American Reloading is offering a pull-down powder that is of interest.  They call it 9mm Luger No.2.    The naming convention tries to steer you towards thinking its for 9MM, but as you will see from some data, this can be used for MANY calibers successfully.  Let me address some common concerns or questions relating to buying powder like this:
"Who manufactures this powder?"  This is an OEM powder used by a major manufacturer of ammunition, even if you knew what manufacturer it came from, it would be of no use to you because OEM powders are not "exactly" like commercial powders you can buy. 
"What is the burn rate of this powder, or where can I find it on burn rate chart?"  To assist with this question, I will make a good judgement "guess" based on my testing and experience.  This does not mean I am 100% correct, however, it is reasonable to assume my estimation is in the close ballpark.  See below for chart.
"What commercial powder is 9mm Luger No. 2 like, so I can at least use solid reference load data to feel comfortable reloading it?"  We have tested this against 3 commercial, popular powders close to its burn rate, and provided the data for you to view.  Using this data, you can make determinations where you want to start your load process.  This being said, NO load data on this website is official, or measured pressure, and should NOT be used without working UP from a more conservative, lower load.  Differences in altitude, temperature and things like case capacity with different brands have a HUGE impact on pressure. So start low, and go up to your own comfort level, using your own judgement.  If you cannot reload without having the exact bullet, exact case and exact load data from a manufacturer, such as Alliant, etc.  Then I suggest you not buy this as you won't be able to sleep at night, or whatever.  However, I love this, because this is not rocket science, and its not that hard to start low, and work up.  Really.
"I have a Cartridge that is not listed in your testing, what do I do, will this work for my application?"  Obviously, I only test a few calibers.  Like 9MM and like 223.  We cannot tell you what to do, and you should NOT take what we do and think its good for you. You need to make your OWN judgement.  But here is how we do it, so you understand.  Lets say you have load data for your cartridge for multiple powders.  Lets use Accurate #2, Alliant Unique, and Ramshot Silhouette.  Then you notice, that the testing data you see, is for a powder you never heard of, but its consistently showing performance between Alliant #2 and Alliant Unique, but its BARELY slower, and almost like Accurate #2.  What we do, is look at another caliber, find load data for Accurate #2, then we start at the LOWEST charge for that, since we think this powder is similar.  That is reasonable for us.  We do this with Valkyrie using 223 data for example.  Look at it another way.  Look at the spectrum.  In 9MM, for a 124 grain bullet, the fast burning powders, like Titegroup have max around ~3.9-4.1 grains depending on bullet.   The slower 9MM powders have maximum for 124 grain bullet around ~6.0-6.2 (HS-6).  So I know the range is 2 entire grains.  Every bullet for every caliber has a range, from faster powders, to slower powders.  If I think the powder I have is on the FASTER side, I start down under 3.9.  If I think I have a slower powder, but don't know, I start under 3.9.  You get it?  You start under what you know is safe for faster powders, and work up....then you quickly learn what load data its "like".  That is our method.

Lets use American Reloading "Range Mix" projectiles for 9MM
Check out 9MM projectiles HERE
This is a PERFECT thing to purchase if we want to do load testing to see what works well for us.  This after we figure out which one of these premium projectiles, such as HS-T, or V-CROWN, or Gold Dot, or Hornady FlexLock, or XTP, or many more, then we buy just THOSE.  Consider this like the sampler platter before you order what you like from it.  After discount code, you can get 1000 of these things for cheaper than 1000 PLATED.  This has to be one of the best values on the entire internet.  This batch even had a few dozen 65 grain
ARX. Which are fun and cool.



American Reloading 9MM Luger #2 Powder
So its flake, not ball.  Kind of looks like Titegroup, or Winchester 572. Check it out...Ill put all 3 side by side below...

Lets Compare some looks of powders...
Lesson here...DO NOT JUDGE powders by how they look.  Big mistake.  And also the lesson is, its easy to get powders that look similar MIXED UP!
AR 9mm Luger #2
Does it look like others?

W572
Similar look...but WAY slower burning than American Reloading #2
Titegroup
Similar look again
What did we compare it to?
We knew this was a faster burning powder, so we tested it vs:
Alliant Sport Pistol
VV N320
Shooters World Cleanshot (D032)

And sure enough, its very similar in performance to Alliant Sport Pistol or Shooters World Cleanshot


WOW!  Similar!!
The loads with 135 Grain Hornady Flexlock, and Federal 147 Grain HS-T tell us a lot about this powder.  Its similar in performance to other, mainstream commercial powders.
65 grain too!!
So there you have it folks.  All the way up to 150 grain coated, and 147 grain HS-T to 65 grain ARX ! 

5.0 Grains of American Reloading 9MM Luger #2  was not QUITE enough, to reliably cycle the 4.5" barrel XDM used.  Probably around ~5.2-5.3 would cycle it normally.  5.5 zero issues.
Below is NOT official load data!! Use at own risk!! Start LOW, work up, be safe!
Non 9MM was not tested, however, close estimate using Alliant Sport Pistol & Shooters world Cleanshot (D032), again, start low.
American Reloading  9MM Luger #2
9MM Application
65 grain :   5.3-5.8
115 Grain:  3.8-4.7
124 Grain:  3.8-4.4
147 Grain:  3.0-3.6
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Burn Rate image
This is a chart from "loaddata.com".
The problem with burn rate charts, is they cannot be used to make precise logic about load data.  For example.  Look at #59 and #60.  Accurate #5 and True Blue.  They show right next to each other on chart, so one may think load data is VERY CLOSE.   However, True Blue is more similar in load data to slower powders, such as Ramshot Silhouette.

Obviously, since American Reloading 9MM Luger #2 is a pull down powder from a munitions manufacturer, it does not have a commercial name, thus will not ever shot up a chart like this.  However, from testing, we think its similar to Alliant Sport Pistol or Shooters world Cleanshot, or IMR Target or Titegroup, in load data...just a guess...

In reality, load data is actually ballpark similar for many powders between Bullseye & Win 231
When you buy a new powder to try, whether its from American Reloading, or its the first time you are buying Alliant Sport pistol.  Its a smart and good idea, to head over to American Reloading and buy a 500 piece bag of their "Premium" Mix, so you can find what works great for your gun, then as you can see, when you find it, you can buy that mix piece in bulk when they have it in stock.

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Contact Me
semperfireloading@gmail.com



Fargo, ND USA