New to reloading 9mm

[Tony k]

I'm gonna try my hand at reloading for 9mm. Yesterday I went on a buying spree and picked up a few different powders, 9mm dies, and the only 9mm bullets I could find at a LGS: xtreme plated 147gr rn.

At the moment, I have the following powders to work with:
700x
800x
power pistol
PB
bullseye
green dot
longshot

To confound the issue, the gun I'm reloading for is a Kahr CW9 with a 3.14" barrel. I did some background reading here on THR, and I get the impression that 147 grain bullet and a 3" barrel is a less than ideal combination.

Oh well... It's what I have to work with at the moment. I've got published data for 147 grain bullets for all the powders listed above except the 800x and the longshot (no surprise there I guess).

Any suggestions on which powder would likely work best with this bulley/ gun combo?

 

[thefish]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=749765

Handful of info a few posts down.

 

[oneounceload]

Go to the powder maker websites and see what they say about your bullet/powder choices

 

[RussellC]

Good finds on the Bullseye and power pistol!

Russellc

 

[ksimons]

"Picked up a few different powders" I would say you hit the jackpot!

 

[armoredman]

Man, I hated 700X - dadgum hard to meter. Gave good results in 38Spl, though.
I've been loading 9mm for a few, and haven't used those powders. Considering it can be catch-as-catch-can on powders nowadays, I'll be interested in hearing your results!

 

[JamieC]

I've loaded quite a few rounds using Power Pistol, 115gr LRN, 124gr LRN Bayou Bullets, 124gr JHP Precision Delta, 145gr XTP Hornady. Seems pretty economical, good velocity.

 

[UziLand]

You have a lot of good powder. I have just started using the PB for light 9mm loads for xtreme 115 gr RN and 38 spcl 125 PFN. It meters great and burns clean.

 

[GJSchulze]

I use 147 gr Precision Delta FMJ-TC and Power Pistol in my XD 9mm subcompact that has a 3" barrel. It works just fine. What is supposed to be the issue?

 

[ksimons]

I have been using Power Pistol for .40 and 38sp/357 and like it. Burns clean. Can't always find it so I use Long Shot for .40 as I have it.

 

[Potatohead]

I use 147 gr Precision Delta FMJ-TC and Power Pistol in my XD 9mm subcompact that has a 3" barrel. It works just fine. What is supposed to be the issue?

Im curious myself. Hadnt heard that before.

 

[Tony k]

short barrels and 147 grain bullets

I can't complain about my powder situation. I travel through lewiston, id/ clarkston, wa every couple of weeks. When I do, I stop in to Lolo sporting goods (my favorite gun shop staffed with knowledgeable folks), and a couple other places less worthy of mention. I went through yesterday and that's when I scored the bullseye. I might actually save that for the 45acp.

My limited info about the 3 inch barrel and the 147 grain bullets is that the heavy bullet likes slower powder and needs a longer dwell time in the barrel to make efficient use of the powder charge. Beware: I'm not the most experienced reloader, so consider the source. Besides, I'm still gonna load em up and shoot em regardless of how inefficient they supposedly are, so I guess it's a moot point.

 

[zxcvbob]

You've got some good powders there. Bullseye or Power Pistol is where I would start.
I've heard good things about Longshot but have never tried it.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Another good source is the Kahr forum. www.kahrtalk.com/forum.php
If you haven't broken the gun in yet, they have directions that will save you a lot of grief. There are also good instructions on lubrication.

I haven't tried 147 gr pills. I have put around 700 rounds of 115 gr & 124 gr thru my CW9.

700-X is one of my better powders. No issues with metering. The key seems to be using a RCBS Uniflow measure.

For accessories I added the Hogue Handall Jr, helps with xxl hands. Also the UpLULA loader if you have a case of fumblitis. A striker spring from Wolff. Best deal I found on mags was at Midway.

 

[Level10]

I know you don't have this powder BUT feel it worth mentioning ..... the best powder for the 147 pills in a 9mm Luger is Viht 3N38, haven't found a powder to really match with this combo. A little pricey compared to other powders but it performs extremely well. Vihtavuori load data shows 6.9gr of 3N38 yields 1,207 fps from a 4" barrel with 147 grain XTP. Please verify and work up to this as it is a MAX load! I have personally worked up to this weighing each load using a RCBS Charge Master and their data appears to be correct according to my chronograph. No pressure signs and felt recoil is nice. This is not a +P load either. This load ROCKS out of any 9mm Luger chamber!!!!!

Longshot and Power Pistol would be next....always work up your loads as usual!

 

[mljdeckard]

Some people don't like heavier bullets in short guns, because they are already slow and lose more velocity. That doesn't necessarily mean they will underperform.

 

[gojuice101]

I have 700-x that I sometimes use for both 9mm Luger and 9mm Makarov. Only problem I've found with the powder is metering consistency is horrible, at least in my dispenser. Others don't have that problem, so I guess other measures work better. I don't know. The 700-x shoots great though. Accurate and gives plenty of velocity, though I'm using lighter bullets than you. I load 115 grn RN bullets.

 

[tcoz]

I load Bullseye under XTreme 115gr RN. It meters extremely well and, contrary to what some others have said, I find it very clean burning. It's also economical

 

[GJSchulze]

My limited info about the 3 inch barrel and the 147 grain bullets is that the heavy bullet likes slower powder and needs a longer dwell time in the barrel

That does make sense. I have not chrono'd that round in the 3" barrel, just my 5.25" barrel. I will have to see what I get. While I practice with the 147 gr bullet in my XD subcompact, I use 124 gr Gold Dot HP when I carry.

 

[hartcreek]

There is a guy here that is casting and powder coating. I would be purchasing from him if I was you.

 

[GJSchulze]

One thing I would suggest from personal experience is to start out using a powder that has more volume to it; some powder that if you throw a double charge it will fill up the case (or more) and be obvious. This also means that a single charge is visible. When you start out it is way too easy to miss a charge altogether and end up with a squib. A squib, by itself is not dangerous, but if you don't catch it, the next shot can be dangerous because you already have a stuck bullet in the barrel that has sealed the muzzle.

Power Pistol has enough volume to it that two charges come up to the rim and one charge is visible. I suggest that you look into every case to be sure. A regular powder cop just means looking at its indicator rather than the case. Why pay for what you can do for free? I had a lockout die and it failed me with Titegroup, which is a low volume powder.