Powder choice for 9/40/45 SD rounds

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Nowhere Man

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I've only ever reloaded for target/range shooting. For years I have picked up unfired ammo and reused the components with the exception of the hollow point bullets. Those I've saved in a box and have quite a few.:eek:

For those who reload for self defense, what powder(s) do you use for 9/40/45?

Merry Christmas,

Dave
 
+1 on WSF. I use factory Remington Golden Saber and Speer Gold Dot HP loads for SD/HD but use the same bulk bullets to load practice/backup rounds. I have used Universal, HS-6, WSF and AutoComp for full-power loads but used WSF the most.

Nowhere Man said:
I have picked up unfired ammo and reused the components with the exception of the hollow point bullets.
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If you are loading near max/max charge loads, consider the following.

Definitely get an accurate scale to verify the powder charge weights. I reserve known once-fired brass for max loads as mixed range pickup brass with unknown reload history may have weakened/thinned case walls that may contribute to case wall failure. With mixed range brass with unknown reload history, I use mid-to-high range load data, especially for 40S&W. YMMV

With any new bullet, I always perform neck tension QC check by measuring the OAL before and after I feed the dummy rounds (no powder/no primer) from the magazine by manually releasing the slide. If you can measure significant reduction in OAL that exceeds several thousands, especially reusing already loaded and crimped bullets, you have neck tension issue that will result in bullet set back which will seat the bullet base deeper in the case neck and raise chamber pressures - not good if you are using near max/max charge loads.

Merry Christmas!
 
My reloads duplicate the feel and of my carry ammo. I use WSF and WST powders for 9 and 45.

But I use factory ammo for carry because it has a low flash powder that we do not have access to. Besides unless you have access to all of the testing equipment you can not guarantee the performance of your reloads. Yes you may think it good but without through testing like mfg, FBI and LE do you don't really know.
 
A vote for Silhouette here. For the .45 I can easily load to 900+ fps w/230 gr bullets and still not be near the max. You have a decent margin of error if on a progressive. Burns nice and accuracy is there too.
 
I don't know about 45 ACP, but for 9mm and .40 Cal. I use HS6 or Longshot because those two will get you up higher end velocities without having to deal with excessive pressure issues.

I don't have my 9mm data at the moment, but for .40 cal. I use 8.4 grs. of HS6 for a 155 gr. XTP. The load range is 7.2 - 8.8 grs. As soon as I get my reloading room re-organized I'll be able to find the rest of the data and get that posted.

GS
 
I have been using W231 and Alliant Green Dot (among others) for a number of different cartridges (from .380 to .45 acp to 10mm to .45LC)
A friend has been using Bullseye exclusively for .45acp and .38 Spl loads.

If you have a good reloading manual, you will be surprised how many different cartridges you can load with one versatile powder.

That is not to say you will get the ultimate performance from any, but can still put together safe and serviceable ammo.
 
Accurate #5 would be my choice if I can have only one powder.
It'll give very nice performance (think fps) with a fairly mild recoil.
 
I use Universal for 9mm SD rounds. I don't load the others for this so I can't comment.


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This is a 124gr Gold Dot with 7.1grs of AA#7 from a Glock 17L at 15 yards.
 
AA#5, WSF, HP-38,and Sr7625 all good for the calibers listed. Sillhouette is good ,but needs to be loaded near max in .45 to burn the most complete(aka prefers pressure).

Several VV powders are even better but costly.
 
Unique and 231 for target loads, Power Pistol for SD max velocity loads. Flashy, but I haven't found anything better in those 3. True Blue has less flash but can't meet the velocity of PP. Close though.
 
You've been given good advice on powder selection.

Nowhere Man said:
For years I have picked up unfired ammo and reused the components with the exception of the hollow point bullets. Those I've saved in a box and have quite a few.
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I hope you are not talking about reusing these pulled HP bullets for self defense. The HP bullets you find at the range may or may not be designed for expansion. Many of them have profiles that match the "real deal" and are only used as a less expensive substitute for function testing or practice. For instance the Hornady HAP is marketed as an action pistol bullet only.

If you are reloading for self defense (I don't) at least do yourself a favor and buy bullets that are designed for the task. Don't use a hodgepodge of range pickups.
 
These would be second to "last resort" and not for primary carry. I'm just trying to come up with a use for these bullets other than paper weights.


Dave
 
Based on my research, Longshot paired with a 135gr bullet in .40 S&W delivers very good velocity performance. 1400FPS+
 
I'm just trying to come up with a use for these bullets other than paper weights.
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They are nice, free bullets for range fodder. IMHO that's all they're good for. Really too small for decent paper weights. :)
 
Based on my research, Longshot paired with a 135gr bullet in .40 S&W delivers very good velocity performance. 1400FPS+
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And that is the absolutely worst combo for self-defense in the .40 S&W.
 
I use Tite Group for 9mm, .40 S&W, and for .45 ACP.

It is a fast burning powder, and it doesn't take much to use. Economically speaking, you'll get more bang for your buck.

I don't load to max pressures, and I've never had a problem with this powder. I usually shoot 124 gr in 9mm, 180 gr in .40 and 230 gr in .45 and have found accurate and consistent loads using Tite Group.

I've tried a few other powders as well. I really liked AA#7, but it didn't meter well in my LEE powder drop. Always seemed to be a lot of spilled powder seeping out of the drop. W231 works well too.
 
A really accurate Titegroup load for a Glock is 165 Gold Dot on top of four grains of TG with a WSP primer. It groups under 1" at 15 yards.
 
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