Clean burning powder for 9mm

[wrangler5]

I've been using Accurate #5 for my 9mm loads, and have no complaints about its general performance (don't have a chronograph, though, so can only guess about exact velocities.) But after a 300 round session at the range (2 guns) there's a lot of soot to clean out. It's not nasty, and cleans pretty easily, but I'm wondering if there are other powders that are likely to be any cleaner burning? I know that the Hodgdon Clays line is pretty clean burning in shotguns, and it looks like Universal is appropriate for 9mm as well. Anybody have experience here?

Thanks in advance.

 

[444]

Power Pistol is the cleanest burning powder I have used in 9mm.

 

[m0ntels]

I keep regular Clays around for 12 gauge, but I loaded a box of 9mm with it one day for kicks, and for me at least it was much cleaner than W231 or TiteGroup which everyone but me seems to think are the cleanest powders.

Randy

 

[trickyasafox]

tell ya what not to use if you want clean, and thats bullseye

 

[ulflyer]

Bullseye is Good Stuff

I clean after each session so whether its a little grime, or a lot, doesn't make much diff to me. It does produce a lot of smoke which some don't like. It meters well, performs well, in my 45 and 38's. Sorta like "old reliable"..

Keep reading about "regular Clays" but never tried it. Will have to pick up a can soon.

 

[TooTaxed]

I've used many powders, but am pretty well standardized on #231 for all my handgun needs, from 9-mm Mak to .45 Colt. Very clean burning and easy to measure.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Alright...Another W-231 believer....

 

[Zak Smith]

I found VV-N320 to be clean, but Titegroup is cheaper by almost 2x.

 

[candt]

I also use AA#5 for 9mm behind a 147 gr Zero JHP. I find it to be a very accurate load, and it doesnt burn too dirty. Plus it meters dead on every time. What load do you use?

 

[PaulDaisy]

much cleaner than W231 or TiteGroup

It is my experience that only Bullseye is dirtier than TiteGroup... but nothing is cheaper, so this is what I shoot. I too keep thinking about trying cleaner powders after 200 of .45 downrange, but any time I go to buy powder, I see the clean ones for $15-17 and TG next to it for $12, and bring TG home.
-P

 

[Zak Smith]

TG leaves soot on the end of the slide, but it does not seem to foul the action much, for me with my loads. I've never had a failure of any type due to fouling from TG, and it's my main IPSC/3Gun load-powder. I clean my double-stack very rarely.. maybe once every 1500-2000 rounds.

-z

 

[mrapathy2000]

I second PowerPistol. after shooting power pistol a dry patch can remove most of whats left over.

 

[bakert]

AA 5 and/or 231. I think people worry too much about a little soot.

 

[Larryect]

My first experience with 231 convinced me it was dirty. Load seem lazy, with orange flame. When I upped the charge it got snappy and burned much cleaner. I think if you keep it near factory velocities it's fine.

 

[goalie]

I am also a Power Pistol convert. Burns really clean in my guns and meters great in my Dillon 550B.

 

[armoredman]

AA5- works great for me and my CZ PO1. I never thought of it being very dirty....

 

[Reed1911]

Power Pistol. (again)

 

[Hikingman]

Favorite Powder 9mm

Power Pistol, new to reloading here, and chose it based on published reloading data.

Hikingman

 

[sigstroker]

I tried Power Pistol when it first came out. The problem was that clocked velocity was nowhere near the data. With a full case I just barely broke 1000 fps with 115's. They should have called it No Power Pistol.

 

[Reed1911]

Something is wrong then. With 6.2g I get 1050FPS with a 115g FMJ bullet.

 

[caz223]

+1 for power pistol.
I'd like to find out what powers winclean ammo.
That stuff looks like new brass after you shoot it.

 

[Gewehr98]

I used to use WW231 in my 9mm autopistols.

I switched to WST. Very clean-burning, and a smidgen more economical.

 

[rborensr]

Try the Ramshot line of powders. Some of the cleanest burning I've ever used. www.ramshot.com You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[sigstroker]

Something is wrong then. With 6.2g I get 1050FPS with a 115g FMJ bullet.

That's what I mean. 1050 is pretty weak. It's not even IPSC Minor. With 5.2 of 231 I get 1150-1200.

 

[Mike Kerr]

I use AA 2. Its all gone when you fire. Virtually no powder grains anywhere-not ever. Low flash in the dark- I was surprised. It meters well for me. I started using it about two to three years ago simply because I had 2 lbs of the powder from the loser's prize table at a state match. I have used AA 5, AA 7, Clays- (just plain Clay's) 231 and HP 38- and I'll be darned it works better to my way of thinking than any of them. I was surprised. I have chrony'd 115, 124 and 147 gr loads and have been happy with the results compared to the AA book figures.


Regards,