The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Going from lead and plated to FMJs - Help me pick a powder for 380, 9mm, 40, and 45

jself24 · May 23, 2012, 04:26 PM

I've been loading .40 for over a year now, started loading .45 and .380 the last 3-4 months and I'm picking up a 9mm pistol next week so i'll start loading for that very soon. I've got several of my relaoding friends talked into a bulk order of powder and primers from powder valley. Here's what I've been loading:

.40 - 180g TC Lead with AA#2
.45 - 200g Rainer Plated HPs with Win231
.380 - 100g Berry's plated RN with Win 231

My initial thought was to just order those 2 powders in bulk; however, I'm also going to switch to Precision Delta FMJs as they are about the same price as plated. After looking at jacketed data in my Hornady manual I'm not sure what I want anymore.

These loads will be mostly for recreational traget shooting, loaded on Single Stage press. Here are the bullets I'll order in bulk:

.380 - stick with Berrys 100g plated RN
9mm - 124g or 115g Precision Delta FMJ (whichever is in stock)
.40 - 180g Precision Delta FMJ
.45 - 230g Precision Delta FMJ

I'd love to have just one powder that would do everything well, but that may not be practical. I'll end up shooting mostly 40 and 45, with a some 9mm (probably more until new wears off the gun )and very little 380 thrown in there, so if I have to make a comprimise I'd rather make it with .380 and 9mm. What 1 or 2 powders would you guys recommmend? I need something clean, and that measures well in powder measurer.

I'm leaning on staying with W231 or going with tightgroup

May 23, 2012, 04:26 PM	#1
jself24 Junior Member Join Date: May 11, 2011 Posts: 7	Going from lead and plated to FMJs - Help me pick a powder for 380, 9mm, 40, and 45 I've been loading .40 for over a year now, started loading .45 and .380 the last 3-4 months and I'm picking up a 9mm pistol next week so i'll start loading for that very soon. I've got several of my relaoding friends talked into a bulk order of powder and primers from powder valley. Here's what I've been loading: .40 - 180g TC Lead with AA#2 .45 - 200g Rainer Plated HPs with Win231 .380 - 100g Berry's plated RN with Win 231 My initial thought was to just order those 2 powders in bulk; however, I'm also going to switch to Precision Delta FMJs as they are about the same price as plated. After looking at jacketed data in my Hornady manual I'm not sure what I want anymore. These loads will be mostly for recreational traget shooting, loaded on Single Stage press. Here are the bullets I'll order in bulk: .380 - stick with Berrys 100g plated RN 9mm - 124g or 115g Precision Delta FMJ (whichever is in stock) .40 - 180g Precision Delta FMJ .45 - 230g Precision Delta FMJ I'd love to have just one powder that would do everything well, but that may not be practical. I'll end up shooting mostly 40 and 45, with a some 9mm (probably more until new wears off the gun )and very little 380 thrown in there, so if I have to make a comprimise I'd rather make it with .380 and 9mm. What 1 or 2 powders would you guys recommmend? I need something clean, and that measures well in powder measurer. I'm leaning on staying with W231 or going with tightgroup