hobbit99

YEP.... You got yourself some boolits, that's for sure.! That looks like one good practice day.... well, maybe two short days.?? A chronograph is always helpful. BUT... only a GOOD chronograph. I've owned too many of them to say otherwise.!! Actually, unless you are reloading right now, the chrono can wait. Just use the manufacturers published data for each load. It will get you close enough for almost all occasions. Big matches might be an exception.....

Couple of things here... First, I want to thank you for your earlier post. Lots of good information there. And for this one as well. Second, please grant me a little dispensation for my writing style. I am a retired Army guy and a retired educator. I look for and need reasoned responses. I am also OLD..!! I have been doing this for lots of years, though admittedly not 9mm on my Dillon. I tend to say what I think... no disrespect intended. If I am wrong...just tell me. I can take it.!! So, I understand about the progression of Bullseye and the different naming conventions. I am not certain about the exact coatings and changes to the formulations, but I know they are all very similar and derive from the same roots. The slight modifications to affect burn rates seems like a good way to make the powder more useful across a wider spectrum. NOW, I did not know that Power Pistol was a derivative as well.... That is new to me. Thanks for that... Now about Power Pistol.... I have never loaded Power Pistol, so my response here is based on what I have learned from printed material and sources online. According to Lyman, PP is a very good choice from 115 thru 147... jacketed and lead. Probably the best powder at 115 between 5.9/1102 and 6.5/1212 jacketed (much as you indicated). At 124/125 between 5.1/979 and 5.7/1107 jacketed. At 147, 4.5/960 and 5.0/1043 jacketed. With lead... 120 gr, between 5.0/1107 and 5.6/1190 and at 147 between 4.1/939 and 4.6/1033..... Now, if my calculations are right, I need somewhere around 1140 to 1175 at 115 gr to make minor floor with a little margin. At 124/125 gr. I need around 1050 to 1090, and at 147 gr I need around 890 to 925..... SO, it seems on the surface that Power Pistol makes those numbers easily....??? In reviewing Hornady, those folks simply state "...Power Pistol produced excellent velocity and uniformity with all bullet weights and is our choice when loading for the 9mm..." I wanted some additional information on loading density, so I went to Nosler (who incidentally publishes density numbers in their manual..). It appears that 5.1 gr is at about 68% load density, 5.6 gr is about 75%, 6.1 gr is about 81%, and 6.6 gr is about 88%. So, it appears that Power Pistol loads up with good density, no compressed loads, and no critical powder position in partially filled cases. Having said all of that, you have FAR more experience than I do with this powder, so there could be some other factors that I am not considering. You said it was too slow.... ??? Yet the numbers seem to indicate it is right in the middle to the top of the "power band" at each of the bullet weights...... Is there a lot of ejecta?? Unburned powder?? Dirty?? I know there are some faster powders that will perform like Clays, 700X, 231..... but PP seems to stay near the top in velocity vs. pressure at all bullet weights (at the expense of higher loading density...more powder burned..). Let me know what you think.... Thanks again!! You've given me a lot to think about.

I want to take a minute to thank everyone who contributed information here. It takes a lot of good folks to keep a community like this running. So thanks again.!! I have added Power Pistol, Prima V, and maybe Sport Pistol to my list to evaluate. Oh... and maybe WSF also.!! I am also going to look at E3 because of its popularity around here. I can work with unknowns... I just wanted to start with something solid so I would have a good comparison... So 231 for sure.! Boy, I gotta lot of work to do.

Okay... WW231 was definitely one of my front runners. Thanks for the input. Not certain why your aversion to plated bullets. Would you elaborate for me.?? And yes, I am definitely looking at coated bullets too. I DO want to avoid powders that burn hot and that generate a lot of smoke with coated.... Also... are you saying that a load with a good jacketed bullet is not worth the effort for use in matches.?? Thank you.... Another recommendation for coated bullets. Also... thank you for mentioning Sport Pistol. I had not considered that powder, but now I will. I looked it up and was surprised and sort of impressed I guess. Sounds like a modern interpretation of 231. with possibly improved density and metering. This in now one of my potential target powders.

I understand what you are saying. I used a lot of Bullseye years ago for some early .38 loads when I was shooting PPC. Good powder, but density wasn't particularly good for metering and it is quite fast. Should be pretty low density loading. Right.??

I've noticed there has been some interest here in Titegroup. Thanks to all who have mentioned it and the other powders as well. I visited with Titegroup and a lot of threads here on the forum. The general consensus is that Titegroup is fairly "dirty" and doesn't meter particularly well through Dillon measures (until it has "settled" for a while...???). I really hate to stop loading to reset measures... that is one of the reasons I am looking for a powder with a good density that meters well. Also, with coated bullets there is apparently a lot of smoke...??? True.??? I am still waiting for my Dillon parts for 9mm, so I will definitely evaluate Titegroup further.... BTW... If I am wrong here (anytime...), please speak up. Thanks..!!!

