powder suggestions ( 38 sp and 9mm )

mkg · October 6, 2008, 09:20 AM

I am putting together the components to handload for 38 sp and 9mm and need your opinions.

I am planning on using Hornaday 125 XTP ( 38 sp ) and 147 XTP for the 9mm to duplicate my SD/PP loads which of the following powders would you suggest ?

HS-6
Universal
Tightgroup

38sp is a S&W model 36 snubbie
9mm is a ruger P95

Mike

sargenv · October 6, 2008, 10:17 AM

Of those three, I'd likely pick Universal. Titegroup is a little fast, and HS6 is quite a bit slower than the other two.

I actually use different powders between the two cartridges. I use Accurate arms Solo 1000 for 38 spl (4.0 gr with a 158 gr RNL), and Universal for 9mm. I was never a one size fits all kind of person.

farnorthdan · October 6, 2008, 10:27 AM

I like Titegroup for my 9mm loads and Universal for my 38spl loads.

DS

sourdough44 · October 6, 2008, 10:36 AM

I use H Universal for most handgun, revolver & semi-auto. I have win 296 for full power 44 & 357mag loads.

BigJimP · October 6, 2008, 06:15 PM

I like TiteGroup for both.

fourrobert13 · October 6, 2008, 09:35 PM

Bullseye for both.

Stumper · October 6, 2008, 09:48 PM

I don't utilize any of your named powders in my loads but an important factor is knowing your goal(s). If you simply want loads to go bang and perforate paper or pop cans then a fast powder is most economical. While a fast powder can give good performance in 9 x 19 or .38 special. a slightky slower one will likely give the ultimate in power if that is your pursuit.

zxcvbob · October 6, 2008, 10:05 PM

Bullseye. Second choice would be Unique, so Universal should be good (they are supposed to be pretty close.)

mkg · October 7, 2008, 07:07 AM

Stumper, The goal is to reproduce the "feel", accuracy and ballistics of the Hornaday custom loads that we would use for SD/PP.

The handloads will be for practice. Whether it's Sundays at the range or IDPA ( which I would like ot get into ) I want the ammo ( SD/PP and practice )to be as consistant as possible.

Thanks,
MIke

crowbeaner · October 8, 2008, 06:41 PM

Of the 3 powders you listed, I'd choose Universal. It's application in both is listed in several sources, and it's relatively clean burning; important in the 9mm. I really like SR4756 myself, but you didn't list it in your choices.

amamnn · October 8, 2008, 07:24 PM

I would not put off buying and trying components for one second to get opinions off the internet as to what to load.

1. your application might not be the same as mine

2. your guns might not like what mine do and in fact, I'd bet on that.

3. there is a lot of BS to be read on internet forums

4. Hodgon especially, and other powder makers have loads (pun intended) of info to be had for free online

5. I'd be looking in my Hornady or Sierra or Lee or Speer or or Nosler or Lyman manual for reliable info

6. opinions are like ( pick your favorite) - everyone has one and they all stink

sourdough44 · October 9, 2008, 04:38 AM

I wouldn't say everyone's opinion stinks. Somebody must do something right. I agree everything must be taken with a grain(or truckload) of salt. At times guys may feel slighted when we don't love their favorites as much as they do.

mkg · October 9, 2008, 07:03 AM

First, thank all of you for your replies.

amamnn, I didn't ask for a load just what peoples preference was concerning powder.

I have three of the manuals you suggested and the hodgdon manual does list all three powders as applicable.

I would never take some arbitrary load and just run with it regardless where I got it.

Yes opinions are like ( pick your favorite ) some smell, but, both ( pick you favorite ) serve a valid purpose.

Mike

WESHOOT2 · October 11, 2008, 06:47 AM

I will recommend HS6 (NOT because it's what's under the XTP in wife's 38), based on experience.

The Lovemaster · October 14, 2008, 11:51 AM

I've settled on Universal for 9mm and .38. Tried a can of Unique, and it is the dirtiest powder I've ever seen.

