Which powders?

Swampman1 · May 21, 2013, 03:40 PM

Which powders do you guys recommend for reloading 9 mm and 45 acp? This will be mostly for plinking tagets. I have Win. 231 ordered, but open for suggestions in case something becomes available first.

huntinaz · May 21, 2013, 04:19 PM

231 is a good choice. I've used and liked titegroup for both as well.

mjes92 · May 21, 2013, 04:25 PM

Universial

Mike40-11 · May 21, 2013, 04:56 PM

For 9mm and .45 I've used:

Win 231
Unique
Titegroup
Clays
Universal Clays
Red Dot
Alliant Promo
Bullseye

I think that's it. All worked fine.

Nathan · May 21, 2013, 05:38 PM

AA#5
Longshot a little slow

LE-28 · May 21, 2013, 07:10 PM

Titegroup
Universal or 231
Power pistol
Bullseye
AA5
HS-6
and when I have to, Unique.

Huskerguy · May 21, 2013, 07:17 PM

W231, Titegroup, Red Dot and HS6 is what I have tried. Shoot with a friend who has used Unique for decades so I can kind of count that.

I have always gone back to Titegroup in everything - it is accurate, economical and low recoil.

I just finished working up some loads for 115 grain Remington bullets I have had for years. 4.3 grains of TG set at 1.125 and it is dead on and a very manageable load in my CZ Phantom.

I normally load 124 grain bullets with 4.0 grains and is a tack driver.

chiefr · May 21, 2013, 07:26 PM

Unique

57K · May 21, 2013, 08:55 PM

231 will certainly work for target loads in both. I have it, but ZIP sees more use. They are similar but ZIP will give better performance with jacketed loads in .45 ACP and burns cleaner. I mostly do high velocity loads in 9mm and use Silhouette and also because it is treated to give very low flash. It is the ideal powder for defense loads and I use it in high velocity .45 ACP JHP loads for the same reason. Accuracy is excellent with both rounds. True Blue is another powder that will work well in both and every other handgun round for that matter. For .45 ACP bunnyfart loads I use WST. Just found some 3N37 a while back that I'll probably use for high velocity .38 Sp. in my .357 Magnum Speed-Six as well as high velocity 147 gr. JHP loads in 9mm. Have others but none I'd recommend higher than those above and I don't do high velocity with flake powders. I've already seen all the flash I care to coming out of a semi-auto barrel using Blue Dot and Power Pistol.

kostyanj · May 21, 2013, 08:58 PM

I've used unique for years with great results but there's loads out there for a lot of powders for those calibers.

zxcvbob · May 21, 2013, 09:06 PM

Bullseye, Green Dot, or Promo. Bullseye is the most flexible. Promo is the cheapest and very accurate.

Misssissippi Dave · May 21, 2013, 09:22 PM

I have used W231, AA2 and AA5 for both 9 mm and .45 range ammo. I prefer WST for 115 grain FMJ 9 mm and 185 grain JHP in .45. The load for 9 mm is a compressed load and it was in some old data. I believe that was before Hodgdon and Winchester combined. The latest data won't show it. WST is a clean burning powder in both calibers. It is good for light to mid range loads. It is not much good if you are wanting to load above mid range.

AA5 will allow you to reach higher speeds in both calibers. AA2 will work but it doesn't work nearly as well as W231 or WST for lighter loads in my opinion. I prefer powders that fill the case more and will measure well in my powder measure. A clean burn is also something I look for along with accuracy.

Swampman1 · May 22, 2013, 08:06 AM

Thanks guys, now I have more to go on.

boondocker385 · May 22, 2013, 08:45 AM

700x works for plinking loads. Not the best for high end loads but reasonably good especially with lead.

Silver00LT · May 22, 2013, 10:03 AM

9MM.

I've only used W231(HP-38).

Ben Dover · May 22, 2013, 10:42 AM

I use HS-6 exclusively.

boxing21 · May 22, 2013, 02:20 PM

I pretty much use Power Pistol exclusively now, mainly because I've had a ton of it sitting around. Great in 9mm, okay in .45

Clark · May 24, 2013, 09:23 AM

When I started reloading ~ 13 years ago, I experimented in 9mm by working up to case failure or case full with 115, 124, and 147 gr bullets and Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, 2400, HS-6, 3N37, AA#5, 800X, AA#9, H110, and LIL'GUN.

