Powder for shield 9
- Thread starter Jmick
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There is nothing special about loading for a Shield. For any semiauto, you need enough power to work the slide. I use mostly titegroup or HP38 for target 9mm loading, but I can think of a baker's dozen that also work well. Look in any good reloading manual.
Are you new enough...?
Are you new enough that you should get a good reloading manual with a 'how-to' section and learn the ins and outs of reloading? straight, tapered, rimless bottleneck cartridges as they all have their traits. The internet nowadays has lots of videos to explain things and if you know a reloader that would be great. Look on the powder manufacturers websites and you can see what certain powders are best at. Nearly any powder will 'work', that is, go bang and the bullet comes out the other end, but some are better for certain purposes. The slower burning, bulky powders are mostly for revolver magnum loads. A small, modern cartridge like the 9mm has different characteristics.
Alliant has 'Power Pistol' for best performance, but most fast to medium powders will work well. BE-86 is a new powder that's showing up.
Hornady has CFE for 9mm and similar cartridges.
I like Accurate powders and have used their #7 in 9mm that gives a gentle recoil with a heavy bullet with a light load.
It's a little better now finding pistol powders than it was in the shortages over the last couple years but choice is often dictated by what powders are available.
Are you new enough that you should get a good reloading manual with a 'how-to' section and learn the ins and outs of reloading? straight, tapered, rimless bottleneck cartridges as they all have their traits. The internet nowadays has lots of videos to explain things and if you know a reloader that would be great. Look on the powder manufacturers websites and you can see what certain powders are best at. Nearly any powder will 'work', that is, go bang and the bullet comes out the other end, but some are better for certain purposes. The slower burning, bulky powders are mostly for revolver magnum loads. A small, modern cartridge like the 9mm has different characteristics.
Alliant has 'Power Pistol' for best performance, but most fast to medium powders will work well. BE-86 is a new powder that's showing up.
Hornady has CFE for 9mm and similar cartridges.
I like Accurate powders and have used their #7 in 9mm that gives a gentle recoil with a heavy bullet with a light load.
It's a little better now finding pistol powders than it was in the shortages over the last couple years but choice is often dictated by what powders are available.
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I've read "the abc's of reloading" and have the Lyman 49th edition. But yes, I'm new, I'm setting up my first press this weekend and was hoping to have all consumables to start. Unfortunately, the only local place is BassPro and they didn't have anything tonight. The next closest store is about an hour away. So I was going to call in the morning and see what they had in stock before I made the drive. I heard that titegroup was good for compact pistols, so wasn't sure if I needed to look for a specific kind of powder for a shorter barrel. I forgot to mention that I'll be loading for target practice. Thanks for the info!
Great!
Glad to welcome a new reloader. While searching out equipment and components start studying up. Careful does it. Are you clear on different kinds of presses and other equipment?
PS Ah, I see you answered the questions already.
Glad to welcome a new reloader. While searching out equipment and components start studying up. Careful does it. Are you clear on different kinds of presses and other equipment?
PS Ah, I see you answered the questions already.
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Thanks! I was able to get a used Lee three hole auto progressive turret. And got a Lyman ideal 55 powder measure. I bought Hornady dies for it. My thinking, was to learn on this press and then when I'm ready to upgrade to a progressive go with a Hornady lnl.
Perfect... thanks for those suggestions. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up one of those tomorrow and get going.
bluelund79
Member
Titegroup and w231 are what I use for plinking. I did pick up a bottle of power pistol to try, but I usually stick with titegroup as it's also used in my 45acp and 38spl loads.
There are many many powders that can be used for the 9mm.
IMHO I do not think Tite Group is a good one for new reloaders to start with. It is a very fast burning powder and does not give you much range between start and max loads.
Try to find a slower powder, HP 38, Unique something in that range.
In Lyman 49 in the beginning chapters there is a good section on powders, do some research before just buying "stuff"
IMHO I do not think Tite Group is a good one for new reloaders to start with. It is a very fast burning powder and does not give you much range between start and max loads.
Try to find a slower powder, HP 38, Unique something in that range.
In Lyman 49 in the beginning chapters there is a good section on powders, do some research before just buying "stuff"
Any gun 'stuff'.....
Any gun 'stuff' is good 'stuff', but if you are on a budget as tight as mine you have to make every shot count (no pun intended).
There are many many powders that can be used for the 9mm.
IMHO I do not think Tite Group is a good one for new reloaders to start with. It is a very fast burning powder and does not give you much range between start and max loads.
Try to find a slower powder, HP 38, Unique something in that range.
In Lyman 49 in the beginning chapters there is a good section on powders, do some research before just buying "stuff"
Any gun 'stuff' is good 'stuff', but if you are on a budget as tight as mine you have to make every shot count (no pun intended).
Any gun 'stuff' is good 'stuff', but if you are on a budget as tight as mine you have to make every shot count (no pun intended).
I feel your pain on the tight budget!
Magload
US Veteran
I liked Titegroup but when it got hard to get around here I switched to CFE Pistol and have 16 pounds of it so will not be changing for a while. Don
nitesite
Member
Tite has a very narrow range between MIN and MAX so I don't usually recommend its use for people new to reloading. But it would work very well in a Shield if all precautions are observed.
However, for 9mm there are TONS of very acceptable powders out there that are equally good or perhaps better.
My 9mm training rounds have had within them the following: 700-X, Unique, AA#5, AA#7, Bullseye, Titegroup, Ramshot Silhouette... my point is that i didn't get hung up one ONE powder to get me there. I was quite satisfied with every one of these powders and over the past 5-6 years I have used whatever was currently available during terribly short supply and been pretty happy with all of them.
However, for 9mm there are TONS of very acceptable powders out there that are equally good or perhaps better.
My 9mm training rounds have had within them the following: 700-X, Unique, AA#5, AA#7, Bullseye, Titegroup, Ramshot Silhouette... my point is that i didn't get hung up one ONE powder to get me there. I was quite satisfied with every one of these powders and over the past 5-6 years I have used whatever was currently available during terribly short supply and been pretty happy with all of them.
That's what I'm finding out.. It's hard to find any powder here locally. So basically if I can find any pistol powder, for practice/plinking, I should be ok? Just get what is available and follow the manuals on load amount. Thanks for the help!
Just because there may be data for a powder, does not mean that it is the best choice for a particular caliber.
I understand that powders are hard to obtain locally but it is best to research and understand what you are getting into.
Yes it may cost more but if you by in larger quantities (you need primers also) online is usually a larger variety. People whine about a $25 Haz Mat, but in a lot of purchases it ends up being less than a jacked up local price with tax.
Just an example. Cabellas a week ago had HP 38, they still have CFE pistol for $25, they have SB primers small pistol for $20.Their Haz mat is $20.
They also had a $5 shipping .
So look for specials like this at other places also.
Reloading Powders & Primers : Cabela's
I do not know what"stuff"
you have but please get a GOOD scale whatever you buy.
ChiefStealth
US Veteran
Get what is available now. Jump quickly. Buy more than what you think you need. Keep looking for exactly what you want. When you find your ideal stuff, jump on it fast.
I found some Hodgdon titewad today and bought it. Said it was for shotgun and pistol. But after getting home the only data for pistol on it is for 124g. I was looking for 115g. Guess I'll be taking it back tomorrow and see what else I can find.
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