Best Powder for 9mm? - Page 2

243winxb · June 4, 2023, 09:01 PM

Alliant Blue Dot See Speer Pistol data for top velocity.

Alliant has data also. 1238 fps. 124 gr.

lll Otto lll · June 5, 2023, 03:36 PM

Power Pistol.

Marco Califo · June 5, 2023, 06:13 PM

Yes, I have seen that Blue Dot load. I have Blue Dot on hand but is 25+ old, and a little clumpy. It smells OK. Might try it.
But, the difference between 1238 and 1209 (Longshot) and 1199 (BE-86) is small, and Blue Dot is disk shaped.

ghbucky · June 5, 2023, 08:18 PM

Does anyone have any experience with Sport Pistol? It claims to play well with polymer coated lead bullets (which is what I use). I've been using power pistol and I've had issues with leading even with polymer coated bullets.

2ndtimer · June 6, 2023, 12:26 AM

I have used Accurate No. 5 and 7, HS-6, W-231, Power Pistol, Unique, Ramshot True Blue and Zip, Hodgdon Titegroup and CFE-Pistol. I have an 8 lb keg of Alliant BE-86 en route, hoping it will be “The One”! All of them worked okay, but Zip didn’t always lock the slide back on lighter powder charges with 115 gr bullets. Titegroup does run noticeably hotter than other powders. So far, Power Pistol has given the best results for velocity and accuracy for both 115 and 124 gr bullets. If BE-86 can’t match it, I guess the only one left to try would be Ramshot Silhouette. But I really think BE-86 will be the winner, based on others findings.

Wag · June 6, 2023, 06:40 AM

W231. Very clean burning powder that doesn't leave any messes. Once I found it, I haven't used anything else.

--Wag--

totaldla · June 6, 2023, 09:52 AM

Don't overlook Ramshot Silhouette. It has been available consistently. It will do what you want.

RoyceP · June 6, 2023, 08:48 PM

My reloading experience with the 9 MM was in a S&W Model 39 in the 1980's. I started out using Bullseye. Like all Bullseye loads it was dirty but effective. Then I tried 231 and Unique. Both were better and cleaner.

The Model 39 disappeared with a bunch of other guns in a burglary so I have no other experiences to share. All my bullets were 130 grain Sierra FMJ's.

BrBa · July 28, 2023, 02:32 PM

Just a friendly heads-up for anyone needing a good powder for 9mm (and others). Sportsman's Warehouse currently has a sale on 1 pound cans of BE-86 for $19.97. That's over half off their normal price.

MP-44 · July 28, 2023, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Just a friendly heads-up for anyone needing a good powder for 9mm (and others). Sportsman's Warehouse currently has a sale on 1 pound cans of BE-86 for $19.97. That's over half off their normal price.

OOS :-(

Marco Califo · July 28, 2023, 03:48 PM

I like BE-86. I bought a 2nd pound. It my Go To powder for powerful hand gun loads. It is like flash suppressed Power Pistol (with better velocities). Midsouth has the 8 pounders.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...alliant-powder

BrBa · July 28, 2023, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MP-44

OOS :-(

Yeah someone cleaned out both of my local stores....the jerk

. They just lifted thier 1 container of powder per day limit, and also did away with the 2 sleeves per day limit on primers. Scored a brick of large pistol primers. Haven't seen LPP in a good long while.

Schlitz 45 · July 29, 2023, 07:45 AM

I’m currently partial to CFE Pistol, mostly because it was available & I stocked up. I do believe my pistols clean up easier using it along with plated bullets compared to other powders I’ve used.

Marco Califo · July 29, 2023, 02:17 PM

I have used CFE Pistol. I read some complaints that it leaves soot on cartridge cases (does not puff and seal as it should) and some recommend magnum primers for it. I am shopping for mag primers.

rg1 · July 29, 2023, 05:26 PM

Any appropriate powder that MORE than 1/2 fills the case. Will assure no double charges!! Unique or Power Pistol are good and BE-86 too. My opinion is Blue Dot is only good for heavy shotgun loads and that’s all!

Shadow9mm · July 29, 2023, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Califo

I have used CFE Pistol. I read some complaints that it leaves soot on cartridge cases (does not puff and seal as it should) and some recommend magnum primers for it. I am shopping for mag primers.

I i have been using small rifle with cfe pistol, still has those issues even at max charge. Still runs fine, just a bit dirty.

