Looking into purchasing a 9mm die set and wanting recommendations. Factory, roll, taper crimp and why? Also looking for powder recommendations. Something that meters well and available locally would be nice. TIA

Looking into purchasing a 9mm die set and wanting recommendations. Factory, roll, taper crimp and why? Also looking for powder recommendations. Something that meters well and available locally would be nice. TIA

go see henry at prime sports hawaii
he'll give you all kinds of advice, and will have or can order whatever you need

Looking into purchasing a 9mm die set and wanting recommendations. Factory, roll, taper crimp and why? Also looking for powder recommendations. Something that meters well and available locally would be nice. TIA

I have used and own both RCBS and Lee dies. I prefer RCBS dies but I have not been able to see or tell the difference between the two sets of dies when reloading for pistol rounds. Reloading for pistols doesn't usually require the amount of precision that reloading for a precision rifle would. But a lot of your decision should also include the type of press you have. If you have a single stage press I would say go with RCBS. I fell the RCBS line offers the best compromise between quality and price. JMHO  If you have the Lee Turret Press with the powder measure that threads into the bell die I would stick with the Lee as you can load ammo a lot faster which means higher volumes. If you have a Dillon or Hornady progressive press you will probably want to stick with those brands.

Some here are going to ask you what type of shooting you are going to do. Such as for competition, just for casual shooting, if your pistol can shoot 3/4" clover leafs at 25 yds, then they will probably recommend Redding or some others.

One thing I would highly recommend that no matter which brand you buy, also consider buying the Lee crimping die. The Lee crimping dies produce some of the best consistent crimps I have ever seen on pistol cartridges.

I have used and own both RCBS and Lee dies. I prefer RCBS dies but I have not been able to see or tell the difference between the two sets of dies when reloading for pistol rounds. Reloading for pistols doesn't usually require the amount of precision that reloading for a precision rifle would. But a lot of your decision should also include the type of press you have. If you have a single stage press I would say go with RCBS. I fell the RCBS line offers the best compromise between quality and price. JMHO  If you have the Lee Turret Press with the powder measure that threads into the bell die I would stick with the Lee as you can load ammo a lot faster which means higher volumes. If you have a Dillon or Hornady progressive press you will probably want to stick with those brands.

Some here are going to ask you what type of shooting you are going to do. Such as for competition, just for casual shooting, if your pistol can shoot 3/4" clover leafs at 25 yds, then they will probably recommend Redding or some others.

One thing I would highly recommend that no matter which brand you buy, also consider buying the Lee crimping die. The Lee crimping dies produce some of the best consistent crimps I have ever seen on pistol cartridges.

Yeah I knew Ford, Chevy, Dodge would come up if I posted on the big reloading forums. This forum seems a lot more helpful.

Right now looking to just my feet wet as far as straight walk pistol reloading. Not anything "match grade" at least not yet. As well large quantities are not an issue. I'm loading on a Rock Chucker.

I was looking at the Lee 4 piece carbide. I like that the seater and crimp dies are seperate.

I use the Lee 4 piece carbide for my 9mm.  I like it.  It does the job consistently and I haven't had any problems.  I've loaded thousands of FMJ and plated heads.  I haven't tried cast or SWC heads.

I'm using a 3-die set with the seating die doubling as a crimping die. Loading pistol rounds is so much faster on a progressive. I suggest the Lee progressive that comes decked out for 9mm. I had to do some minor tweaking to get it to run properly, but it's still a hell of a lot faster than on a single stage.

As a side note, I size and decap before tumbling. After tumbling, I prime by hand.  Then I set up the press for powder through expanding and seating/crimping.

Regarding powder, I've been using CFE pistol. The bottle says that it's good for 9mm, 38, 40, and 45. I bought it because I'll probably load 45 later. It works pretty well and it meters like water.

I use Dillon dies with a Lee crimp die since it's on a 550B press.  To me WIN Autocomp powder meters well and doesn't leak in the Dillon powder drop.  Last month bought 1 lb. at SEC for about $28.

Dillon with Lee Crimp die also on a 650. Decap, size, wet tumbler. Inspect, hand prime, and load. Super fast.

I forgot my powder recommendations.

I use Titegroup a lot. For me it meters well and can be used for most calibers. I also use N320 though it is much more expensive than Titegroup. I think Titegroup is one of those all around great powders for almost any use. There are others out there and I have tried quite a few of them and I have stuck with Titegroup over the last 6 years or so. In the past I have used Unique, Herco, Blue Dot, Bullseye though I have not seen these powders for quite some time.

Last time I was in J. Hara they had Titegroup. SEC had it a while back but I am not sure if they have any now. Henry at Prime Sports is waiting for an order of Titegroup to come in last time I talked to him. Also, you might check with WGS.

I appreciate all your feedback. I have a shop that gives me crazy deals on H335 and Varget. I'm hoping I can find something from them. I was thinking Titegroup, Bullseye or CFE Pistol.

I use an RCBS sizer, but the rest is all Dillon.
Including the Dillon taper crimp on the last stage.
A forum member here had some trouble with the Lee FCD causing bullet distortion.
...
Choice of powder really depends on what you can find now days.
For light target loads, a fast high energy powder like Titegroup, hp38, 231 or Bullseye will work well and be economical too.
...
If you're trying to simulate factory ammo, you'll need a slower powder like cfepistol or wsf.
...
If you want to push the 9mm to the outer limit, you'll need an even slower powder.
Eg. Unique, bluedot, aa7, herco, hs6, 540
...
Bullets- stick with jacketed or modern plated bullets.
Bullets are a no-brainer. The higher the cost, the better the bullet.
I like Hornady, Montana gold, Precision delta, xtreme, Berry's.