Newb Q: Recommend powder for 9mm

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ddgarcia05

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I'm new to reloading and have read a few threads on it. I have yet to buy any powder or the lee reloading book. I will be buying the book but for the mean time I would like to know what powder I should be looking for.

I know most places are sold out but my LGS has some in stock for high prices. LGS has primers for 5.99 for 100. So if I could find primers and powder in one place it would be awesome to save on shipping.

Which one are good? Do I want mid burn or fast burning? Which are dirty but good?

FYI I'm going to get a lee hand press and dyes. I already have a scale but I'll need a small dish to place the powder in while on the scale.
 
It really depends on what type and weight of bullet you intend to load. The devil's in the details! :)
 
Starting out, you may want to start with Unique or Universal. Both fill the case pretty good.

A fast burning that I like is Titegroup but is barely fills the case.

I also use a lot of Autocomp
 
115 seems to be the norm for 9mm bullets which will probably the ones I get.
 
It really depends on what type and weight of bullet you intend to load.
Click to expand...
That and if you are looking for a soft recoil, That is if your gun will cycle them.
The devil's in the details!
Click to expand...
Man is it ever!

Autocomp is a very universal powder with load data in 9mm, 40, 45acp, 38 special, .357 sig, 44 special, 44 magnum, and more. Now how well it does in many of them I don't know but it works fine in my 9mm and even better in my 40 S&W loads as I recently found out. Here's my report on it : http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542969&highlight=autocomp

I have used WSF and it cleans up when loaded properly otherwise soot will tell the story. But another great universal powder with one of the faster 9mm loads listed on Winchesters website (covers Hodgdon and IMR as well).

To tell you the truth, until supplies got scarce I really liked Bullseye and for oomph Blue Dot . Blue Dot Outperforms WSF too. If you want high Velocity within safe load ranges Blue Dot is Awesome.

Winchester 231- (HP-38...same thing) Seems to be another favorite and a buddy has been using it lately since Bullseye and Blue Dot is harder to find than a flea in a powder Keg.

The cleanest burners I have used is WST and Autocomp in 40 coming in second. But I have yet to taste many powders and there is much more to love outside of what I am familiar with.
 
I discovered True Blue a few years ago for the 9x19 and have been happy with it.

Other powders already listed work fine as well.
 
I shoot 124gr Xtreme 9mm bullets prn. 4.2gn of titegroup. Off hand dont remember the OAL. It puts out a power factor of 132-135. Plenty for IDPA shoots.

One problem, needed softer spring for my P226. Sometimes the 15lb stock spring would be to strong for the softer load, and the slide wouldnt stay open on the last round. put in 13# and it is fine.

Do research and find out ALL the powders that will fire in your chosen caliber. Make a list and then start searching the web for powder. gunbot.net is a good place to start. Go to all the online stores and get on will notify lists.

It is gonna be harder than the lottery to get powder, but when you do buy as much to offset the Hazmat fee for shipping.

Good luck
be safe
 
For the past couple years I've been using AutoComp. W231 and Unique would be my other choices. In the market place of today its not so much what you would like but rather finding a workable substitute.
 
Blue68f100 said:
Unique is a large flake and does not meter well in most dispensers.
Click to expand...
.

I've not had problem with Unique in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure, but strangely I have lots of problems with Herco, which is also flaky. In fact, Herco is the only powder I've ever had trouble with. I like it though, so I just scale every charge
 
I like Winchester Super Field (WSF) for 9mmx19 standard pressure loadings with 115g and 124g projectiles. 124g is my preferrence of the two. Very nice load density (case full of powder w/o compression).
 
Via my Lyman 49th book, 115 gr JHP bullets,
Titegroup
Bullseye
700X
W231
Unique
Power Pistol
N340
SR-3756
True Blue
HS6
AA#7
Blue Dot

are suitable for 115 gr projectiles. Doesn't mean others aren't.

Most of what I've loaded after some work up has been 124gr Montana Gold CMJ over 4.8gr W231 (max load) for most of my reloads. Last time I was out I started to notice some pressure signs on some rounds, so I'm going to back it down to 4.7 from now on.
 
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I like TiteGroup for 115 FMJ/JHP target loads. It's a pretty hot powder, so I prefer WST for lead bullets. If I want max velocity in 115-124 loads, HS-6 is a good one, but flashy.
 
I had good results with hs6 in 9mm but prefer hp38/w231 for my 9mm and .45 acp.
It doesn't really matter as I can't find any of those powders currently.
Thankfully I have enough ammo already loaded to get by for awhile.
 
I always say universal clays but supposedly the factory burned down and it won't be available for a while.

I've had awesome results with hs6 in 115 and 124 loads... If you can find it
 
true blue and silhouette both work well for me I keep going back and forth on which
one I like more, true blue meters so well but I feel silhouette burns a tad bit cleaner.
 
9X19 powders I have used

Favorite-Universal Clays, but none around right now.
I have also used and liked IMR 7625 and 4756. ( liked 7625 better)
Unique- (does not meter quite as well as the above powders but does meter ok thru my Lee Pro Disk)
Autocomp

OK so after using lots of Universal (which I can't find) :banghead: the others which I found but can't seem to get more of right now,

I am currently using Longshot which has actually worked out better than I would have expected since I am shooting cast bullets.

Here is what I have found works well for me with Missouri Bullet works 125 LCN and the powders I have tried. (so far...)
Had no plans to change from Universal Clays but.......
ya take what you can get now a days.

Universal 3.8 to 4.3 gns, settled on 3.8
IMR 7625 3.6
IMR 4756 4.4
Unique 4.3
Autocomp 4.4

Don't have my chrono data handy but as I recall all of the above were just over 1000fps.

Longshot 5 or 5.3, can't tell much difference accuracy wise, 5 functions my PT99 an XD both so might as well save the .3 of grain.
 
Must Go faster gave you a partial list I would add Red Dot and Green Dot to that list. I use 4.4 of Green dot with 115 gr bullets. What you use will depend on what is available in your area.
 
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