9mm Powder Results

JDG · February 19, 2006, 08:16 PM

Using WWB 115gr ammo for comparison, I loaded up some 115gr fmj bullets with some powders I had. Using start load data, I loaded 50 each with 6.5gr HS6, 4.5gr Universal, 3.6gr Clays. I liked the HS6 the best, but I gotta tell ya, clays might be my choice for indoor range shooting. Everything I shot grouped very well out of my CZ, but clays was by far the softest of the three powders. HS6 was about equal to the WWM in recoil, and I think the Universal hit a little sharper. All three powders worked great.

Joe D · February 20, 2006, 06:37 AM

You will find that the faster powders will shoot the softest. I happen to like Titegroup for 9mm, .40 and .45ACP. It is a bit slower than Clays, but safer when you are trying to make Major with a .40.

Jim Watson · February 20, 2006, 08:42 AM

In the absence of a chronograph, it is likely the Clays load simply had the lowest velocity and power factor and actually DID recoil less.
I think you have to have the sensitivity of The Princess And The Pea to tell a difference in recoil by powder burn rate, all other things being truly equal. Of course Joe is a pro and knows these things.

HSMITH · February 20, 2006, 09:18 AM

I can feel the difference between powders, and in some cases see the difference on the timer in match situations and practice drills.

WESHOOT2 · February 20, 2006, 10:29 AM

I could feel the difference when changing guide rods in oneamy 1911's.

I no longer use anything faster than AA5 in 9x19.

918v · February 20, 2006, 12:49 PM

I can hear the difference between powders. Some are piercing, some pop, others boom.

Jim Watson · February 20, 2006, 01:51 PM

Now that I can distinguish. Power Pistol is loud. Titegroup has a sharp pop of a report, some of the cowpersons are annoyed by that.
I am working on some new loads, I will see if I can get to the same velocity with two different powders and tell a difference in the feel of the recoil.

caz223 · February 20, 2006, 03:31 PM

The softest shooting ammo will be using the heaviest bullet and the fastest powder.
The problem is once you get there, you got pressure spikes that are hard on the gun.
Not to mention the risk of making a hand grenade.
I don't use reloads for self defense anyway, so I can play it safe and practice with power pistol loads and 147 grain bullets, and if I have to use the 9mm in self defense, I can be pleasantly surprised on how little recoil the factory loads have.

Joe D · February 20, 2006, 08:25 PM

Jim I am more of an x-spurt. I sure do hate getting old. One of these matches my wife will beat me.

February 19, 2006, 08:16 PM	#1
JDG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 673	9mm Powder Results Using WWB 115gr ammo for comparison, I loaded up some 115gr fmj bullets with some powders I had. Using start load data, I loaded 50 each with 6.5gr HS6, 4.5gr Universal, 3.6gr Clays. I liked the HS6 the best, but I gotta tell ya, clays might be my choice for indoor range shooting. Everything I shot grouped very well out of my CZ, but clays was by far the softest of the three powders. HS6 was about equal to the WWM in recoil, and I think the Universal hit a little sharper. All three powders worked great.

February 20, 2006, 06:37 AM	#2
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	You will find that the faster powders will shoot the softest. I happen to like Titegroup for 9mm, .40 and .45ACP. It is a bit slower than Clays, but safer when you are trying to make Major with a .40. __________________ Miss? That can't be a miss. Looks like a perfect double to me.

February 20, 2006, 10:29 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	ooh ooh I wanna share I could feel the difference when changing guide rods in oneamy 1911's. I no longer use anything faster than AA5 in 9x19. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 20, 2006, 03:31 PM	#8
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	The softest shooting ammo will be using the heaviest bullet and the fastest powder. The problem is once you get there, you got pressure spikes that are hard on the gun. Not to mention the risk of making a hand grenade. I don't use reloads for self defense anyway, so I can play it safe and practice with power pistol loads and 147 grain bullets, and if I have to use the 9mm in self defense, I can be pleasantly surprised on how little recoil the factory loads have. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

February 20, 2006, 08:25 PM	#9
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	Jim I am more of an x-spurt. I sure do hate getting old. One of these matches my wife will beat me. __________________ Miss? That can't be a miss. Looks like a perfect double to me.

February 20, 2006, 08:42 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	In the absence of a chronograph, it is likely the Clays load simply had the lowest velocity and power factor and actually DID recoil less. I think you have to have the sensitivity of The Princess And The Pea to tell a difference in recoil by powder burn rate, all other things being truly equal. Of course Joe is a pro and knows these things.

February 20, 2006, 09:18 AM	#4
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I can feel the difference between powders, and in some cases see the difference on the timer in match situations and practice drills.

February 20, 2006, 12:49 PM	#6
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	I can hear the difference between powders. Some are piercing, some pop, others boom.

February 20, 2006, 01:51 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Now that I can distinguish. Power Pistol is loud. Titegroup has a sharp pop of a report, some of the cowpersons are annoyed by that. I am working on some new loads, I will see if I can get to the same velocity with two different powders and tell a difference in the feel of the recoil.