POWDER CHOICE FOR 9MM AND 38SPL

[alphabrace]

Hello,
I am buying powder for the first time and I was thinking about using Titegroup for these calibers. The 9 goes in a semi while the 38 in a revolver. I want to use the same powder in both. Thanks for you responses.

 

[Tell Sackett]

brace,

I'm not a big fan of Titegroup. Case fill is the reason. It is such a dense powder that 3gr doesn't put much in a case!

If it was me, for a first powder, I would choose the old standard of Bullseye, many, many loads for both calibers are available and time tested. The other powder I would use would be W231/HP-38. Meters great and works well in both calibers too.

This is like a "Ford versus Chevy" thing with most folks. The truth is though, almost any handgun powder used for standard loads will work in both calibers you have mentioned.

What kind of rounds are you looking to make? Personal defense duplication rounds or paper punching ones?

 

[Steve C]

Tightgroup is OK for jacketed bullets in the 9 and the .38 spl but seems to burn a bit hot which produces leading with lead bullets. I've loaded lead bullets in the .38 spl on top of Tightgroup and it shoots OK, just a bit of leading where other powders producing equal or greater velocities do not.

Unique is a more versatile option if you also want to load lead and jacketed 9mm or the .38 spl. Unique will also produce higher velocity in these cartridges than you can get with TG.

TG is a very dense powder and takes up a small volume for charge wt. so a double charge could go unnoticed where Unique or bulkier powders would overflow or completely fill the case.

 

[alphabrace]

What kind of rounds are you looking to make? Personal defense duplication rounds or paper punching ones?

Paper punching.

 

[max]

I use 231 in those two.

 

[snw19_357]

I use 231 in those two.

Another for W231/HP-38. For my plinker/target loads.

 

[Landric]

I've had great luck with HS-6 in both cartridges. I like Titegroup for some applications, its fine in 9mm for instance, but it leave way too much space in the .38 Special case IMO.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I reflexively say Unique.

It does work really well in the 9mm with full charges. Burns clean enough to satisfy those who worry about such things and gives top velocities with the 115-125 grain bullets.

It also works well in the .38 Special if one stays away from starting loads with it. Half throttle to full throttle loads are best. Allow it to gen up some pressure and it gives useful performance.

If you are looking for strictly light, target loads then look towards Win 231 or Bullseye.

 

[OKFC05]

Started with Win 231/ HP-38 decades ago.
Just had to try nearly everything that would fit, but keep coming back.
Only problem with Unique is getting consistent power factor in a progressive press ( like for IDPA and USPSA).
Titegroup is fine for fairly high pressure loads with medium heavy bullets to make power factor for competition, but less versatile at light loadings.
Yes, Hodgdon Powder for 38 (HP-38) acts like it was made for it (it was).
You're not going to have to worry too much about light loads in the 9mm, because you have to load it near full power to work the semi-auto correctly.

 

[ajpelz]

I would go with Unique or Bullseye.

Those are the powders I started with, and both are very versatile.

 

[3five7]

Another vote for HP-38 or Winchester 231 (same powder different name). Works very well for both 9mm and 38 special. Unique is a very good powder also but it does not meter well through some measures. Check out Hodgdon Powder Co. web site for specific receipes.

Hodgdon - The Gun Powder People

 

[Retired in 2001]

Win 231

I another vote for Win 231 I use it for 9 &38 &44 &45 All good

 

[Troystat]

I have used Bullseye for 38 special target loads and have been pleased. You get a lot of loads out of a pound of powder.

Thanks

Troy

 

[cocojo]

For target, Bulleye is a good powder. I found it less position sensitive. For a duplication or standard velocity load WW 231 will give you higher velocity. I chronied two rounds and a 158 rnl bullet from my 2 inch S&W. First load was bullseye was 3.8 grains, which clocked at 725 over 5 round average. The bullseye was just about standard and just gedtting into +P territory. Second load was WW 231 at 4.3 grains, which clocked at 760 out of the 2 inch S&W. The 231 was under WW max of 4.5 for standard pressure, before Hodgdon took over a dropped all the power charges way down. Bullseye is a bit dirty'er than 231. As for Unique it doesn't meter as well in my dillion as 231 or bullseye. Never used Tightgroup.

 

[btruman]

for 9MM and .38Sp. Win 231for lighter loads, then AA5 and HS6 for a little more go are my favorites.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I would go with Unique or Bullseye.

Kinda funny... when I read the title of this thread these are the two powders that came to mind.

 

[alphabrace]

After reading all the posts I'm going to go with W231. I noted that no one suggested using VihtaVuori. From what I here its a very good clean powder but cost about 1/3 more. Thanks for everyone's input. I really value your thoughts.

 

[epj]

I use 3.0 grains of Clays for both. Clean burning, accurate, cheap. Works for me.

 

[dmar]

I've been happy with W-231 in 9mm and .38 spl... It also works well in for my .45 ACP loads, although I've been using Bullseye lately. Guys I shoot with also say that Unique is great for .38 spl, but I have not used it, yet.

 

[rrockefe]

I use 231 in both calibers and I use the same 4.5 gr. charge also. Makes for great convenience with my Dillon Sq. Deal reloader; no need to mess with a powder adjustment when changing calibers. I worked up to that charge to get my 3913 to cycle reliably and it works well for my Mod 19, 38 special loads. For paper punching only. I keep them loaded with factory loads for home and personal defense.