Popular powders choices for 9mm

[Zigzag]

I'm looking for some input an various powders and trying a happy medium between cost and volume. I don't have a chrono so I don't have any idea of actual performance. The powders I've used so far are Tite Group, Accu No.2 and Accu No.7 with Acme 124's and the last batch of Acmes were with Accu No.7 at 6 grains. The others I would need to refer to my logbook for the actual load.

A Mr Bullet feeder is the latest addition to my setup and after a bit of tinkering runs like a champ. Amount of reloading is about 6 thousand yearly for the 9 and same for my 45. Thanks for any input.



[Mods made corrections]

[iLift45s]

I LOVE Power Pistol!!  I?m currently loading Hornady 115 gr HAP with 6.0 grains of Power Pistol.  Velocity is around 1150 FPS.  Meters very consistent through my Dillon 550.  Accuracy is great and recoil is so soft.

[Crawl]

In my experience, Power Pistol is probably the best powder overall. It produces a slight fireball from 4" barrels sometimes, and it recoils a little more than Zip (or Winchester 231). It is very accurate and useful across a range of bullets. Hornady likes it a lot in their reloading manual.

Zip has been great as well, but I think the powder with the most mileage is probably Winchester 231...and for good reason. And these 2 are easier to find where I am. However, Powder Pistol is easy to find at Bass Pro, usually.

[Zigzag]

I've been curious about Power Pistol but haven't seen any data on it . I am using Win 231 for the 45 and really like it. I guess one thing I'm looking at at is number of rounds per pound

[iLift45s]

I've been curious about Power Pistol but haven't seen any data on it . I am using Win 231 for the 45 and really like it. I guess one thing I'm looking at at is number of rounds per pound

I use Power Pistol for my .45?s too.  I?ve used 231 before.  Think Power Pistol is cleaner and all around more versatile powder. 

[jrice]

It's my understanding that HP38 is the same powder as W231.

[Wobbly]

I'm looking for some input an various powders and trying a happy medium between cost and volume. I don't have a chrono so I don't have any idea of actual performance.

Going by your stated specifications of "a happy medium between cost and volume", then all you need to do is look through your load manuals and internet sources for powders that will get a 124gr bullet to the same speed, then look up the cost of that powder.

Here are some ideas....
? Right away, as much as I dislike the stuff, I have to admit that Tite Group is probably the cheapest powder you can buy and also uses the least amount of powder per load (typically about 3.5gr). This may be the only reason it's as popular as it is. If cost is all you care about, then we can probably stop right here.

? We can rule out spherical powders like No.2, No.5 and No.7 because they generally take more powder per load (generally around 6+gr) and come in cans under 1 lb. So while they deliver good results, those are also very expensive on a cost per load and cost per pound basis.

? Hodgdon HP-38 can deliver good value with its loads being in the 4.2gr range... but the trick is that you need to find it for under $20/lb, which usually means buying an 8lb can. [Important to note that even though 231 is the exact same powder, Winchester usually prices it higher than HP-38. So 231 is ruled out simply based on it's per can price.]

? There is also Promo (basically the same powder as Red Dot) which is cheap to load and had 8lb can prices down around $70, but that price has now climbed up to be the same as premium powders, even though it's NOT.

? All that brings us to Alliant Sport Pistol, which is still being sold at "introductory prices", meaning you can get a 1lb can for well under $20, and the loads are in the 4.2gr range. So it's both economical to buy and economical to load. And the accuracy is there, case fill is good, and metering is good.


? You can basically do your own analysis very easily on a cost per load basis with a spreadsheet. And I highly advise that you do that. Have one formula that allows you to plug in the typical load, which tells you how many shots you'll get from a pound, then divide that into the price of a 1 lb can. [Careful here though... not all powders come in 1 lb cans.]


Hope this helps.   

