Need advice on 9x19 reloading.

Kframe · September 14, 2002, 09:19 PM

Hi all, I'm new to reloading the 9mm, and would like some input.
I have the following powders on hand from other calibers, and would like to use them up before buying any others:
Clays, Unv.Clays, HS-6, RedDot, Bullseye, and AA#2Improved.

I will be using the 115gr jacketed RN, and am looking in the 1200fps range.
I have the load data, so I'm not necessarily looking for the actual weights to use (I'd never trust it anyway without seeing it in print a couple places) but I would like some input on which powders from that list you like, or don't like.

This will be for indoor/outdoor target practice only.
So, low smoke and tight groups are the "aim" pardon the pun.

Oh, the gun is a Glock 19 if that makes any difference.

Any other 9mm tips are welcome too!
(I already have had plenty of warnings about loose crimps and bullet setback.)

Thanks in advance, -Kframe

labgrade · September 14, 2002, 09:31 PM

Of those listed, only one I've used is Bullseye & have switched to that from Bluedot as my 115-124 gr load in 9mm. Small case & even with a double-charge, it will be very apparent. Nice for a progressive.

nyetter · September 14, 2002, 10:39 PM

No way you can make 1200fps with Clays, but if you set that aside it's a very interesting powder for 9mm. Accuracy is good, and the recoil is a joke. I've also used Bullseye, which works fairly well for reaching the higher end.

Just have some fun playing around with it

Jim Watson · September 15, 2002, 12:21 AM

I think you will have a hard time making 1200 fps out of the short barrel of a G19 with any standard load. Of the stuff you have on hand, a top load with the HS6 will likely give the highest velocity.

I don't see how that matters for practice anyway; all that really matters is that it have enough recoil to function the gun. Use whatever factory equivalent handbook load with whatever powder you want to try I don't think that accuracy with a 115 gr RN will vary much from one powder to the other.

Kframe · September 15, 2002, 01:28 AM

With 4.8gr Bullseye I clocked 1180fps avg for 10 shots from the G19 with the chrony 10 feet away. That's less powder than the 5.0gr listed as max in Lee's book.

Yes, velocity isn't the key for these practice loads, but I figure anything around 1050-1200 will cycle the slide and replicate the recoil of defensive rounds.

Thanks for the responses so far, keep 'em coming!

-Kframe

taco · September 15, 2002, 01:38 AM

Of the powders you listed I only have experience with Bullseye and AA#2 and neither one was used reach 1,200 fps with 115gr FMJ bullets from 4" barrel (mine is P7M8). I'm sure it could be done and has been done but I did not feel comfortable doing it. I have used Winchester 231 (which is very slightly slower burning than Bullseye and #2) to reach 1,220 fps but only with Remington 115gr JHP which I seat a little further out to increase internal capacity (lowers pressure). This load is safe (no signs of excessive pressure) and VERY accurate in my pistols but does require caution.

cheygriz · September 15, 2002, 11:54 AM

I reload approx. 10,000 rounds of 9MM per year. I've tried all of the powders you listed, and settled on HS-6 as the very best all around powder for all 9MM loads. I buy HS-6 in cases. There are 4 eight pound containers in a case. (I also use HS-6 exclusively in .38 Spec., .40, .45 ACP and .45 Colt, so I use a great deal of it annually.)

Universal, Power Pistol, AAC#7 and Herco are all excellent powders for high velocity 9MM as well.

This is just my personal opinion, based on my pesonal experience, but I will not use Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, Titegroup, AAC#2, 231 and HP-38 in any high pressure cartridge. I prefer high velocity with the lowest possible pressure. That comes with the moderately slow powder.

Herco is probably the best powder available for the highest possible velocity at the lowest pressure, but it doesn't meter nearly as well as the others, and HS-6 comes very close to Herco velocities and pressures, so I've settled on it.

These suggestions are based on my experience. Others will no doubt have different experiences. I have not addressed the VV powders, because I have no personal experience with them, but knowledgeable reloaders whose opinions I respect, have had excellent experience with them. If they ever become price competitive with other makers, I will certainly try them.

WESHOOT2 · September 15, 2002, 01:55 PM

I would not use nor would I recommend W231/HP-38 for the 9x19.
Adequate for very light target-type loads.

I prefer powders in the AA5 / HS-6 / Power Pistol / 3N37 / WAP / SR-4756 burn rate range.

