Input on these loads

gregjc9 · November 28, 2009, 09:43 PM

I've been going through the Hornady, Speer, Lyman's load manuals, as well as Hodgon's data online, and have come up with the following loads for 45ACP and 9mm. I'm new to reloading, and will begin loading after Xmas, so I'm trying to get my collective ducks in a row now. I already have the bullets, primers, and cases, just needed to settle on the powder. Since I'll be reloading for both calibers, it appears from the Hornady manual Power Pistol should be a good powder for both. Starting out I would like to keep things simple and stay with one powder, at least for now.

Here's the data I came up with.

45ACP
Bullet - 200gr TMJ RN
COL - 1.230"
Powder - Power Pistol, 6.9 gr start charge, .4gr increments, 8.5 max charge

9mm
Bullet - 115gr TMJ RN
COL - 1.135"
Powder - Power Pistol, 4.8gr start charge, .4 gr increments, 6.7 max charge

gregjc9 · November 30, 2009, 05:16 PM

No input? So I guess they should be ok.

BigJimP · November 30, 2009, 05:25 PM

I don't have any experience with Power Pistol powder / so I can't comment - but if they're published loads you should be fine.

Personally, in 9mm and .45acp I use Hodgdon TiteGroup powder ( and for all my handgun loads in .40S&W, .38spl, .357 mag and .44mag as well ).

sourdough44 · November 30, 2009, 05:32 PM

The bullets & COL for the 45 seem good. I also use Tightgroup & Universal, so no opinion on the powder.

gregjc9 · November 30, 2009, 07:21 PM

Ok, thanks guys, much appreciated.

Kyo · November 30, 2009, 07:24 PM

I would suggest starting with 5.0 of power pistol. 6.9 feels a little high. I looked at the published data, even though its not there and it may look like 6.9 is ok, start low on purpose.

That'll Do · November 30, 2009, 07:34 PM

Power Pistol is an excellent powder for 9mm, I've used it quite a bit. I have no experience with it in 45ACP though. I'd recommend giving Hodgdon Universal a try.

One of the hardest things for me when I started reloading was choosing a powder. There are so many options, it can be daunting. For that reason, I recommend a "general purpose" powder when people start out. Hodgdon Universal, Winchester 231, and Alliant Unique come to mind.

gregjc9 · November 30, 2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Power Pistol is an excellent powder for 9mm, I've used it quite a bit. I have no experience with it in 45ACP though. I'd recommend giving Hodgdon Universal a try.

One of the hardest things for me when I started reloading was choosing a powder. There are so many options, it can be daunting. For that reason, I recommend a "general purpose" powder when people start out. Hodgdon Universal, Winchester 231, and Alliant Unique come to mind.

That is exactly right!! Choosing a powder for the very first loads is very daunting. I was trying to pick a powder that was in the middle of the burn rates for the calibers I will be reloading, and PP looked like it would be a good middle ground powder. I double-checked my Hornady manual, and PP seems to be in the middle of those you listed. Looks like any of those 4 should be good to start with. Thanks

That'll Do · November 30, 2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregjc9

That is exactly right!! Choosing a powder for the very first loads is very daunting. I was trying to pick a powder that was in the middle of the burn rates for the calibers I will be reloading, and PP looked like it would be a good middle ground powder. I double-checked my Hornady manual, and PP seems to be in the middle of those you listed. Looks like any of those 4 should be good to start with. Thanks

The only thing I noticed with PP is that it seems to prefer the higher end of the spectrum as far as charge weights. I load it in 9mm with a 124gr Montana Gold FMJ, and I've found that accuracy was best towards the upper limit. The reason I like Universal (and also Unique, although not as much) is that it seems more "willing" to accept smaller charges, yet still retain accuracy.

This only my experience with the powder, and it is far from gospel.

Nnobby45 · December 1, 2009, 12:18 AM

Factotry HB runs about 2.260. Max is 2.270. I load mine from 2.250 to 2.260. These are 230 grains. I'd guess yours would work fine and give a little more (very little) seating depth. Especially if you've followed the manual for that bullet.

November 28, 2009, 09:43 PM	#1
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	Input on these loads I've been going through the Hornady, Speer, Lyman's load manuals, as well as Hodgon's data online, and have come up with the following loads for 45ACP and 9mm. I'm new to reloading, and will begin loading after Xmas, so I'm trying to get my collective ducks in a row now. I already have the bullets, primers, and cases, just needed to settle on the powder. Since I'll be reloading for both calibers, it appears from the Hornady manual Power Pistol should be a good powder for both. Starting out I would like to keep things simple and stay with one powder, at least for now. Here's the data I came up with. 45ACP Bullet - 200gr TMJ RN COL - 1.230" Powder - Power Pistol, 6.9 gr start charge, .4gr increments, 8.5 max charge 9mm Bullet - 115gr TMJ RN COL - 1.135" Powder - Power Pistol, 4.8gr start charge, .4 gr increments, 6.7 max charge __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

November 30, 2009, 05:16 PM	#2
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	No input? So I guess they should be ok. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

November 30, 2009, 07:21 PM	#5
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	Ok, thanks guys, much appreciated. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

November 30, 2009, 07:24 PM	#6
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 897	I would suggest starting with 5.0 of power pistol. 6.9 feels a little high. I looked at the published data, even though its not there and it may look like 6.9 is ok, start low on purpose. __________________ 1. The gun is *always* loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. 4. Be be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

November 30, 2009, 05:25 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I don't have any experience with Power Pistol powder / so I can't comment - but if they're published loads you should be fine. Personally, in 9mm and .45acp I use Hodgdon TiteGroup powder ( and for all my handgun loads in .40S&W, .38spl, .357 mag and .44mag as well ).

November 30, 2009, 05:32 PM	#4
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	The bullets & COL for the 45 seem good. I also use Tightgroup & Universal, so no opinion on the powder.

November 30, 2009, 07:34 PM	#7
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	Power Pistol is an excellent powder for 9mm, I've used it quite a bit. I have no experience with it in 45ACP though. I'd recommend giving Hodgdon Universal a try. One of the hardest things for me when I started reloading was choosing a powder. There are so many options, it can be daunting. For that reason, I recommend a "general purpose" powder when people start out. Hodgdon Universal, Winchester 231, and Alliant Unique come to mind.

December 1, 2009, 12:18 AM	#10
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Factotry HB runs about 2.260. Max is 2.270. I load mine from 2.250 to 2.260. These are 230 grains. I'd guess yours would work fine and give a little more (very little) seating depth. Especially if you've followed the manual for that bullet.