Pistol Powders

[85t5mcss]

Need some help. After what seems like (it probably has been) hours each day trying to find an answer I am just as lost as before I started. I do not expect a miracle here and I know everyone is different, but is there a "good" powder that is suitable for 9mm, 40SW, and 45acp?

By good I don't mean that it functions, but more does it function well. I have run across a few that will do 2 of the 3 sizes well, but marginal on a 3rd. I am going to start the reloading process and to help keep inventory down, 1 powder would be nice. But even in the long run it would be nice.

So what is your powder of choice and what are its pros/cons in each of the 3 calibers? FWIW-looks like Hodgdon Standard Clays may be the best option for me. Even though it seems to suffer in the 9mm (no personal data to back this up).

Edit:Primarily target loads-possibly GSSF or steel, prefer smaller powder to minimize any chance of powder measure issues, bullet type will possibly vary with FMJ, JHP, plated, jacketed.

I did look at HS-6 but leaned toward the Clays due to using less. I am anal retentive so double charging isn't an issue (always a concern, though)

 

[billybob44]

How much experence do you have loading??

There are several powders that fit the bill. If you are new to reloading, you should use the most bulky/fill the case type of powders--this will help avoid a double charge.
I use a lot of TightGroup,Bullseye and HP38/WW231. These powders CAN get the novice reloader into trouble with a double/triple charge.
If you do not have many loads under your belt, I would suggest-Unique,HS-6.AA#5+#7.
Any/all those powders listed can be used for your three calibers..Bill.

 

[sloughfoot]

My choices for all three cartridges are Win 231, Bullseye, or HP 38. In my order of preference. I always have lots of 231 around.

 

[XtremeVel]

What are you looking for as far as performance ? Very mild, target loads or the versality of going a bit hotter if you want ?

Looking to load jacketed or plated/lead ?

I have used Alliants Unique for years. It would work well for the (3) calibers you mentioned, along with just about any other handgun caliber.

I use it or have used it thru the years for about a dozen calibers, including the (3) you mention. It does well with jacketed and plated/lead ! it also seems to be easy to find data for it for loads ranging from mild to fairly hot. In a SHTF situation and I only had a 8 pound jug of powder, no doubt I would want it to be Unique.

The (2) negatives I find with it is it is a dirtier powder. Also, being it is a larger flake powder, I would suspect some powder measures might struggle with it. I have never had any issues with the measures, but I only use the Lee Pro Auto disks and a older RCBS uniflow.

Currently, I am working with Clays and TiteGroup in .45 ACP loads and seeing if I can replace the Unique due to the filth. It's not hard to see that they both are much cleaner burning, along with being faster burning (translates into meaning more rounds per pound), but I still have yet to find where I feel the load is as consistent and accurate as my favorite Unique loads.

 

[Yerbaman]

I feel your pain. . . but really, for me half the fun of reloading is pouring over the data to sort out the "best" combination for my application. It's really a bit difficult, though, to answer your question specifically, since we don't know your preference of bullet style and weight in each of the calibers. And when you say that you want something that functions well, are you referring to velocity or accuracy? I use a lot of Titegroup, but partly because it goes a long way. I find the accuracy very good as well, but I do agree with billybob44 about Unique being a good choice. I have not used it, but I have many friends who do simply because it covers so many calibers.

 

[XtremeVel]

I am anal retentive so double charging isn't an issue (always a concern, though)

You're right... As long as you have your own procedure down to watch for this, it won't be a problem. I suspect more accidents have probably happened with the faster burning powders due to this, but being you are looking to consolidate down to (1) powder, you will be eliminating another issue that also has caused a few accidents.... accidently grabbing and using the wrong powder... Believe it, it has happened.

 

[Aszerigan]

Clays, clays, clays. For target shooting, there's nothing better.

 

[kevinsr98]

I use Clays(not universal) for 9mm and 45. Works great. I don't load 40, so I can't speak to that. But I would guess that it would work well for it also. Good luck.

