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Old June 21, 2009, 02:04 PM   #1
DaveInPA
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Powder choice for lead bullets in 9mm?

I'm going to start loading 9mm ammo using 115gr LRN bullets. I'm wondering what powder you guys would recommend for this application. I have a 4 pound jug of W231 on hand, so I'm hoping that would work.
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Old June 21, 2009, 02:07 PM   #2
Unclenick
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That would work. Start at about 3.5 grains and creep up toward 5 grains or so. Stop sooner if the gun functions well and the velocity is satisfactory?
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Old June 21, 2009, 02:20 PM   #3
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231 will work fine. Bullseye is better if you have that too.
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Old June 21, 2009, 05:05 PM   #4
UnderDawgAl
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I've just begun reloading for 9MM myself, having been reloading for 357/38 for the past couple of years.

Like you, I chose W231. I'm loading 105-grain SWC that I cast using the Lee bullet mould. I'm using 3.9-4.2 grains of powder for it, and it's working fine.

Best of luck.
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Old June 21, 2009, 06:22 PM   #5
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Titegroup or 231 for me...
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Old June 21, 2009, 06:30 PM   #6
freakshow10mm
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W231 will work but I prefer WSF.
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Old June 21, 2009, 07:14 PM   #7
RidgwayCO
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I just loaded some Dardas 125gr LRN bullets yesterday with two different amounts of five different powders (VV N320, N330, N340, Unique, and AA #2). The brass is once-fired Fiocchi, CCI 500 primers, 1.140" COL, and a light taper crimp. I'm looking forward to chronographing them. My goal is an accurate load at around 1050 fps (subsonic) from my Beretta 92FS.
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Old June 21, 2009, 07:54 PM   #8
The_Vigilante
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Powder choice for lead bullets in 9mm?

From my reading it is better to keep the velocity of lead bullets to under 1000 fps to reduce loading. YMMV
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Old June 21, 2009, 08:04 PM   #9
Nnobby45
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TIP: Winchester Action Pistol is a great powder for 9mm and .40 cal. Good uniform ballistics.

WAP was discontinued, but Western Powder's Ramshot Silhouette is the same stuff. I get mine thru Powder Valley.

Right after WAP was discontinued, I started using W231 and it would be my second choice for 9mm, since it's also my favorite .45ACP powder.
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Old June 21, 2009, 08:52 PM   #10
Moon93
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I've read that you can figure out how hard a cast bullet you are using is, which will give you an idea of the max psi that it can withstand. (Modern Reloading has a nice table).

I would guess that you could then use a powder and charge that are below this max psi by some margin, while still giving you that 1050 fps. If possible.

Let us know how it goes.
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Old June 21, 2009, 09:41 PM   #11
Steviewonder1
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Powder Choice

I have two choices that I have made that load all I shoot. Unique and AA2. Both can do all I need in my Pistol calibers.
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