favorite 9mm&38spl powder?

[exbrit49]

Some will chuckle but I use Red Dot for 9mm, 38 Spl and 45 ACP
!n the 9mm, I use a 124G LRN. The 38 Spl uses a 158 LSWC and the 45 pushes a 230G LRN. All provide excellent accuracy at loads much higher than the newest recommended powder weights. The loads have all been worked up in my handguns and they are definitely way over the current recommendations .
These loads are from the older manuals when charges were much higher than today's recommended loading's..
I have used the Red Dot for well over 30 years at pressures that many would shudder at, in fact it was the subject of a posting I made several years ago.
I worked up these loads very carefully over many years and I routinely chrono them and check for signs of excessive pressure and have found none. Most of my brass has in excess of 12 loading's with some as high as 25. Why do I continue to use these hot loads? Because they provide the highest accuracy in the handguns I use them in, have proved to be sate in the handguns I use them in. and I only need one powder for thee calibers.
The only downside is Red Dot is a fairly dirty powder and my hands are sooty after an afternoon at the range.
Please NO nasty responses, As I have stated, the loads work well for me and are a proven load with 30 years extensive, safe usage.
I replied to this post as the question was about favorite powders for 9mm/38 Spl

 

[hdbiker]

3.5 gr. of Bulls Eye, under a Lee cast 158 swc bullet. hdbiker

 

[Axis II]

For you BE86 fans where are you finding data? I checked both my manuals and no BE86 listed and Alliant's website only lists a max but no start. I might be able to get a good deal on some so may try it in 9MM.

 

[sbwaters]

Now, for 9MM, use mostly 125 gr. RN Blue Bullets for IDPA and 124 gr. RMR RN for plinking.

Started with Ramshot Silhouette (4.8 gr. last load 1.115 COL chrono about 1035 fps) and love its metering, accuracy and the fact its volume was another check on powder drop.

Have switched to Hodgdon TiteGroup (3.6 gr. 1.110 COL for my short throat CZ-75B chrono about 1040-50 fps) which is not as smooth metering but still fine and slightly more accurate than the Silhouette at 50 ft.. Was winnowing my powder collection and that is what I use for .45 ACP.

I'm using up my Power Pistol and Unique, still keep Bullseye in the powder box for old times sake, and might try the new Red Dot that is supposed to be cleaner than the current version I load 12 gauge 1 oz. loads for skeet.

 

[murf]

For you BE86 fans where are you finding data? I checked both my manuals and no BE86 listed and Alliant's website only lists a max but no start. I might be able to get a good deal on some so may try it in 9MM.

the alliant reloading page says to reduce the listed max charge by 10% for a starting charge.

i would go with the alliant data.

luck,

murf

 

[ATLDave]

In 9mm, I use AA#7 for max velocity rounds and #5 or silhouette for mid-level rounds, but mostly ZIP or AA#2 for target/light loads.

In 38, I use a lot of AA#2.

I have no doubt that I would love VV N320 in either for target loads, but I save that powder for my USPSA gamer loads.

 

[Axis II]

the alliant reloading page says to reduce the listed max charge by 10% for a starting charge.

i would go with the alliant data.

luck,

murf

I must have missed that part. Thanks!

 

[Walkalong]

For you BE86 fans where are you finding data?

Use at your own risk. I tried 5.9 as well, but will stick with 5.7. Not much velocity gain and the group opened up with 5.9. YMMV.


I like 5.5 Grs Silhouette better for a play around load at the range.

 

[Jonesy814]

I use Titegroup for 38 special target loads. I can get almost 2000 rounds out of a pound. I have used it for 9mm too but usually use PowerPistol or CFE Pistol for 124gr and Unique for 147gr

 

[Average Joe]

I used to use W231 in those calibers, now I have switched over to BE 86.

 

[Walkalong]

I can get almost 2000 rounds out of a pound.

Very early on I looked at how many rounds per pound, but very soon that became a non issue. Accuracy edged it right out the door. If you can get both, great!

 

[sbwaters]

[OT] Very early on I learned to think about what Walkalong posts. [/OT]

 

[ray15]

Very early on I looked at how many rounds per pound, but very soon that became a non issue. Accuracy edged it right out the door. If you can get both, great!

I know you don't like it, but it's called Titegroup for good reason

 

[WestKentucky]

9- bullseye
38- 231

 

[walnut1704]

4 grains of 700x with 125 berrys bullets in both. Target HP in 9mm and FP in 38 special. Fantastic accuracy in both.

I use the exact same load, but with a 125gr coated LRN.