 

[mike8170]

Try Ramshot ZIP or TRUE BLUE powder. They each have multiple loads for each caliber.

Hate to say this, but I load all three with CPP (Commercial Pistol Powder). I bought 16 lbs from Wideners a few years ago, and haven't seen it sold since, unfortunately, since I am almost out. The jug had listed 1 common load in each caliber. If I wanted a different bullet, I cross referenced loads, lowered them, and then worked up to what I liked and recorded them.

 

[Aszerigan]

Zip and True Blue are good powders, and they'll certainly fill your niche. Hodgdon Clays is cleaner burning though. And the recoil is very polite.

CPP was a lot more like HS-6. Kinda harsh and smokey for target loads. People say it's comparable to Power Pistol because it has similar load data, but the powder structure is totally different. If I recall, it's not available anymore.

 

[noylj]

Clays is not an appropriate powder EXCEPT for light target loads in .45 ACP. That is not only a very fast powder but one with prebussure curve like a hockey stick.
About the fastest powder I could recommend, and there are known loads for almost all handgun cartridges.
AA5 is accurate in all 3 cartridges. Unique can be accurate in all three. N340 will work for all three.
Unless you are loading for power factor and NEED a very heavy bullet and a very fast powder (and the chance of a KB is the "price you pay" to compete), stick to slower powders.

 

[gunman41mag]

W I N C H E S T E R 231

 

[Fullmag]

Clays is not an appropriate powder EXCEPT for light target loads in .45 ACP. That is not only a very fast powder but one with prebussure curve like a hockey stick.
About the fastest powder I could recommend, and there are known loads for almost all handgun cartridges.
AA5 is accurate in all 3 cartridges. Unique can be accurate in all three. N340 will work for all three.
Unless you are loading for power factor and NEED a very heavy bullet and a very fast powder (and the chance of a KB is the "price you pay" to compete), stick to slower powders.

I too am looking into loading for the 45acp.

Read this also about Clays 4.2gr is fine, 4.3gr and you have serious problems. It's load range is 4.0 to 4.5, that's tight.

Another thing about Clays is there is 3 different kinds Be careful.

 

[mongo404]

What are you looking for as far as performance ? Very mild, target loads or the versality of going a bit hotter if you want ?

Looking to load jacketed or plated/lead ?

I have used Alliants Unique for years. It would work well for the (3) calibers you mentioned, along with just about any other handgun caliber.

I use it or have used it thru the years for about a dozen calibers, including the (3) you mention. It does well with jacketed and plated/lead ! it also seems to be easy to find data for it for loads ranging from mild to fairly hot. In a SHTF situation and I only had a 8 pound jug of powder, no doubt I would want it to be Unique.

The (2) negatives I find with it is it is a dirtier powder. Also, being it is a larger flake powder, I would suspect some powder measures might struggle with it. I have never had any issues with the measures, but I only use the Lee Pro Auto disks and a older RCBS uniflow.

Currently, I am working with Clays and TiteGroup in .45 ACP loads and seeing if I can replace the Unique due to the filth. It's not hard to see that they both are much cleaner burning, along with being faster burning (translates into meaning more rounds per pound), but I still have yet to find where I feel the load is as consistent and accurate as my favorite Unique loads.

I agree about unigue!! although it has gotten a little cleaner in the last few years. I run Unigue in all my pistols and I do not have any problems 9mm,40s&w,and 45acp. It runs them in hot or cold. I have not had any trouble once I figured out the load for each one.

 

[Aszerigan]

FWIW-looks like Hodgdon Standard Clays may be the best option for me.

Edit:Primarily target loads

Without causing a fight, look at the OP's demands. Target loads. He didn't need power factor.

Clays is not an appropriate powder EXCEPT for light target loads in .45 ACP. That is not only a very fast powder but one with prebussure curve like a hockey stick.