October 6, 2008, 09:20 AM	#1
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	powder suggestions ( 38 sp and 9mm ) I am putting together the components to handload for 38 sp and 9mm and need your opinions. I am planning on using Hornaday 125 XTP ( 38 sp ) and 147 XTP for the 9mm to duplicate my SD/PP loads which of the following powders would you suggest ? HS-6 Universal Tightgroup 38sp is a S&W model 36 snubbie 9mm is a ruger P95 Mike

October 6, 2008, 10:27 AM	#3
farnorthdan Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2007 Posts: 371	I like Titegroup for my 9mm loads and Universal for my 38spl loads. DS __________________ Believe NONE of what you hear; HALF of what you see and ALL you believe Accuracy is king,penatration is queen but why not jack'em in the process if you can.

October 6, 2008, 09:35 PM	#6
fourrobert13 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: South West Ohio Posts: 336	Bullseye for both. __________________ Be aware of yourself and everything around you.

October 6, 2008, 09:48 PM	#7
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	I don't utilize any of your named powders in my loads but an important factor is knowing your goal(s). If you simply want loads to go bang and perforate paper or pop cans then a fast powder is most economical. While a fast powder can give good performance in 9 x 19 or .38 special. a slightky slower one will likely give the ultimate in power if that is your pursuit. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

October 6, 2008, 10:05 PM	#8
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Bullseye. Second choice would be Unique, so Universal should be good (they are supposed to be pretty close.) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

October 6, 2008, 10:17 AM	#2
sargenv Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 72	Of those three, I'd likely pick Universal. Titegroup is a little fast, and HS6 is quite a bit slower than the other two. I actually use different powders between the two cartridges. I use Accurate arms Solo 1000 for 38 spl (4.0 gr with a 158 gr RNL), and Universal for 9mm. I was never a one size fits all kind of person.

October 6, 2008, 10:36 AM	#4
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	I use H Universal for most handgun, revolver & semi-auto. I have win 296 for full power 44 & 357mag loads.

October 6, 2008, 06:15 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I like TiteGroup for both.

October 7, 2008, 07:07 AM	#9
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	Stumper, The goal is to reproduce the "feel", accuracy and ballistics of the Hornaday custom loads that we would use for SD/PP. The handloads will be for practice. Whether it's Sundays at the range or IDPA ( which I would like ot get into ) I want the ammo ( SD/PP and practice )to be as consistant as possible. Thanks, MIke

October 8, 2008, 06:41 PM	#10
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Of the 3 powders you listed, I'd choose Universal. It's application in both is listed in several sources, and it's relatively clean burning; important in the 9mm. I really like SR4756 myself, but you didn't list it in your choices. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

October 8, 2008, 07:24 PM	#11
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I would not put off buying and trying components for one second to get opinions off the internet as to what to load. 1. your application might not be the same as mine 2. your guns might not like what mine do and in fact, I'd bet on that. 3. there is a lot of BS to be read on internet forums 4. Hodgon especially, and other powder makers have loads (pun intended) of info to be had for free online 5. I'd be looking in my Hornady or Sierra or Lee or Speer or or Nosler or Lyman manual for reliable info 6. opinions are like ( pick your favorite) - everyone has one and they all stink __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal Last edited by amamnn; October 8, 2008 at 07:25 PM. Reason: add nosler

October 9, 2008, 04:38 AM	#12
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	I wouldn't say everyone's opinion stinks. Somebody must do something right. I agree everything must be taken with a grain(or truckload) of salt. At times guys may feel slighted when we don't love their favorites as much as they do. Last edited by sourdough44; October 9, 2008 at 08:30 AM.

October 9, 2008, 07:03 AM	#13
mkg Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: NE TN Posts: 188	First, thank all of you for your replies. amamnn, I didn't ask for a load just what peoples preference was concerning powder. I have three of the manuals you suggested and the hodgdon manual does list all three powders as applicable. I would never take some arbitrary load and just run with it regardless where I got it. Yes opinions are like ( pick your favorite ) some smell, but, both ( pick you favorite ) serve a valid purpose. Mike Last edited by mkg; October 9, 2008 at 08:14 AM.

October 11, 2008, 06:47 AM	#14
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	based on your goal I will recommend HS6 (NOT because it's what's under the XTP in wife's 38), based on experience. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 14, 2008, 11:51 AM	#15
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	I've settled on Universal for 9mm and .38. Tried a can of Unique, and it is the dirtiest powder I've ever seen.