Less expensive and very very clean shooting. In 9mm though it wont give you the load range you want. most loads are less than 1 gr start to max.

 

[JDGray]

I like Power Pistol in 9mm. You can load it down under start loads, for softer shooting, and still works great. Max loads, show no pressure signs, and is the most accurate powder if found for 9mm. Clays is a little fast for anything other than target plinking, great powder for new shooters, that are recoil sensitive.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

BE for cast slugs, PP for jacketed slugs.

 

[Zak Smith]

For everything other than full-house loads, I use Titegroup in 9mm, .40SW, .45 ACP, and .44RM.

 

[RidgwayCO]

For a broad range of loads (from plinking to more robust), it's hard to beat VihtaVuori's N330 or N340. Clean, meter exceptionally well, clean, fill the case well, clean, efficient (most if not all of the powder is burned before the bullet exits the barrel), clean, relatively expensive, and clean.

For full power loads I use 3N37, which duplicates Power Pistol but without the objectionable muzzle flash.

Did I mention how clean they burn?

 

[Bear2000]

I use Titegroup as well (4.2-4.3 gr + 125 Zero JHP, 1.125"), but also like VV N320 (same load) - even better, really, but it's a bit more money.

 

[Eagle103]

It looks like you can narrow it down to about 10 powders now. I like Universal Clays myself. Clean, accurate, and reliable. What else could you ask for?

 

[RandyP]

I've seen it posted often on reloading forums, but decided to check it out myself.

I contacted the folks at Hodgdon/Winchester/IMR directly via e-mail and receive the following reply:

"Win. 231 and HP-38 are exactly the same powder. Any data you see for one you can safely use with the other.

Dave Campbell
Hodgdon/ IMR/ Winchester"

I don't have the pertinent numbers handy, but I recall reading that there are two or three other Hodgdon/Winchester powder pairs that are identical?

 

[lesterg3]

I likeTitgroup.

Goto http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[lgbloader]

I AM a big fan of the VihtaVuori powders and my go-to powder for 9mm is N320. I have been playing with N330 as well and am finding this just as good for higher velocities. I have a can or two of 3N37 that I found good as well, especially at full power.

That said, I also have worked up some good rounds using Power Pistol so that I can still shoot great rounds when I can't find my VV powders.

LGB