I have a friend who's about to start reloading for the 9mm Parabellum. I reload for .38, .44, and .45, but have no experience with this ctg. I have reloading manuals, but I would like to hear from actual users. Can anyone recommend a good powder and whether he should go with a 115 or 124 grain bullet? This would be a range load, he'll probably be using Hornady 115 gr XTP's for self-defense.
Thanks.

For what it's worth, I would go with 124 gr. bullets and HS-6 powder for both range use and for self defense against man or beast.

Gunny,
I prefer heavy for caliber bullets in the 9mm. I use 147gr ones almost exclusively. I also use a slower powder, in the Unique and above burn rate area.

I have a Sig P226 that gets 147gr bullets over a charge of AA#7 for right at 1000fps. Now, having 20 rounds of ammo like that is like carrying 5, 5 shot 38spl revolvers. I like that.

For beast, I leave that fight for my 12 ga lol

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I like the 124's and AA No. 5. Works well in my Springfield XDM9's.

By the way, I do agree with Marcus88 on the 12ga.

I agree with this, and might add to that Longshot, which is also excellent (based on my limited tests, so far).

I agree with the 124 gr and also use 125 lead bullets with HS6 and AA5 powders. AA7 works right well too.

Three powders normally associated with the 9x19mm are Bullseye, Win231, and Unique. I usually in the past have used either Unique or Win231 exclusively. Of late I’ve used Win-AutoComp a recently introduced propellant. Basically I stay with in the 115Gr-125Gr bullet weight range.

My understanding of the subject is the 115Gr bullet weigh was a WW2 production expedient in place of the standard 125Gr bullet weight that US manufactures used in ammunition production for allies.

OAL can be problematic. Deep seating may spike pressure levels dramatically with in the realm of catastrophic.

I use 124 grain bullets and Unique or Bullseye. I have also tried VV-N340 (I think that's the correct number...not at home right now, so I'm trying to remember) with good results. I have never tried HS-6...maybe I should.

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Don't know, don't care.

I've shot several thousand rounds of 124gr lead RN (Lee mold) loaded from 3.6 to 4.0 grains of W231 and they've shot well through 3 9mm's.

Cloudpeak

Back in the '70s, when I reloaded my 9x19 carry ammo, I used 115gr. Sierra JHPs over a max. load of Herco, using, I believe, the Speer #10 Manual, but I might have still been using #8. The loads were basically a case full of powder, but I don't recall the charge weight. That bullet and that powder are still good choices. I shot a coyote with it at about 20-25 yards with my old Star BKS, and it was one of the fastest, if not the fastest kill I've ever seen on a coyote. Cor-Bon loads the same bullet in their +P version, and it has worked well in lots of self-defense shootings. I am not a fan of bullets heavier than 125 grains in 9x19. If I were going to hand load self-defense loads in 9x19 today, I'd likely pick Speer 124gr. Gold Dots and either Herco or AA#7, whichever gave the most velocity.

When I was loading lots of 9mm in the late '80s and early '90s, I usually used AA#7 under 124 gr. bullets, both cast and jacketed. I don't recall the load, but it was at or near max., likely from Speer #12. Those loads were for range use only. AA#5 is good, too, but #7 will get you more velocity safely than will #5, although it is a little dirtier.

W231 is pretty versitile under lead bullets in that size range.
IF using for strict range work, I like Clays powder for the lighter bullets. Much cleaner and softer recoil.

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Dave

my rec...
Range loads: 115 gn Rainier RN, 7.3 grains Accurate #7, col 1.135, Lee FCD 3/4 turn.
Street carry: Buy factory +p.

I have played with other powders for my Sigma and come back to Titegroup. I will no longer shoot 115's out of it. If I want zippy I pull out the CZ-52. Range is 124 and HD is retail WWB JHP 147's. At 7 to 10 yards they mess up a pine 4"x4" pretty good. I have 400+ round's of 124 XTP loaded up from book to unpublished max to mins. at 3 diff. COL and there all worse target wise than the 147 wwb jhp. Keep in mind I have target issues with the Sigma. It's not the pistol. It's me.

It has been my experience, the 9mm in any forum is a very picky round verse's the shooter, weapon and load.

Start at the min. for your powder and primer. Work the COL If your looking at Ogive,,, Work AOL is your looking at feed, camber and lans. Then blend the two for your finished round coupled with a powder of choice. I only get a dirty weapon in my 9mm Sigma if I push the charge to hot unpublished loads with TG. And I mean hot! The Sigma will take a freaking beating. LOLOLOLOLOLOL It aint a Glock Frock!

The one thing I've always disliked about 9mm anything is the ogive.

Thanks for all the responses. As a start, I will recommend 124 gr bullets and poss Win 231/HP-38, mainly because I know that's available locally and I use it exclusively in my .38's and .45's. HS-6 also sounds good.
I hope things work out well for him. He picks up his gun, a Ruger P95, on Tues and he's really excited. Based on his budget, I was kind of steering him toward a Sig P6, but he has some experience with Rugers and chose that. I advised him to pick up a bulk pack of 9's at Wally World to get his brass.

I started using Unique when I started reloading 9mm with my own 122gr. cast slugs (Lyman mold) in 1975.

I have stayed with Unique all these years because I'm used to it, and because I can use it for the 8 different pistol and revolver rounds I reload for.

If I was starting out again, I'd probably pick WW 231. It burns a little cleaner, you can get the same velocity with a little lighter charges, and the smaller flakes meter a little more accurately.

