Powder recommendation?

[cavemanlrrp]

Hi Guys
Time to get back into (novice) reloading.
For my 9mm rounds I would like a powder with minimum muzzle flash. If possible.
Plan to use 147gr, FMJ and some HP bullets. CCI primers. My used brass. Will be shooting them in G17,G19, G26. 4.49", 4.02", 3.46" barrels.
Well be single staging on my old Lee starter kit from 15years ago, for now. I used Accurate #7 back then, but never compared it to any other powder at the time.
Before I buy a few jugs of powder any input and recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks CM

[f4tweet]

231

[Chief-7700]

231 or Titegroup

[GeoffLinder]

Or you could just stick with the AA7 if you will be sticking to 147gr bullets. It works great under 147's. You can load it down to mouse-fart level safely or push it to the max with this powder. It's still a readily available powder that performs well in any number of pistol cartridges needing a slower powder.

That said, WW231 would be my second or even 3rd choice under a 147gr especially if you will be loading really soft mouse-fart type loads. Slower powders like AA7 or HS6 help prevent detonation under heavy bullets when charge level is really light. Too small a charge of too fast of a powder under too heavy of a bullet in the 9mm and the pressure spike happens so fast the case ruptures before the bullet gets into the barrel. Not a common occurrence, but one that has happened before and can happen again if you are not careful.

But WW231 would be my first choice under a 124gr or 115gr because it is a faster powder and will be more efficient under a lighter bullet, especially in the shorter barrels.

[XDRoX]

For all you guys that like 231, I have the powder for you. WST is cleaner, burns cooler, and more accurate than 231. Try WST for 9mm, you won't be disappointed.

[GeoffLinder]

For all you guys that like 231, I have the powder for you. WST is cleaner, burns cooler, and more accurate than 231. Try WST for 9mm, you won't be disappointed.

WST is not only a cleaner burning powder than WW231, it is also a faster burning powder than WW231.

Using 124 or 115gr bullets I could see WST being a better choice than WW231, but I disagree for the heavier bullets in 9mm as faster powders can be trouble if charge weight is too small.

[G-forceJunkie]

Another vote for 231.

[cavemanlrrp]

Thanks a bunch for the info guys.
Looks like 231 and some more AA#7 will get me going.
Sounds like #7 will be good for some soft shooting loads too. Any thing that will be more comfy for wife to practice with is a plus. And the 231 for loads a little hotter.
Although I tend to be in the heave bullet camp, I will probably load some 124 in future so may pick up some WST also.
Nothing like the voices of experience to put a man on the right path.
Thanks again CM

[GeoffLinder]

5.0gr AA7 under a 147gr bullet oughta get you around 875fps which is a nice soft mouse-fart load with a power factor of 128. Typical factory 9mm has a power factor of 135-145 so this is a low recoil load for sure :-)

I used 1.155" COAL for my 147gr loads. You could go as short as 1.135" but I would suggest that longer is always better as long as it fits the magazines and feeds well.

The recoil impulse of the slower powders under a 147gr is very slow and soft. The faster the powder, the snappier the recoil impulse will be. I used to like slow heavy bullets for USPSA competition because I felt the low recoil helped. As I got better I realized the slow impulse made the pistol feel sluggish and I switched to a 124gr at just under 140 power factor. This gave me a much sharper recoil impulse, BUT the gun cycled faster and the front sight lifted from the rear notch and came back down quicker for getting off precisely aimed fast repeat shots.

[XDRoX]

WST is not only a cleaner burning powder than WW231, it is also a faster burning powder than WW231.

Using 124 or 115gr bullets I could see WST being a better choice than WW231, but I disagree for the heavier bullets in 9mm as faster powders can be trouble if charge weight is too small.

Geoff, you are wise. I didn't see that the OP liked 'em heavy. It can be done with WST, but not the best powder for it for sure.

Here's some data to get you started with WST as it can be hard to find.
Use at your own risk.

115/124grn. 4.8-5.2grns. WST

147grn. 3.2-3.8grns. WST

Personally I usually load 124gr plated bullets over 4.5gr of WST. Very light and fun to shoot.

[cavemanlrrp]

Many thanks Geoff and XDR

Those recipes are a great help and will go into my ammo cook book. The wife thanks you too.

All the best and good shooting. CM

[Southpaw45]

No muzzle flash hu... Well that rules out Power Pistol..

[Enter_the_Dragon]

Ditto for 231

[knucklehead0202]

231 is a great powder, versatile, and also readily available. i just bought a bunch and i load some very different things that it works fine with.

[LGB Loader]

231 is good. Power pistol is definately out of the question.

on the other hand, my Dad only has 2 powders that he has uses for pistol since as long as I can remember... Unique and 2400. you can load anything with these two powders handgun wise.

LGB