Is powder all the same for pistol plinking?

[civilsnake]

I've looked through several loading manuals so far for the cartridges I want to start reloading, 9mm and .45acp. Every brand makes at least a couple powders that work for either caliber.

So is there any real reason to choose one maker over another? Is Accurate better than Hodgdon? Every maker provides loading data for different bullet weights and congifurations based on their different powders. Manuals can have different powders.

Is there a criteria for choosing one brand over another, assuming I'm just putting together plinking ammo for the range?

[Jicko]

I love VV powders.

Consistant, and clean.

Not all powders are made the same.

And for pistol loading, price differences are just neglectible.

[buffybuster]

Every manufacturer has overlap. As to what is best depends on what performance envelope you are seeking. For plinking loads, I tend to favor the faster powders, since you use less per round and therefore get more rounds to the pound (more economical) at the trade off of not top velocities or accuracy. Once I select the powders that I am interested in, then I see what is available. The availability or price issues usually settle what powder I will be using.

For many years I used W231 for most of my plinking loads, then for some reason it got scarce so I changed to Titegroup then eventually to Reddot. When I use all my powder I may return to W231. Either way I already have load data worked up for each powder. I'll buy what's available and cheapest.

[Mikeb]

+1 for 231 good pistol powder for .45acp and 9mm
take care
Mike

[ar15barrels]

I'm a 231 fan as well, though I did also try some clays.
I load in such volume that I generally choose based on price.
I'm still finishing up some jugs of AA#5 powder bought for $54 per 8lb.

[Fjold]

To answer your question. Look in the reloading manuals for which powders give you optimum velocity/performance for all the cartridges that you want to load for. There should be an overlapping list of powders that will work.

Now look around the net and see which ones burn cleaner, which ones give good accuracy and more importantly which ones are available to purchase right now.

That should narrow it down to a couple of powders. Then pick one that gives you the most loads per dollar spent.

[f4tweet]

231

[ChrisXD45T]

I like having a selection of powders because not all will work the same for every gun/caliber/bullet.
But to help with your question; for me Accurate #5 has been the best all-around pistol powder, though it doesn't stretch as far per dollar as other powders. But I care more for accuracy than saving a few bucks. #5 is very clean, meters well, and gives me the best accuracy in 9mm and 45acp in my guns.
I have W231 and I use it occasionally, but it's too sooty for me.
I've tried a lot of stuff and I've settled on the Accurate stuff for all of my pistol loads. For the common calibers I use #2 for 38spl and 45acp, #5 for 9mm and 45acp, and #7 for 9mm and 357mag.

[f4tweet]

Let me know what I'm doing wrong. Accurate # 5 has been the dirtiest powder I have ever used. I tried it in 40 & 45. Always dirty and unburnt powder in the barrel.

Sorry for the thread hijacking.

[ChrisXD45T]

Let me know what I'm doing wrong. Accurate # 5 has been the dirtiest powder I have ever used. I tried it in 40 & 45. Always dirty and unburnt powder in the barrel.

Sorry for the thread hijacking.

What charge weight, primer, bullet, COL?

[f4tweet]

.45, min to max published, WLP, Bear Creek 200 gr SWC, 1.230 OAL

[08duramax]

Let me know what I'm doing wrong. Accurate # 5 has been the dirtiest powder I have ever used. I tried it in 40 & 45. Always dirty and unburnt powder in the barrel.

Sorry for the thread hijacking.

good question. i shoot WWB and my gun is filthy after 100 rounds. what powder will burn cleaner?

[ar15barrels]

Let me know what I'm doing wrong. Accurate # 5 has been the dirtiest powder I have ever used. I tried it in 40 & 45. Always dirty and unburnt powder in the barrel.

Sorry for the thread hijacking.

Bump up the pressure.
It's been my expereince that many powders burn dirty if you are making low pressure loads.
Higher pressure seems to make the rest of the powder burn.

[ar15barrels]

good question. i shoot WWB and my gun is filthy after 100 rounds. what powder will burn cleaner?

Clays.

[ejor]

I think its better for new reloaders to stay with the bulker powders to make it easier to see double charges or squibs, w-231, vv340 in 45, 9mm, as long as the pressure is not to light 231 isn't too dirty , vv 340 is pretty clean. tried some old imr 4756 in 9mm today not too dirty,it filled the case up too. 231 does get dirty at lower pressures.