Best all around versatile powder for 9mm

[Random 8]

Case volume is a concern for me thank you for mentioning it.
I do want spillage with double charge but to be honest no charge worries me more. Until now I have always charged off the press looked in each with a light maybe 50,000 rounds over the past 15/20 years.
Being safe is first

H-6, HP38/W231 will both fit the bill well for you then. Neither one can be double charged in the 9mm, both meter extremely well. This was always my issue with Unique. I could never get it to meter consistently enough to run it near max, and sub-max loads caused issue in my military Browning.

Note these 2 have different applications. H-6 will get you at or near maximum velocity to 124 grain at the expense of slightly dirty burning and more flash. HP-38 will get you good mid-range loads and burn very cleanly, but will not maximize velocity. Pick your poison. Have heard a lot of things about BE86, but I despise Alliants presentation of data. Like they're trying to save bandwidth by not showing the "old" loads which were on their site as recently as last year, and only showing the newer super powders.

 

[Doublehelix]

I agree with @jmorris on the HP-38/W231 in that it will work in almost anything and seems to be "good" in almost anything, but there always seems to be something slightly better in each category/weight. HP-38 works in so many different situations however, it is a great powder to have around.

 

[1KPerDay]

Have heard a lot of things about BE86, but I despise Alliants presentation of data. Like they're trying to save bandwidth by not showing the "old" loads which were on their site as recently as last year, and only showing the newer super powders.

FYI if you click on Alliant's page on Products/powder you want data for, them click "view all recipes" for that powder, the data is still there.

 

[Walkalong]

Case volume is a non issue with most suitable medium speed 9MM powders. WSF, AA #5, Unique, True Blue, N340, HS6, Silhouette, BE-86, etc, etc will be easy to see a double charge with. Might not spill out, but a double charge will be almost impossible to miss if one is checking each powder charge they are seating a bullet over.

 

[LiveLife]

I despise Alliants presentation of data. Like they're trying to save bandwidth by not showing the "old" loads which were on their site as recently as last year, and only showing the newer super powders.

FYI if you click on Alliant's page on Products/powder you want data for, them click "view all recipes" for that powder, the data is still there.

When Alliant took 2004 load data pdf off their server, many bullet types (especially lead and FMJ bullets) disappeared from their currently published load data and makes load development challenging only using current load data.

Regardless of reasons why Alliant took 2004 load data off their server, I still reference it for my load development. You can download 2004 Alliant load data from THR server - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

As to new powders vs older powders, I am with Alliant:

BE-86 - The modern "Unique" that meters better and has been used by OEM ammunition manufacturers for decades to produce higher velocity defensive ammunition. For me, it has surpassed all of my previous reference loads in 9mm and 40S&W for accuracy. While not as extensive as Sport Pistol load data, there is enough 9mm loads for 115 gr to 147 gr to cover most lead/plated/jacketed bullets - http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=38&cartridge=23

Sport Pistol - My new reference powder that replaced W231/HP-38 as it meters better (Probably best metering powder with less than .05 gr variance, think thinly sliced N320 sticks), burns cleaner (Many match shooters consider Sport Pistol new N320 that burns cleaner) and less temperature sensitive. Alliant did not have any older powder at this burn rate that produced competitive accuracy and Sport Pistol is a welcome pistol powder replacement for Green Dot. There is extensive load data available online to load 9mm from 90 gr to 165 gr using various lead/coated lead/plated/jacketed bullets - http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...wderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=42&cartridge=23

Promo - The most economical pistol powder well suited for 9mm/45ACP general purpose range practice/plinking loads. "Reblending" in recent years now meters with less than .2 gr variance for more consistent loads. I use 2004 Red Dot load data by weight (as indicated by Alliant) and is surprisingly accurate in mid-to-high range carbine loads comparable or more accurate than W231/HP-38 loads.

When I shot USPSA in the 90s, I seldom came across a match shooter who used Alliant powders as most used Clays/WST/Titegroup/W231/HP-38/Universal/WSF. With these new powders, Alliant covered most popular caliber pistol load powder burn rates, especially Titegroup/N320/W231/HP-38 range which are popular with match shooters needing to meet power factor requirements. While many reloaders may shoot several thousand rounds a year, match shooters often shoot more than thousand rounds a month. Chances are, Alliant's push for these "newer" powders is an effort to improve their profit margin and bottom line while securing their place with recreational and match shooters. I do believe they have succeed.

 

[alfsauve]

I'm currently using TiteGroup.

