Clean 9mm powder that meters well?

[Adventurer_96]

I know, another "clean powder thread," but at least I tried to do my homework.

I found this http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=156175&highlight=cleanthread a while ago and the one thing that I really didn't get was a powder that is clean burning and meters well in a progressive.

A few guys mentioned that they don't mind cleaning their guns after shooting each time, and that the dirtier powders don't bother them. In my case, I occasionally shoot at an indoor range, so I want to have the cleanest burning reloads that I can manage.

I'm looking to replicate military performance with either a 115 or 124/125gr Rainier plated bullet (most likely due to price) that will be for practice, IDPA & hoarding. I don't mind paying a couple of extra $$$ per pound for the powder if it's cleaner burning.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Walkalong]

WSF, AA# 5, N330. All these do well in the nine with plated or jacketed bullets and burn clean. I have shot a great many of Ranier 115 RN with AA# 5. I recently tried WSF and N330 and they work very well also.

 

[71Commander]

If you want what the military uses, try Bullseye. I use 3.9 gr W/ a 115 gr Masterblaster bullet (60 per K delivered). OAL is 1.150. 132 PF. It's pretty clean as well.

http://www.masterblastersbullets.com/page13.html

 

[Master Blaster]

Unique in a max load, Winchester 231, Titegroup.

All shoot very well in 9mm with plated or jacketed bullets.

 

[strat81]

Universal or Titegroup. Titegroup meters a bit better, but Universal is cleaner. I see slightly more variation with Universal charge weights, but not enough to be a safety concern. It might be an issue for target competitors who demand absolute consistency.

I use a Lee Pro Auto Disk to charge my cases, btw.

Oh, and pick up some Power Pistol... it's a ton of fun indoors! "Shock and awe!"

 

[armoredman]

AA#7, best 9mm powder I have found yet, works VERY well in all pistols I have tried it in.

 

[jmorris]

I've tried many different powders and by far VihtaVuori vn310 is the cleanest power for the 9mm. Of the others listed above I'd say Titegroup would be your best bet. Bullseye and 231 are cleaner now than they used to be, but are not the best choice in 9X19.

 

[RustyFN]

Titegroup for me.
Rusty

 

[JDGray]

Power Pistol is very clean, meters well. The ultimate clean powder, but it lacks in velocity is Clays.

 

[Steve C]

Power Pistol is the civilian canister version of the bulk powder that is used to load military contract 9mm. In my experience it gives superb velocity in the 9mm but is a bit flashy.

 

[Eagle103]

The ultimate clean powder, but it lacks in velocity is Clays.

Universal Clays is all I use for 9mm anymore. It leaves a bit of bluish black discoloration by the rim and thats it. IME it's very accurate too.

 

[Steve in PA]

I've been using HS6 for almost 16 years in reloads for my 9mm's.

 

[CZ57]

AA#7 and HS-6 are excellent choices and if you like to spend money for powder, few are better than V-V 3N37.

The answer to this question depends on what level of performance you want and what type of bullet you will be using. Steve C is correct, Power Pistol has more flash than any sane person would want for a defense load, so I don't understand why it gets loaded in NATO spec ammo. But, it does.

If you need a NATO type load and want clean, I couldn't disagree with anyones choice because that performance range is within the reach of most of them except very fast burners. Universal Clays makes sense.

If you want to replicate a very good +P defense load that is clean with low flash, that's another matter. If you look to the guys that load 9mm major for IPSC, the choices will shrink rapidly. Not that you want to go to that extreme, but say for a good 124 gr. JHP load, AA#7, HS-6, WSF, V-V 3N37, or just make it easy on yourself and get some Ramshot Silhouette. Clean, very low flash with very good velocity potential. The closest rival to V-V 3N37 we have, and at a price that's easier to swallow.

 

[herd48]

I too have had good luck in 9mm with Universal. And pretty clean.

 

[Clark]

Power Pistol burns clean, meters well, and kicks.

 

[Scalce]

Titegroup

 

[huntershooter]

Second the HS-6 and AA#7.

 

[GerryM]

Titegroup

 

[Adventurer_96]

Thanks for the replies, all. I forgot to mention I believe I'd used Red Dot and Bullseye in the past, I can't remember and I'm away from my load book. It's been at least 2 years since I reloaded any ammo, and I gave up on 9mm a long time ago when prices were so cheap. Glad I saved my brass, though.

I'm a big fan of Ramshot's TAC powder for .308, so I may check into their Silhouette powder as well. But, when I get a chance over the next week, I'll make a list from this thread and check out what my local dealer has in stock.

 

[Kilgor]

Titegroup.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'm using 4.0gr bullseye and a 124gr bullet @ 1.140 OAL and it's very clean (and accurate). 1067avg fps from my Glock 34.

 

[NavyLCDR]

++1 for the Titegroup

 

[Adventurer_96]

I stopped by my local Sportsman's Warehouse, figuring that I'd pick up some Ramshot Silhouette, since they always stock it. However, by "always," I mean that 2-3 years ago when I last looked at powder there, they carried it.

But, today they were all out of all Ramshot powders except Big Game, and there were no VitaVuhoi (spelling???) powders except two kinds, whose names escape me. I may swing for them tomorrow, as I think one was 3N7.

Another consideration, by the way, is availability. Assuming that what's on the shelf now is what they can get a hold of regularly (BIG assumption) I might just get what's there and worry about the rest later as a pound of powder should last a while w/9mm.

So, I'll look at:

V-V 3N7
HS6
AA#7

Of course, I'm going to check my notebook, and if I haven't used Bullseye in 9mm (can't remember for sure) then I'll try that before going any further since I'd like to keep my logistical train as short as possible.

 

[Adventurer_96]

So TennTucker, when you write:

If you want what the military uses, try Bullseye. I use 3.9 gr W/ a 115 gr Masterblaster bullet (60 per K delivered). OAL is 1.150. 132 PF. It's pretty clean as well.

Are you saying that it approximates military performance?

Because what SteveC wrote confuses me a bit:

Power Pistol is the civilian canister version of the bulk powder that is used to load military contract 9mm. In my experience it gives superb velocity in the 9mm but is a bit flashy.

What is the military's 9mm powder, then?

 

[jrumsey]

If you look on the label for Ramshot Silhouette powder it says "NATO standard 9mm powder". I do not see this claim From Alliant for Power Pistol or Bullseye powder.

Joe