Powder for Multiple Cartridges

[ParallelCode]

Power Pistol will deliver velocity but it has more blast and flash than most powders. My one can of it got me asked "What have you got in that thing?" more than once.

I seem to recall somewhat frequent threads a few years back asking for novelty 10mm loads with lots of flash and concussion -- Power Pistol was a popular answer.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't hand load pistol rounds but in my experience with rifles trying to make one powder work for multiple cartridges usually results in mediocre performance with both.

Loading for pistols is a bit different.

My current competition loads 160gr .38Spl and 230gr .45ACP revolver is with Clays and give excellent accuracy. My competition loads for 147gr 9mm and 200gr .45ACP is with N310 which also provide excellent accuracy.

Granted I'm seldom shooting much pass 50 yards and never beyond 100 yards

 

[AJC1]

Loading for pistols is a bit different.

My current competition loads 160gr .38Spl and 230gr .45ACP revolver is with Clays and give excellent accuracy. My competition loads for 147gr 9mm and 200gr .45ACP is with N310 which also provide excellent accuracy.

Granted I'm seldom shooting much pass 50 yards and never beyond 100 yards

There isn't a pistol round I've loaded that I couldn't find a good loading for Silhouette. That and hs-6 are often used for power factor loads. I haven't loaded 10mm yet but that's absolutely where I always start.

 

[stacktester]

My 2 cents. In my load development and Gel testing, BE-86 has done nicely in "replicating" self defense rounds ( IE HST/Gold Dot) in 9MM, 40 SW and 45ACP for training purposes. While I have found Alliant"s 10mm 180gr load data to be spot on, velocity wise, I use Longshot (aka LOUDSHOT ) to "chase" high velocity 10mm rounds. YMMV.

 

[AJC1]

My 2 cents. In my load development and Gel testing, BE-86 has done nicely in "replicating" self defense rounds ( IE HST/Gold Dot) in 9MM, 40 SW and 45ACP for training purposes. While I have found Alliant"s 10mm 180gr load data to be spot on, velocity wise, I use Longshot (aka LOUDSHOT ) to "chase" high velocity 10mm rounds. YMMV.

So how is Longshot in 9mm as both is the question at hand

 

[kmw1954]

Don't own or shoot either 40 or 10 but do load for 380, 9mm, 38Spl, 45acp. and my powders have been reduced to AA#2 and Ramshot Silhouette.

 

[LV Gun]

Start him on either one of the powders you have W244 or BE-86 I loaded both side by side and settled on W244 for 9mm plus it is a Win Clean powder with copper fouling eraser and it does work. I don’t load 10 mm but I do load 40 S&W it works very well in it so I think it may work well in 10mm. You are getting him started on a good press , I started on a single stage that only lasted a couple weeks then went to a turret press if I would have kept using a single I would have quit reloading.

Edited Note - I find W244 to be very versatile.

 

[LiveLife]

I find W244 to be very versatile.

Wasn't W244 Winchester/Hodgdon's answer to W231 that was temperature sensitive and limited in velocities it could reach for some applications?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences

Sounds like I'll be going with my first inclination of starting him with BE-86, since I already have it...more than I'll likely need for a while. I'll keep in mind the other powder recommendations in case he wants to pursue that route...assuming he's willing to pay the going rate for those powders...his biggest hurdle in the way of that is finding affordable LPP. Hard to justify buying 5k when you aren't planning to load that many rounds annually.

Being the good friend that I am, I'll start him out of his 9mm journey with RMR 124gr FMJ bullets...that have been sitting unloved on my shelf forever; since I only load Matchwinners

 

[Hartkopf]

I use lots of Longshot because my local Academys have it in stock regularly. Now it’s my go to powder because it works in multiple calibers and it’s been on the shelves even through some of the plandemic. In 9mm I use 5.5+ grains with 124gr RMR match champions or Nukes. I don’t load 10mm (yet) but I’ve heard good things. I do have solid loads with Longshot for mid range 357mag, 44mag, hot 40S&W, and even screaming hot 45GAP().

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

First time I saw Power Pistol load shot at an indoor range, everyone stopped shooting because bright muzzle blast lit up the range.

Yes, we all asked, "How HOT are you loading?" as we were afraid the gun was going to blow up.

That’s how it went with my Blue Dot 142gr FMJ-TC 9mm loads. People aren’t used to seeing a P-35 Browning spit flame and bark, I guess.

 

[AJC1]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences

Sounds like I'll be going with my first inclination of starting him with BE-86, since I already have it...more than I'll likely need for a while. I'll keep in mind the other powder recommendations in case he wants to pursue that route...assuming he's willing to pay the going rate for those powders...his biggest hurdle in the way of that is finding affordable LPP. Hard to justify buying 5k when you aren't planning to load that many rounds annually.

Being the good friend that I am, I'll start him out of his 9mm journey with RMR 124gr FMJ bullets...that have been sitting unloved on my shelf forever; since I only load Matchwinners

Primers is the one thing I would encourage people to have excess of. 5k of primers is small unless it's federal

 

[Charlie98]

I believe BE-86 was released to "replace" Unique as modern version that meters better but truly stands to be versatile in loading various calibers to achieve higher velocities (Higher than Unique) with greater accuracy.

