Your choice for best of three powders for 9mm.

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Thanks everyone. I just got back from shooting a steel challenge. I used 231 this time and really liked it. I believe my first choice is 231 then BE-86 followed by CFE.
 
egd said:
W231, BE-86, and CFE pistol ... 124 gr bullet ... somewhat new to this ... loading for target shooting, steel challenge, etc.
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In general, faster burning powders (like W231/HP-38 and faster) are better suited for lighter target/match loads as they can still produce consistent chamber pressures at lighter powder charges. Slower burning powders tend to produce more consistent chamber pressures at higher powder charges and are more often used for full power loads.

There was a thread over on the Ruger forum about 231/hp38 being too fast burning for 9mm. But I know that a lot of folks use even faster tightgroup and bullseye.
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Powder being too fast or slow burning is relative. For many who use slower than Unique/BE-86/Universal powders will consider W231/HP-38 fast burning. For many who use faster than Unique powders like me will consider W231/HP-38 slower burning than powders like Bullseye/WST/Clays/Red Dot/Promo/Titegroup.

The reasons why W231/HP-38 is popular with many reloaders are many. Since it is a "moderately" fast burning powder that meters well with smaller charges, it can produce milder recoil yet accurate enough target loads for 9mm and 124 gr bullet. Faster burn rate powders like Bullseye/Titegroup are capable of producing more accurate loads but W231/HP-38 can produce milder felt-recoil/less muzzle flip loads in comparison that many shooters prefer.

Although I used many powders for 9mm, BE-86 (which I consider modern Unique that meters well) has produced consistently accurate loads for me - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9655361#post9655361

Ultimately, if you are shooting matches, it is the holes on target that matters. I suggest you test different match loads and do comparison range tests to see which powder produces loads that are more accurate for you and your match pistol.
 
Depends on what you are after. Given the three you listed if you are after higher velocity loads or are using 147gr bullets I feel CFE Pistol or BE86 would be a better choice.
If on the other hand you are shooting 115s or 124/125s at any thing less than close to MAX or MAX loads I have found HP38 (231) to be more accurate in my pistols.

My favorites powders for 124/125s in 9mm are
1. Universal/WSF (tie)
2. HP38 (a close 2nd)

These are the powders I have used
Autocomp, Bullseye, BE86, CFE Pistol, HP38, Longshot, N320, Power Pistol, Promo, Titegroup, Unique, Universal, WSF (maybe forgetting something here getting senile :) )
(and there are a lot I haven't tried)

If I was after MAX vel 9mm loads my choice would be Longshot, it works great for those. N320 worked well for me in medium (1050ish with a 125) but it is hard to find and more expensive.
 
I just loaded 3.8 grains of Win 231 behind a Berry's PRN 124 grain...and my PX4 loved it! Light load (893 fps), but only a 5.4 SD and they were accurate as heck....about an inch handheld at 10 yards. I was shocked.

On the other hand, Win 231 in 32ACP...not so good at the load I was running. Have to work on that one.
 
Titegroup, and Power Pistol is what I use the most, and I only load xtreeme 124 for 9mm
 
Thanks everyone. Lots of good info in here. "depends on what you are after" is correct. What I'm after is a nice, fairly light shooting round that is fairly accurate. If I miss I want to feel sure it's me, not the round. Although it's easy to know it's mostly me.
While I do plan to stock up on at least one powder, I also will probably try some others as well. If powder gets REALLY scarce again I want to have loads for several choices worked up. As I said earlier, I'm going to shoot for (pun intended) 231 as first choice.
 
I've read that HP-38/Win 231 is soon to be discontinued...so use it (and buy more) if you like it, but know that you will likely have to choose something else when that 8lb jug is gone. I haven't used your other listed powders...but I have used lots of Universal in 9mm and can recommend it for 124gr and 147gr loads.
 
I think you will be happy with HP38/231 for what your after.
I have had good results with both 4 and 4.4 gr with RMR 124 plated FNs.
With MBC coated lead I preferred 4gr.
The 4gr loads are light-medium. 4.4 medium.
.

While it is not on your list I have had good results with WSF and sometimes it is easier to find because the demand for it is not as high as HP38/231.
 
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I think you'll like the W231 as well. It will probably also serve you well with handgun you get next. (Unless you pick up one of those supermag thunderboomers.) HP-38/W231 is a very versatile powder.
 
Ramshot True Blue & Silhouette and Alliant Power Pistol. I like TB so much I've standardized on it for 9mm, 40 S&W, 45ACP and certain lower power 10mm Auto.
 
Side note: All three of your choices meter well for me in my Lee Pro Disk and my Hornady LNL measure.

Universal and WSF also meter well.
 
If you like w231 then go with it. Its a great powder, and has been a favorite of many for years ..... Today, its all about what works for you...
 
ku4hx said:
Ramshot True Blue & Silhouette and Alliant Power Pistol. I like TB so much I've standardized on it for 9mm, 40 S&W, 45ACP and certain lower power 10mm Auto.
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I have been looking for True Blue for a while now since it seems to do well in 9mm, 40S&W and 357sig. The type of powder I like.
 
I may have an odd look at it, but my 3 would be Tite Group, W231 & Universal (if you ever find it)

The reason I vote for those is that I've used quite a bit of all 3 for other calibers, so I kinda know what to expect.
 
It seems to me that, in addition to being a very good powder, there is less variation in 231 from lot to lot.

Now that I am no longer shooting in 'gun dancing' events, I have enough to last the rest of my life, unless I can find a "deal" in which case I will buy more.

My favorite rifle 'range fun' load is a 308 with a 115 gr. cast bullet over 9 grs. of 231. It will take out any varmits/garden pests out to 100 yards. It has also taken out a couple of coyotes up to that distance.
 
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