Kframe · September 15, 2002, 09:18 PM

Great advice so far!

It would be nice to have a load that would overflow on a double charge, although since I use the auto-indexing Dillon SDB that has never happened (a double charge I mean).

Also, it would be nice to have 1100-1200 fps velocity but lower pressures, say, in the 29-31000 range, as opposed to the 32-33000 range.

So far I've only loaded 9mm with Bullseye, and I like the low smoke, and 1180 fps I'm getting, but like I said, I do have the listed powders on hand and would like to tinker a bit.

I've resolved that I won't buy any HP-38, WAP, V V, etc until I've used up what I have on hand.

Some of the stuff I have I will use in my .38's, like the Red Dot, AA#2 and Unv.Clays, but it'd be nice if I could ever find one really nice one that'd work in both.

(Except for the .222 Rem and .223 Rem, 9x19 and .38/.357 are the only things I reload.)

-Kframe

CHAINSAW · September 18, 2002, 07:14 AM

I took my loading data out of the Hornady book with their 115FMJ and AA#2. This powder with the same loads functions all my 9's without fail. Can also be bought in milsurp from several sources.

Waterdog · September 21, 2002, 12:07 PM

4.9 grains of HP-38, with 115 grain plated or jacketed. Works great out of my G17, and Colt Combat Commander.

Waterdog

Steve in PA · September 21, 2002, 12:28 PM

I've been using HS6 for my 9mms for along time. 7.0g under a 115g FMJ........shoots great in my 92FS or 6906. I must have put thousand upon thousand of rounds through by Beretta.

rc · September 22, 2002, 10:15 PM

I have had excellent consistency and power with Universal Clays. That is a winner in the 9mm as it seems to burn consistently in small capacity high intensity cartridges at full power. It does not do as well in .38 special and is a bit fast for .357 magnum. For the 9mm, .38 super and .40 S&W it typically averages under 15fps standard deviation. In .45 ACP Universal is OK but the regular Clays powder is a bit better for 230 grain loads as it burns more efficiently at lower chamber pressures. I have seen Universal Squib in .32 ACP and .45 Colt. rc

September 14, 2002, 09:19 PM	#1
Kframe Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 1999 Location: MN Posts: 640	Need advice on 9x19 reloading. Hi all, I'm new to reloading the 9mm, and would like some input. I have the following powders on hand from other calibers, and would like to use them up before buying any others: Clays, Unv.Clays, HS-6, RedDot, Bullseye, and AA#2Improved. I will be using the 115gr jacketed RN, and am looking in the 1200fps range. I have the load data, so I'm not necessarily looking for the actual weights to use (I'd never trust it anyway without seeing it in print a couple places) but I would like some input on which powders from that list you like, or don't like. This will be for indoor/outdoor target practice only. So, low smoke and tight groups are the "aim" pardon the pun. Oh, the gun is a Glock 19 if that makes any difference. Any other 9mm tips are welcome too! (I already have had plenty of warnings about loose crimps and bullet setback.) Thanks in advance, -Kframe

September 18, 2002, 07:14 AM	#10
CHAINSAW Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 201	Check a Hornady Manual I took my loading data out of the Hornady book with their 115FMJ and AA#2. This powder with the same loads functions all my 9's without fail. Can also be bought in milsurp from several sources.

September 21, 2002, 12:28 PM	#12
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 760	I've been using HS6 for my 9mms for along time. 7.0g under a 115g FMJ........shoots great in my 92FS or 6906. I must have put thousand upon thousand of rounds through by Beretta. __________________ Steve

September 22, 2002, 10:15 PM	#13
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,930	loading 9mm I have had excellent consistency and power with Universal Clays. That is a winner in the 9mm as it seems to burn consistently in small capacity high intensity cartridges at full power. It does not do as well in .38 special and is a bit fast for .357 magnum. For the 9mm, .38 super and .40 S&W it typically averages under 15fps standard deviation. In .45 ACP Universal is OK but the regular Clays powder is a bit better for 230 grain loads as it burns more efficiently at lower chamber pressures. I have seen Universal Squib in .32 ACP and .45 Colt. rc

September 14, 2002, 09:31 PM	#2
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Of those listed, only one I've used is Bullseye & have switched to that from Bluedot as my 115-124 gr load in 9mm. Small case & even with a double-charge, it will be very apparent. Nice for a progressive.

