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Posted: 7/3/2012 9:58:35 AM EST
I've been reloading 223 on my Hornady LnL progressive for a few years now. I decided it's time to load 9mm and later 45 acp for my pistols.

I want to load 147 grain 9mm jacketed rounds for local steel plate shoots and such. I was going to get Wn 231 but noticed it isn't recommended for heavy 9mm rounds. Any recommendation for a powder that would work well with 147 gr 9mm and 230 45 projectiles? The 45 would most likely be jacketed RN also. Thanks in advance.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 10:46:12 AM EST
[#1]
Alliant Unique powder is a good "do all" handgun powder...I use it in about everything.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 10:47:17 AM EST
[#2]
Vihtavouri 3N38 is the go to powder for 147 grain, 9mm.

3N38 can be used for .45acp but there's just as good, cheaper choices for .45acp.

Like Bullseye, Titegroup, Hodgdons Clays, Silhoutte, just to name a few.

Vihtavouri N310 and N320 are powders I like for .45acp.

Limiting yourself on powders won't pay off as well on 10-ring as mixing it up will.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 11:01:22 AM EST
[#3]
i use bullseye for both. no issues
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 11:10:02 AM EST
[#4]
Bullseye.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 1:09:57 PM EST
[#5]
Thanks for the advice guys. I will look into bullseye. But I may have to suck it up and get two different powders.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 1:49:14 PM EST
[#6]
True Blue and Titegroup are what I am using for both 9 and 45.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 2:41:52 PM EST
[#7]
Quoted:

Vihtavouri N310 and N320 are powders I like for .45acp.



I really like N320 for 9mm 147 gr.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 2:57:05 PM EST
[#8]
Bullseye for the win.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 5:06:28 PM EST
[#9]
Quoted:
I was going to get Wn 231 but noticed it isn't recommended for heavy 9mm rounds.

What's wrong with Win 231?  I've been using it with Zero 147 gr FMJ bullets and it seems fine to me.

Quoted:
Vihtavouri 3N38 is the go to powder for 147 grain, 9mm.

Why is that better?

The only reason I used Win 231 for my 9mm loads was I had it for .45acp.  I'm not emotionally attached to it or anything, and I've only got a pound or so left , just I'm curious why it's not a great choice.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 5:37:56 PM EST
[#10]
hello;

have the hornady lnl.  mine came with the hornady powder dropper.  
using this powder dropper, i have 99.999% trust it with drop the same amount each time
with ww231/hp38 or bullseye.

unique is a great powder, but none of the 3 powder dropper i have will drop unique the same each time.
not uncommon to vary +/- 1/2 grain or more with each drop of powder.  can't trust dropping unique, have to weight
each charge.  takes to much time.  i

if i get things going good with the lnl able to get 100 rounds of 38spl every 20 min.
down side of my lnl, it will jump time.  a real monster to reset.  got so bad one time had to send the lnl back to hornady
to reset timing.

rp
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 5:40:39 PM EST
[#11]
Quoted:
Alliant Unique powder is a good "do all" handgun powder...I use it in about everything.


Yep.  Unique isn't the best choice at any one thing, but it's pretty good at just about everything.  I even use it in 45/70.

Bullseye's also good.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 5:46:22 PM EST
[#12]
Can Winchester 231 push a 147 grain 1150fps +.?

I think data would should max load stay sub-sonic.

Of all Hodgdons powders only two break 1000 fps.

Longshot at 1,004 fps.

Blue Dot at 1,001 fps.

3N38 published max load is 1200 fps.

I've chronographed 147 grain over 1150 fps and run out of case capacity going over max listing trying to make 1200 fps on my chronograph.

1150 fps from 147 grain 9mm makes power factor of 169.

Makes major factor for USPSA Open class. Recoil is mild compared to .40 and .45.

I load a 147 grain Hornady XTP, loaded max listing for Beretta Elite II.

Load is both accurate and lethal for bowling pins.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 6:02:15 PM EST
[#13]
Quoted:
Can Winchester 231 push a 147 grain 1150fps +.?

I think data would should max load stay sub-sonic.

Of all Hodgdons powders only one breaks 1000 fps.

Longshot at 1,004 fps.

3N38 published max load is 1200 fps.

I've chronographed 147 grain over 1150 fps and run out of case capacity going over max listing trying to make 1200 fps on my chronograph.

1150 fps from 147 grain 9mm makes power factor of 169.

Makes major factor for USPSA Open class. Recoil is mild compared to .40 and .45.

I load a 147 grain Hornady XTP, loaded max listing for Beretta Elite II.

