Anyone ever use ZIP?

[Kaldor]

I happened to run into a situation where a friend was selling off all his reloading supplies cheap, and while some of what I got had some overlap on stuff I or other people I know already use, I also got a bunch of stuff Ive never used. In short I have a horse in every barn. He was the type to always be trying new things, and Im fine with that, but I do want to get some of this stuff used up otherwise it will collect dust forever.

Has anyone here ever used Zip for 9mm? Game plan is to use some of the Extreme 115gr 9mm I also got from him.

Hodgdon says a load range of 4.1-4.6gr, yielding about 1000-1100 fps.

Anything I need to be aware of?

 

[jmorris]

I have, for really light bullets, nothing special to report.

 

[bigpower491]

I've used it in a few calibers, but the closest I can come to 9 is 40. It does meter fairly well for a flattened spherical powder. It did give me cycling issues on the low end of the recipes, but those cleared up adding a few tenths.

 

[Kaldor]

I have, for really light bullets, nothing special to report.

View attachment 1248077

I've used it in a few calibers, but the closest I can come to 9 is 40. It does meter fairly well for a flattened spherical powder. It did give me cycling issues on the low end of the recipes, but those cleared up adding a few tenths.

Thanks gents. Looks like I will test a few at 4.3gr and see if they shoot alright. I only have about 3/4 pound of this stuff, so its not like I have an 8#er I need to use up.

 

[bigpower491]

I only have about 3/4 pound of this stuff, so its not like I have an 8#er I need to use up.

It's like Titegroup tho.....low charge weights you'll have that for a while. But I also have found it burns quite clean as well.

 

[Kaldor]

It's like Titegroup tho.....low charge weights you'll have that for a while. But I also have found it burns quite clean as well.

I figure Id use for some 45 ACP loadings too to help move that process along. Just one less thing collecting dust.
I happened to get about 5# of TiteGroup out of the deal too. I have alot of data for that at least as I use it for 9mm 147s and 45 230s.
Ive been trying to get away from TiteGroup because it is kinda dirty and move to N320. So much for that idea now that Im back up to 9# of it.

 

[jmorris]

Ive been trying to get away from TiteGroup because it is kinda dirty and move to N320. So much for that idea now that Im back up to 9# of it.

Sounds like a reason to get an SMG.

 

[higgite]

I've used it for 9mm 124gr and 45ACP 230 gr. Very similar to W231 in my experience. ymmv

 

[Dudedog]

I have used a lb of it in 9mm and .45.
I agree with @higgite, very close to W231/HP38.

 

[FROGO207]

One of my reloading buddies tried some due to costing less than HP38/231 in the recent past. he also said it was similar in performance to the 231 but when he went to purchase more the cost went up to match 231 again and he had many more loads worked up already using 231 so he stayed with that. Said it burned clean for him as well. I have not tried it myself though as I had lots of 231 on hand along with many fast dot propellants already

 

[gwpercle]

On the Burn Rate Chart ... it sits just below Bullseye and on the same line as HP-38 , W231 , N-312 ...
It keeps good company ... I haven't used Zip ...yet ... but Bullseye , HP-38 and W231 are long time favorites and Zip should be just the ticket for your 9mm Luger loads ... I hear it meters really well !
Give your loads a Go and let us know how they do ... always looking for a good Bullseye standin !
Gary

 

[Bill M]

I've only used it for 40, but it works well, and I didn't think it was overly dirty, I generally use Bullseye for 9mm!

 

[Walkalong]

I've used it for 9mm 124gr and 45ACP 230 gr. Very similar to W231 in my experience. ymmv

I have used a lb of it in 9mm and .45.
I agree with @higgite, very close to W231/HP38.

Yep, looks similar as well.

 

[P Flados]

It was probably developed to compete with W231/HP-38 before Hodgdon bought the product line.

Quickload says it take up just a smidge less room in the case, but is near identical as far as charge vs. pressure and velocity.

Cartridge          : 9 mm Luger (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .356, 120, LEE 356-120-TC
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.075 inch = 27.31 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate No.2                       89.3      4.7     0.31    1100    95.4    30272    4469   0.438  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol      59.6      4.7     0.30    1100    98.0    26696    4775   0.465
Ramshot Zip                         69.7      4.7     0.30    1100   100.0    29762    4157   0.445  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 231                      77.6      4.7     0.30    1100   100.0    29762    4157   0.445  ! Near Maximum !

Cartridge          : .38 Special (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .358, 158, LEE 358-158-RF
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.500 inch = 38.10 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramshot Zip                         29.4      3.8     0.25     700    98.4    10798    4013   0.797
Winchester 231                      32.7      3.8     0.25     700    98.4    10798    4013   0.797
Shooters World Ultimate Pistol      25.8      3.9     0.25     700    92.3    10306    4409   0.832
Accurate No.2                       40.3      4.1     0.26     700    88.6    10484    4286   0.799

 

[Kaldor]

Sounds like a reason to get an SMG.

I dislike loading magazines!

 

[jmorris]

Reminds me of guys having conversations about hiring day laborers to tape targets....

 

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I happened to get about 5# of TiteGroup out of the deal too.

Jeez, you better put that in your will. I'm guessing it will outlast you in 9mm.

 

[P Flados]

Jeez, you better put that in your will. I'm guessing it will outlast you in 9mm.

????

I just poured the last dregs of TG out of my second 8 lb jug. I am mostly using Clean Shot at the moment, but that too will get used. I will probably order another jug of TG when the Clean Shot gets low in a year or so. I will need to figure out what else to get at the same time.

 

[Kaldor]

Jeez, you better put that in your will. I'm guessing it will outlast you in 9mm.

Ill use it up! 3.2gr at a time!

 

[Kaldor]

Reminds me of guys having conversations about hiring day laborers to tape targets....

My kids used to shoot with me alot more. I made them load me a mag for every mag they shot!

 

[armoredman]

I use ZIP, but mostly in my 38 Special Cowboy Loads, 4.4 grains. Works great.

 

[JimKirk]

Use Zip in .380 (90 grain) & 9mm(115 grain).. Works well... clean...

 

[vaalpens]

Use Zip in .380 (90 grain)

Any particular reason you use Zip in .380? Accuracy, velocity, other?

I like W231/HP38 in .380auto (95 grain), so it seems I should try Zip also.

 

[JimKirk]

I had picked up up a bottle only knowing that it was a pistol powder.... the price was right... found it shot really good under the 90 grain XTP.... velocity was a little lower than some the other powders I had for .380... but was still in the 900fps range which is fine ...about the same as AA#2 speeds....
I have loaded a few .357 SIG 124s with it... a little fast for that...but shot pretty accurate... with some no name blems I had traded for.... ... loaded a few .38 special also...
This was back when powder was like hen's teeth...

Just glad I grabbed that stack of S&B small pistol primers the same day at a Cabelas up in Kentucky... several bottles of powders...

 

[Random 8]

I hope it works well, I have 16 lbs of it purchased recently at Cabelas on sale. Was significantly cheaper per LB than any other alternative in-house or online just before the last steep powder price increase.

My understanding in researching it, is that it is a Belgian made bulk military powder for loading 9x19 NATO that was purchased by Accurate/Ramshot and tested to cannister grade. IDK if the current stuff under Hodg is current production or part of the original Ramshot purchase, but my cans state Made in Belgium. As such, 9mm/124 should be very much in it's wheelhouse.

It is next in my rotation, so I will be finding out along with the OP.