 

[Walkalong]

I know you don't like it, but it's called Titegroup for good reason

Lol, yep, it's very popular, just not with me.

 

[Dudedog]

I know you don't like it, but it's called Titegroup for good reason

Powder names and marketing,
OK I get Bullseye and Titegroup but who in marketing came up with unequal?
Unequal charges/unequal results or unequaled something, the ed makes a difference.


We have WST and WSF.
Of course some days I think I am shooting a powder called WT* (can't put in the last letter but the same last letter as WSF)

 

[Walkalong]

but who in marketing came up with unequal?

I know right? I wouldn't buy any just because of the screwy name. Might be great stuff. I'll likely never know.

 

[Axis II]

Well I broke down and got a pound of BE86! I couldn't pass up the $19 price tag on the shelf but it came to $21 when she run me up but whatever! I have about a half pound of HP38 left and also see I can use BE86 for 38spl 125gr RN so hoping BE86 works well with both. If it doesn't do well with 38spl I will use the remaining HP38 for it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As soon as the weather breaks here in going to test W244 and W572. It looks like W244 is similar to W231 and will work well in the .38 Special and 45 Auto while W572 will be for the 9mm and .38 Special +P. I will test both in the 45 Colt.

I have a feeling W231 and maybe HS-6 could be on their way out in favor of the newer and easier to manufacturer powders. And me with only 10 lbs of W231 left in stock, ouch.

 

[ray15]

I have about a half pound of HP38 left and also see I can use BE86 for 38spl 125gr RN so hoping BE86 works well with both. If it doesn't do well with 38spl I will use the remaining HP38 for it.

I chrono'ed a 125gr. plated 38 special +P load yesterday using BE86. The max charge looked best on the chrono, have not had time to test accuracy yet.

38 Special +P
Xtreme 125HP
6.1gr. BE86
CCI SPP
PPU brass
OAL: 1.425"
# FPS
10 897
9 901
8 871
7 913
6 900
5 891
4 885
3 899
2 890
1 886
Average: 893.3 FPS
SD: 11.4 FPS
Min: 871 FPS
Max: 913 FPS
Spread: 42 FPS

I was surprised the velocity was as low as it is, at an average of less than 900fps from my 4" GP100. For comparison this is the +P max of 5.0gr. of Titegroup. This load is accurate:

38 Special +P
Xtreme 125HP
5.0gr. Titegroup
CCI SPP
RP brass
OAL: 1.425"
# FPS
9 965
8 964
7 987
6 969
5 955
4 961
3 973
2 976
1 992
Average: 971.3 FPS
SD: 12.1 FPS
Min: 955 FPS
Max: 992 FPS
Spread: 37 FPS

I have also tried CFE Pistol, and it also produces lower velocities than Titegroup. It looks to me like a fast powder is required here, so you may well get better results with HP38. I'll pick some up the next time I order and see if it's any improvement over Titegroup in 38 Special, which works quite well.

 

[Axis II]

I chrono'ed a 125gr. plated 38 special +P load yesterday using BE86. The max charge looked best on the chrono, have not had time to test accuracy yet.

38 Special +P
Xtreme 125HP
6.1gr. BE86
CCI SPP
PPU brass
OAL: 1.425"
# FPS
10 897
9 901
8 871
7 913
6 900
5 891
4 885
3 899
2 890
1 886
Average: 893.3 FPS
SD: 11.4 FPS
Min: 871 FPS
Max: 913 FPS
Spread: 42 FPS

I was surprised the velocity was as low as it is, at an average of less than 900fps. For comparison this is the +P max of 5.0 of Titegroup. This load is accurate:

38 Special +P
Xtreme 125HP
5.0gr. Titegroup
CCI SPP
RP brass
OAL: 1.425"
# FPS
9 965
8 964
7 987
6 969
5 955
4 961
3 973
2 976
1 992
Average: 971.3 FPS
SD: 12.1 FPS
Min: 955 FPS
Max: 992 FPS
Spread: 37 FPS

I have also tried CFE Pistol, and it also produces lower velocities than Titegroup. It looks to me like a fast powder is required here, so you may well get better results with HP38. I'll pick some up the next time I order and see if it's any improvement over Titegroup in 38 Special, which works quite well.

Does BE86 run pretty clean in 38spl? I don't see an issue in 9mm with HP38 but in 38spl its pretty dirty for me. I'm all about accuracy and my 38spl is a J frame so its more for SD practice.

 

[ray15]

It's fairly clean, but also is cleaner in 9mm. Most powders are going to burn cleaner at 35K psi than they do at 20. I think Titegroup is cleaner in 38, but BE86 isn't excessively dirty.