Best powder for 9mm 115 grain lead light load?

[dokamoto]

I'm looking for the lightest loads possible for steel challenge. I'll be shooting cast lead 115 grain lead bullets out of a Springfield 9mm 1911.

So far, I've only used W231. The best test loads I've shot (25 rounds) is with 3.4 grains at 1.050 OAL, light crimp of 0.376", using a 7# recoil spring (started at 12#). I've swapped out the ILS MSH and reduced the mainspring from 30# to #20# and replaced the titanium FP with one of carbon steel. Ejections are between 2 to 3 feet away. This could be because the cases are hitting the bottom of my C-More mount and getting knocked down. Cycles fine with no issues feeding or ejecting. My only objection is that I get a lot of unburned powder ejected back at me, which is distracting as I can see it coming back into my face! Twice, I had failure to lock the slide back on an empty mag which I think I resolved with the lighter recoil spring.

My friend uses Titegroup and recommends it. I'd like your opinions on this or another powder for this application.

What powder do you folks use/recommend and with what charge weights and OAL? I'll be using unsorted mixed headstamp brass. I'm not looking for bullseye accuracy either.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Craigwood]

I'm looking for the lightest loads possible for steel challenge. I'll be shooting cast lead 115 grain lead bullets out of a Springfield 9mm 1911.

So far, I've only used W231. The best test loads I've shot (25 rounds) is with 3.4 grains at 1.050 OAL, light crimp of 0.376", using a 7# recoil spring (started at 12#). I've swapped out the ILS MSH and reduced the mainspring from 30# to #20# and replaced the titanium FP with one of carbon steel. Ejections are between 2 to 3 feet away. This could be because the cases are hitting the bottom of my C-More mount and getting knocked down. Cycles fine with no issues feeding or ejecting. My only objection is that I get a lot of unburned powder ejected back at me, which is distracting as I can see it coming back into my face! Twice, I had failure to lock the slide back on an empty mag which I think I resolved with the lighter recoil spring.

My friend uses Titegroup and recommends it. I'd like your opinions on this or another powder for this application.

What powder do you folks use/recommend and with what charge weights and OAL? I'll be using unsorted mixed headstamp brass. I'm not looking for bullseye accuracy either.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

Good Question. A good light load I use is Hodgon Clays. Minimal recoil compared to Bullseye. Using Clays based upon Hodgons Data Sheet I will load between 3.0 grs. to 3.4. Velocity is at 954 ft/s to 1054 ft/s. Over All Length is set at 1.100.
Alliant Bullseye....I use a 124 gr LRN. loading at 4.4 grs. Over All Length at 1.140. Velocity @ 1160 ft/s.
I bought some Unique but have not used it yet. A good sourse to go to is Speer Loading Manual or www.handloads.com

[dokamoto]

Thanks. I had forgotten about handloands.com. I have some Clays and hadn't thought to try loading with that, but will do now.

[bohoki]

bullseye, red dot work fine for me