Shot my 1st pistol reloads today

Red_Eagle · February 14, 2010, 09:49 PM

I shot my first hand gun reloads today. I used the Sierra 115gr 9mm FMJ with american select. I used Wolf primers with no problems. The pistol is an ex-budeswehr P-1. I guess being a military sidearm is why it didn't have the FTFs others have reported. Seemed to be hitting about a foot low. You could also see the outline of the bullet through the case, but it chambered and fired fine. Does anyone know a powder that would give me better velocity? I'd like to be able to use it in 12 or 20 guage target loads too.

arizona98tj · February 14, 2010, 09:55 PM

Which reloading manual are you using?

What did it list as the min and max values for your powder?

Red_Eagle · February 14, 2010, 10:18 PM

It was the Sierra 5th edition. Start load was 3.9gr, and max was 5.3gr.

Sevens · February 14, 2010, 11:23 PM

First, THUMBS UP! Your first reloads, that's a milestone. Or, a starting point. You know what I mean!

You "see the outline of the bullet in the case", this is typical... and happens mostly because 9mm is actually a tapered case and not straight walled as it appears when you look at it. For the sizing die to make the case mouth the proper size, it must also reduce the body of the case along it's length to a size a bit smaller than it comes from the factory. So you end up with the case sized down a hundredth or two from factory fresh brass/ammo. You see it as obviously in a longer tapered case such as the .30 Carbine. It may look a little odd, but it's all good.

As for a powder that will load both 9mm and 12 & 20 gauge -- there are a number of powders that will do this. I can't be specific because I haven't loaded shotshell in 20 years, so I don't know which powders are most appropriate for shotgun... but I can name off a handful of powders that are generally known as shotgun powders, or shotgun compatible, all of them can be used to load 9mm. Red Dot, Green Dot, Promo, Unique all come to mind. And those are just the Alliant powders... similar powders from other manufacturers will do it also.

IMO, however, you are better off finding a good powder that you like for shotgun, and a different powder for 9mm. When you consider how many loaded rounds of 9 you can get from a single pound of powder (more than a thousand rounds!) it just makes the most sense to pick the best powder for 9mm and leave the shotgun powders that work best in 12 & 20 for the scattergun.

Shotgun powders are often large flake powders... all the ones I mentioned certainly are. Because of that, they don't meter well in most powder measures. In the charge weights that 9mm calls for, a fine metering powder gives the most consistent performance.

This is my opinion of course... there are plenty of handloaders that make the bulk of their handgun loads with Unique or Red Dot or other powders that I don't like. YMMV. If it were me, I'd get set up with some Titegroup or W231 and go forth with that in 9mm, and use whatever the shotgunners recommend for your claybustin' loads.

Red_Eagle · February 15, 2010, 12:00 AM

I know I can't get 231 here. I seen some HP-38 at the club. Is that any good in 9mm?

Sevens · February 15, 2010, 12:12 AM

HP-38 (marketed by Hodgdon) and W231 (branded "Winchester" but also marketed by Hodgdon) are actually the same powder. Completely and entirely interchangeable.

W231 is HP-38 and HP-38 are the same powder. It's hugely popular in 9mm and .45 Auto and will give you great performance.

Check the Hodgdon website for good load data for them. They list them both, and every bit of data from top to bottom is exactly the same for both.

February 14, 2010, 09:49 PM	#1
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Shot my 1st pistol reloads today I shot my first hand gun reloads today. I used the Sierra 115gr 9mm FMJ with american select. I used Wolf primers with no problems. The pistol is an ex-budeswehr P-1. I guess being a military sidearm is why it didn't have the FTFs others have reported. Seemed to be hitting about a foot low. You could also see the outline of the bullet through the case, but it chambered and fired fine. Does anyone know a powder that would give me better velocity? I'd like to be able to use it in 12 or 20 guage target loads too. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 14, 2010, 09:55 PM	#2
arizona98tj Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 980	Which reloading manual are you using? What did it list as the min and max values for your powder? __________________ stu-offroad.com Largest Jeep TJ project site on the web! (now with guns)

February 14, 2010, 10:18 PM	#3
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	It was the Sierra 5th edition. Start load was 3.9gr, and max was 5.3gr. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 14, 2010, 11:23 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	First, THUMBS UP! Your first reloads, that's a milestone. Or, a starting point. You know what I mean! You "see the outline of the bullet in the case", this is typical... and happens mostly because 9mm is actually a tapered case and not straight walled as it appears when you look at it. For the sizing die to make the case mouth the proper size, it must also reduce the body of the case along it's length to a size a bit smaller than it comes from the factory. So you end up with the case sized down a hundredth or two from factory fresh brass/ammo. You see it as obviously in a longer tapered case such as the .30 Carbine. It may look a little odd, but it's all good. As for a powder that will load both 9mm and 12 & 20 gauge -- there are a number of powders that will do this. I can't be specific because I haven't loaded shotshell in 20 years, so I don't know which powders are most appropriate for shotgun... but I can name off a handful of powders that are generally known as shotgun powders, or shotgun compatible, all of them can be used to load 9mm. Red Dot, Green Dot, Promo, Unique all come to mind. And those are just the Alliant powders... similar powders from other manufacturers will do it also. IMO, however, you are better off finding a good powder that you like for shotgun, and a different powder for 9mm. When you consider how many loaded rounds of 9 you can get from a single pound of powder (more than a thousand rounds!) it just makes the most sense to pick the best powder for 9mm and leave the shotgun powders that work best in 12 & 20 for the scattergun. Shotgun powders are often large flake powders... all the ones I mentioned certainly are. Because of that, they don't meter well in most powder measures. In the charge weights that 9mm calls for, a fine metering powder gives the most consistent performance. This is my opinion of course... there are plenty of handloaders that make the bulk of their handgun loads with Unique or Red Dot or other powders that I don't like. YMMV. If it were me, I'd get set up with some Titegroup or W231 and go forth with that in 9mm, and use whatever the shotgunners recommend for your claybustin' loads. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 15, 2010, 12:00 AM	#5
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I know I can't get 231 here. I seen some HP-38 at the club. Is that any good in 9mm? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 15, 2010, 12:12 AM	#6
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	HP-38 (marketed by Hodgdon) and W231 (branded "Winchester" but also marketed by Hodgdon) are actually the same powder. Completely and entirely interchangeable. W231 is HP-38 and HP-38 are the same powder. It's hugely popular in 9mm and .45 Auto and will give you great performance. Check the Hodgdon website for good load data for them. They list them both, and every bit of data from top to bottom is exactly the same for both. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

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