I have been on the lookout for some Hodgdon's universal. I have not used it in years. It was one of the firstly powders i ever used. To my memory it is the cleanest powder i every used. But that was 15yrs ago now and i was new to reloading.

Hammerhead · July 30, 2023, 10:56 PM

I haven’t seen Universal since their fire, what 10 years ago? It was a great 9mm powder.

Bullseye or W231 for my 124 and 115 grain loads in pistol and carbine. N340 is a good one too.

**Unclenick** · July 31, 2023, 09:58 AM

According to ADI in a 2021 news release, they had trouble achieving adequate quality in their shotgun and pistol powders at the new plant. They said they'd invested 4 years and thousands of man-hours and still weren't there, and they found the effort was cutting into their ability to deliver rifle powders, so they made a conscious decision to stop trying with pistol and shotgun powders until they have more time to put into it. I don't know if that situation has changed now or not since 2021 was their last release on the topic. You could try writing them, I suppose.

Electrod47 · July 31, 2023, 03:58 PM

I don't know if its the best,but, Red Dot works for me. I keep a couple of 8lber's on hand just in case. I have a recipe for several rifle and most handgun.

101combatvet · July 31, 2023, 04:18 PM

I've used No.5, 231, AutoComp, and WSF. My guess is 231 shoots the dirtiest, but I like them all.

**Mike Irwin** · August 3, 2023, 11:27 AM

I am, always have been, and always will be a fan of WW 231 for rounds like .38 Special and 9mm.

k45 · August 3, 2023, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

According to ADI in a 2021 news release, they had trouble achieving adequate quality in their shotgun and pistol powders at the new plant. They said they'd invested 4 years and thousands of man-hours and still weren't there, and they found the effort was cutting into their ability to deliver rifle powders, so they made a conscious decision to stop trying with pistol and shotgun powders until they have more time to put into it. I don't know if that situation has changed now or not since 2021 was their last release on the topic. You could try writing them, I suppose.

Now you have me worried about Universal. I stocked up back when prices were affordable (I'll have to check the date.) Should I trust my powder? Or is it inconsistent?

**44 AMP** · August 3, 2023, 11:25 PM

Quote:

I don't know if its the best,but, Red Dot works for me.

Red Dot works for me, too. A full charge will get you a 124gr at 1100fps from a 4" barrel, and I have about a dozen pounds of it, and don't care if there are cleaner, smoother metering powders out there. What I've got is long paid for, not buying any new in the foreseeable future.

My 9mms are essentially plinkers, and I see no point to using high performance powders in 9mm Luger when I get more benefit from using them in other cartridges I load for.

**Mike Irwin** · August 4, 2023, 08:35 AM

I've used a lot of Red Dot over the years, mainly in shotgun.

I tried it in .38 Special back in the 1980s.

Two things were apparent...

First, the rounds I loaded were extremely accurate. Very very accurate.

Second, they were the nastiest, dirtiest rounds I had ever fired. Part of it likely was the powder residue combining with the bullet lube, but still factors of magnitude worse than the same bullets/lube fired with WW 231.

**44 AMP** · August 4, 2023, 10:48 AM

IF you think Red Dot is dirty, try FFFg.

June 5, 2023, 06:13 PM	#28
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,602	Yes, I have seen that Blue Dot load. I have Blue Dot on hand but is 25+ old, and a little clumpy. It smells OK. Might try it. But, the difference between 1238 and 1209 (Longshot) and 1199 (BE-86) is small, and Blue Dot is disk shaped. __________________ ............

June 6, 2023, 12:26 AM	#30
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 293	I have used Accurate No. 5 and 7, HS-6, W-231, Power Pistol, Unique, Ramshot True Blue and Zip, Hodgdon Titegroup and CFE-Pistol. I have an 8 lb keg of Alliant BE-86 en route, hoping it will be “The One”! All of them worked okay, but Zip didn’t always lock the slide back on lighter powder charges with 115 gr bullets. Titegroup does run noticeably hotter than other powders. So far, Power Pistol has given the best results for velocity and accuracy for both 115 and 124 gr bullets. If BE-86 can’t match it, I guess the only one left to try would be Ramshot Silhouette. But I really think BE-86 will be the winner, based on others findings. __________________ NRA Endowment Member

June 6, 2023, 06:40 AM	#31
Wag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 988	W231. Very clean burning powder that doesn't leave any messes. Once I found it, I haven't used anything else. --Wag-- __________________ "Great genius will always encounter fierce opposition from mediocre minds." --Albert Einstein.

