9mm, Which powder would you choose?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

ScratchnDent

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
546
Location
Tampa Bay area
I did what I said I would never do. I bought a 9mm pistol.

I've been loading 45 acp and .357/38spl for several years.

I am about to order a couple thousand 115 gr. Rainiers plated bullets.

Powders I have on hand are Bullseye, Unique, HS-6, and AA-7.

I would love to use the HS-6 for the 9s, as I don't really care for it in my other loads, though I can use it up in the 357 if I must.

That said, of the powders I have, which would be your first pick for range fodder/ practice ammo?
 
I use Unique, but HS-6 should also work fine, if a little slow burning for lighter loads.

I would be worth working up a load and trying it at least if you want to use it up.

rc
 
I mostly use WSF for 9mm. Though I haven't tried HS-6, I would probably lean toward that of the powders you mentioned. My main reason would be to fill the case. I haven't looked it up but I'm assuming that load info is readily available. Other than potential metering issues, Unique is also a good choice. Nothing wrong with BE as long as you're careful not to double charge. I've never used AA-7.
 
Bullseye. It works great in 9mm.

Unique should be a little better for +P loads, but I haven't tried it yet. (Unique is also a little harder to measure accurately, but you know that already)
 
You can use any of the powders you have in the 9mm with 115gr Ranier bullets. If loading up JHP's at top velocities I would use Unique but for shooting paper with copper plated bullets the most economical will be Bullseye but HS6 will work fine too though you'll need to burn around 6.5 gr per round.

One of the best uses I've found for HS6 is in the 9mm with 147gr Berry's or Ranier bullets for targets.
 
Thank you, gentlemen. Maybe I should rethink the 115 gr bullets and go with something heavier for the HS-6. I know that powder likes pressure. I've loaded 38s with it before and half the powder landed on the floor, unburned.
 
I have no experience with HS6 but agree with everything else said by SteveC:

You can use any of the powders you have in the 9mm with 115gr Ranier bullets. If loading up JHP's at top velocities I would use Unique but for shooting paper with copper plated bullets the most economical will be Bullseye
Click to expand...

For light bullets, a couple of pounds of bullseye will go a REALLY long way. Unique is what I normally use for my 124-147 grain 9MMs.
 
Of those listed, I only have experience with BE and Unique. Both work great in 9mm.

I would imagine that HS-6 would as well. Like rcmodel said, it won't be great for light loads but should do fine for loads towards the max end.
 
I tried HS-6 for 9mm and while it performed OK it was just the opposite of Titegroup in that it had a wide range from minimum to maximum and I couldn't find the sweet spot. Better to probably say I gave up before I found the sweet spot. I understand HS-6 needs to be loaded towards the higher end which I normally do not so.
 
Been using Bullseye with cast 121 grain bullet for eons. No issues. Never bothered working up a serious target load as my 9mm is an Inglis BHP. Sights are crappy and the barrel isn't up to it.
 
4.8 gr Hs6 under a 147 plated round has given me several sub 1" groups. out of my hipower and my STI.

and clean!

unique has also been a great performer for me as well, but I have lots more of it (hs6) on hand than unique and i use that for mid range .357
 
Thank you, gentlemen. Maybe I should rethink the 115 gr bullets and go with something heavier for the HS-6. I know that powder likes pressure. I've loaded 38s with it before and half the powder landed on the floor, unburned.
Click to expand...

Come on brother, you shoot the got dang fowdy five. Get yerself some 124 gr boolits and load that sissy nine up stout.:evil:
 
I'd look at a little bit heavier bullets for your 9mm. At least for my Glock 19, the sweet spot seems to be the 135 gr extreme plated bullets at just under 1000 fps. I use HP-38 for my 9mm, .40 and light .44 loads, but I've read that HS-6 is a favored powder for 9mm and .40.
 
If limited to those powders I would use AA#7 or HS6 for full power loads and bullseye for light loads. I am partial to Accurate powders for handguns but if you want to use up the HS6 I see no reason not too. Plenty of load data for it.
 
BE would be the best choice for you 115gr bullets. Since these are plated you need to stay in the lead data for Rainer. But be advised BE is a dirty powder. I prefer WST over BE due to the cleanness of the burn. 10 round of BE looks like 150-200 rounds of WST. But I normally use WSF for mt 9mm 124gr pills and 231 for 115gr. I save the WST for my LSWC in 45acp.

If you want to shoot 115 gr plated go to the HBRN by Berry's.

Unique would be a good choice too if you can get it to meter accurately. I never have been able too. ±0.2 gr is the best I could do with Unique. The ball powders I use give me ±0.02 gr accuracy.
 
I would definitely go heavier than 115s, and use the Unique or HS-6. As noted above, Bullseye will work on the 115s. AA#7 will work with all of them, and I like it a lot. Meters the best.
 
Universal Clays if I could find any with 125s.
IMO 9mm is faily forgiving and will work with a lot of powders.
For bullets I like MBC 125gr cones.
I have used as fast as Bullseye and as slow as Longshot. (AKA Loudshot):)

Bullseye for lighter, Unique for middle of the road. Both will work for either.
I have never used HS6 but it is slower so might be better suited for medium to heavier loads???
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
9mm powder
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
rbstern
R
sigpro2022
  • Locked
What powder to use for 9mm cast bullets
Replies
17
Views
993
Dudedog
Dudedog
JO JO
  • Locked
reloading 9mm
Replies
0
Views
302
JO JO
JO JO
T
  • Locked
wanting to get a military pull down powder, but unsure which one to look for
Replies
3
Views
409
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
D
L
  • Locked
Help with load data, please!
Replies
6
Views
2K
Legion489
L
Back
Top