Just ordered my new press

[erik_26]

After talking with Brian Enos, the Dillon XL650 is not the best choice for me. He said that I will be much happier with the 550.

Can't wait to start reloading.


What is the best all around powder for 9mm, 40s&w and 45 ACP?

[Bill Steele]

Congratulations on getting a great press, I just finished loading a couple hundred each of 9mm (125gr LRN, 4.8gr BE, 1.142") and .45ACP (200gr LSWC, 4.9gr BE, 1.240") in about an hour and 30 minutes this evening on my 550B.

"Best" powder for 9, 40 and 45 is a little more complex than you might think.

If you want the very best powder that will span those calibers, give you high velocity options in a wide range of bullet weights, has good bulk so double charges are more apparent and cost is less of a concern, then I would steer you to VV-N340. The downside with VV-N340 is it costs about $.02-$.025 per round where other alternatives can cost half that.

A good plinking powder for the above is Bullseye, it is cheap to buy (about $.01 a round), meters great, etc. The downsides are is it a little dirty and will be a pretty small charge in the larger cases.

Chris "XDrox" likes WST. The downside I see with this one is a limited number of load data points, something that a newbie should probably think about. On the other hand, Chris might be able to supply you with what you needed to get started with that powder.

Another well liked powder is W231. It will load across those caliber and most weights of bullets, generally will not shine in any given one, but is cheap, burns pretty clean and meters great.

There are about 20 other options.

You will get a lot of opinions, most will be valid.

[Southpaw45]

The 550 is an awsome press. You wont be disappointed when you get it up and running. As for an all around powder for the calibers you mentioned. I would say Alliant Power Pistol or Winchester 231 will fit the bill. They will work in all of them well. I use PP for 9mm and .40S&W only and chose to use Win 231 for my .45ACP. The only thing about PP is that it gives a good muzzle flash thats really apparent when you shoot indoors or at dusk.

[Endofcomment]

+1 for Brian enos!! I just sent a friend their after him waiting on hold with dillon to order a caliber conversion for his 550.

[erik_26]

Wow that is a lot of powders to choose from.

I guess a powder that messures well, is consistant and is somewhat clean for plinking is what I am looking for.

What is a good bullet for .40 S&W for plinking?

And primers?

Normally I shoot federal 180 grain in .40 S&W or Winchester. If this helps.

[kmca]

180gr Bear Creek truncated cone bullets work well for me, expecially since they're about $66/thousand. Primers..almost anything that's cheap. So far for me, it's been Winchester.

[Waldog]

Win 231/HP-38 is a great powder to start with. I load it in 9mm, 40S&W and 45 acp.

[Bill Steele]

For lead projectiles I use SNS Casting: http://shop.snscasting.com/

For jacketed projectiles I use either Precision Delta or Montana Gold: http://www.precisiondelta.com/product.php

https://www.montanagoldbullet.com/pricelist.html

I buy my Winchester primers and all my powders from Powder Valley

Have fun, good luck.