Load is both accurate and lethal for bowling pins.


Sounds like there are better rounds for the velocity you're trying to get.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 6:09:24 PM EST
[#14]
Better rounds, yes.

You're missing the point of power factor.

9mm, this particular load gives faster follow up shots in match.



It really is a big deal, because this load doesn't go over pressure keeping up with .40s and .45s.

3N38 safely puts 9mm in major power factor.

In USPSA or any type match it's all about follow up.

I don't shoot pin matches but this combination is highly thought of who do.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 8:01:34 PM EST
[#15]
Quoted:
Can Winchester 231 push a 147 grain 1150fps +.?

I think data would should max load stay sub-sonic.

Of all Hodgdons powders only two break 1000 fps.

Longshot at 1,004 fps.

Blue Dot at 1,001 fps.

3N38 published max load is 1200 fps.

I've chronographed 147 grain over 1150 fps and run out of case capacity going over max listing trying to make 1200 fps on my chronograph.

1150 fps from 147 grain 9mm makes power factor of 169.

Makes major factor for USPSA Open class. Recoil is mild compared to .40 and .45.

I load a 147 grain Hornady XTP, loaded max listing for Beretta Elite II.

Load is both accurate and lethal for bowling pins.

I bought a pound of Longshot for the old mans wheel guns. I tried pushing some 200gr 45acp slugs with it, I gotta say it pushes them nicely. I was a bit surprised though, every once and a while I would get a HUGE muzzle flash. The guy next to me though I had a krink or something. I'm a damn ginger, that monster flash gave me a sunburn, lol! WTH it's the fourth right, I loaded some more up just for the indoor fireworks at that range.


Haven't loaded 147 gr yet, but my 230gr loads are just fine with 231. I got lazy with my pistol loads. It's not the hottest, but it's clean, and doesn't create a horizontal mushroom cloud. Besides, if I bought a pound of everything I wanted to try, I would NEVER be able to use up the stuff I didn't like.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 8:18:14 PM EST
[#16]
Quoted:
Can Winchester 231 push a 147 grain 1150fps +.?

I see what you mean, I don't think I want to go there.

My goal with the 147s was a subsonic round for casual suppressed shooting.  Win 231 got me 925-950 fps at 3.7 grains.  It's accurate enough when I'm the one pulling the trigger.

I'll pick up some 3N38 though just for grins.  

As always thank you for the information.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 8:19:49 PM EST
[#17]
I use WW231 for my 9mm 147gr subsonic loads (silencer use) and my 45ACP 230gr loads.
It is a very quiet subsonic load that runs all my 9mm pistols and my AR15 SBR. I also use the 231 for my 38spl loads.
Link Posted: 7/4/2012 3:43:52 PM EST
[#18]





Quoted:





Quoted:


I was going to get Wn 231 but noticed it isn't recommended for heavy 9mm rounds.



What's wrong with Win 231?  I've been using it with Zero 147 gr FMJ bullets and it seems fine to me.
Quoted:


Vihtavouri 3N38 is the go to powder for 147 grain, 9mm.



Why is that better?





The only reason I used Win 231 for my 9mm loads was I had it for .45acp.  I'm not emotionally attached to it or anything, and I've only got a pound or so left , just I'm curious why it's not a great choice.
231 / HP 38 is what I use for both!



ETA: However, I don't load 147s in 9mm.





 
Link Posted: 7/4/2012 4:44:47 PM EST
[#19]
I've playing with Bullseye lately. I found 3.7 grains to be about max under a Zero 147 loaded to 1.130" OAL. I clocked it doing 980 FPS from a 6" Glock 17L. It shot 1" groups at 15 yards with CCI and Winchester standard primers. The recoil was alot lighter than factory 147s as well.

I have always used 5 grains under a 230gr FMJ @ 1.260" OAL in the 45 ACP. It replicates factory hardball and shoots accurately in match grade 1911's. Haven't tried it in anything else.

Bullseye is clean too, if you run it hot enough, rivaling VV powders for clenliness in the 9.
Link Posted: 7/5/2012 8:44:13 AM EST
[#20]
I use w231 when I need very precise measurements in small volume, I.e. 3.1grs in 380acp.  For 9mm-45acp I have good results with HS-6.  It meters well gives good velocity, and for me is versatile. It tends to be on the dirty side if your pressures are low and muzzle flash can be very bad in short weapons.  RED DOT is often overlooked but has given good results.  The problem with flake powders is their inconsistent throwing....until you have mastered the powder measure.
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