Thanks for the information.... Bullet weight is still under consideration, but as I said in the OP, I am leaning toward the 124/125 or 147....just because of the recoil impulse. I am definitely going to shoot coated for my range loads. MAY switch to a fancier jacketed bullet for match use... I will definitely look up the E3 and consider it.

Sorry... Should have mentioned that. USPSA-- Production (and Carry Optics..) Definitely Minor. Thanks....

Terrific.... How would I know.?? I can't count that high... Actually, since I just started competitive.... Probably WAY more than I can afford.!!

Hi folks... As I mentioned in my original intro post, I am a retired Army guy that is just now getting into competitive shooting. I am currently setting up my Dillon 650 to load 9MM. Because of my reliance on a VERY fixed income, I need to avoid a lot of indiscriminate buying and testing of components.... Here is where I am: Primers will be either Fiocchi or Winchester (because I can get them reasonably, and do not want to worry about "hard" CCI or "soft" Federal...). I am purchasing some of both for trial data..... Bullets and cases will vary depending on what I can reasonably source. Right now I am buying some cases in 5000 lots (mixed head stamps..). Bullets will probably be Berry's or one of the other plated bullets for range practice. I plan to test and load a more "capable" jacketed bullet for match use. My intent is to try all three standard weight bullets, but will probably select 124 or 147 because of the recoil impulse. So with that in mind... Here is my quandary. Powder..??? I don't want to buy (and WONT buy..) multiples of possible iterations just because they "might" work. So here is my criteria (admittedly, I am a little in the dark here...). I have selected six potential candidates to make 9mm MINOR floor. Those are: Unique; Silhouette; True Blue; Power Pistol; Win 231; and Universal. I also realize that there is a multitude of possibilities and an equal number of opinions..!!! What I would like to do is select THREE choices for testing. I am trying to avoid VhitaVuory powders because of the ridiculous pricing. I also do not favor powders that are "compressed loads" Sooo, a medium density powder that meters well (Dillon 650...) and makes the floor at a reasonable pressure. Truth told, I am also trending against Silhouette. There is a distinct lack of Silhouette data for 9mm published in manuals. However, I realize that there are some folks here who swear by it... and of course some who swear AT it as well. So, if you folks could just recommend your three top choices and your reasoning. They don't have to be part of my six choices. I am open to being convinced...if you have a reasoned approach. Here is a little Gen Info background. I am NOT a newbie to shooting (of any kind..) nor to reloading. My Dillon is 18 years old. I have more die sets than I can count. I started reloading with a single stage in 1969 for rifle calibers. My handgun loading experience is pretty light though... mostly hunting loads in big bore handguns (44 Mag. and 454 Casull..). Please hold forth... You won't embarrass me or hurt my feelings.... Sorry this is so long... :-(

I certainly appreciate the welcome guys.... My military service was an eye opener for me. I enjoyed the time spent and the great guys I served with. I purchased a SIG P320 RX (full size..). After spending years flying gunships and battling the environment, my eyes are giving up. I reasoned that I might be able to continue shooting if I could use an optic. Hence the 320 RX. I know that throws me into the new carry-optics division (or open... where I WON'T be..!!), so I decided to just go ahead and get the gun that had the SIG optic set up for it. I have plenty of other guns I COULD shoot (mostly Glock..) if my eyes would allow it. Unfortunately..... I ordered, and received, a "BOSS" DOH rig from Ben Stoeger with a Blade Tech and some magazine holders (pouches..??), AA Belt system, and three additional magazines. I'm getting close to ready.... Lots to think about though...!!! Anyone who has any "hints" or ideas to keep me out of trouble in the coming months... Please hold forth. I'm all ears.!! (Well, you know.....!!)

Good evening to all. Quick note here to introduce myself. I've been around for awhile and decided this evening to join the forum. Don't know why not before now...just didn't happen I guess. Anyway, I am a retired Army guy (Aviator-Pilot..) who has been around the shooting scene for quite a few years. I've shot a little Bullseye and some PPC (back when that was still fashionable..!). Currently I shoot a little Precision Rifle and am starting to shoot some USPSA (at least that is the plan..). I have purchased my gun and "rig" and am currently shopping for a timer and will add the necessary changeovers to utilize my Dillon 650 for 9MM. I guess that about covers it.... Hope that when I need help (not IF, but when..!!), I won't sound like too much of a dummy. Thanks, Hobbit (yeah, I know.. dirty little guy living in the Shire!!)