What is the best 9mm powder you have used?

[Stealthfixr]

Looking for the best, all-around powder for 9mm reloading from those that know ... leave your opinion!

 

[Neal Bloom]

I have been using Power Pistol for a couple of years. Meters well and burns clean. Have yet to try Universal in 9mm. AA7 was good also.

 

[Mike Irwin]

A powder that's not on your list.

WW 231.

But I haven't reloaded 9mm in years. It's simply not worth the hassle given how cheap the ammo is these days.

 

[KP95DAO]

For IDPA loads I use surplus #102 from Jeff Bartlett. Which is AA #2 improved. For the serious stuff I am restrained from mentioning them here.

 

[MonkeyMan]

I use two powders not on your list. For 124/125 grain bullets I use Hodgens HS-6. For 115 grain bullets, V-V 3N37. My pistol is a Taurus PT-99 in SS with a heavier than std recoil spring from Wolff. I've used Unique, AA-5, and AA-7 but settled on HS-6 and 3N37.

 

[Zak Smith]

Cheap, accurate, good results, a little dirty: Titegroup.

Expensive, clean: VV-N320

Full-house: VV-3N37

-z

 

[Quantrill]

You don't have 700X up there. That is my favorite. Quantrill

 

[grenadier]

Different powders for different purposes.

For maximum velocities: Alliant Power Pistol, Vihtavuori 3N37

For general purpose / medium velocities: VV N340, Hodgedon Universal Clays

For light plinking loads: VV N320

Winchester Action Pistol is also a great powder that works for medium and high velocity 9 mm loads, although it was sadly discontinued a while back. Supposedly, Ramshot Silhouette is the same powder...

 

[Cherokee]

In years past I had very good results with Blue Dot, AA5 and WW231.

 

[dan_s]

VV N320

 

[GooseGestapo]

Winchester Superfield:
115gr 5.4gr 1160fps 4" 1190fps 5" SD=7

124gr 4.9gr 1120fps 5"

147gr 4.4gr 990fps 5"

These are standard velocity loads, 5-7% below max.

Used by number of commercial loaders for factory new ammo, used for match purposes. Very cost effective too !


edited 06/20/03:
Look down at Mikul's post. I shoot that load for practice. Very good load, best I've found for cast bullet in 9mm. I too have found pressure "problems" with Bullseye and Win231 in 9mm.

 

[JohnK]

I need an "Other" option, HS6 and Win 231/HP38 have worked best for me.

 

[Mikul]

Winchester Super-Field (WSF) is my choice. It's a little slower than 231 which was giving me long-term pressure problems with my brass (around the 5th loading). I load to 4.5gr under a 125gr LRN.

My more interesting projects involve VV 3N37.

 

[caz223]

HS6

 

[HSMITH]

Super-field if you need to step on out with the velocities, Longshot is fun too as is Blue Dot.

My favorite is regular old Clays though, tiny charge weight and decent velocity not to mention nothing cleaner exists. For practice and range ammo I cannot see a reason to load anything else.

 

[Clark]

I have experimented with overloads to see how much power I can get from 9x19mm 1.169" 115, 124, 130, 147, and 158 gr bullets, and the winner is Power Pistol.

The loosers were:

Bullseye
Unique
AA#5
HS-6
Blue Dot
2400
3N37
800-X
Long Shot
AA#9
H110 = W296
LIL'GUN

I also have experimented in other calibers with these powders, and I KNOW they don't have a chance against Power Pistol in 9mm:

Red Dot
AA#7
N105
STEEL
Enforcer
N110

There may not be enough room in the case for Power Pistol to win at 95 gr, and the densest-fastest powders: AA#5, HS-6, or 3N37 may present a challange. I just have not done enough with the ultra light bullets to know.

 

[Chainsaw]

AA#2 with 115 grain fmj's is all I shoot at this time. Inexpensive, low charge weight, and fairly clean.

 

[Fatelvis]

IMR PB

 

[WESHOOT2]

EASY

WAP
Power Pistol
3N37

Take yer pick; yer gun, right?