How good are the following powders for 9mm Loads

I would use these for light 9mm loads used for competition

• Winchester WST
• Winchester WSF
• Hodgdons Clay
• Hodgdon Universal
• Alliant Power Pistol

I am already familiar with Winchester 231, Bullseye, Titegroup, Accurate #2, I just want to have a back up plan in case I can't find any of the ones I just mentioned. Again these would be for light competition loads

 

There are a lot of power pistol loads for 9mm. But when there is a powder shortage, power pistol is usually is one of the first to vanish.
But power pistol usually does better with loads more on the full power end of the spectrum.
For low power loads that fast burning clays or universal is probably a better bet.

 

I've used a lot of WSF for 147+ grain powder puff loads.

I use Power Pistol to duplicate Speer Gold Dot loads.

 

I use WST for light loads 200gr bullets in 45ACP. Very nice powder. I can Imagine it's good for 9mm.

 

WST is awesome in the .45 ACP, there's not much data for it in the 9mm.

 

I like Power Pistol in 9mm.

 

Clays and Universal are very clean burning and do a decent job

 

Based on my experience and opinion in the order of good/accurate to less good/less accurate loaded to 125-135 power factor - If no mention of temperature sensitivity, have not been tested (I am planning to do another round of powder comparison using the prototype machine rest so this ordering may change in the future):

• WST - Good for light loads (Reverse temperature sensitive - Higher velocity in the colder winter)
• BE-86 - Good for mid range+ loads
• No 2/Clean Shot - Good for light loads
• Target - Good for light loads
• Sport Pistol/N320 - Good for light to mid range loads
• Titegroup - Good for light to mid range loads. (Temperature sensitive)
• Winchester WSF - Good for mid range+ loads (Reverse temperature sensitive)
• Bullseye - Good for light loads but more snappy recoil towards mid range loads
• Clays - Good with 115-124 gr bullet weights (Temperature sensitive)
  
• W231/HP-38 - Average good accuracy (More temperature sensitive - If at 125 PF in summer, need higher powder charges for winter to make PF)
• Promo - Good for PRACTICE light to mid range loads (If you can meter well enough, could use for competition. Reverse temperature sensitive)
• Universal - Not good for light loads - May have to use max charge to make PF, especially for 147 gr and I prefer a little buffer (Reverse temperature sensitive)
• Power Pistol - Not good for light loads (Temperature sensitive)

Keep in mind, this is my "opinion" based on my experience in my pistols/barrels. Your experience may differ (Best to test them in YOUR pistols/barrels)

Ask me again next week/month and I could give you a different list of powders.

 

What type of bullets do you use or plan to use?

 

I use WSF with 124 gr bullets-about 130+ PF.

 

Another vote for WSF. Next up for testing in 9mm will be W244. W244 is great for mid to max 380 loads.

 

I discovered True Blue during the 2008-2010 shortages. I like it. But there are lots of good powders for 9x19 out there.

 

OP is looking for light 9mm loads for competition.

 

Out of those I like WSF a lot !

DudeDog gave me some data awhile back if I re call correctly it was 4.4 grains under a RMR 124 gr MPR seated @ 1.080 sweet shooter accurate, clean enough & soft. Another good option is Alliant sport pistol.

 

OP is only looking for the listed powders.
Why not just buy 8 lbs of your most favorite of all time powder and no worry about not finding any?

You can load a boatload of rounds.

 

WST is hard to beat for "light" competition loads in the 9mm.

I've shown this target before, not hand picked/cherry picked by any means. Nothing more than the test target used that day testing loads in a nm 1911.

That's a 10-shot group @ 50ft with 125gr home cast/pc'd bullets out of a box stock springfield armory range officer 1911 chambered in 9mm.


FWIW:
WST delivers bugholes/excellent accuracy with target loads in the 38spl/44spl/9mm/45acp.

 

Like Jack B mentioned, I like WST for 200grn .45ACP loads (not for 230grn,) but definitely not much data for 9mm. Too bad...

I have high hopes for either W244, or Sport Pistol, primarily for use in 9mm, .380, and 200grn .45ACP loads. I have a can of each, testing will commence once I burn through that darned can of TiteGroup I have on the bench... which seems to last forever.

I made that mistake during the last powder shortage... I was down to less than 2# of Unique, so I went and bought whatever I could find, so then I was stuck with all this crazy powder I didn't really like. I did finally remedy that... I got a Unique 8# jug last year, and once I find a suitable powder for the .380/9mm/light .45 quandry, I'll be getting 8# of that, too.

 

Those reverse temperature sensitive powders are biting me in the butt here in Texas. Loads that were worked up in the fall of last year won't cycle the pistol during the summer.

 

Save your Power Pistol for full house loads.

I like Red Dot, 231, TG, AAC#2, and Bullseye for "girly" loads.

 

Clays makes for some very accurate light loads in 9mm. The only problem with it is that it doesn't meter as well as most other powders.

 

Stock up on W231/HP-38.

 

All you listed will work. I use WSF for most all my 9mm loads. WST is good for light target loads but there is not a lot of data available for it. W231 is by backup powder. It gives a more snappy feel than the WSF does.

 

I used to use a lot of PowerPistol. It works wonderfully for full power jacketed loads. Later on though I starting wanting more economical, less "spirited" ammo. PowerPistol was no longer a great performer. I have found that accuracy and charge level go practically hand in hand with this powder. Low charge, low accuracy. YMMV.

WST has become my choice for light-ish loads with lead bullets. Clean and consistent.