U do not want Alliant Powders they are nowhere to be found. The Clays line up is unobtanium.
So we around to 231 or HP38 which are the same thing. Win 244. CFE Pistol.

For .38 I use VV 320

VV 320 is great for the .38 it’s pricey but clean
I don’t get unburned powder causing issues and it appears stable in a range of temps


For 9 mm I use Titegroup

it’s economical, but burns hot, a little goes a long way
You really need to be on top of your reloading game to use it as it does not fill the case and a double charge is hard to catch.
That is until you pull the trigger on a double charge, then you will be picking up pieces of your plastic gun blaming
Weak brass, and wondering , with out admitting it , if it was a double charge.

quote:

Originally posted by RC:
For 9 mm I use Titegroup

it’s economical, but burns hot, a little goes a long way
You really need to be on top of your reloading game to use it as it does not fill the case and a double charge is hard to catch.
That is until you pull the trigger on a double charge, then you will be picking up pieces of your plastic gun blaming
Weak brass, and wondering , with out admitting it , if it was a double charge.

Yup, Titegroup likes to tease new reloaders with it's lower price, luckily many are warned off by how hot it burns and interacts with coated/cast lead bullets.

The last two polymer pistols I've seen with shattered frames...SIG 320 and Glock 34...were using cartridges reloaded with Titegroup.

Whatever savings I'd experience using it in place of my N310/N320 isn't worth the chance of experiencing a Kaboom on the range

I use TiteGroup (9mm) and CFE Pistol for 38 Super.
Both for 45 depending on what I'm loading for.

Stay away from Alliant Powders as they are hard to find and expensive. Plus they are more expensive then using VV at this time. 244 is good option or CFE Pistol or 231 or some of the True Blue

Autocomp. It’s very similar to CFE just more accurate.
It’s soft shooting using 5grs. with a 124gr. RMR Match Winner.
At major PF, it works the compensator better than most. I buy it by the 8 pound jugs.

So, what to use for 9mm/.357 diameter bullets. I don't know why but Vihta Vouri 3N37 works wonderfully with 9mm diameter bullets, be they 380 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, or 38 special or "light" 357 Magnums. They feature near zero position sensitivity, meter with a SD of 0.07 grains, shoot clean and produce some fairly high velocity loads in the 38 spl, 380, and 9mm Para. Velocity in 357 Magnum is decent but it's a bit fast burning for maximum speeds so H110 is best if you want a hot 357 Magnum.
be it the 40 S&w or 10mm. The best powder I've found for the 40 is Lonshot, which meters the same as Unique so I like to check every charge thrown. The payoff is the burnrate is perfect for 40 caliber loads. One o
While we are at it lets talk about the 40 a bit, f my favorites is a 40 S&W loading with a 165 grain flat point that yields a 1165 fps average velocity from my P229. It's a match to the Speer Gold Dot LE load I use for carry.

So, velocities for Vihta Vouri. Note Semi loads are tested with a 4 inch barrel, revolver loads are tested with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. As a result the revolver velocity reflect the longer barrel length.

9mm Parabellum.

115 grain Hornady XTP - 1237/1328
124 grain Hornady FP - 1188/1252
147 grain Hornady XTP - 997/1070

38 special.

125 grain Hornady XTP - 1115/1160
140 grain Speer GD - 1010/1064
158 grain Speer GD - 915/957

I've used Accurate Arms for .38 Special for years with great success.



* Edited to add pic...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: erj_pilot, October 31, 2023 09:46 AM

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I haven't reloaded in years, life got in the way. Fortunately, I saw it coming, and loaded a LOT of handgun ammo in preparation. Coincidentally, my shooting time was reduced also. At any rate, I am down to only having a quantity of Bullseye on hand. It's good powder, but is dirty and stinks. I'd like something cleaner and less stinky for 9mm and .38 Spec. Any recommendation? Thanks!

Been there done that Brother. Exactly the same. Not only that but when Bullseye starts stinking ... it's done. It's fertilizer.

Three words solution, trust me.

N310, N320, N330.

4 or 8 pd kegs.

Cover all your pistol needs and more for the remainder of your days and neber look back.

I use Power Pistol for my 9mm and HS 6 in my race gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Gallo Pazzesco:
Three words solution, trust me.

N310, N320, N330.

4 or 8 pd kegs.

Cover all your pistol needs and more for the remainder of your days and neber look back.

There's a lot of truth in the above

Even my e3 and Sport Pistol loads are based on N320 loads

The only other powder I use regularly is Clays for my revolver loads

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 9mmepiphany, December 11, 2023 12:37 AM

I'm big on WSF or 231 for 9mm. 38Spcl is Bullseye.

With prices trending up, have alternatives when shopping.

My go-to for 9mm is Power Pistol, it groups well out of both my M&P Shield 1.0 (3.1"barrel) & the convertible cylinder of my Blackhawk single action (testing @20yards).



I favor WST for .38special (testing @20yards).



Locally Power Pistol is available at Sportsmans Warehouse; WST is available at Cabela's & Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply

This message has been edited. Last edited by: toxophilus84, February 01, 2024 05:20 PM

Ran out of Unique and Power Pistol a couple of years ago and had to find some other fast to medium burn rate powder. Settled on CFE pistol and Accurate #5. They work well. Still would like to get some Unique but hard to find and costs too much.

Vihtavuori N320. Burns clean, meters well.

I will admit I’ve never used any of the ‘V’ powders. I think I may even have their reloading pamphlet. I know reviews are very good, they seem a little less common with a higher price tag.

Right now I have plenty of powder, I may have to try them though.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
I will admit I’ve never used any of the ‘V’ powders. I think I may even have their reloading pamphlet. I know reviews are very good, they seem a little less common with a higher price tag.

The interesting thing about VV powders is that their price doesn't seem to have gone up while domestic powders have. The last 8lbs of N310 I bought was <$40/lb...I want to say $35

I have used 231 for 40 years or so.

Let us talk about what is currently available, extremely suitable, and economical. For 9mm ammunition today there is one powder that features ZERO position sensitivity, meters wonderfully, and seems especially attuned to the 9mm bore diameter. Note 38 special and 357 Magnums are 9mm ammunition's.

That powder is Vihtavouri 3N37 and at one time it was considered a bit pricey. However after the most recent price hikes from Hodgdon and Alliant the Vihtavouri powders have become distinctly economical. Anyhow I've been using 3N37 since I discovered just how position sensitive that IMR SR7625 actually was.

So for handgun this is my powder list.

9mm (380 to 357 Magnum) Vihtavouri 3N37.

10mm (including the 40 S&W) Longshot. In a 40 S&W it will produce 1165 fps with a 165 grain Gold Dot. Not a great choice barrels under 4 inches unless you like lots of muzzle flash.

45 ACP - the powder that was specifically designed for the 45 ACP. That is Accurate #5 and yeah it has become a bit pricey.