9mm Pet loads?

[usnret]

I use AA#5 with very good results!

[crbutler]

I've used titegroup with 147 grain bullets. I like it pretty well for heavy bullet loads, but as others said, it has a low loading density, and it would be easy to not notice a double charge. I started at 3.3 gr and worked it up to 3.4 grains in a Glock and an STI to make sure I had enough for making minor comfortably. If your gun has a tight barrel, it may be either way for you. I did not find it very dirty.

I usually use AA#7 for 115 grain bullets, but I do tend to load it a bit on the hotter side for that. (1250 FPS) Unlike others, I do feel AA#7 is one of the dirtier powders, but since it works so well, (in my guns, VV is the only stuff that is more accurate...) and is cheap, its what I usually use. My load is a bit over what the book says so I am not going to post it.

For minimum dirt/consistency VV 3N37 with a 115/124 grain bullet is really nice... Its also 2-or so- times more expensive than AA/Hodgdon stuff. Not IMO enough better to make it worth while for 9mm blasting ammo.

I also did a bunch of cast bullet loads with 800 X (sub gauge shotgun powder) and while they shot fine, that powder does not meter really well in my dillon equipment, so I gave up on that one.

Unique works with everything, but I can't say that even in its "new and cleaner" formula, its something I would want to use in a competition gun. It just makes a mess as far as I am concerned, but is quite accurate. Its also been a powder that classically works great in cast bullet loads. If you are using the plated bullets, that is the powder I would use them up with- great practice ammo for drills, but I am not a plated bullet guy- I just consider the plated bullet a less smoky cast bullet.

Good luck!

[ex-LT]

I also did a bunch of cast bullet loads with 800 X (sub gauge shotgun powder) and while they shot fine, that powder does not meter really well in my dillon equipment, so I gave up on that one.

FYI, 800x is not considered a sub gauge powder, it's more of a universal powder. I've used it for years in 12 gauge loads for everything from 1 1/8 oz game loads to 1 1/2 oz magnum loads. It's one of the most versatile non sporting clays powders available.