June 6, 2023, 09:52 AM	#32
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,297	Don't overlook Ramshot Silhouette. It has been available consistently. It will do what you want. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

July 28, 2023, 03:48 PM	#36
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,602	I like BE-86. I bought a 2nd pound. It my Go To powder for powerful hand gun loads. It is like flash suppressed Power Pistol (with better velocities). Midsouth has the 8 pounders. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...alliant-powder __________________ ............

June 4, 2023, 09:01 PM	#26
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	Alliant Blue Dot See Speer Pistol data for top velocity. Alliant has data also. 1238 fps. 124 gr.

June 5, 2023, 03:36 PM	#27
lll Otto lll Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 295	Power Pistol.

June 5, 2023, 08:18 PM	#29
ghbucky Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2020 Posts: 1,177	Does anyone have any experience with Sport Pistol? It claims to play well with polymer coated lead bullets (which is what I use). I've been using power pistol and I've had issues with leading even with polymer coated bullets.

June 6, 2023, 08:48 PM	#33
RoyceP Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2020 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 234	My reloading experience with the 9 MM was in a S&W Model 39 in the 1980's. I started out using Bullseye. Like all Bullseye loads it was dirty but effective. Then I tried 231 and Unique. Both were better and cleaner. The Model 39 disappeared with a bunch of other guns in a burglary so I have no other experiences to share. All my bullets were 130 grain Sierra FMJ's.

July 28, 2023, 02:32 PM	#34
BrBa Member Join Date: November 29, 2015 Posts: 42	Just a friendly heads-up for anyone needing a good powder for 9mm (and others). Sportsman's Warehouse currently has a sale on 1 pound cans of BE-86 for $19.97. That's over half off their normal price.

July 29, 2023, 07:45 AM	#38
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 385	I’m currently partial to CFE Pistol, mostly because it was available & I stocked up. I do believe my pistols clean up easier using it along with plated bullets compared to other powders I’ve used.

July 29, 2023, 02:17 PM	#39
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,602	I have used CFE Pistol. I read some complaints that it leaves soot on cartridge cases (does not puff and seal as it should) and some recommend magnum primers for it. I am shopping for mag primers. __________________ ............

July 29, 2023, 05:26 PM	#40
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Any appropriate powder that MORE than 1/2 fills the case. Will assure no double charges!! Unique or Power Pistol are good and BE-86 too. My opinion is Blue Dot is only good for heavy shotgun loads and that’s all!

July 30, 2023, 10:56 PM	#42
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	I haven’t seen Universal since their fire, what 10 years ago? It was a great 9mm powder. Bullseye or W231 for my 124 and 115 grain loads in pistol and carbine. N340 is a good one too.

July 31, 2023, 09:58 AM	#43
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	According to ADI in a 2021 news release, they had trouble achieving adequate quality in their shotgun and pistol powders at the new plant. They said they'd invested 4 years and thousands of man-hours and still weren't there, and they found the effort was cutting into their ability to deliver rifle powders, so they made a conscious decision to stop trying with pistol and shotgun powders until they have more time to put into it. I don't know if that situation has changed now or not since 2021 was their last release on the topic. You could try writing them, I suppose. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 31, 2023, 03:58 PM	#44
Electrod47 Member Join Date: April 27, 2021 Location: SE Mississippi Posts: 92	I don't know if its the best,but, Red Dot works for me. I keep a couple of 8lber's on hand just in case. I have a recipe for several rifle and most handgun.

July 31, 2023, 04:18 PM	#45
101combatvet Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 667	I've used No.5, 231, AutoComp, and WSF. My guess is 231 shoots the dirtiest, but I like them all. __________________ Special Operations Combat Veteran Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]

August 3, 2023, 11:27 AM	#46
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I am, always have been, and always will be a fan of WW 231 for rounds like .38 Special and 9mm. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 4, 2023, 08:35 AM	#49
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I've used a lot of Red Dot over the years, mainly in shotgun. I tried it in .38 Special back in the 1980s. Two things were apparent... First, the rounds I loaded were extremely accurate. Very very accurate. Second, they were the nastiest, dirtiest rounds I had ever fired. Part of it likely was the powder residue combining with the bullet lube, but still factors of magnitude worse than the same bullets/lube fired with WW 231. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 4, 2023, 10:48 AM	#50
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,871	IF you think Red Dot is dirty, try FFFg. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.