[zombie616]

I want to reload some +p 9mm ammo but i don't know how.

Thanks

[redactor]

None of my load manuals contain data for 9mm +P.

I believe the Midway has the spiral bound "Load Books" for sale for less than $10. They contain the data for that cartridge from all the current reloading manuals. I'd start there, as my .45 Auto Load Book has some .45 Auto +P loads listed.

Most importantly, use brass that is head-stamped for 9mm Luger +P, start low, and work the load up. Do not start out with max loads.

If you've never loaded normal 9mm loads, I'd start there.

[Walkalong]

If you don't know how, I would suggest starting slow by reloading some standard pressure stuff at first. Go from there.

You need load books etc, etc, before diving straight into the deep end.

Welcome to THR, by the way. :)

[WayneConrad]

I am not aware that special brass is needed to hand-load to +P pressures. The pressure created by a cartridge is not born primarily by the brass. It is born by the chamber and by the bolt. The brass only serves to seal the gap between the chamber and the bolt face.

Manufacturers mark their brass as +P so that you will not mistakenly put their +P load into a firearm that is not rated to handle +P pressures. Not because there is anything special about the brass itself.

Please correct me if I have gotten this wrong.

[rcmodel]

I want to reload some +p 9mm ammo but i don't know how.Do you know how to load standard pressure loads then?

rcmodel

[redactor]

Manufacturers mark their brass as +P so that you will not mistakenly put their +P load into a firearm that is not rated to handle +P pressures. Not because there is anything special about the brass itself.

I'm not sure if the +P brass is any thicker, but if I'm shooting them, I'd want my reloads marked for the same reason.

[Steve C]

The loading manuals all give loads that produce velocities equal to factory +P. I always thought that +P was mostly marketing in the 9mm as its a high pressure cartridge to begin with.

Even using Alliants on line data you can reach 1,280 fps with a 115gr bullet.

Federal +P 124gr HST runs at 1,200 fps but you can get better than that with Power Pistol.

I've chrono'd loads using a start load of 6.1grs of Power Pistol and Remington 115gr JHP's at 1,210 fps from my Glock 19 so I don't think 1,280 is unreasonable with their data.

Make sure you work up your loads. Use of a chrono is needed if you are trying to reach a particular velocity. It would also be good to run a few factory +P's over the chrono to see what they're doing from your pistol and to use as a base velcoity goal.

[zombie616]

Yes i know how to reload standard pressure loads.

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

Ive been loading 9x19 for a while. +P brass is not really any thicker. Ive measured both from similar manufacturers, no real difference. Maybe stamped to prevent inserting round in wrong gun.

As for actual loading, start low first. Make some real nice plinking loads to get acustomed to 9mm. You will learn lessons (like compressed rounds equal big boom, etc...). Carefully study the differences in powder burn rates, types and charges. You will quickly learn that +P velocity can be attained with normal loads. For example, Vihtavouri makes a few nice powders, but look at their velocities in the book. Ive chrono'ed alot of my stuff and found it to be a smudge faster (about 10 FPS) than their posted stuff. But, keep in mind, with 9mm (and any high compression cartridge), when they generally mean maximum for the fast powders, they MEAN maximum!

The one caliber, one book things are great, but 9mm one does not have +P data. However, with careful selection of bullet, powder and then tinkering with the OAL, you can tune the round really well. Generally, dont go above anything they list, as Steve mentioned, you will most likely do better than they list for factory loads.

The down side is you will then be fantasizing as I do at work about what bullet with what powder combination. I buy nice expensive bullets (like sierras and others) then test them in wet packs, sand, anything, trying to get a good round matched to your weapon in the sense of what you want to use that weapon for. Do yourself a favor. Dont buy a 9mm carbine! They are so fun to mess with and with loading data, you will spend more time dreaming rounds than making them! :D

Load safe!

[evan price]

SAAMI says 9mm Luger is 35,000 psi and 9mm +P is 38,500 psi.

As long as you do not exceed those limits you are fine.

I routinely load 9mm to ten percent over book max and it is just starting to hit SAAMI for regular 9mm.

[adweisbe]

What kind of gun are you targeting? Any specific application or just for fun? I'm a believer in design by contract so rather then hot rodding the 9MM cartridge I would switch to something designed for a bit more oomph like .357 Sig.

If you have a specific bullet weight and velocity in mind you can comb the load books for what you are looking for.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12740

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.


9mm pistols usually have .190" feed ramp intrusion.
9mm brass usually has .160" thick webs.
That makes .030" of thin unsupported case wall.
9mm Pistol usually have chamber walls ~~.1" thick heat treated steel.

This makes it safe for risk averse corporations to sell +P+ 9mm factory ammo.

I make my own +P+++++++++++++++++ 9mm handloads.

The trouble is not gun failure or brass failure or ... the problem is recoil.

How much recoil can my hand and my handgun take?
I can put in higher force recoil springs, but I can't add as much spring as I can add powder.
The slide can still slam the frame casing wear on the frame and pain to my hand.

I can get big heavy 9mm pistols, and wear gloves, but I can't carry those big pistols for concealed carry.

[870]

Pick up a copy of the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, there are +P loads listed.