Newbie w/ 9mm Q's

[donno686]

I have just gotten into reloading (with a little help from the folks here) and have a couple of questions. I shoot IDPA-SSP mostly. I purchased a L-N-L so I have over 500 9mm HP-XTP in 115 g to start with. I am looking for some suggestions on powder. From my research I have found that there are several powders that would work, but I would like to get some feedback from the crew here on what they use. I would like to be at power factor, or hover just above the 125,000 pf floor. Not that a 9mm has much recoil but, what do you think about going with a heavier and slower bullet? Is there a noticeable difference in the felt recoil? Also, the reason I ask is I will start loading for the 45 ACP in ESR soon, 185 vs. 200 vs. 230.

Thanks

 

[novalty]

Your reloading manual should post pressure for the different charge amounts: base vs. max grain recommendation. That is where I would base recoil. Recommended powders, probably are: Unique, W231, HP38, Bulleye. Will work for 45 acp as well.

 

[Rule3]

Power Pistol.
I am a die hard HP 38, fan but have been using PP lately. The new Hornady manual . it is their preferred powder for the 9mm.

 

[Titegroups]

Power pistol and hs-6.

 

[fredj338]

For min PF, PP isn't the best choice. With the 115gr, you are making about 1125fps, PP works, but the recoil impulse & blast isn't as easy to deal with as say W231/HP38. Many like the 147gr bulelts @ 875fps+/-, it gives more of a push than a torque & seems to get sights back on target quickly.
I shoot CDP & ESR, my load is a 200gr LTC @ 850fps. A 230grLRN @ 740fps feels about the same to me, so I shoot the cheaper bullet. I swear by WST in the 45acp & it also works fine in the 9mm, lower recoil impulse for the same vel vs using something like PP or Unique & it burns very clean. There just isn't much load data out for WST in the 9mm but it is easily worked up starting w/ 4.5gr under a 115grJHP, work to 5.1gr max.

 

[Dragon88]

My minor load is 124gr Berry's plated over Red Dot. That's an unusual powder choice I know, but it's very economical and accurate in my guns. Working up a minor load is easy with the 124gr bullet, not sure about the others. I personally don't like 147gr in 9mm for any purpose.

 

[WR Moore]

My 9mm practice load for decades was 122 gr LTC and 4.5 gr Unique, gave real close to 1000 fps. For the past few years, the Berry 115,gr DS, 5.8 gr gives 1150fps with great regularity. The actual jacketed bullet is going to run slower with the same powder charge due to greater friction in the bore.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since this is competition ammo you really don't want to use a high flash powder like Power Pistol. You also don't want to use a dirty powder like Unique because in the later stages of the match fouling could be a factor.

There are a lot of good powders for the 9mm but making Minor will limit you somewhat. I'm a huge fan of W231 but I'm not sure if you can make minor without pushing the pressure limits. Longshot will give you what you need as will HS-6. I think AA#5 will also do the job and all 3 powders produce accurate ammo for me.

 

[fredj338]

Since this is competition ammo you really don't want to use a high flash powder like Power Pistol. You also don't want to use a dirty powder like Unique because in the later stages of the match fouling could be a factor.

There are a lot of good powders for the 9mm but making Minor will limit you somewhat. I'm a huge fan of W231 but I'm not sure if you can make minor without pushing the pressure limits. Longshot will give you what you need as will HS-6. I think AA#5 will also do the job and all 3 powders produce accurate ammo for me.

You can easily make minor w/ W231 & any 9mm bullet wt/style. It's just not suited for going much beyond midrange loads in the 9mm.

 

[Skip Sackett]

The weight of the powder is part of the felt recoil calculation. It is a physics thing. On handloads.com there is a calculator for it. Take a look.

It has been my experience in shooting that faster powders provide a shorter "impulse" or recoil than the slower ones. Just me though. A lot will depend on what firearm you are using. A low riding barrel type, think Glock or 1911 or a high riding one, think Sig, will make the choice for you. The higher the axis of the barrel, the more the felt recoil. It is a leverage thing.

Personally, I think the faster powders for the 9mm and light loads are what you want, Bullseye, HP-38/W231, AA#2 or WST for that matter. For the 45ACP, I have only 1 competition load. 4.7gr of Bullseye under a 200-230gr lead or plated bullet of any style. 800+fps with the lighter bullets, right at 780fps from the heavier ones. Works for me! YMMV!

Welcome to the forum too by the way!

 

[Carnage_7]

The load of choice in 9mm IDPA or USPSA is 147g using VV N320 powder or similar.

 

[Titegroups]

The IDPA guys at my club use HS-6 for the most part.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can easily make minor w/ W231 & any 9mm bullet wt/style. It's just not suited for going much beyond midrange loads in the 9mm.

Like I said, I wasn't sure. Thanks for the information...

 

[noylj]

If you are NOT trying for 9mm Major, then I would look at fast powders: AA2 (very accurate), Red Dot/Bullseye, and Solo 1000 (I don't have a load for Solo 1000, yet).
Lots of people seem to really like TiteGroup, but I haven't found a cartridge/gun that shoots it very accurately.
5.2-5.3gn WSF, 5.4gn WST, 4.7gn 231/HP38, 4.3-4.5gn 700X, 4.5-4.7gn AA2, 4.0gn Bullseye/Red Dot, 4.5gn Green Dot, 4.1gn N320, 4.4gn PB (very clean burning), 4.2-4.3gn TiteGroup, 5.0gn Unique, 4.2gn Zip should all put you at or slightly over 120 PF.
If you can find the VV powders, don't let the expense keep you from buying N320. For the difference in cost, it is probably no more than an additional 1/2 cent per round.