9mm target powder choice

[sugarmaker]

Hs6 because I have 6 lbs left and it works well in most powder measures-not to fine, not too coarse. It is a full power target load though. I’ll get scoffed at but my favorite all time light pistol powder that works from 380 to 500sw with lead or plated is red dot-impossible to double charge and the newer lots are reasonably clean, and it’s not a messy powder that leaks out of the measure and all over the progressive.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’ll get scoffed at but my favorite all time light pistol powder that works from 380 to 500sw with lead or plated is red dot

Not by me. Red Dot has been around so long because it is so useful and flexible. Same reasons as why Bullseye and Unique are still around. Name any pre-war 2 powders that’s still around and it will be for the same reasons.
I been working up loads this past couple months with Competition to see how (if) it will work as a replacement for Red Dot and it’s not too bad. But there’s nothing exactly like the original.

 

[runner3264]

Please put VVN320 on that list. it is a super 9mm powder if you can get it, otherwise I would say Silhouette

 

[LiveLife]

I’ll get scoffed at but my favorite all time light pistol powder ... is red dot-impossible to double charge and the newer lots are reasonably clean

Not by me. Red Dot has been around so long because it is so useful and flexible. Same reasons as why Bullseye and Unique are still around.

Neither by me also.

And I consider Promo modern version of Red Dot that has been reblended to meter better and use the same load data by weight as indicated by Alliant.

Promo is now my go to powder for 9mm carbine loads as faster burn rate seals the case better with chamber before blowback bolt moves back from recoil and leaves cases cleaner than slower burn rate powders and thus far produced good accuracy for me - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...der-9mm-load-data.874690/page-3#post-11650548

Comparing 1:10 vs 1:16 barrel twist rate

 

[FROGO207]

The Promo seems to be more dense than the red dot while still having the same loads by weight.

 

[Archym]

I'm getting back into reloading after a 20 year hiatus. Due to lack of reloading components, I felt lucky to find a pound of CFE-Pistol for $34. So far I have not shot as much as I would have liked to due to lack of primers. But of the test shots I've experimented with, I would have no problem continuing to use CFE-Pistol in any of my 9mms.

To date, the most accurate and most reliable formula I've found is: 5.3gns CFE-Pistol, COL 1.110 (+/- .0005), DG Powder Coated 115gn LRN - cases are head-stamp matched, cleaned in a home made media tumbler, primers are CCI or Winchester (unfortunately not for much longer...I'm running low and refuse to pay $15.00 for 100 primers). I'm using an old Lyman press with Lee dies and I use minimal if any crimp when seating the bullets. I was amazed when I finally started seeing 1" (sometimes smaller) three shot groups consistently in the X ring at 15 yards out of my Tri-Star P120. I had CZ target adjustable sights installed on it. I saw very similar results out of a bone stock Smith and Wesson 915 though the patterns were just a hair wider...and always slightly high and to the left. Experimenting with the load data given on the Hodgdon web site, I've tried loads of CFE Pistol in the whole range going up by .1 grains and for those two guns, 5.3 grains seems to be the sweet spot for my local indoor range at 15 yards. For some reason my Stoeger Cougar with it's 3" barrel does not seem to share the same success in accuracy or consistency no matter what powder I use with 115 grain lead round nosed bullets, powder coated or plated. And those are the only bullets I have.

Again, due to shortage and or ridiculous prices on components, I don't get to shoot much - hence, I probably can't share that much. But I do want to extend my thanks to The High Road community for sharing knowledge and experience. Best of luck to all.

 

[lordpaxman]

@Archym, welcome to THR!
I’ve developed loads with CFE-P as well, and found it to be a very acceptable powder for the higher end loads. Most of my shooting is target so I choose faster powders, not listed on the survey above.
You may want to try a faster powder for your Stoeger, it may be what it’s looking for. I know components are all in short supply and each of us will have to determine what price point we’re willing to bear. If you can get N320, Sport Pistol, Titegroup or 231/244, it’d be worth a look. Good luck.

 

[Archym]

Thank you for the welcome. I've been a long time "Lurker" while doing research, but never really had enough to contribute until a couple of weeks ago. I did manage to find some Hodgdon's Longshot powder and have heard/read from this site and others that it makes a decent 9mm load. I've done some experimentation with it, but with only 9 shots down the barrel, you could hardly call those experiments conclusive. It cycles the Stoeger just fine. Normal recoil. There are those that actually observe and clock the ejection of the spent shell, but I guess I can't turn my head that quick as I'm normally focused on aiming the pistol at the target. I've never had any malfunctions with any of the hand loads using Longshot, CFE-Pistol, or SR4756. Sadly, the small amount of Bullseye that I inherited went directly into loading 45acp so I have no idea how well that would have shot in 9mm. I've been searching all over my area to try and find some Titegroup. There seem to be a ton of shooters on this site that give great reviews on how well it works in any of the calibers I have access to. Since most of the shooting I do is paper punching at an indoor range, that is what I'll most likely keep my reloading focus on. Possibly as the weather starts cooling down I might make it to my old out-door range to hear the melodious "KLANG" of knocking a few iron silhouettes off a ledge. I know for absolute utmost accuracy it's best to hand load. However, I've noticed that the gun itself has a LOT to do with accuracy. The Tristar P120 was an un-planned blessing in my meager collection. Longer barrel, extremely tight tolerances, and full length slide-rails seem to be good ingredients for accuracy. And the trigger! It's almost as good as a well tuned 1911. Even with "cheap" (...I can't say that word without wincing) factory ammunition it has been amazingly accurate.

Sorry, I wandered off on a tangent. It's been three weeks since I've been to the range and now thinking about it puts me in that "Blank stare, drooling on myself" phase. But back to the point. Each gun has it's own particular appetite. Finding what works best is that wonderful journey that a re-loader takes. I'm lucky to find a community like this to learn from and share with. Y'all keep it in the X ring. See ya at the cleaning table.

 

[bullseye308]

Archym, you may want to try and source some 124’s and see if you have better luck. Years back I went exclusively to them 6 of my 7 9’s improved. One just had to be fed Zero 115’s to be happy. When times get better, look for some BE-86, any RMR 124 grain jacketed or plated bullet, and whatever primer you can source. Good things will happen.

 

[JO JO]

I come across a local deal of 5 pounds of HS6 for $25 per pound ,
looks like I will be trying HS6 , once the local shelves fill up again I can try the others
thanks everyone

 

[Howland937]

I come across a local deal of 5 pounds of HS6 for $25 per pound ,
looks like I will be trying HS6 , once the local shelves fill up again I can try the others
thanks everyone

HS6 worked best for me on the upper end of data and seems kinda dirty with anything in the bottom half. Haven't found anything it's best at, but it's been ok for a few different loads.

 

[anothernewb]

5.0 HS6 and a berrys 147 grain plated is marked as one of my most accurate loads for my STI 9mm.

 

[DMW1116]

For target loads I prefer Winchester 231 but that’s a recent development. Most of my 9mm reloading was done with CFE Pistol. It works and gives higher velocity than 231. I have one pistol that shoots really well with CFE Pistol, but it shoots even better with 231. For my other pistol I’ve only found one good load with CFE Pistol and it’s a pricey one. CFE Pistol and Lehigh Extreme Defender 95 grain copper solids with CCI primers. It shoots these better than any other load I’ve tried. I have some Silhouette but it’s intended for a trade of a bucket of brass so I haven’t opened it yet.