Powder Choice for MG 124 JHP (HP-38 or Clays)

[razorfish]

I'm currently loading 4.3gn of VV N320 with a Montana Gold 124 gn JHP. (1.15 OAL, CCI Primer, Mixed Brass). Shooting from a SW M&P 4.25" 9mm pistol with factory barrel.

Love this load, but I'm getting low on N320 and want to save a pound or two of it for matches.

I have plenty of Clays and HP-38.

Looking to load minor so 1030-1040 fps would be my target.

Which is the better choice between Clays and HP-38?

Does anyone have some starting load recommendations for powder?

Edited July 2, 2013 by razorfish

[polizei1]

While I'm using the 124gr CMJ's, I can't imagine the results being much different...but I really like HP-38 because it's cheap, fairly clean, and meters well in my 650.

My load is:

MG 124gr CMJ

4.5gr HP-38

CCI SPP #500

OAL - 1.140"

PF out of a 5" 1911 is 132-135

Edited July 2, 2013 by polizei1

[practical_man]

Another vote for 231. I love clays in 45ACP and 12 gauge. I have not gotten accuracy and power factor at the same time from Clays in 9mm.

I use 4.4 grains of 231 to get 130 PF from both my XD and Glock 34

[GmanCdp]

if you have HP 38 use it..like the guys above said,works good in the 9mm..

[gng4life]

While I'm using the 124gr CMJ's, I can't imagine the results being much different...but I really like HP-38 because it's cheap, fairly clean, and meters well in my 650.

My load is:

MG 124gr CMJ

4.5gr HP-38

CCI SPP #500

OAL - 1.140"

PF out of a 5" 1911 is 132-135

+1, used in an M&P Pro and very similar

[MarkCO]

HP38 is what I would chose over Clays. WST is another good choice if you can find some of that.

[noexcuses]

start out around 3.3gr of clays and work up, I am at 3.6 at 1.15" in a g34 for a 130PF.

[razorfish]

Based on the above advice I worked up some loads using HP-38. Here's what I found:

Notes:

Gun tested: Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm (4.25" barrel)

Primer: CCI #500 SPP

OAL: 1.14

Bullet: Montana Gold 124 JHP

Brass: Star Brass

Powder: HP-38

Ten Shot Strings using ProChrono Digital at 10'

Temperature - 83 F

*No signs of excessive pressure... primers look great

HP-38 Loads:

4.2 gn - 123.50 PF (Std Dev - 10)

4.3 gn - 125.20 PF (Std Dev - 9)

4.4 gn - 128.13 PF (Std Dev - 10)

4.5 gn - 130.75 PF (Std Dev - 10)

Thanks again for the advice... I'll load some up and get a feel for accuracy, cleanliness, felt recoil, etc...

[CeeZer]

3.6gr Clays, 124gr Berry's plated, PF130, OAL 1.12" here.

With FMJ or JHP, you are looking at about 3.8gr of Clays with same OAL of 1.12".

Clays doesn't meter as well as 231/HP-38. Clays seems to be - softer recoil and less flash to me. If your powder measure works well with Clays, you may find it a very good powder.

I 'burned' 6lbs of Clays before decided to go with it, got 16lbs of it on hand now.

[billy396]

I love HP38, but I've had some issues with Clays being dirty and having unburnt powder. Also, as noted above HP-38 meters very well - better than most.

[noylj]

If I had a choice between 231/HP38 and Clays, I would almost always go with 231/HP38. After testing both with MG 124gn JHPs, I would definitely go with 231/HP38.

However, I can say that all my 9x19 guns prefer AA5 for very light to mid-range loads and Silhouette for mid-range to max loads.