[Zigzag]

Thanks every one I was looking for extra ideas and as usual Wobblygives quite a bit of useful information.tThe next time I'm shopping for powder I'll make a list with a few ideas oni it. Wobbly you have been a treasure trove of info since I started visiting this forum and many thanks

[recoilguy]

HP-38 or 231 are very good powders as stated and meter and load very consistently and push the projectile out pretty cleanly.

I also agree Tite Group is a great cheap powder. If your goal is spend as little as possible the 2 words to remember are Tite Group.

It is dirty smokey and very hot but it loads a lot of rounds from a 1# can.


My favorite powder which fails the happy medium test is Vit N320 it is a good loader at a volume that gets you around 1700-1750 rounds per pound but the cost is almost twice Tite Group. Tite Group is about 1.1 cent per round less expensive to load then N320. When you can go to the local store with a bucket sale and anything you can get in the bucket is 15% off get some HP-38. That is my suggestion based on my experience and my understanding of your request.

RCG

[Scarlett Pistol]

I use a spreadsheet like Wobbly mentions. I?ve tried HP-38 and it isn?t bad at all. I?ve found Sport Pistol burns cleaner and produces less smoke. It has been very accurate. There?s also a lot of load data from Alliant, including load Dara for coated bullets. It meters really well... basically Wobbly states truth.

I also like BE-86 a lot. It uses a little more powder and produces loads with more energy.

For a middle of the power road, economical, and quality powder Sport Pistol is my go to powder now. There?s other options out there, but it just fit what I wanted nicely.

Side note, I have heard BE-86 is just a little faster than Powert Pistol and has a flash suppressant. I can imagine I would love Power Pistol too. But they require more powder and won?t be as economical. Just talking about it makes me want to switch to BE-86 again for some good times. 

[Wobbly]

I made one of those spreadsheets about 9 years ago to find a powder for 223. Compared the cost per load of getting a 55gr bullet to 2900 fps. Got pricing from a single source (Powder Valley) so that all things were as equal as could be. That activity proved Tac was the best buy.

[DWARREN]

My favorite for this is Titegroup. Have to make sure the charges are very accurate but it will do what you want.

[IDescribe]

I'm looking for some input an various powders and trying a happy medium between cost and volume.

What's your application?  Power Pistol might be THE best powder if you want to shoot 115gr bullets at 50 yards for accuracy, but I'd never recommend it for a plinking load, defense load, or 9mm minor action pistol load.

Is this basic target shooting?  If it is not, let us know a more specific application.  Everything else in this post assumes basic target shooting at short to moderate ranges -- out to 25 yards.

First, you should be looking at Alliant, Accurate, Ramshot, Hodgdon, and Winchester.  In terms of history, load data, and price, these are your best options for manufacturers.  If you buy in 8lb bottles, you can get Alliant around $16/pound before shipping and hazmat, Winchester at $19/pound, and the ones in between priced in between.

Second, the faster the burn rate (generally speaking -- this will not be true with every bullet in every caliber) the less powder it takes to reach a given velocity, which means lower powder cost per cartridge.  So while Power Pistol and AA7 and Silhouette may be outstanding powders for certain applications, they're not going to be the cheapest.

You can and should make your own cost charts per Wobbly's suggestion.

If you are looking to shoot 124gr bullets at less than 1100 feet/sec, powders like Bullseye, AA2, HP-38/Win231 will be where you want to be.  Sport Pistol is a newer, cleaner powder getting a lot of good chatter, IS in a good burn rate range (similar to HP38), and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if I saw it, and it's Alliant, so inexpensive if bought in bulk.

You'd be best off picking one of those powders, sucking it up, and buying 16 lbs right off the bat to defray the hazmat and shipping fees.  Buying a pound or two at a time locally costs WAY too much over time.

I'd stay away from Titegroup.  It's filthy except at max or +P loads.

[tde44]

I like Power Pistol and AA#5 for distance+accuracy and making power factor if competing.

For bunny fart plinking loads I like Bullseye.

[IDescribe]

Anyone know where you can get Sport Pistol?  I just decided to buy some, and my usual suspects are sold out.