I'm going to try and make a run to T&T Reloading tonight if I can, and will buy powder and primers. Any recommendations on a good powder to buy for 9mm loads? I'm going to be using Montana Gold 124gr JHP's and probably CCI primers. I've got to find some good recipes for this mixture of bullet, powder, primer.

 

GlennP has recommended I use Bullseye, but wondering if there are other powders I can use as well? I'm thinking about buy a couple of different 1-lb tubs of powder so I can try them out.

I'm going to try and make a run to T&T Reloading tonight if I can, and will buy powder and primers. Any recommendations on a good powder to buy for 9mm loads? I'm going to be using Montana Gold 124gr JHP's and probably CCI primers. I've got to find some good recipes for this mixture of bullet, powder, primer.

 

GlennP has recommended I used Bullseye, but wondering if there are other powders I can use as well? I'm thinking about buy a couple of different 1-lb tubs of powder so I can try them out.

 

+1 to Bullseye (surprisingly), Vihtavuori N320, and Titegroup are popular.

231

VV N320 and titegroup are among the most popular in USPSA circles.

Both offer same characteristics, but titegroup is a bit dirtier.

I currently am using N320 at 4.2gr with a MG 124gr JHP for my production G17. A nice clean soft, and accurate load.

Also you WILL run into primer issues with CCI in a striker fired gun with trigger work.

If you are starting out as a reloader, I would recommend avoiding Bullseye at first. It is a very fast powder, which means you don't have to use very much of it. This really increases the possibility of a double or even triple charge. I would go with a slightly slower powder where a double charge will be obvious because powder is to the brim or overflowing from the case mouth. With Blue Dot you would use about 6 grains compared to about 4 grains of Bullseye.

VV N320 and titegroup are among the most popular in USPSA circles.

Both offer same characteristics, but titegroup is a bit dirtier.

I currently am using N320 at 4.2gr with a MG 124gr JHP for my production G17. A nice clean soft, and accurate load.

Also you WILL run into primer issues with CCI in a striker fired gun with trigger work.

 

I run thee G34's w/ light striker aprings using CCI primers and 18000 rounds through three pistols and no problems.

231

 

+1 always on the money Bob!

VV N320 and titegroup are among the most popular in USPSA circles.

Both offer same characteristics, but titegroup is a bit dirtier.

I currently am using N320 at 4.2gr with a MG 124gr JHP for my production G17. A nice clean soft, and accurate load.

Also you WILL run into primer issues with CCI in a striker fired gun with trigger work.

 

I see N320 being highly poplular for 9mm while searching the web... What is is the OAL you're using?

I'm going to shooting the reloads through a Beretta 92A1, so it's not a striker fired pistol.

OK - I'm +2 on 231 or HP38. It burns nice and you'll be able to spot a double charge easily. It also meters well in my RCBS powder measure. Bullseye metered like crap in my powder measure. I would say 4.4gr HP38 (231) with a col of 1.125.

 

This is through a 92FS

Win 231 or HP38 ( same powder )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Just to mix things up, I use Power Pistol. It is clean and 5.3gr fills over half the case and makes Minor Power factor. I was disappointed that there was no huge fireball or massive noise like everyone says. WFS (Winchester Super Field) is also popular. PP and WSF also meter well. Titegroup has pressure spikes near the top end so it may not be the best powder to start.

You wont fit a double charge in a 9mm case with bullseye, I tried it once to see what it looked like. Fills it to the mouth.

You wont fit a double charge in a 9mm case with bullseye, I tried it once to see what it looked like. Fills it to the mouth.

 

Didn't know that. I started out reloading with Bullseye and 45ACP, then 357mag. Double (or more) charges were a worry with those larger cases.

I try double charges to see what they will look like. You are correct, I have also checked out 45 and .38 and a double charge in both of those would not be very obvious. However, in 9mm a double charge fills it up so its actually a safe powder.

 

I like 4 grains of bullseye with the montana gold 124. I tried bullseye with 9mm knowings its not the worlds most ideal 9mm powder because I already had it on-hand. Turns out, I really like it! It is very accurate, the recoil feeling of it is light yet crisp, and no flash.

Tony, what are your goals with the ammo you wish to reload? General range duty? Competition? Firebreathing defense loads? I'm sure Bullseye is a "good" powder, but so is the umpteen others listed in any loadbook for 9mm loads, it all just depends on what you want to do with it. In my bias, i generally seek out good match loads for 9mm where recoil is minimized for the velocities i need to obtain, accuracy is high and temps are kept down (cleanliness is a plus too). The most common powders i see folks employ in this arena is VithaVuory N320, Hodgdon Titegoup, Accurate Solo1000 and Hodgdon Clays. You'll see plenty of others such as W231, WSF, WSP, Accurate #2, #5, Unique, Silhouette, etc mentioned depending on peoples guns, intentions, bullets and availability.

 

Here's an page you may be interested in that has a lot of sample data for 9mm minor with a lot of folks even using the same components as you. I personally use the exact same bullets and primer and have settled on N320 for my use if i can get it readily.

 

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89264

I try double charges to see what they will look like. You are correct, I have also checked out 45 and .38 and a double charge in both of those would not be very obvious. However, in 9mm a double charge fills it up so its actually a safe powder.

 

I like 4 grains of bullseye with the montana gold 124. I tried bullseye with 9mm knowings its not the worlds most ideal 9mm powder because I already had it on-hand. Turns out, I really like it! It is very accurate, the recoil feeling of it is light yet crisp, and no flash.

 

I'm going to give Bullseye a try. I might just pick up a pound of Bullseye and then a pound something else, just to try it out. I'm kind of leaning towards VV N320, as I see so many people use it and love it.

