9mm powder opinions

[LiveLife]

+1 on WSF. Long ago for 9mm/45ACP, I started out with Bullseye, Clays, W231/HP-38, Universal, HS-6 and WSF. I dropped HS-6 and happily kept WSF.

For all the people complaining about Unique not metering well, I have a question. Is this variation showing up on your targets, or just on your scale?

When I recently did a powder comparison for Berry's 124 gr HBRN, I initially wanted 4.5 gr and 4.9 gr. Well, I kept getting variations in the powder drops so I just went with one "range" of 4.6 - 4.8 gr. Unique has varied .2 gr charge-to-charge for me. Promo is another large flake powder that varies .1-.2 gr charge-to-charge. Despite the variations, my Unique loads produced 2"-3" shot groups at 15 yards offhand. Promo shoots even more consistently in 45ACP with 200 gr SWC (1" at 10 yards/2" at 15 yards).

I have to run a max load to get to minor power factor for Idpa

iblong, from my recent powder comparison, Titegroup produced smaller shot groups (1.5") than W231/HP-38 (2") at 15 yards and Titegroup will make minor power factor with starting charge. Like small ball powder W231/HP38, it also meters very well.

 

[JO JO]

HS-6

 

[Cherokee]

I like WST in 9mm, Power Pistol works great as well but has flash, HS6 is also good. Mostly I use 231 for general shooting.

 

[slowbutsure]

Hornady #7 has a statement that Hornady, prefers the use of Power Pistol for all 9mm in all bullet weights. sbs

 

[GLOOB]

When I recently did a powder comparison for Berry's 124 gr HBRN, I initially wanted 4.5 gr and 4.9 gr. Well, I kept getting variations in the powder drops so I just went with one "range" of 4.6 - 4.8 gr. Unique has varied .2 gr charge-to-charge for me.

One thing I notice about Unique is the flakes crumble into dust. I did an informal burn test, and wow, that dust burns up fast. Whenever I pour powder back into the jar and/or combine the dregs with a new jar, I toss the last bit of dust. Since I use a scoop, it's not a biggie. I couldn't reach those crumbs if I tried. With a powder measure, you'd be dropping those crumbs, resulting in a heavier charge of faster burning powder.

The other thing I noticed is Unique needs some really good shaking to settle in the jar. If I used a dispenser, I'd shake it around really good. Then I'd throw the first few charges back into the jar, because they'd probably contain some extra flake dust.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like you I use mostly W231 for the 9mm but when I want more velocity I use Longshot. Although I'm a big fan of HS-6 I've found Longshot to work better in the 9mm. I think Longshot is probably the best powder for the 9mm when velocity is needed.

Also, I've heard a lot of good things about the new AutoComp. Even though AutoComp might be a good choice too, Longshot is listed as producing higher velocities than AutoComp and any other Hodgdon/ Winchester/ IMR powder other than HS-6.

 

[CZ57]

I also recommend Ramshot Silhouette.

 

[1SOW]

For 9mm, 130PF, nothing beats n320.
meters great
not positional
little change with temperature
clean burning
4.0-4.1 grs under a 124/125gr bullet
expensive/lb.--but not much more per shot.
Finland is an ally.

 

[Ol` Joe]

A bit late maybe for the original poster but, Here`s a ad from the mid 90`s IIRC, it isn`t dated on the pamphet.

 

[Yarddog]

I guess I'm a Unique fan, Love it, Does a lot of cal...& .2gr aint going to show up in my targets or hurt my guns. The most I had difference in gr is 0.2
Y/d

 

[Nushif]

HS-6

Yay! Me too. I've never chrono'd it or anything but it burns nice and clean and throws nice.
Why don't more people use HS-6 anyways?

 

[918v]

PowerPistol is so awesome, a Marlin Camp9 (in Clark's hands) can put a 22-250 to shame.

 

[MrWesson]

Bullseye/231 for target plinking loads(a little bit goes a long way)
Wsf/WST for middle of the road loads (USPSA minor)
Bluedot/longshot for +P loads/carbine loads if your heart desires

Using bluedot/longshot in a carbine produces amazing results. the slower powder produces high FPS without getting far into +p loads.

I just worked up a load that pushes 1600fps with a 124gr bullet in my sub2000. I also worked up a 2050fps 90gr xtp load but its pretty much useless on anything but varmits and exploding plastic bottles.

 

[Walkalong]

BD or LS powder? That's screamin'.

 

[rfwobbly]

Does any one use power pistol for there 9mm loads. Ive been mostly using 231/hp38 and it works ok, but I have to run a max load to get to minor power factor for Idpa.

Look in your Lyman or Sierra reloading manual where they list a lot of powders. Minor PF takes about 1050 fps with a 124gr bullet. So you look at the "Max Load" column for all the powders that will max out at roughly 1100 fps. That way you can shoot loads at about 90% and make minor PF with no sweat. Since you'll be high on the load range the powders will all burn very clean. Since you won't be at 100% it won't be so hard on you or the gun.

Using that method you can make up a shopping list of possible suspects before you head off to the local gun store to see what they have.

See if that helps!

 

[MrWesson]

BD or LS powder? That's screamin'.

BD for the 124gr load

Longshot for the 90gr load

 

[zeke]

AA-7, with Fed 200 primers