Power Pistol could produce the most power, which is academic, because most pistol powders can produce more recoil in 9mm than can be accommodated by conventional recoil spring and typical slide mass.

But in the mean time I became a fan of Power Pistol, and that is all I use for 9mm, 380, 25acp, 32acp, 9x23mm, 7.62x25mm, 357 Sig, 10mm, 40sw, and 45acp.

Silver00LT · May 24, 2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

When I started reloading ~ 13 years ago, I experimented in 9mm by working up to case failure or case full with 115, 124, and 147 gr bullets and Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, 2400, HS-6, 3N37, AA#5, 800X, AA#9, H110, and LIL'GUN.

Power Pistol could produce the most power, which is academic, because most pistol powders can produce more recoil in 9mm than can be accommodated by conventional recoil spring and typical slide mass.

But in the mean time I became a fan of Power Pistol, and that is all I use for 9mm, 380, 25acp, 32acp, 9x23mm, 7.62x25mm, 357 Sig, 10mm, 40sw, and 45acp.

Cases I don't mind, but causing case failure did not damage your magazine or firearm?

kraigwy · May 24, 2013, 10:24 AM

You have 231 coming, use it, its a great powder for both.

Silver00LT · May 24, 2013, 10:27 AM

Quote:

You have 231 coming, use it, its a great powder for both.

I had a sigh of relief when I found out W231 and HP38 were the one and same. W231 is non existent here now. HP38 from some retailers.

Clark · May 24, 2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Silver00LT
Cases I don't mind, but causing case failure did not damage your magazine or firearm?

I soon learned to stop a work up when I saw a case bulge.
It saves time to not be waiting for new pistol parts to arrive.

Silver00LT · May 24, 2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

I soon learned to stop a work up when I saw a case bulge.
It saves time to not be waiting for new pistol parts to arrive.

.

I do not even get within 2/10s of max load on my pistol.

Swampman1 · May 27, 2013, 07:30 AM

Quote:

You have 231 coming, use it, its a great powder for both.

Thanks, I'll have to call Midsouth to find out if they have a delivery date yet.

WESHOOT2 · May 27, 2013, 08:52 AM

IF I had to live with JUST ONE POWDER (I still load 9x19, 9x21, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 400 CorBon, 41 AE, 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP for myself) I would live with
Alliant Power Pistol.

But I don't; I have over twenty choices on my shelves

May 21, 2013, 03:40 PM	#1
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Which powders? Which powders do you guys recommend for reloading 9 mm and 45 acp? This will be mostly for plinking tagets. I have Win. 231 ordered, but open for suggestions in case something becomes available first.

May 21, 2013, 04:19 PM	#2
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	231 is a good choice. I've used and liked titegroup for both as well. __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

May 21, 2013, 04:25 PM	#3
mjes92 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: Land of 10,000 taxes Posts: 211	Universial __________________ Dad !!! "It's only going to be perfect if you do it yourself." - my teenage daughter Dad !!! "I'm not scared" My Cancer fighting daughter." Cancer Sucks NRA - Life Member

May 21, 2013, 09:06 PM	#11
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Bullseye, Green Dot, or Promo. Bullseye is the most flexible. Promo is the cheapest and very accurate. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

May 22, 2013, 10:03 AM	#15
Silver00LT Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 286	9MM. I've only used W231(HP-38). __________________ My YouTube MOLON LABE Training pays off...so keep active with your firearm. It could save your life one day.

May 21, 2013, 04:56 PM	#4
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 841	For 9mm and .45 I've used: Win 231 Unique Titegroup Clays Universal Clays Red Dot Alliant Promo Bullseye I think that's it. All worked fine.

May 21, 2013, 05:38 PM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,323	AA#5 Longshot a little slow

May 21, 2013, 07:10 PM	#6
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	Titegroup Universal or 231 Power pistol Bullseye AA5 HS-6 and when I have to, Unique.