I don't believe that for a second. In much the same way everyone keeps saying BE-86 is also PowerPistol with flash suppressant. BE-86 stands alone as it's own powder, for better or worse.

 

[LV Gun]

Wasn't W244 Winchester/Hodgdon's answer to W231 that was temperature sensitive and limited in velocities it could reach for some applications?

From what a CS told me they thought it would replace W231/HP38 the sales of W231/HP38 have not slowed down, yes it is a temperature sensitive powder ,,as far as velocity I have no issue getting what I need in speed. It shoots very much like W231/HP38 but it does seem to burn hotter I know it has a higher percentage of nitro than 231. One other thing I notice is you see it on sale quite a bit which makes me wonder how well it is selling. I am going to stay with it

 

[9mmepiphany]

Primers is the one thing I would encourage people to have excess of. 5k of primers is small unless it's federal

That has always been my feeling also. The only cartridge I still use LPPs in a .45ACP in Starline brass in my S&W 625...because Starline doesn't make SPP .45ACP cases and I always get all my moonclips back. Even with that limited use I have 10k on hand...but they are Federal and take up as much room as 30k Ginex SPP

 

[9mmepiphany]

One other thing I notice is you see it on sale quite a bit which makes me wonder how well it is selling.

I noticed that also. The first five pounds of 244 I bought was from Midway who was Clearancing out 1lb bottles at under $25 each. The 4lb and 8lb bottles/jugs were still $40+/lb...I had to by five to qualify for the free shipping (over $99)

 

[Jim Watson]

Wasn't W244 Winchester/Hodgdon's answer to W231 that was temperature sensitive and limited in velocities it could reach for some applications?

Mr Hodgdon told us that it was by a lower waste process. Less hassle from EPA, less expensive.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I noticed that also. The first five pounds of 244 I bought was from Midway who was Clearancing out 1lb bottles at under $20 each. The 4lb and 8lb bottles/jugs were still $36+/lb...I had to by five to qualify for the free shipping (over $99)

One thing the last several years have taught us is, don’t count on any one recipe being “forever.”

 

[CQB45ACP]

One thing the last several years have taught us is, don’t count on any one recipe being “forever.”

True enough but over these past couple of years BE-86 has been more available than many other Alliant powders and in particular Bullseye.

Nope, has no bearing on the future but it’s something I’ve followed and found interesting.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

True enough but over these past couple of years BE-86 has been more available than many other Alliant powders and in particular Bullseye.

Nope, has no bearing on the future but it’s something I’ve followed and found interesting.

There are two competing philosophies at play here: once you find “that load“ buy enough components for a lifetime of reproducing that load; or, set a performance goal that almost any set of components can meet or exceed and buy as you go, adapting to surfeit and glut along the way.

It comes down to what you’re willing to store and how much you value mobility. Read a few, “I had to move my reloading room,” stories and using a replenishing inventory vs. stockpiled supplies takes on some import.

 

[243winxb]

Winchester 244 is my new, do all powder. 9mm, 38, 357, 44 mag, 45 acp. The decopper agent does nothing for my home cast bullets.

On sale when i bought 10 pounds. $25 each. Free Hasmat.

 

[vaalpens]

Sounds like I'll be going with my first inclination of starting him with BE-86, since I already have it

Let us know how the 10mm testing goes with BE86. I am in the same boat, not loading 10mm, but trying to help out a neighbor with 10mm loads. My current plan is to use 180gr FMJ FP bullets, using BE86 from 7.7gr to 8.5gr, with a COL of 1.25". We haven't loaded anything yet since we are still in the researching/planning phase.

Good luck.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Let us know how the 10mm testing goes with BE86. I am in the same boat, not loading 10mm, but trying to help out a neighbor with 10mm loads. My current plan is to use 180gr FMJ FP bullets, using BE86 from 7.7gr to 8.5gr, with a COL of 1.25". We haven't loaded anything yet since we are still in the researching/planning phase.

Good luck.

You're further along than we are. He just got the bare press (reconditioned 6PP) and researching needed accessories, So far his big decision has been to go with the Redding Competition Seating die, in 9mm, to make switching between bullets easier.

I see our research has lead us both down the same path as to starting loads . I have so left over Extreme .40 180gr FP bullets to start him out

 

[vaalpens]

I have so left over Extreme .40 180gr FP bullets to start him out

For 10mm it is probably better to go with jacketed bullets. This is the recommendation from Xtreme:

"Any velocities over 1200 FPS we recommend either our Heavy Plate Concave Base or Hollow Point products for superior accuracy."

 

[AJC1]

You're further along than we are. He just got the bare press (reconditioned 6PP) and researching needed accessories, So far his big decision has been to go with the Redding Competition Seating die, in 9mm, to make switching between bullets easier.

I see our research has lead us both down the same path as to starting loads . I have so left over Extreme .40 180gr FP bullets to start him out

For startup wouldn't the Hornaday dies be a lot cheaper with the add on micro top that can be moved to another die if wanted.... I'm the guy that casts bullets so I don't have to adjust dies