Getting back into reloading after 10 years.

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I am only load 9mm. I loaded .223 and .308 before for 11 years.
My question is I am loading for S&W Pro Series 11820 5" Barrel.
I am Loading 115 gr and 124 gr Bullets. Looking at buying 1 kind
of power for both weights. Any suggestion would be helpful.
 
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So many good choices. Bullseye, Red Dot, Titegroup, W231, 700-X, Unique, Power Pistol, Universal, AA #5. I've used them all except 700-X and Red Dot. They all work just fine, but I don't shoot 9mm long distance for super low MOA accuracy. I just shoot short barrels at self defense distance of 7-10 yards aiming center mass. A hit is a hit. To be honest, I'm not super picky about which powder I load 9 mm with.
 
In my vast 2 years of experience I tried countless powders......
Okay.... not so countless.

Alliant Sport Pistol and Win231 have been my favorites so far.
 
AA 5 and Winchester Auto Comp. They are almost identical, Auto is sometimes easier to find.
 
I have 12 handgun powders but for the most part I always come back to W231/HP-38 for most of my handgun loading.

Now for the 9mm, I don't see a reason why you would need 2 different powders for bullets with such a small difference in bullet weight.

For my reloading of the 9mm I use mostly W231 for both cast and FMJ bullets. I could also use it for SD ammo with a JHP but sometimes I want to jump the velocity a but with a slightly slower powder. I use several and really haven't done enough testing to decide on one. I have used AA#5, HS-6 and Power Pistol. I have yet to try W244, W572 or Universal and might not. Of those 3 I've tried I tend to lean towards HS-6.

BUT, if I want only 1 powder it would for sure be W231.
 
Any of the powders mentioned in previous post work well in a lot of cartridges.

For 9mm I tend to gravitate toward W572 or Accurate #7 and Longshot.
As posted above Accurate #5 is a versatile powder with a bit faster burn rate. It has been a favorite of mine in 45ACP for decades.

It's also difficult to overlook the versatility and performance offered from CFE Pistol.

All of these powders meter quite well.
 
Any of the powders mentioned in previous post work well in a lot of cartridges.

For 9mm I tend to gravitate toward W572 or Accurate #7 and Longshot.
As posted above Accurate #5 is a versatile powder with a bit faster burn rate. It has been a favorite of mine in 45ACP for decades.

It's also difficult to overlook the versatility and performance offered from CFE Pistol.

All of these powders meter quite well.

I was going to mention CFE Pistol. I just got a lb. couple months ago and in just a quick test fire it seemed nice. More testing required for sure.

But if I was forced to pick just one now it would be W231.
 
Hogdon titegroup will work in both loads of your 9mm. We use it at 3.1-3.3 grains in 9mm and it runs everything we have up to long slide unlimited pistols for competition. Usually a 124 grain Montana Gold jhp. Also a 124 grain rn powder coated bullet.

Regards from the Commonwealth,
Rick Gibbs
 
I've loaded alot of Bullseye but have loaded more W231 lately. Both/either would serve your needs
 
So many good choices. Bullseye, Red Dot, Titegroup, W231, 700-X, Unique, Power Pistol, Universal, AA #5. I've used them all except 700-X and Red Dot. They all work just fine, but I don't shoot 9mm long distance for super low MOA accuracy. I just shoot short barrels at self defense distance of 7-10 yards aiming center mass. A hit is a hit. To be honest, I'm not super picky about which powder I load 9 mm with.
Nowday's the question is what powder can you find ...
Make a list of the above powders and add to that list :
700-X
HP-38
W231
Accurate #2
Red Dot
Green Dot
Herco
Auto Comp
Win. Action Pistol
Viht. Vih. 3N37
Zip
I have used all these powders and they can work fine .
I load mostly 124 gr. TC .
I'm sure there are a few more powders I've over looked .
Make a list and keep it on you ... when you see a powder for sale ... snap it up especially if it's priced reasonably !
Gary
 
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CFE-Pistol and W231 have been consistently available in my area so I would steer you in that direction. Both are working well for me in 9mm.
 
Welcome back! Hand loading has always been therapeutic for me. I could and still do spend hours at the loading bench. Everything from case prep to sending rounds-the finished product down range has been a passion for a long time.

Currently the wife and I reload everything from 100 grain plated bullets from Berrys in 9mm up to 147 grain jhp in 9mm. Jacketed, cast that are powder coated, etc. For target we load with Titegroup. A slight change on The powder die, and on the dies on the Dillon and we are gtg.
Longshot seems to be the best imho if you want to get the most performance out of a bullet in 9.

Regards, Rick Gibbs
 
In the 9mm, powders from the fast Alliant Bullseye to the slow Unique
will give you light target to factory loadings.

Just fit the powder to your needs or get a medium Fast powder for every thing, like w231 or Green Dot.

For target work I like the plated bullets but some like the new coated, lead bullets, that may be a little cheaper.

Good luck with the powders and primers.
 
I found some CFE-Pistol for $37.00 Will start loading with it this weekend.
OldYooper.

You'll like it. I shoot a lot of it in several calibers, and really like it. It meters really well and is a good consistent burning powder...

... and it reduces copper fouling to boot.:cool:
 

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