Works well for me in loading both for light loads and in USPSA loads (125PF). It also works well in my .38spl and .45ACP

 

[Tony k]

Any love for Zip here?

I've tested it for 147gr. It shot fine. Accuracy was good enough, and it burned clean. It just didn't give me enough velocity for what I was trying to do. Only loaded about 100 rounds with it, but other than the middling velocity it seemed promising.

I'm looking forward to trying it out with 115gr Hornady HAP, and RMR 124 MW.

Anyone have more extensive experience with it to share?

 

[grandpawj]

I just kinda fell in a rut. Sorta like salt on my food, I put Unique on(in) everything. (according to the recipe, of course)

 

[Average Joe]

W231/HP38 and BE 86, my go to powders for handguns.

 

[frankmako]

i use Accurate #5 for 9mm. works well. there are many different powders that will work. i went with #5 because it works for me in 45 acp and 40 s&w too. so i can load three cabilers with one powder.

 

[Lennyjoe]

HS-6 fills a case pretty full

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Of the 8 handgun cartridges in currently loading I use either W231 or "something else" and W231. (from the 32 ACP to the 45 Colt)

I guess that means, unless you are only loading top end SD 9mm ammo I would say give W231/HP-38 a try.

 

[jeeptim]

Went to Scheels today love that place.
They have a big variety of powder but no BE-86
So I got the Win-231 and some primers..
With all the other powder I have on hand and advise from ya all think I'll be fine.

 

[Dudedog]

Lot's of things will work
Current favorite is WSF, works well midrange, not bad high end but gives up velocity there to some others.

Universal Clays works well for MIdrange loads, but my gun prefers WSF
I like Sport Pistol, CFE-P, Silhoutte and some others.
W231/HP38 is a safe bet for midrange stuff. Ramshot ZIP is a different powder but about the same IMO. (charges a bit different, close to same burn speed)
For MAX vel Silhouette and BE-86 work well.

Trying some N330 and initial results look good, but pricy, don't know if it is worth 50% more, and it's hard to find sometimes.

Lots of people like Titegroup, but I don't care for it much, Unique is popular but does not meter well at all.


Lots of people like Power Pistol, loud and flashy, good vels on top with Longshot, but louder and flashier than PP!

That's the nice thing about 9mm, lots of powders will work, the not nice thing is lots of powders to try and you may never know if your gun likes one better till you try it
Edit: Of course the journey can be fun, there is an adventure in every jar of a "new" to you powder!

 

[thomas15]

I use Titegroup, WST, N320, HP-38, Clays, AA#2 and in a pinch American Select. Mostly TG and WST.

My loads are light to mid-range. I try to avoid using Alliant and Western smokeless powders.

This summer, as time allows, I'm going to spend some time with a chrono in an effort to fine tune my 9mm loads over several different powders.

 

[rbernie]

Unique, Green Dot, or BE86.

 

[Tony k]

I try to avoid using Alliant and Western smokeless powders.

Why?
Just curious...

 

[jeeptim]

Wow!!!
The variety of powder that can be used is amazing! Who'd a thunk!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow!!!
The variety of powder that can be used is amazing! Who'd a thunk!!

The number of powders available today has risen exponentially and we also have more sources. There is Hodgdon/IMR/ Winchester, Accurate, Ranshot, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Nobel, Shooters World and maybe a few others too. Each have several medium speed handgun powders so of course we will have a large number of powders to try. It's almost too many powders lol.

 

[alfsauve]

[Did you know you can get the Hornady Reloading 10th edition on Kindle for $20? ]

So looking through Hornady Reloading, though the list a bunch of powders for 9mm, they suggest Power Pistol. It does appear give the widest range of loads so there's a safety factor in the spread between min-max. After all this discussion I may switch from TG to PP. I developed loads during the component shortage a few years ago.

 

[Charlie98]

It's almost too many powders lol.

I tend to agree; further compounding the matter is duplicate powders... W231/HP-38, and W296/H110 for example. Personally, I concentrate on one specific brand range... all of my rifle powder is IMR, the 2 lone exceptions are H335 strictly for 5.56mm, and AA5744 (as a tester) for the .45-70 and .348. I've always been an Alliant pistol powder guy, with Winchester as a backup... I'm very fond of WST, and I have my first can of W244 as a tester. Time will tell if I need to change my avatar...

 

[LiveLife]

I try to avoid using Alliant and Western smokeless powders.