I see N320 being highly poplular for 9mm while searching the web... What is is the OAL you're using?

I'm going to shooting the reloads through a Beretta 92A1, so it's not a striker fired pistol.

 

1.140

Tony, what are your goals with the ammo you wish to reload? General range duty? Competition? Firebreathing defense loads? I'm sure Bullseye is a "good" powder, but so is the umpteen others listed in any loadbook for 9mm loads, it all just depends on what you want to do with it. In my bias, i generally seek out good match loads for 9mm where recoil is minimized for the velocities i need to obtain, accuracy is high and temps are kept down (cleanliness is a plus too). The most common powders i see folks employ in this arena is VithaVuory N320, Hodgdon Titegoup, Accurate Solo1000 and Hodgdon Clays. You'll see plenty of others such as W231, WSF, WSP, Accurate #2, #5, Unique, Silhouette, etc mentioned depending on peoples guns, intentions, bullets and availability.

 

Here's an page you may be interested in that has a lot of sample data for 9mm minor with a lot of folks even using the same components as you. I personally use the exact same bullets and primer and have settled on N320 for my use if i can get it readily.

 

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89264

 

Thanks for the info, I will check out the Brian Enos link you provided. For now, I just want to make some good general use loads.

I run thee G34's w/ light striker aprings using CCI primers and 18000 rounds through three pistols and no problems.

 

CCI are one of the "harder" primers on the market(not including wolf and whatever else comes out of the plant)

My trigger work is more than just springs. The general consensus among Glock shooters is that you will run into problems using certain primers.

I shot a match with Tula primers and out of the required 170 rounds(approximately) I encountered 27 light hits on my ammo.

I am not saying that you will have problems, but the odds are against you.

I see N320 being highly poplular for 9mm while searching the web... What is is the OAL you're using?I'm going to shooting the reloads through a Beretta 92A1, so it's not a striker fired pistol.

OAL isn't dependent on the type of firing pin, rather, it is chamber dependent. Glocks are typically very generous and can typically load long, whereas my CZ has a fairly shorter leade and needs to be loaded shorter (1.090) with the 124g MG JHP's due to the flatter and longer bearing surface (as opposed to say a FMJ). This will actually have to be something you devise on your own through experimentation with the particular gun you intend to shoot it in. If you have several 9mm guns, you may need to load to the lowest common denominator for it to chamber smoothly in each. You really want to avoid loading the ammo long and using in a short chamber since this will affect pressures as the bullet firmly lodges itself a few thousandths into the rifling before you ever fire the round.

 

I'm going to give Bullseye a try. I might just pick up a pound of Bullseye and then a pound something else, just to try it out. I'm kind of leaning towards VV N320, as I see so many people use it and love it.

If they have N320, can you get pricing on the 4lb jugs if they have it?

accurate #2 #5

 

last 9mm i reloaded was 115gr fmj 6.5gr #5 cci primer aol 1.130

 

makes a good uspsa round..

OAL isn't dependent on the type of firing pin, rather, it is chamber dependent. Glocks are typically very generous and can typically load long, whereas my CZ has a fairly shorter leade and needs to be loaded shorter (1.090) with the 124g MG JHP's due to the flatter and longer bearing surface (as opposed to say a FMJ). This will actually have to be something you devise on your own through experimentation with the particular gun you intend to shoot it in. If you have several 9mm guns, you may need to load to the lowest common denominator for it to chamber smoothly in each. You really want to avoid loading the ammo long and using in a short chamber since this will affect pressures as the bullet firmly lodges itself a few thousandths into the rifling before you ever fire the round.

 

 

If they have N320, can you get pricing on the 4lb jugs if they have it?

 

T&T does not carry VV. That's why I don't want to start using it, it's too hard to find.

T&T does not carry VV. That's why I don't want to start using it, it's too hard to find.

Not hard to find at all.

Powder Valley has it for $91.00, check for availability.

I have had a steady supply of it for the last 5 years.

Also, order as much as you can afford (primers and powders) at the same time. Save on hazmat and shipping fees.

Shot Ronny's VV N320. good loads.

 

I started with Winchester 231 as per Tim's recomendation. Fantastic powder.

 

Switched to WSF (Winchester Super Field). It is a tad slower burning, so a nice soft recoil, and tough to double charge. Very versatile for both 9mm, 40 and 45. currently using it for 9mm, 45 gap and 45 ACP.

 

(and it is super cheap).

If they have N320, can you get pricing on the 4lb jugs if they have it?

 

Hmmm, just looked at their online catalog and they don't seem to carry N320. They do seem to carry Hodgdon, Alliant, IMR, and Winchester powders though.

A reliable source has informed me to try the following place for some reloading supplies, including N320.

Ron Shirk Shooting Supplies Inc104 Golf Road LebanonLebanon, PA. 17046 717-272-5671

Hmmm, just looked at their online catalog and they don't seem to carry N320. They do seem to carry Hodgdon, Alliant, IMR, and Winchester powders though.

No problem, worth a shot. TSM Castings on Rt 9 in Toms River stocks it though for a very reasonable price.

Has anyone used Unique. Is this a good starting powder in 9 mm?

Has anyone used Unique. Is this a good starting powder in 9 mm?

 

Excellent powder to start with. My "pet" load with a 124-125 grain FMJ bullet is 4.7 grains.

Wow, so many great recipes! I have been using Win 231 and Bullseye for my 9mm and .40S&W with CCI primers and 124 gr Montana Gold. Even did 100 rounds or so of 147gr precision lead, great for shooting steel bit a bit smoky.