I load a number of the 9mm (.355"-356") family cartridges: 380ACP, 9mm, 357 Sig, 38 Super. My typical bullet wiegth is 100 grains to 147 grains, depending on the cartridge. I currently have a wide selection of different powders for all these loads. I am trying to reduce the range or breath of my powder inventory while increasing the depth. I've been trying to work up satisfactory loads using a smaller range of powders but could use some advice from the experts here on thier experience.

My current stock of powder for the above calibers are:
Titegroup
HP38
CFE- pistol
Red Dot
Bullseye
Lil'Gun
HERCO
AA#7

I realize that my quest for a "one powder fits all" is not realistic but any reduction in the range of powders I currently use would be an achievement. Any experience you've had in developing loads for these 9mm family cartridges using the same powders would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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"Your other right........."

I don't load .357 Sig so I can't comment on those but I use CFE Pistol for all the other calibers listed when loading Minor Power Factor. When I load Major 9 or 38 Super I use Autocomp (because I'm shooting open division and Autocomp works the compensator better in my opinion) I don't even stock any other pistol powders, I try to keep things consistent.

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My years of experience has all been with 231 (HP38). I do not load for 38 super or Sig.

CFE Pistol and HP-38 would be my choices.


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There are a dozen powders that will work, but there are differences that come into play depending on whether you want to load everything as hot as you can, or want, as I do, loads suitable for range practice and competition. I would remove the Lil gun and Herco from your list as too slow for normal range loads (you CAN, but not optimum). I have never tried AA #7. I personally use Titegroup and HP38 for those calibers.
Autocomp or Power Pistol are more suitable for max MV.

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Science plus Art

Alliant Unique might work well for all the listed calibers

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Those powders will all work for light target loads to full loads,
some better than others.

The one powder that I do like for the 9mm for both type of loads is Red Dot.

3.8grs will work with the 115 and 124gr plated RN type bullets
for light target work and it really fills the case on the near full
standard 9mm loads.

In a 3.5" C9 pistol the 115gr will go from 984 to 1178fps with a
OAL of 1.14 down to 1.12"
The 124gr at a OAL of 1.14" will start at 905 and can reach 1071fps.

CFE, w231 are about the same in reaching full loads and do
better in my short barrel with the lighter bullets if you are
looking for speed.
If you have a 4" or longer barrel things will improve, greatly.
A 124gr in a 4" with Red Dot at 1.14" OAL will reach 1150fps.

They all work, I just like the way Red Dot fills the case nearing a full load, that can be seen easy.

My favorite has been IMR 7625 for 115 & 124 gr bullets, but since it has been discontinued Im going back to W 231 or HP38.
Jim

WSF works well in my 115gr 9x19mm loads. I just use the Hodgdon reloading center data. WSF is a great 9mm powder!

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N Frames = warm fuzzy!

Let's say you want to know it down to one fast, one medium and one slow powder for magnum loads.

Decide between Titegroup and Bullseye. They both do about the same job.

I like Red Dot, but it's pretty close to TG and BE also.

HP38 and Unique are similar. I really like HP38 but Unique is so versatile and there are a zillion loads for it. Herco is another medium burning powder. Acc #7 is a slower medium powder.

I haven't tried Lil gun, but I hear that it's a rather touchy powder that has power excursions into the high range. Get a good magnum powder for the big stuff.

I don't know anything about CFE Pistol except that it supposedly helps keep down copper fouling and I'll bet that it has a flash suppressant.

I used to just use Bullseye, Unique and 2400 for magnums. But the shortages histand I loaded up on any powder I could find. It's good to be 'forced' to experiment.

Update: I should say that these powders were used mostly in revolvers and are 'old hat'. There are newer powders for semi autos that have some special characteristics. The old thing about fast, medium and slow still applies though, if you want to explore the full range of the weapon. You do have a lot of redundancy on your list, though.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I only load for 9mm and 380 ACP from your list. CFE-P is my favorite powder in 9mm but is not so good in 380 ACP. Titegroup or Bullseye are better choices in 380. My favorite in 380 is Power Pistol (not in your list), followed by Titegroup. CFE-Pistol was one of the worst I tested in 380.

My favorite 9mm plinking/target/match load is 5.0 grains CFE-P under a 124 gr plated bullet.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Of the powders you list I would cut them down to three. You can use HP-38, CFE-Pistol and AA#7 and do them all well.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

You can lad them all with aa#7 & get good performance from all the calibers. I would probably drop to hp38 for the 380, but if you wanted only one, hard to beat aa7 imo.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

All - I really appreciate the feed back; this kind of discussion is most helpful.
While there is redundancy in the burn rate of these powders, my testing so far shows that Lil' Gun and HERCO provide very good accuracy in 38 Super pushing a 125-135 grain bullet at >1150 fps. However, AA#7 doesn't produce the accuracy it's known for in my Colt 38 Super. I get the MV but at 10 yards it's a pattern, not a grouping. TG, HP38 & CFE-P are fine in the 9mm, CFE-P showing surprising accuracy from my BHP and Sig 225. The recommendations to narrow the powder choices to a fast, medium and slow powder is a good one that I hadn't really considered. If I were to add a "NEW" powder to the line up (while cutting out three or four others) what would be your considered consensus?

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"Your other right........."

I have grown to like Red Dot in the 9mm, and use 4 grains of it with just about any bullet weight. Should work well in any of the calibers you mention.

May be a little fast for the .357 SIG for max velocities, but you could probably cobble a load together that would work for you.

HS6 is a natural for everything you list except .380, which requires a faster powder. I'd be quite happy with HS6 and Bullseye for the .380.

Try BE-86 from Alliant.

I've had good results with it. It's similar to Unique in burn rate, but burns cleaner and meters better.

If you are loading for handgun only you can cut your selection down to 3 powders, all made by Accurate and all 3 meter wonderfully. Those 3 powders are Accurate #5, #7, and #9.

BTW, I load 380 ACP, 9mm Para, 38 special, and 357 Magnum. While #9 wont hit the upper limits for 38 Super or 357 Sig it will come quite close and you won't have to deal with the excess muzzle flash or booming report produce by Lilgun or Hodgdon Longshot.

BTW, I would expect that the king of the hill powder for 357 Sig would be Longshot and I have warn you that Longshot meters very poorly.

I've been partial to Bullseye for all the pistol calibers I load.

I reload 357 sig and have found Accurate #9 ideal . It's a full case so bullet set back is not a problem . It's extremely accurate and offers tremendous velocity . My 2nd choice is BE -86 .

Out of all those on your list, I would go with Red Dot. Not on your list I would use BE86.

I think Red Dot is too fast for cartridges like the .357 Sig.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437