I am curious why?

I follow your posts and often appreciate them. But puzzled by this post.

 

[Charlie98]

Went to Scheels today love that place.

I'd never even heard of them... but noticed they are building a brand new one not far from me here in north Dallas! Finally... an alternative to BPS/Cabelas!

 

[Galil5.56]

Went to Scheels today love that place.
They have a big variety of powder but no BE-86
So I got the Win-231 and some primers..

Yes, you will be in great shape, and well served using WW231/HP38 in 9mm, jacketed or cast, for all but the most stout factory duplication loads... I suggested Unique and Power Pistol, which best fit your request for one, best all around versatile powder for 9mm. Both Unique and PP can be loaded down to very low intensity charges, as can WW231 and a million others, but when/if wanting top velocities at a safe pressure, Unique and PP leave WW231 in the dust.... And you sacrifice nothing with regard to accuracy with either, per my experience.

In no way am I putting down WW231, as I have used it for decades in 9mm and a bunch of other calibers and like it rather well for most GP pistol reloading; It simply is not as versatile as Unique, Power Pistol, or perhaps others in 9mm, if you want to run the entire velocity spectrum with one powder.

Here are some non +P rated examples of top-end published loads I like, that work well and safe for me. Most current WW231 data is much tamer.

Both use 115 grain WW HP's, both loads fired from a Beretta M9:

5.5 grains WW231 CCI 500 WW 115 JHP
1177, 1187, 1171, 1178 Av 1178 ES 16 SD 6

7 grains Power Pistol CCI SPP WW 115 JHP
1242, 1231, 1246, Av 1239 ES 15 SD 7

124 grain Rem JHP:

6.2 grains Unique CCI 500 Rem 124 JHP
1191, 1201, 1164, 1197 Av 1188 ES 37 SD16

WW 124 grain FMJ fired from a Walther P1:

6.5 grains Power Pistol WWSPP 124 WW FMJ
1208, 1196, 1217, 1239, AV 1215 ES 43 SD 18

And even when both are loaded to produce 1050-1080 fps loads with 125 grain cast bullets, they produce tiny groups:

Walther P1 4.7 grains Unique Lee 125 .358” not quenched CCI SPP Heavy LLA+JPW lube

1072, 1075, 1090, 1077, avg 1078 ES 18 SD 7 Extremely accurate .872" CTC 5 shots

... Get to have your cake and eat it too, with slightly larger charge weights . Good luck, and enjoy your 9mm loading.

 

[thomas15]

Why?
Just curious...

I'm cursed in that I have a long memory that spans all the way back to the Great Smokeless Gunpowder Shortage (GSGS) of 2013-2015. During that time, for two long years, only one supplier of canister powders made any real attempt, anemic as it was, to supply the humble handloader, keeping us shooting. My loyalties go to the supplier that was there for me when no one else cared a wit. Not that I will chop my nose off to spite my face but if those two suppliers I mentioned had never returned to supplying canister powders no one would be any worse off today.

I also tend to find the constant pep rallies for certain brands of handloading related products to be a real turn-off. So while I don't obsess over any of this I steer clear of certain products where the rah rah is over the top. Thing is, I know exactly what some of the top shooters use and it's rarely what is being touted on the interweb chit-chat forums as the ultimate.

Related to this but in a small way is the habit we have to forget details over time about our favorite brand X while being critical about brand Y. For example, there is a book out there that many Glock owners have, it's titled The Glock In Competition. This book was written in the early 1990s. There is a chapter that discusses ammo in general and handloads in particular.

Three points to be made here. The first is that 35 years ago Glock addressed the "Glock Bulge" noting that it was fixed (by that time) and that it affected Glocks in 40 S&W not ever those in 9mm. But that doesn't stop many from talking about this condition as if it were a real thing that is ongoing.

Another point made 35 years ago, high volume Glock shooters use handloads in spite of the poly barrel. Notice that planet earth has not slipped off it's axis due to "misuse" of Glocks for decades now.

Lastly, the book discusses the use of Bullseye Smokeless powder. Gone from memory today are the trials and tribulations 9mm handloaders faced using Bullseye powder with it's high nitro content. Instead, many many posters gas incessantly about the dangers of another fast pistol powder. The warnings and sage advice given to Glock shooters using Bullseye 35 years ago (in that book) are almost the exact same words many use today to bash another well known powder, a powder that wasn't available in 1990. Those two powders are almost kissing cousins but you would never know it from reading the various post here and there.