Unless you are loading for power factor and NEED a very heavy bullet and a very fast powder (and the chance of a KB is the "price you pay" to compete), stick to slower powders.

Uh... in terms of Power factor, Clays is about as low on the scale as you can get. It's not designed for any kind of power factor. It's a great target powder, and for personal loads, it's about all I load in these three calibers. This is for the standard (introduced in 1992) Clays powder. Not Universal, and not International. Standard Clays.

Data below: bullet weight, bullet DIA, OAL, weight, PS, max, Vel, and PS.

115 GR. LRN Hodgdon Clays .356" 1.100" 3.0 954 25,300 CUP 3.4 1039 31,000 CUP

180 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Clays .400" 1.125" 3.0 727 26,000 PSI 3.5 847 34,300 PSI

230 GR. LRN Hodgdon Clays .452" 1.200" 3.5 716 13,700 CUP 4.0 793 16,800 CUP

And I shoot same hole groups at 25 feet with my .45 Clays loads. All day long.

 

[shooter1054]

I have had good luck with Power Pistol in 40 and 45. I donot load for 9mm so I cannot speak to that. PP has served me well in accuracy and has not been a bear to clean. Both of the guns I run this in (XD40sc and RIA 1911) like the midrange charge. About 950fps from the XD and about 850fps in the 1911.

 

[mac45]

You won't go wrong with either W231, or Unique.
W231 meters better for me, so I use that more.

 

[85t5mcss]

Lots of good info, lots of powders that I recognize. So, let's ask the question a different way. What is your favorite powder for 9mm? For 40SW? For 45acp? Why and is it comparable with the other 2 calibers?

Again, target loads and occassional GSSF or steel shoots.

Thank you guys/gals for the info info so far.

 

[Lancem]

Bullseye is what I've used forever and works for me. 8 pounds for $103 it doesn't get much cheaper either.

 

[XtremeVel]

Without causing a fight, look at the OP's demands. Target loads. Standard Clays.

Data below: bullet weight, bullet DIA, OAL, weight, PS, max, Vel, and PS.

115 GR. LRN Hodgdon Clays .356" 1.100" 3.0 954 25,300 CUP 3.4 1039 31,000 CUP

180 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Clays .400" 1.125" 3.0 727 26,000 PSI 3.5 847 34,300 PSI

230 GR. LRN Hodgdon Clays .452" 1.200" 3.5 716 13,700 CUP 4.0 793 16,800 CUP

And I shoot same hole groups at 25 feet with my .45 Clays loads. All day long.

I have had good luck with Power Pistol in 40 and 45. I donot load for 9mm so I cannot speak to that. PP has served me well in accuracy and has not been a bear to clean. Both of the guns I run this in (XD40sc and RIA 1911) like the midrange charge. About 950fps from the XD and about 850fps in the 1911.

Again, target loads and occassional GSSF or steel shoots.

Thank you guys/gals for the info info so far.

The term "target load" can be subjective. Just on this second page, here are (2) extreme examples on what one consider a target load.

The first example, IMO, is how the majority probably would define " target load " in the (3) calibers you mentioned at the beginning.

I can clearly understand the second example. I would agree with him the PP is a great powder and I would also add it is also GREAT in 9mm. Now, would the loads fall into "target loads" ? I would say so if you loaded down toward the start end and was expecting the same recoil as store bought target ammo.

Like I said earlier, I have always used a little slower burning powder, but am currently working with Clays and TiteGroup. So far, I see much promise with both. They both are much cleaner and I see great potential with accuracy. Now, I am shocked at just how "soft" shooting they are (especially Clays). For years I have used Unique and loaded and called my "target loads" something more along the lines as store bought target loads (recoil wise), but much more accurate of course. After loading for 25 years and expecting a little recoil, I'm still not sure what I think of such soft recoiling loads. It's going to take some getting used to.