Single powder for factory velocity 9mm AND 45ACP shorty

[Walkalong]

I'm looking for a powder that will load 124grn FMJ 9mm to factory velocity (~1050fps) AND 200grn FMJ .45ACP to factory (900fps) in short-barreled pistols.

I reload 124s to 1050ish from a 5" barrel as my light plinker load with N320. I use a bit slower powders to load them to max. N320 is great in .45 ACP, but I have never tried to get 200s to 900FPS with it.

Of those listed, I would try Sport Pistol & W244, but BE-86 might be the answer it it does ok a leisurely 9MM velocities.

 

[irl]

Seems to me like the only powders listed that are suitable are w244 and sport pistol. The others are too slow and will burn filthy at those levels.
Handloader magazine had an article about w244.
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/propellant-profiles-9
I use sport pistol in .45acp 230 gr. rn and 200 gr. swc. Low flash and very clean. No experience with w244.

 

[Charlie98]

With the low flash requirement, your powder selection choice will reduce down to faster burning powders.

Well... and that might be It in a nutshell.

Of those listed, I would try Sport Pistol & W244, but BE-86 might be the answer it it does ok a leisurely 9MM velocities.

The others are too slow and will burn filthy at those levels.

Of the new powders listed, I have worked with BE-86 the most, so far. You might remember I hit a point in my 9mm's with BE-86, additional powder produced almost no velocity gains, and, as I mentioned here, BE left 'powder crumbs' all over me and the bench after firing... even in the .45ACP this go around; even 'filthy' Unique doesn't do that. As far as 9mm goes, even though I was sniveling about it, it DID meet my velocity requirement in the 3.6" Kahr CW9 (1050fps w/124grn.)

 

[irl]

In your opening post you said 9mm around 1050 fps. In your last post you say 1150 fps with 124 gr. That's a big difference. Neither sport pistol or w244 are suitable. It comes down to Unique or Be-86.

 

[Charlie98]

In your opening post you said 9mm around 1050 fps. In your last post you say 1150 fps with 124 gr. That's a big difference. Neither sport pistol or w244 are suitable. It comes down to Unique or Be-86.

1050fps... corrected. Going off memory... and I've only had one cup of coffee this morning.

 

[Walkalong]

Most fast powders will push a 124 to 1050ish from a 5" barrel. Shorten it and maybe not. Sport Pistol and W-244 will. They are fast, but not real fast. Medium fast?

It's the .45 ACP 200 Gr @ 900 FPS I have never tried that I don't know. I suspect either will do that as well though. Would need to look at some data.

 

[Walkalong]

I just checked my reloading log and W-244 will easily move a 124 at 1050ish from a 5" barrel.

 

[AJC1]

The 45 is medium volume low pressure and 9mm is high pressure low volume. Faster will produce cleaner results with better mechanical function. If unique meets the speed and function requirements but is dirty these powders immediately around it on the burn chart would logically be the best choice. If like or dislike of working with a powder becomes an additional qualifier then were headed at unobtainium.

 

[Charlie98]

Most fast powders will push a 124 to 1050ish from a 5" barrel. Shorten it and maybe not. Sport Pistol and W-244 will.

Well, and as I mentioned, BE-86 will do it, too, but it is at it's limits because of the barrel length. What's nice about it is, it not at maximum, either.

I'm going to rework my W244 loads a little higher on the ladder and see what I come up with. I'll have my chronograph when I go to NV at the end of the month so I'll be able to get better data.

 

[AJC1]

Well, and as I mentioned, BE-86 will do it, too, but it is at it's limits because of the barrel length. What's nice about it is, it not at maximum, either.

I'm going to rework my W244 loads a little higher on the ladder and see what I come up with. I'll have my chronograph when I go to NV at the end of the month so I'll be able to get better data.

What is the goal for targeting these velocities? Is this sd ammunition where the bullet must perform in a certain range for proper expansion or just a numbers game. I considered PF but those would not be the pistols of choice for comp shooting.

 

[Charlie98]

What is the goal for targeting these velocities? Is this sd ammunition where the bullet must perform in a certain range for proper expansion or just a numbers game. I considered PF but those would not be the pistols of choice for comp shooting.

Interesting question. The 9mm(s) are my carry pistols, I like to train with ammunition that replicates the recoil impulse of the factory ammo I carry in them. Same-same with the .45; I don't normally carry my .45's much, anymore, but I still train with them. The 4" 1911's are a little picky about ammunition, I've only gotten 100% reliability with factory velocity ammos. The 200grn .45 requirement is sort of a trade-off, running 230grn full-house ammos in the alloy-frame ProCarry beats it up (and my hand) pretty good, but my 200grn/Unique loads reduced that while still maintaining reliable function and similar ballistics.

 

[Charlie98]

The votes are in! As I mentioned... I'm surprised almost 50% said to quit my sniveling and just use Unique, and that is a valid answer. I am not surprised that BE-86 came in second... everyone seems impressed with it even though I am not... yet.

As a follow up, I have round 2 of test ammos loaded up and ready to go, I'll have my chronograph at the next shooting session so I can put some velocities behind my data. I have worked up loads with, primarily, Unique, W244, BE-86, Sport Pistol, and I have some with WST but that was more just to compare the other powders to, at this point I've eliminated WST from the running because I don't think it's a good powder for 9mm. I also have some control group ammo loaded with TiteGroup that I've already worked up in the 9mm.