9MM Question for you reloaders

[kuduman]

Just looked over grafs, powder valley, midway, brownells, natchez, midsouth, and finally ammoseek.

All that's really out there now is some 700X, Clay's, and Titewad.
https://reloadingunlimited.com/prod...manufacturer=hodgdon&attribute_pa_weight=8-lb

I've got 24lbs of red dot and 24lbs of 700x on a trade/purchase for the low low.. like half a penny 5gr. Just need the 60k+ primers for it

OK, if you're going to be using 700X, let me offer some suggestions from experience. The charge weights for 700X are very low, and it's not the most consistently metering powder. so... don't try to create maximum power loads with say a Dillon powder measure, until/unless you are very sure of what level of consistency you are getting. Most folks don't realize it, but if you skip a shell on say the 550, and the hopper gets agitated for one "cycle", but doesn't drop powder, the next charge thrown will be higher. Maybe not much, but measurable, at least on my bench. Couple that with a less consistently-metering powder, and well, you're going to get a larger variance between throws. This matters not, most of the time, but if you're running on the hairy edge of "too high", it could matter. Just something to be aware of. Stay .3 gr. under max, and you won't have to think about it. But do check your drops carefully with 700X. A little bit goes a long way.

On a similar note, God help you if you try to use EIGHT hundred X in a thrower. It meters like Doritos, which is likely why it's discontinued.

Anyway, be extra careful about double-charges with 700X; charge weights are far less than half a case full. But it's a very good powder. 3.1 grains and a 147 gr. lead bullet makes for a light recoil accurate, quiet load. My CZ Tactical Sport cycles fine with 2.8 gr., with that same bullet, though various other guns will not. That's a super light load, but it still makes minor power factor with room to spare. If you're into the whole gamesmanship thang.

If you're getting 700X for $7 a pound (a penny for 10 gr.), I'd love a piece of that deal.

 

[deathbeforehonor]

It worked out that cheap in 2 separate powder and bullet trades.. I load 800X for 10mm just fine from CM1500's with overthrow nipples on em`

Yeah 700X and Red Dot will go a hell of a long way for 9mm. It just sucks to have all the lead, powder, and brass.

I just got off of the phone with a guy in Dayton, TN selling him the last of my 147gr Gold Dots I'm parting with and I was about to offer some powders.. Like a new 4lb jug of 231 for $90 I don't plan on using until I seen this.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/885994142
$245 for 2lbs! still almost 9hrs..

I hate seeing that stuff. I don't want to ask or expect those prices. I just want some damned small primers

 

[Opg]

I keep Unique on hand for the one powder that will work in a large variety of Calibers. I have been using it for over 40 years, If powder starts getting short this is a great choice to have on hand. Here is a link to the calibers you can load with unique.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=3

 

[deathbeforehonor]

Unique can very hard to come by as of late.. and demands top shelf prices when you do. I know this might be a lot of money to folks but $740 will get you 36 pounds delivered ($20.55/Lb). I was just talking to a buddy who ordered some 9 months ago and in side by side comparisons he found almost no distinguishable differences.
http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

There's also American reloading with IMR Red which is a hair slower than Alliant Red Dot. The IMR Red will make for very economical loads, albeit not as versatile as Unique. $329.99 for 16lb ($20.62lb)
https://americanreloading.com/en/reloading-pistol-powder/2989-imr-red-smokeless-powder-16-lbs.html

If you want to save the most and go way down the rabbit hole of possible pistol powders you can always try this. I'd do your research before ordering and expect to work up everything you load as the data provided and what's out there isn't sufficient for something like this.
https://www.cdvs.us/product/cbi-pis...-four-4-jugs-for-a-total-of-16-lbs-of-powder/

 

[User42]

My current range load is 3.5 grains of IMR Red, using .356, 147 grain round nose Xtreme bullet. IMR Red scored above average in my tests, and I think its a widely unknown and underrated powder. I like it.

 

[Putnambuck]

Ok fellas, I've been experimenting with my Titegroup loads & 124gr Rn & HP. My best shooting round is 4.0 TG. With that load it's not too dirty & plenty of power. I've went from 3.7 to 4.2 and think I'll stick with 4.0 for now. I've loaded probably 1K rounds total. Started out loading 10 with 3.6 and worked the charge up a grain or two at a time.
Like I said in my original post, I've got quite a bit of TG so I'll keep using it till I run out.
Just wanted to give an update, appreciate all the comments, keep em coming

 

[Opg]

Unique can very hard to come by as of late.. and demands top shelf prices when you do. I know this might be a lot of money to folks but $740 will get you 36 pounds delivered ($20.55/Lb). I was just talking to a buddy who ordered some 9 months ago and in side by side comparisons he found almost no distinguishable differences.
http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

There's also American reloading with IMR Red which is a hair slower than Alliant Red Dot. The IMR Red will make for very economical loads, albeit not as versatile as Unique. $329.99 for 16lb ($20.62lb)
https://americanreloading.com/en/reloading-pistol-powder/2989-imr-red-smokeless-powder-16-lbs.html

If you want to save the most and go way down the rabbit hole of possible pistol powders you can always try this. I'd do your research before ordering and expect to work up everything you load as the data provided and what's out there isn't sufficient for something like this.
https://www.cdvs.us/product/cbi-pis...-four-4-jugs-for-a-total-of-16-lbs-of-powder/

Thanks for the links to the 3 suppliers, I did not know of these.

 

[deathbeforehonor]

CDVS is in my home town of Spokane, WA.. the conservative side of the state. Some very unique stuff, Sean the guy that runs it finds stuff all over the country. Their inventory has been rather weak as of lately, seeing as most people are holding onto what they've got, and he's gotta only pay enough to be able to sell at a reasonable price.

American reloading is awesome, I've spent $5k with them the last 3 years. They used to do sales every 7-10 days. But now they are just throwing stuff out as they get it and if they get a Good bit they update wiping out OOS and offer deals on different things. I'll buy a lot of projectiles, mixes and what not.. clean em' all up sort them, sell the ones I don't want, and basically get the ones I want for free. They've been very Good on the communication and shipping, I haven't had 1 single issue with them. Sign up to get alerted or just bookmark all projectiles (show all, in stock) each time you look at it remember the total and you'll be able to see any changes before an email goes out.. when the bullets change sometimes other things will as well

In talking to them I learned that a fella Nik, @ https://redeyereloading.com/ gets a good bit from them, as they're the ones with the pulldown contracts and he's just a cool dude like Sean.. hunting around for stuff. So his inventory can sometimes reflect what they have with slight markups. Sometimes if you see a large amount of projectiles or powder @ AR but miss a chance at getting them NIK might still have some.

 

[Opg]

Thank you, I appreciate the information.

 

[41mag]

Thanks Putnambuck , the info comes in handy