Help choosing a Powder for 9mm

[71GTO]

I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions and information on the different powders that I have on hand. My main intent in asking this question had nothing to do with trying to take shortcuts or circumventing my responsibility to do the research and work up my own loads. I honestly just wanted to see if one of my powders would be more forgiving and therefore safer to start with as my main concern is safety. I respect the experience and wealth of knowledge that the members of this forum collectively have!
As always I will take this information and add it to the library of printed media that I have collected and decide which powder to begin with, but the consensus seems to be that the W231 and BE-86 appears to be the most forgiving and therefore probably safest for me to start my journey with.

It appears that my post has ruffled the feathers of at least one "Grumpy Old Man" and I apologize if others feel the same way as well. Even though I am new to the reloading world I am not new to the world of shooting as I have been doing it for over 45-years. I have always up until this point in my life shot factory ammunition mainly because my job and raising my kids never allowed me much time for hobbies of my own. Now that my kids are grown and on their own and I finally was able to retire, I decided that I would pursue this hobby as I have wanted to for years.

I can assure everyone that I didn't just jump on the internet and start asking questions so that I could try to blow myself up!
Six months ago I purchased 4- reloading manuals and read each from cover to cover. I also read a bunch of magazine articles, on-line articles, watched a boat load of reloading videos and scouted the different forums. It wasn't until I felt that I had educated myself enough to understand the basics and terminology of reloading that I purchased my first piece of equipment. I have now accumulated enough equipment, tools, gauges and supplies that I feel ready to start filling some brass.

So again I thank all of you who took the time to answer my question and for realizing that helping others that are new to this hobby, will help keep this hobby alive in the coming future. Everyone has to start somewhere!!!

For the "Grumpy old Man"..... Not every newbie is a young person who only knows how to circumvent the internet! Even though you may have 40-years experience in reloading, it doesn't mean that you are any more of a man than anyone else! I have 40-years experience as an Aviation Electrical Engineer, but I would never even consider not helping a
new engineering student or for that matter any student. It is only wise and prudent for all of us to pay our experience and education forward!

Thanks again and please stay safe out there.

 

[Charlie98]

I can assure everyone that I didn't just jump on the internet and start asking questions so that I could try to blow myself up!

Understand that without a complete biography, it's hard to determine what any poster is after, their background, and any steps they have taken to where they are at now... and I have seen some questions (not from you...) that suggest, almost quite literally, that they are trying to blow their pistol up. I have been loading since 1986, and I still ask stupid questions that have an obvious answer, sometimes, but I would rather be ridiculed for asking a dumb question to an obvious answer, than not ask.

 

[Dudedog]

Side note:
71GTO,
My dad had a 72 GTO he had built just for him. (from the factory)
455 HO, 4 speed, Posi, etc. etc, as I recall was about 7 grand new back then.
Muncie M22 if I remember correctly.
even had the top of the line 8 track Stereo from Pontaic.
(for some reason I seem to recall that the player only worked with Johnny Cash tapes, or a least it seemed that was the case)

PS
As an Electrical Engineer maybe you could tell me why the 8 track was that way.

 

[71GTO]

Side note:
71GTO,
My dad had a 72 GTO he had built just for him.
455 HO, 4 speed, Posi, etc. etc, as I recall was about 7 grand new back then.
Muncie M22 if I remember correctly.
even had the top of the line 8 track Stereo from Pontaic.
(for some reason I seem to recall that the player only worked with Johnny Cash tapes, or a least it seemed that was the case)

PS
As an Electrical Engineer maybe you could tell me why the 8 track was that way.

Dudedog

Lol my guess is it has to do with magnetism, that is the magnetism between your Dad and the late, great Johnny Cash!

BTW- My 71 GTO is all original that my Dad bought new in 71. He gave it to me on my 21'st Birthday. It is the Judge addition and has all the HP options plua a little more that I have added over these years. Coincidentally my GTO's performance is directly proportional to the music I am playing on the radio. If I have classic rock playing, the 1/4 mile times are in the 11-second range, but if someone (God help them) put on Rap, it won't even start! Built in theft system.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane and for the smile!

 

[Dudedog]

Lol my guess is it has to do with magnetism, that is the magnetism between your Dad and the late, great Johnny Cash!

Great answer, that explains it!

 

[BC17A]

Did someone say GTO? My 66 has been with me since 1981.

 

[Random 8]

oops wrong thread

 

[Catpop]

HP38, but Unique works well also

 

[frankmako]

for a very easy shooting load you can try 124 gr rn cast lead and accurate #5.

 

[lordpaxman]

Of the powders and bullets you have, W231 will work well for medium loads, Universal and 3N37 for the full power loads. These are the ones I have worked up loads for, they are “forgiving” for a new reloader, and have appreciable case fill. 3N37 and N340 are pretty close, N350 is a bit too slow for 9mm, I’m not sure if Vihtavuori has data for it or not, but they do for 3N37. I’ve tried Power Pistol but don’t like the flash bang. Save the Titegroup for later! Good luck!

 

[Bartojc]

My first reloaded round was with W231 and a 115 gr Plated RN 9mm. I keep w231 still and rotate between it and Alliant Sport Pistol for 9mm. For target loads W231 will work well.

-Jeff

 

[Typetwelve]

Personally, I've ran Tight Group, Acc No7, Silhouette, Sport Pistol, W231, Bullseye...they've all ran just fine.