Best powder to use for lead bullets in 9mm and 45acp loads?

[uncooldude]

Good Morning!

I've been doing a fair bit of reading here, along with various searches, to try and find an answer to my question in the title of this thread. I currently load for both my 9mm and 45ACP pistols, using lead bullets, which with the current state of affairs, enables me to make weekly trips the range for shooting practice. The bullets I've settled on are as follows;

9mm - 125grain lead round nose
45ACP - 200grain lead semi wad cutter and lead round nose

I started out initially using HP-38 when loading 9mm, as I hadn't started any loading for 45ACP, and this seemed to work fairly well. In discussions with the gentleman I get my bullets from, he highly recommended I use Titegroup. He has been using it for many years, and has shot competitively since the 80's. I figured his advice was as sound as any, seeing as he was making the bullets I am using.

The additional benefits of using Titegroup have presented themselves as cost, and availability. I can generally find Titegroup available to buy, even during these hard times.

I've had excellent accuracy with Titegroup in my 45ACP loads, and the light recoil is appreciated. I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in recoil between the HP-38, and the Titegroup, in my beginning 9mm loads. Accuracy between the 2 powders in the 9mm loads doesn't seem to be terribly different, but I "feel" that the HP-38 loads are a bit tighter. Of course, I'm using very light powder loads in the 9mm right now, as I'm just starting, so that could change with heavier charges.

Because powder can be extremely difficult to come by these days, I'd really like to pick one powder that I can use with both of these calibers, using the lead bullets, so that I can pick up 4lbs or so, and not have to continuously search for powder, as well as primers. Can those of you with experience in this area offer me some of your opinions?

I thank you all in advance for taking the time to assist!!

 

[joecil]

I've used several different powders in 9mm and 45 ACP using Jacketed, plated and cast. I've used HP-38, Titegroup, Bullseye, Universal Clays, Clays, Unique and AA#2. I really don't have a favorite as once you find the sweet spot on the load for your gun they all are about the same accuracy. I will say though the cleanest shooting is he Universal and Clays.

 

[greenlion]

I started out initially using HP-38

You got it right the first time.

I don't like using tightgroup for 3 reasons. It has a bad case of static cling in the hopper, it will melt some hopper plastic if left in there, and it heats up the gun really fast. It is economical though.

 

[Hanshi]

In the .45acp I get excellent accuracy with 200grn swc and Bullseye and Unique. For 230 grn rn I like Unique. Red Dot has been satisfactory in 125grn lead bullet loads.

 

[Dframe]

Clays!

 

[kerreckt]

I have always had great success with Titegroup...clean, accurate and economical. I haven't noticed it heating things up any more than any other powder.

 

[FROGO207]

I use HP-38/231 for the 9MM and for the 45 ACP either 700-X or Blue Dot with the nod to 700-X for being lots cleaner burning. Especially with 230 grain lead bullets there.

 

[4895]

I shoot .45 auto 230 grain Berry's round nose plated double stuck bullets with 5.0-5.1 grains of Bullseye with a 1.245" oal and crimp around .470". That is my standard target load for .45 auto.
I have used Win231/HP38 with good results as well in 45 auto, however I prefer Bullseye.

I shoot 9mm with 6.4-6.5 grains of PowerPistol seated to 1.125" with Montana Gold 115 grain FMJ bullets in a target load. I also use Bluedot for 9mm but have been out for quite some time.
I have used Win231/HP38 with good results as well in 9mm, however I prefer PowerPistol.

In fact, if all I had was Win231/HP38 for target pistol loads, I would be completely happy with the results.

I have used Titegroup in the past and just don't like it that much for some reason. I don't think it is a good choice for any lead bullet. I still have 3/4 lb. left and am doubtful if I will ever use it up. Perhaps if I run out of Bullseye but I still have 1.5 lbs. left and only 100 or so .45 auto bullets. ;(

 

[uncooldude]

Hmmmm...so far I'm noticing that there hasn't really been a single powder chosen for both calibers.

greenlion; I did get a chuckle about the static with a powder measure. I've noticed the same on my end.

As a side note, I've not seen a single pound of HP-38 in the shops since my initial purchase. Of course, I haven't looked that closely at a couple of shops I've been in either.

Once powders start becoming more available again (yea. right.), I'll be sure to experiment more. However, my primary goal right now is just to be able to load enough to keep me at the range at least once a week, shooting the dust out of my barrels.

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye or Green Dot or Universal. If you really want to go cheap, buy a jug of Alliant Promo.

I hate using Titegroup with cast bullets, although it's not quite so bad in rimless cartridges as it is in revolver cartridges.

 

[jb27]

I use W-231 for both 9mm and 45 ACP using plated bullets in both calibers.

 

[greenlion]

Hmmmm...so far I'm noticing that there hasn't really been a single powder chosen for both calibers.

We are telling you which powder we like for both 9mm and 45. I like Win231, which is the same as HP38. If you are waiting for everyone to agree on THE one best powder, you will be waiting a long time. I don't usually load extremely light loads. If I did, I might prefer Clays for both.

 

[4895]

I agree with greenlion, we may have our favorites for each caliber/firearm/bullet weight/weather condition/etc. but if I could narrow it all down for target pistol...Winchester231 or Hodgdon HP38 would be the ONE pistol powder I would want to have to handle it all. Just like 4895 powder, it may not be the best at everything, but it sure does work with most everything.

 

[jack44]

Unique!

 

[Matt Dillon]

I have just finished up loading (1000) 125 grain lead round nose over 4.7 grains of Unique. It seems to shoot well for me! YMMV

 

[1KPerDay]

I load Red Dot behind lead in both 9mm and .45. Haven't really moved toward anything else (other than a few hundred Herco loads in .45, which also works well) because results have been excellent with Red Dot. If I can find some Promo I'm going to buy it.

 

[greyling22]

something that gives you low pressure in 9. I've really had issues with lead and 9, but the fast powders like red dot and titegroup generate higher pressures (according to my load book) than some of the slower powders. The low pressure loads work better for me. Maybe my lead is just a little soft. My current top pick is wsf, but these days, you might just try whatever you can find and be grateful to have it.

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

Unique for both since 1973.

 

[ljnowell]

Given those two calibers, lead bullets, and not looking for barn burning loads, I would recommend AA#2 or AA#5. Both meter extremely well, play very well with lead, and will meet the needs of the loads you described. Either would work. AA#2 will have a lower charge weight, but not by a whole lot, AA#5 will get you just a little more velocity.

 

[Catpop]

I've had good results with the AA#5 behind berrys and rainer 230 rn plated.

 

[uncooldude]

Thanks a lot for all of your responses so far! This definitely gives me some data to work with as I hunt for powder during these times of shortage. I think the biggest challenge I'll have, is finding something in quantity (4lbs +). I'm trying to avoid ordering it online if at all possible, due the hazmat fee. I find most local gun shops have been pretty fair in pricing.

 

[RustyFN]

I have used a lot of Titegroup in 9mm and 45 auto. I like it with jacketed but seems to be too smokey with lead. I use WST in both calibers with lead. Very clean and accurate. Powder Valley has WST in stock.

 

[fatcpa]

Universal Clays

 

[twice barrel]

Universal (one of Hodgdon's "Clays" powders)

 

[Sav .250]

As long as you don`t exceed the "pressure" for your weapon, load away.