Cleanest Powder for 9MM

[LubeckTech]

Looking for opinions as to which would be the cleanest powder suitable for 9MM 125ge and 147gr loads. From past experience probably Titegroup is probably as good as it gets.

 

[56hawk]

I would say Vihtavuori N340 or 3N37. I use to use them in 38 Super and 40 for my competition guns. Very clean, but too expensive to be worth the difference.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I've shot a couple thousand lead loads with Red Dot through a Hi-Power in a day. It needed cleaned but hey, it sure worked good. This was pre "new, cleaner formula!".
I don't think I'd worry about it.

 

[Bovice]

I find that upper-middle charges of universal are pretty clean. I've had cases come out that are still completely shiny.

 

[LiveLife]

Cleanest? N320, Clays and Titegroup depending on load charge used.

FWIW, I currently really like using W231/HP-38 and Promo/Red Dot at mid-to-high range load data for 9mm with 115/124/125 gr bullets whether jacketed, plated or lead that burn fairly clean and almost as accurate.

 

[918v]

Any powder running at 35000 PSI is going to be clean and you will have a hard time telling them apart.

Accuracy should be the prime consideration.

 

[oneounceload]

Clays and Universal have always been clean-shooting for me in 9mm and 38

 

[Shmackey]

Clays

 

[gamestalker]

I use HS6 and Longshot and have had very minimal residue. But both of those are slower burning powders and produce mid to upper level pressures / velocities.
GS

 

[jmorris]

I've shot a few hundred thousand using VVN310 that work great through everything except the ported barrel of the MP5SD. #2 would be VVN320. Titegroup is about as soft (making the same PF cheaper) but not as clean. If your running supressors its worth the extra cost as you use less volume to get the same speed.

 

[Otto]

I've never used a powder where dirtiness was a problem but I also clean my guns after each session.
Accuracy, power factors, recoil etc. are more of my concerns.

 

[tekarra]

I find 700X is clean in mid range loads.

 

[JonF]

N320 is 9mm is sterile clean. Titegroup and clays, not even close. I've loaded tens of thousands all 3 and can tell you first hand that N320 and many VihtaVuori powders are as clean as they get.

 

[jmorris]

These are baffels after 200 rounds loaded with 3.1g of VVN310 with a berrys [email protected]" and a wipe with a dry paper towel.

 

[rodregier]

I've been pretty happy with Winchester published max loads of WSF (Super Field) in 9mmx19 for 115g and 124g jacketed projectiles for clean burning.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I find 700X is clean in mid range loads.

Sorry to have to disagree. Even though most powders are fairly clean in the upper pressure ranges I've found 700X and 800X to be some of the dirtiest powders in production. Shotguns are rarely, if ever on the clean side and 700X is a shotgun powder. (like 800X and Unique)

 

[918v]

I have shot a mixture of loads, approximately 500, including TG, PP, BE, LS, WAP, and 231, lead and jacketed through my Glock without cleaning. The gun is dirty, but there is no buildup and I can easily fire another thousand without cleaning. I dunno whas the big deal. Primers cause more fouling than most powders nowadays.

 

[BBDartCA]

Power Pistol hands down cleanest I've used. AA #7 clean too. Titegroup dirty.

 

[LiveLife]

The fuss is that while many powders will produce relatively clean burning loads at high-to-near max load data, the OP is asking for the "cleanest" burning of the bunch, which may be a very narrow range of "clean".

N320 sure does burn much cleaner than W231/HP-38/Promo/Red Dot but costs significantly more and 16oz of Hoppes #9 solvent lasts a long time.

 

[Certaindeaf]

a cloud of smoke is a cloud of smoke

 

[mdi]

Forgive me, but I just gotta; No Offence to the OP intended.

Lately, "cleanest burning" seems to be the new "buzz word/phrase" barf, I see this question on every form I follow. All powders will leave some soot or burned granuals, some more than others, but nothing like black powder! I have never, in 27+ years of reloading had a handgun fail to function because of "dirty" powder (the most I've shot in one session was 250-275 rounds of 45 ACP through a 1911 and mebbe 300 rounds in a 38, 95% cast lead, and I clean my guns after each session. Most times I use multiple guns). I've read of shooters not liking dirty hands from shooting, but that's why I use soap and water after shooting, and keep a hand towel in my shooting bag just for gun/hand wiping, and it's never, never a problem with my note taking/writing down my results. I also take water with me when I shoot outdoors and wash my hands and face when I'm done shooting (but I don't look like a coal miner after a 10 hr. shift!). I don't, and I don't know anyone that wears a white tux to go shooting, except James Bond, and everyone that shoots will get some GSR on them, it's just a part of shooting a handgun. In my entire shooting "life" I had one problem with "dirty" powder; that was with an 1851 Colt Navy copy and the cylinder would bind after 12 shots.

I chose powder for my reloads by it's performance, and sometimes by availability.

When I'm done shooting, nobody, except a CSI agent, can tell I've been shooting, except for that silly smile on my face...

Sorry if I offend anyone, jes my old guy way of thinkin'

 

[joecil]

+1 Mdi I have to agree. Shoot some black powder and all regardless is clean burning in smokeless powders. I for the most part never even consider how clean it shoots with smokeless however I've sure had revolvers lock up with BP usually due to the cylinder/barrel gap being too tight.

 

[jack44]

dirty hands don't bother me I use either unique or power pistol

 

[918v]

Silhouette is twice as clean as N320.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I agree all powders will leave residue behind and guns should be cleaned after each range trip some very dirty powders are unacceptable. It becomes unacceptable when the dirt left behind effects the operation of the handgun. for someone shooting a lot or using the handgun in competition it's important for that not to happen. It's not about having to clean your handgun, it's about it operating without failure...