September 14, 2002, 10:39 PM	#3
nyetter Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 342	No way you can make 1200fps with Clays, but if you set that aside it's a very interesting powder for 9mm. Accuracy is good, and the recoil is a joke. I've also used Bullseye, which works fairly well for reaching the higher end. Just have some fun playing around with it

September 15, 2002, 12:21 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,180	I think you will have a hard time making 1200 fps out of the short barrel of a G19 with any standard load. Of the stuff you have on hand, a top load with the HS6 will likely give the highest velocity. I don't see how that matters for practice anyway; all that really matters is that it have enough recoil to function the gun. Use whatever factory equivalent handbook load with whatever powder you want to try I don't think that accuracy with a 115 gr RN will vary much from one powder to the other.

September 15, 2002, 01:28 AM	#5
Kframe Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 1999 Location: MN Posts: 640	With 4.8gr Bullseye I clocked 1180fps avg for 10 shots from the G19 with the chrony 10 feet away. That's less powder than the 5.0gr listed as max in Lee's book. Yes, velocity isn't the key for these practice loads, but I figure anything around 1050-1200 will cycle the slide and replicate the recoil of defensive rounds. Thanks for the responses so far, keep 'em coming! -Kframe

September 15, 2002, 01:38 AM	#6
taco Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 936	Of the powders you listed I only have experience with Bullseye and AA#2 and neither one was used reach 1,200 fps with 115gr FMJ bullets from 4" barrel (mine is P7M8). I'm sure it could be done and has been done but I did not feel comfortable doing it. I have used Winchester 231 (which is very slightly slower burning than Bullseye and #2) to reach 1,220 fps but only with Remington 115gr JHP which I seat a little further out to increase internal capacity (lowers pressure). This load is safe (no signs of excessive pressure) and VERY accurate in my pistols but does require caution.

September 15, 2002, 11:54 AM	#7
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	I reload approx. 10,000 rounds of 9MM per year. I've tried all of the powders you listed, and settled on HS-6 as the very best all around powder for all 9MM loads. I buy HS-6 in cases. There are 4 eight pound containers in a case. (I also use HS-6 exclusively in .38 Spec., .40, .45 ACP and .45 Colt, so I use a great deal of it annually.) Universal, Power Pistol, AAC#7 and Herco are all excellent powders for high velocity 9MM as well. This is just my personal opinion, based on my pesonal experience, but I will not use Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, Titegroup, AAC#2, 231 and HP-38 in any high pressure cartridge. I prefer high velocity with the lowest possible pressure. That comes with the moderately slow powder. Herco is probably the best powder available for the highest possible velocity at the lowest pressure, but it doesn't meter nearly as well as the others, and HS-6 comes very close to Herco velocities and pressures, so I've settled on it. These suggestions are based on my experience. Others will no doubt have different experiences. I have not addressed the VV powders, because I have no personal experience with them, but knowledgeable reloaders whose opinions I respect, have had excellent experience with them. If they ever become price competitive with other makers, I will certainly try them.

September 15, 2002, 01:55 PM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I would not use nor would I recommend W231/HP-38 for the 9x19. Adequate for very light target-type loads. I prefer powders in the AA5 / HS-6 / Power Pistol / 3N37 / WAP / SR-4756 burn rate range.

September 15, 2002, 09:18 PM	#9
Kframe Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 1999 Location: MN Posts: 640	Great advice so far! It would be nice to have a load that would overflow on a double charge, although since I use the auto-indexing Dillon SDB that has never happened (a double charge I mean). Also, it would be nice to have 1100-1200 fps velocity but lower pressures, say, in the 29-31000 range, as opposed to the 32-33000 range. So far I've only loaded 9mm with Bullseye, and I like the low smoke, and 1180 fps I'm getting, but like I said, I do have the listed powders on hand and would like to tinker a bit. I've resolved that I won't buy any HP-38, WAP, V V, etc until I've used up what I have on hand. Some of the stuff I have I will use in my .38's, like the Red Dot, AA#2 and Unv.Clays, but it'd be nice if I could ever find one really nice one that'd work in both. (Except for the .222 Rem and .223 Rem, 9x19 and .38/.357 are the only things I reload.) -Kframe

September 21, 2002, 12:07 PM	#11
Waterdog Junior member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,236	4.9 grains of HP-38, with 115 grain plated or jacketed. Works great out of my G17, and Colt Combat Commander. Waterdog