For those of you with experience, what powder do you like for the 9mm shooting 115 and 124 grain bullets?
For what use?
9mm is very versatile with powder as you've seen. Powders that run efficiently for upper load limits won't run well at all for a light comp. or range load. Powders that run efficiently in the lower ranges won't get you to the higher bullet speeds--pressures are too high.
The slower powders will do nicely loaded "hot"/for higher bullet speeds. Most of these will burn extremely dirty with a light load up to mid-range. BlueDot, HS-6, Unique, and other "slow powders" will get you to the higher speeds for S.D. or personal preferences.
If you're looking for powders that will run clean (burn efficiently) at lower speeds go with the faster powders.
Some powders have a fairly wide load range and work "pretty well" for a range of bullet speeds. Win 231/HP-38 is fairly versatile in several calibers.
To directly answer the question: I load for 9mm minor power factor loads used in competition. I much prefer Vit n320 with 124/125gr bullets at around 1040-ish fps--light loads.
n320 benefits: Single-base powder that runs clean at lower speeds
runs "cool"
Has a fairly wide load range/not too sensitive to small powder changes
Has enough bulk to give a half-full case for my loads
Not temp or position sensitive
Soft recoil/flip--not snappy
Meters excellently
Drawbacks: Won't give you much over about 1100fps with 124/125gr
Costs more--but only a little over a penny per round for my loads
Tailor the powder to your load needs!
