RMR 115 FMJ RN 9mm initial results with W231

[1KPerDay]

Thought maybe some might be interested. If not, no biggie.

All functioned, mild to moderate recoil. 4.2 is nice and soft but locks slide empty. 2 rounds needed restrike with G23. Recommend replacing striker spring.
Had to seat these bullets to 1.114-1.116" to plunk in AIM 9mm conversion barrel. Plunks in M&P, SIG P226, Beretta 92FS Brig, Beretta PX4 Storm, and CZ75B. Started with a low charge due to deep seating. No primer or brass signs of high pressure. Group sizes below. Fired 2-3 groups with each charge out of M&P, 2 with P226, and 1 with Glock. Mixed brass.


4.2 231 RMR 115 FMJ RN 1.114-1.116' CCI and S&B primers.
M&P CORE 9L with RMR type 1 3.25moa red dot, 15 yards rested (improvised rest)
5 shot groups measured center to center: 2 1/2", 1 5/8"
P226 with stock rear sight, Dawson fiberoptic front.
2 1/8", 1 7/8"
Glock 23C, Heinie Ledge rear and Warren tactical fiberoptic front sight, with AIM 9mm conversion barrel (seated short to plunk in this barrel)
1 3/4"

4.5 grains W231 same seating length
M&P with red dot, 15 yards rested
1 1/4", 2 1/8", 1 1/2"
P226
3 3/4", 3 7/8"
Glock 23C with AIM 9mm conversion barrel (seated short to plunk in this barrel)
2 3/8"


Comparison load: Xtreme 115 Plated RN, 4.5 W231, 1.138" OAL
M&P
2 3/8", 2", 1 5/8"
P226
2 5/8", 3 3/4"
Glock 23/AIM
1 5/8"

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm shooting a 124gr bullet instead of a 115gr bullet in my 9mm. I use W231 for all but the highest velocities. I really like that powder for most of my handgun loading.

Thanks for sharing your info.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah I primarily shoot 124s myself. But I was given these for Christmas and they are cheap, and my last batch of 115 xtremes shot pretty well. We'll see if I can get a load that all my guns like well enough. If not I'll just save them for the M&P. I can't decide if it's the RMR that's making the difference. I suspect it is. My eyes are getting weird as I get older. And I never was great at punching paper.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I love 231 for 115gr loads. I load 4.9 gr with XTPs and OAL of 1.04. One of the most accurate loads out of my 9s I've found yet. It's what I carry in my Shield.

 

[Walkalong]

Some of the first loads I ever shot were various (Whatever were cheapest at the gun show, $15ish for 500) 115 & 125 Gr lead RN over 4.5 Grs of W-231. I used AA #5 for stouter loads with the same bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yeah I primarily shoot 124s myself. But I was given these for Christmas and they are cheap, and my last batch of 115 xtremes shot pretty well.

I will usually load just about any bullets I get for free, I'm good like that lol. Nothing wrong with free bullets.

 

[vaalpens]

Thanks for sharing your test results. Interesting to see that the P226 is not grouping that good. Is that maybe because you are just using standard iron/open sights instead of a red dot?

Do you know what velocities you are getting, especially with the plated Xtreme bullet? I have not tested 115gr bullets yet, but my 124gr Xtreme plated tests seemed to show that the Xtreme bullets starts loosing accuracy around 1100fps.

Sorry I can't add any constructive information regarding 115gr loads, but with 124gr 9mm loads, it just seems that Power Pistol always give me better precision irrespective of the bullet I use.

 

[jmorris]

Decades ago we loaded 9mm, 45 and 357 with 4.5 gn of 231. No need to adjust the measure. Just different bullet weights.

With the exception of 10,000 rounds I just loaded, I haven’t used it in years, with the exception of “special” stuff. Looks like they did something to clean it up a bit or my memory of it is getting old. I think I still have some in the metal cans I might try side by side with the current production.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for sharing your test results. Interesting to see that the P226 is not grouping that good. Is that maybe because you are just using standard iron/open sights instead of a red dot?

That is certainly a possibility, as I noted. My eyes have really gotten noticeably worse this past year. My glasses prescription is very weak but I have to remove them to focus on close objects, whereas a year ago I didn't have to.

However the fact that there was a pretty clear difference between groups/charges with the same pistol suggests to me that at least some of it was due to the load rather than the shooter. The P226 has been among my most accurate pistols in previous tests, and I often get "most accurate" when shooting it in IDPA matches (though that probably says more about my speed or lack thereof rather than the mechanical accuracy of the pistol).

Do you know what velocities you are getting, especially with the plated Xtreme bullet?.

No, unfortunately I still don't have a chronograph. At 4.5 I can only assume it's not a barn burner though.

Sorry I can't add any constructive information regarding 115gr loads, but with 124gr 9mm loads, it just seems that Power Pistol always give me better precision irrespective of the bullet I use.

Yeah every time I try Power pistol it gives good results. I just don't like the noise and flash. I find it distracting even outdoors. Plus I have a few pounds of 231 to use up. I wish I had more WST... that's overall my favorite for my usual light to moderate loads.

 

[CKweigand]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[1KPerDay]

4.8 grains W231 all else the same. Recoil similar to WWB 115, maybe a tad stronger. Brass looked good with no bulging or smileys, primers a little flatter than lower charges.

M&P groups:
2 1/2", 1 3/8"
P226 groups:
2 1/8", 2 1/4"
Glock group:
4"
Shot two more groups with P226 with factory ball for comparison:
WWB: 2 7/8"
Magtech: 2 3/4".

I'll attach my target to see if you can LMK if it's not a good method. I paint black triangles and aim at the bottom sharp point, reasoning it gives a fine aiming point and good contrast. Thoughts welcome.

 

[Dudedog]

Thanks for taking the time to post and share with us,
always appreciate other info.

 

[JO JO]

I primarily shoot 124s myself

same here ,
I am curious did you notice a POI change between the 124 and 115 projectiles ?

 

[1KPerDay]

Not to any noticeable degree for my purposes. I didn't shoot them back to back though. They both hit the center of the plates if I do my part. I'm sure there would be some on paper if I cared about that. Maybe someday I'll do an evaluation. In my experience heavier slower bullets hit higher and lighter faster bullets hit lower. That's judging primarily from revolvers though.