With plated lead bullets, mostly.

What powder do you like that can suffice for both bullet weights? If it works with 165gr .40, that's a plus.

For std pressure/vel loads, any of the medium burners works; WSF, PP, AA#7, BE86, Unique, Universal, HS6, take your pick. I like WSF in that application but they all work fine.

I have had really good results with Power Pistol, and Unique in all 9mm reloads.

I’m still working the 124gr load up but so far I’ve been happy with CFE-P in both 147 and 135 grain loads.

I’ve only grouped out to 15 yards and I’ve not tried other powders but maybe this will help. Myers great in the Dillon but is a little sooty at lower charges.

Let us not forget W231....I have about 13lbs of this stuff left from where I bought 16 lbs so I now use it on all my 9mm 125gr loads now....At 3.5gr per round I have enough to last for a while....

You might be asking yourself - Mark - Why 16 lbs of W231....Because I walked into. A small gun store that had two 8lb jugs for $89 each so I bought both.....Both were still factory sealed....That’s why...

After experimenting with W231, WST, and WSF, I found that, for me, WSF grouped better with 124's but W231 was the winner with 147 grn plated.

124 plated...WSF...4.8 grn...1.125 col

147 plated...W231..3.6 grn...1.165 col

P226

I will probably test some other powders as time allows.

 
I use WSF, but shoot 147gr only. It works admirably, nice soft shooting at PF+ loads. I've never tried 124gr. In any caliber, for competition reloads, I always go with the heaviest standard bullet. I prefer "heavy and slow" vs "light and fast", for its recoil characteristics.

AA#7

Vihtavuori N320. I hear Alliant Sport Pistol is nearly the same, but cheaper.

WSF for both is my go-to, though I use jacketed bullets only. I was able to get more velocity with PowerPistol in the 124 loads, use that when loading Gold Dots.

 
I just read the latest edition of IDPA's Tactical Journal. They had results of the national championship, including components most used by the competitors. For powder (same as last year) it was overwhelmingly TightGroup.

I use TiteGroup.

quote:

Originally posted by roberth:
I use TiteGroup.

Yep......I use TiteGroup for 124gr and my suppressed 147gr loads.

HS6 has become my go-to with 124gr plated.

Hs-6 is my go to for 147gr lead or coated at minor PF. Dirty and sooty at this pressure but stupid accurate in my M&P Core 9mm with 8 MOA FF3. I use this combo for USPSA and Steel Challenge. A bit cleaner and snappier recoil with 124's, but accuracy is GTG. I have tried many powders and keep comimg back to HS-6.

The use of Titegroup is with out a doubt very popular, particularly with 124 gr bullets. I ran it in XD's for several years with great results. I stopped using it with exposed lead base FMJ's when the lead/gas fouled everything including my blood test. Coated, plated and true FMJ certainly reduce this issue.

AA #5 is my go to powder for all non magnum pistol loads.

quote:

I just read the latest edition of IDPA's Tactical Journal. They had results of the national championship, including components most used by the competitors. For powder (same as last year) it was overwhelmingly TightGroup.

People will read such things & then think they should use that powder/bullet to up their game. TG is cheap, the over whelming reason so many like it. Me, I am a TG hater for many reasons. I shot & worked nats, 147gr cast/coated & WST. Not the reason I win or lose though. :-)

I used a lot of AA#7 for 124's. But then I got a can and started shooting 147's. Bought a bunch of Bullseye. 3.7gr gives about 950-975. Perfect for a can. Accurate as well.

N310, N320 & titegroup in that order for minor 9mm loads.

Even placed 1st ESR MA at Nationals in ‘09 with 3.8 gn of N310 pushing a 230 gn bullet major.