But, I've been using Unique for so long, I would hate to have to work up all my loads all over again.

Now I buy 125 gr. cast lead bullets, and either 115 or 124gr FMJ.; whichever is available.

I've never used the 147gr. slugs, since I have so much experience with the lighter ones. And they cost more than the lighter ones, too.

I started loading last year and switched from 45 to 9mm last month. I have used Bullseye and Power Pistol. The max load on PP per Alliant Powder's web site is 6.7gr. It ran a 115gr Rem JHP @ 1250fps for me and was cleaner than the BE (max on BE is 4.7). I started low and worked up.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Sorry to hear you changed from 45 to 9mm .....Ah come on now just fooling with ya'll this am, Don't need to get all serious and offended, I love them both.

I also have found that 9mm with lead Boolits is much more picky to get a satisfactory loading where as the 45 is considerably less finicky.

I have had best luck with 124-125gr. lead and Unique but it seems the individual barrel has it's own favorite even from the same maker.

I have recently tried power pistol and suspect I may be buying more, I'm impressed with it so far.

I have also loaded a fair amount of 9mm with 700x which is my fav. for 45 so I have a large supply on hand. When using the 700x I need to be very watchful of lead buildup until I get the load right as it has build up quickly with hot rounds which jumps pressure up quickly as result.

I have been using the 115gr. FMJ and JHP Montana Gold bullets in the last year or so with very good results, particularly with the Power Pistol.

As usual work up safely and enjoy
-2sigs

When I was loading 9mm ammo for my son I used a lot of W231/HP-38 with a 124/125gr lead of jacketed bullet. If the ammo is for range use W231 is a very good choice, especially since you are already using it in your .38 Special and .45 Auto ammo.

I charge 4.0gr W231 under a 124/125gr LRN bullet and 4.4gr W231 under a 124gr jacketed bullet. Under a 115gr XTP bullet 5.0gr W231 works very well. I've also used HS-6 and it also works well for both lead and jacketed bullets. It's a slower burning powder so it works better with heavier bullets than light ones.

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SWCA #3437

Since only factory ammunition should be used for self defense, I would try different bullets and see which one gives the desired accuracy, functioning, and recoil. I would recommend Power Pistol for a powder. I typically shoot 5.6gr Power Pistol and Montana Gold 115 gr bullets. I understand that cast bullets are not to be used in a Glock due to the design of the rifling.

Hi...For years, I've loaded Hornady 100gr. FMJs over 4.5 gr. of Bullseye.
Never a problem in my 39 Smith or my Mauser Luger. BT

My RR with a Kart barrel likes VV3N37 with 122g lead TC bullets with CCI primers. It also shoot Penn 115 g lead swc bullets. I tried some Power Pistol with fair results, but didn't like all the flash and bank. My gun seems to faver the mid-range powders with lead.

Sort the cases to length and be careful.....that case fills up fast - gene

I was in the same position recently, having loaded numerous different calibers, but new to 9mm. I am loading for both a revolver (940) and a short barrel pistol (469). I have settled so far on 125 gr. lead, over 3.8 gr. of 231. Chrono's 906 fps from the 940. I was mainly interested in an accurate and comfortable shooting round for range use. I prefer jacketed for anything serious.

The bullet I use is from Stonewall, and I seat it at 1.115". I taper crimp about .003". I do feel the 9mm is more sensitive to OAL and crimp than many other rounds. I have used a 147 RNL also, but haven't finalized any specific load yet. I am trying 231, AA5, HS6, and Titegroup. All seem to do pretty well. I personally don't like Unique due to the large grain structure and unburnt particles getting into places it doesn't belong.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If you will be using 115 gr bullets for defense, you should probably keep that weight for range use. It will keep you POA vs. POI close and recoil should be similar.

For 9mm I have loaded the following to success:
115 Gr. Xtreme Plated Bullet
4.5 Gr. Bullseye (Real soft shooting. This is my "bunny fart" load)
CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers (or Remington 1 1/2 if you don't wish to use Magnum primers)

115 Gr. Xtreme Plated Bullet
5.4 Gr. Unique (also soft shooting but a bit dirtier)
CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers (or Remington 1 1/2 if you don't wish to use Magnum primers)


115 Gr. Xtreme Plated Bullet
7.7 Gr. AA #7 (warmer load, closer to factory spec)
CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers (or Remington 1 1/2 if you don't wish to use Magnum primers)

115 Gr. Xtreme Plated Bullet
4.4 Gr. Win 231 (see Bullseye load above)
CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnum Primers (or Remington 1 1/2 if you don't wish to use Magnum primers)

Regards,
Arkdweller

i use unique with a 115 gr jhp, i think 6.4 gr is what i loaded the last 500 with and they shoot pretty good out of my glock 17 and are over 1300 fps my book states

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If you're already using W231/HP38 for other calibers, you know that hotter loads burn cleaner. Light loads with that stuff is DIRTY. Works fine, but whoa!

Jeff

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I use HS-6 for 125 grain and heavier bullets and Win 231 for 115 grain.

Works pretty well for me.

Has anyone used Red Dot, say 4.3-4.6 grains of powder for 124 grain bullets? Because I'm in the same boat as the orginal poster and trying to find a very good, yet economical load to start off with.

4.0 of Red Dot with 125s is my standard plinking load.

Mine, too. I get around 1050 fps with a lead bullet. (4.0 Red Dot, 125 ltc)

I use 125 gr LRN with Bullseye