May 21, 2013, 07:17 PM	#7
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	W231, Titegroup, Red Dot and HS6 is what I have tried. Shoot with a friend who has used Unique for decades so I can kind of count that. I have always gone back to Titegroup in everything - it is accurate, economical and low recoil. I just finished working up some loads for 115 grain Remington bullets I have had for years. 4.3 grains of TG set at 1.125 and it is dead on and a very manageable load in my CZ Phantom. I normally load 124 grain bullets with 4.0 grains and is a tack driver.

May 21, 2013, 07:26 PM	#8
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Unique

May 21, 2013, 08:55 PM	#9
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	231 will certainly work for target loads in both. I have it, but ZIP sees more use. They are similar but ZIP will give better performance with jacketed loads in .45 ACP and burns cleaner. I mostly do high velocity loads in 9mm and use Silhouette and also because it is treated to give very low flash. It is the ideal powder for defense loads and I use it in high velocity .45 ACP JHP loads for the same reason. Accuracy is excellent with both rounds. True Blue is another powder that will work well in both and every other handgun round for that matter. For .45 ACP bunnyfart loads I use WST. Just found some 3N37 a while back that I'll probably use for high velocity .38 Sp. in my .357 Magnum Speed-Six as well as high velocity 147 gr. JHP loads in 9mm. Have others but none I'd recommend higher than those above and I don't do high velocity with flake powders. I've already seen all the flash I care to coming out of a semi-auto barrel using Blue Dot and Power Pistol.

May 21, 2013, 08:58 PM	#10
kostyanj Member Join Date: March 28, 2010 Posts: 52	I've used unique for years with great results but there's loads out there for a lot of powders for those calibers.

May 21, 2013, 09:22 PM	#12
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I have used W231, AA2 and AA5 for both 9 mm and .45 range ammo. I prefer WST for 115 grain FMJ 9 mm and 185 grain JHP in .45. The load for 9 mm is a compressed load and it was in some old data. I believe that was before Hodgdon and Winchester combined. The latest data won't show it. WST is a clean burning powder in both calibers. It is good for light to mid range loads. It is not much good if you are wanting to load above mid range. AA5 will allow you to reach higher speeds in both calibers. AA2 will work but it doesn't work nearly as well as W231 or WST for lighter loads in my opinion. I prefer powders that fill the case more and will measure well in my powder measure. A clean burn is also something I look for along with accuracy.

May 22, 2013, 08:06 AM	#13
Swampman1 Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 432	Thanks guys, now I have more to go on.

May 22, 2013, 08:45 AM	#14
boondocker385 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 640	700x works for plinking loads. Not the best for high end loads but reasonably good especially with lead.

May 22, 2013, 10:42 AM	#16
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	I use HS-6 exclusively. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

May 22, 2013, 02:20 PM	#17
boxing21 Member Join Date: March 22, 2006 Posts: 41	I pretty much use Power Pistol exclusively now, mainly because I've had a ton of it sitting around. Great in 9mm, okay in .45

May 24, 2013, 09:23 AM	#18
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	When I started reloading ~ 13 years ago, I experimented in 9mm by working up to case failure or case full with 115, 124, and 147 gr bullets and Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, 2400, HS-6, 3N37, AA#5, 800X, AA#9, H110, and LIL'GUN. Power Pistol could produce the most power, which is academic, because most pistol powders can produce more recoil in 9mm than can be accommodated by conventional recoil spring and typical slide mass. But in the mean time I became a fan of Power Pistol, and that is all I use for 9mm, 380, 25acp, 32acp, 9x23mm, 7.62x25mm, 357 Sig, 10mm, 40sw, and 45acp. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

May 24, 2013, 10:24 AM	#20
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	You have 231 coming, use it, its a great powder for both. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 27, 2013, 08:52 AM	#25
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	"If....." IF I had to live with JUST ONE POWDER (I still load 9x19, 9x21, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 400 CorBon, 41 AE, 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP for myself) I would live with Alliant Power Pistol. But I don't; I have over twenty choices on my shelves __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search