Whats That Next Powder

[robin303]

I really enjoy reloading for my 9mm and the 40 S&W.
So far I have tested 115, 124, 147 in RN, FN, HP and XTP’s and 155, 165 and 180 in the following powders:

AutoComp meters bad
Bluedot un burnt powder and flashes
Bullseye
Clays my favorite for the 40 S&W
Power Pistol
W-231 meters bad
Unique
700X

The Winchester powders I seem to have a problem metering through my Lee Powder Measure. So can you guys think of another powder for both calibers I have not tried out yet. I can think of Titegroup and I have never seen Vihatvuori in the local stores.

 

[Texas1911]

Titegroup ... by far.

3.3 gr. - 147 FMJ / Plated
3.8 gr. - 124 FMJ
4.4 gr. - 115 FMJ

1.135 - 1.150" OAL

Don't push plated bullets fast with this powder, I had alot of shotgunning. Besides, you can buy FMJs for less than you can get the plateds for these days.

 

[robin303]

Thanks Alan. I will try that powder out next. Let me know if you want to go to ARC next week if you want to chrono and you can bring a friend or two.

 

[Texas1911]

Thanks Alan. I will try that powder out next. Let me know if you want to go to ARC next week if you want to chrono and you can bring a friend or two.

My schedule is pretty jacked, it's a day by day thing.

 

[robin303]

My schedule is pretty jacked, it's a day by day thing.

Thats ok my friend. You always have an invite.

 

[AusTex]

HP38 is what I use for 9mm meters perfect and is pretty clean. The -dot powders suck in my opinion... Win 231 and wsf also have worked for me.

 

[TexMex247]

A BIG +1 for titegroup. Don't know how it meters because I handload with it but performance wise it is very consistent as far as accuracy and velocity. I got some ramshot silhouette(AKA winchester action pistol) but haven't loaded it up, so can't recommend it just yet.

 

[robin303]

Thanks guys

 

[57K]

I wouldn't use TiteGroup in .40 S&W. Try some Ramshot Silhouette in both calibers. Ramshot

 

[Outbreak]

Thanks for this thread, guys. I've had trouble with the Lee measure and W-231 as well. This gives me some ideas.

 

[cuate]

There are seemingle as many gunpowders as there are beers and soft drinks...Everybody seems to have a favorite....There is no Dos Equies, Corona, or Modelo
gunpowders from warring Mexico so I stick to Bullseye gunpowder as I have for over fifty years....I have used 2400 in Magnum calibers but am not packing magnums or playing with them presently....Just the often contested concerning "which is best" .45s and 9mms......Oh, I prefer .45Long Colt to .45ACP but my
.45 auto uses ACP so that is the main character....

 

[robin303]

I went through a lb of Bullseye. If I recall it flashes a lot which is ok with me.

 

[Mikewood]

I vote Trailboss for subsonic loads. Everyone needs a good subsonic loading in each gun.

 

[Rifleman55]

I use 231 for 45acp, I have used unique and aa5 also, I like 231 the best. Since I don't use a Lee powder measure I don't have problems metering it. I load all of my pistol ammo on a Dillon SDB.

 

[PopsXD9sc]

WSF works good for both 9mm and .40 loads. Meters well in my LNL AP. WST works well in 9mm but not a lot of published data available (4.0 gr under 130 BBI runs about 135 PF). Also works well as a minor power factor load in .40 at around 3.8 gr @ 1.135 OAL. Not too good for major power factors; you can reach pressure spikes pretty quickly.

 

[Texasjack]

I'm not a fan of Titegroup. Couldn't get consistent loads because you use such a small amount. Caveat: I only tried it in .45 ACP, not .40 or 9 mm.

In 40 S&W, there is no better powder than Longshot! But use the bottom end of the loading range, particularly if you're using plated bullets. It gets great velocity without pressure problems. I've loaded at the upper end of the range and still didn't have pressure problems, but just didn't need that velocity. With 180 g FMJ, a load of about 6.6 grains will match Win. White Box.

I don't load 9 mm anymore, but when I did I was loading for a Glock 17 and it was VERY particular about loads so I experimented a lot. The best I found was PowerPistol. Alliant brags that PowerPistol is what they are using for military loads and they've sold a lot for that the past few years.

 

[mikeofcontex]

I'm glad to hear of your success with Longshot... I've been wanting to try it.

 

[Texasjack]

Yeah, it's great stuff. My neighbor loaded near the high end and used plated bullets. They just shredded coming out of the pistol. Then, he listened to me and loaded Longshot at the low end of the range and the end result was great. I've experimented with the whole range using jacketed bullets and had no pressure or accuracy problems. But, again, I recommend using the lower end of the range for target loads.

 

[WadeP]

I've got some VV N320 that I'm dying to use to work up some subsonic loads.

 

[shortround]

I'm partial to Winchester 231.

It meters perfectly in my RCBS & Lee powder measures , and burns clean.

On average, I only notice a +/- .1 grain variation between powder throws.

The RCBS has a lot of "slop," and the Lee is sensitive to how well the powder drum is set (if not adjusted correctly, it will spill ball powder all over your bench).

If you like flake or stick powders, it is, IMHO, better to weigh every charge and load by hand.

Once I discovered "ball" powders for both rifle and pistol, I'll never go back, except to burn up what stick and flake powders I have left on hand.

Be well.