So I recently got in some of the RMR 124gr hollowpoints and wanted to work up some loads that could be used as defense rounds if need be. RMR’s website suggests1100fps for reliable expansion so this was my goal. I ended up with a reliable and accurate load that worked well in all of my 9’s. Then I got out the chronograph and was unpleasantly surprised. The shield average was 713fps, the P938 was 860fps, and the P320 carry was 1068fps. I expected some velocity loss with the shorter barrels but that seems ridiculous. The load is 5.4 grains of Unique over a CCI small pistol magnum (its what I had) loaded to an OAL of 1.10. I even checked some 115 factory stuff in the shield because I thought my chronograph was on the fritz. They averaged 789fps. Do the numbers seem accurate to you guys?
9mm velocity upset
- Thread starter Cypress
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edwardware
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Seems slow: Ballistics by the Inch
LiveLife
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Velocity will drop from shorter barrel but those numbers seem low. If you have BE-86, I would try that and see what the velocities are - https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...m_caliber_355-366_dia/9mm_Luger__124_rev1.pdf
BTW, I use CCI 22LR SV to check my chrono whenever I get inconsistent/unexpected velocity readings.
The P320 fell in line with what I expected to see. I repeated the test with the Shield immediately after the P320 showed good velocity and ended up with the same sucky results. I will check my chronograph again but pretty sure it isn’t that. I have Bullseye and HS6 on hand that I may do some velocity testing with.
Ironicaintit
Member
I’ve loaded up to 6.0 of Unique with 124 JHP without any surprises. I settled in my load (browning hi power) at 5.8, and they clock in a hair above 1200 FPS
Tested the chrono with SV .22LR in pistol and rifle. 949 and 1196 averages respectively so I think the chrono is telling the truth. Also loaded some 9mm rounds with Bullseye at 4.5 grains. Averaged 765fps. It shot like crap and had noticeably more recoil for almost no velocity gain. Looks to me like the Shield is a turd. Still...860fps out of the 938 is discouraging.
Charlie98
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I've got a fair amount of velocity data in 9mm with short barrels... my CW9 (3.6") and CM9 (3.1") pistols. I recently did some powder testing looking to see if I could find a good performer in the shorter barrels. My bullet of choice was the RMR 124grn PRN, so almost an apple to apples comparo to the OP's bullet, unless there is a significant bullet material difference between the two I am not aware of.
5.6grn Unique gave me 1050fps and 980fps, respectively... so your velocity data seems a little off vs the Shield.
4.5grn W244, 1000fps, 930fps
Someone suggested BE-86, I didn't find that powder particularly good for short-barreled 9mm's... I actually hit a velocity threshold where the velocity flattened with a higher charge weight.
5.4grn BE-86, 1050fps, 970fps
5.7grn BE-86, 1060fps, 980fps.
At the end of those strings my arms were covered in powder debris.
Factory ammos in both pistols...
Federal 124grn ball, 1025fps (CW9)
PMC 124grn ball, 1070fps, 1000fps.
My load and velocity data for 115grn bullets mirrors my experience with the slightly heavier 124grn bullets.
5.6grn Unique gave me 1050fps and 980fps, respectively... so your velocity data seems a little off vs the Shield.
4.5grn W244, 1000fps, 930fps
Someone suggested BE-86, I didn't find that powder particularly good for short-barreled 9mm's... I actually hit a velocity threshold where the velocity flattened with a higher charge weight.
5.4grn BE-86, 1050fps, 970fps
5.7grn BE-86, 1060fps, 980fps.
At the end of those strings my arms were covered in powder debris.
Factory ammos in both pistols...
Federal 124grn ball, 1025fps (CW9)
PMC 124grn ball, 1070fps, 1000fps.
My load and velocity data for 115grn bullets mirrors my experience with the slightly heavier 124grn bullets.
Unique will get more speed in the short barrel than a faster powder. It won't be as efficient, but it will get more speed.
5.5 Grs Silhouette & 124 Gr RMR MPR HP @ 1.070 to 1.075 OAL
3" S&W Shield 5" Colt Series 80 16" RRA AR
HI 1034 HI 1172 HI 1195
LO 1008 LO 1133 LO 1167
AVG 1021 AVG 1157 AVG 1179
ES 26 ES 39 ES 28
SD 7 SD 12 SD 10
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You should get better velocity with Unique than you are. I like W231 or W244 for my 9mm ammo.
Last edited:
lordpaxman
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The nearest powders I tested with are WSF and N340 for barrel comparisons.
4.8 gr WSF, 1.140 COL, 124gr MG JHP
P226 - 1039 FPS
P938 - 978 FPS
G43 - 1034 FPS
5.0 gr N340, 1.140 COL, 124gr Rainer HP
P226 - 1017 FPS
P938 - 914 FPS
G43 - 963 FPS
These loads were not pushing max by any stretch. They were all chrono’d at the same time, and I did run a calibration string with Blazer 9mm that checked out. I’d suggest you chrono some factory SD ammo through your shield and 320 and see what the results are. Good luck!
4.8 gr WSF, 1.140 COL, 124gr MG JHP
P226 - 1039 FPS
P938 - 978 FPS
G43 - 1034 FPS
5.0 gr N340, 1.140 COL, 124gr Rainer HP
P226 - 1017 FPS
P938 - 914 FPS
G43 - 963 FPS
These loads were not pushing max by any stretch. They were all chrono’d at the same time, and I did run a calibration string with Blazer 9mm that checked out. I’d suggest you chrono some factory SD ammo through your shield and 320 and see what the results are. Good luck!
Ej3
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My 9mm experience with BE-86 and 124 gr Polycoated CRN bullets (.356" dia), 5.2 gr, 1.12" COL, PPU cases, WSP.
Tested three guns back-to-back, 80*F. Barrel length and velocities below.
5.00" barrel - 1168 fps
4.25" barrel - 1133 fps
3.00" barrel - 1049 fps
Tested three guns back-to-back, 80*F. Barrel length and velocities below.
5.00" barrel - 1168 fps
4.25" barrel - 1133 fps
3.00" barrel - 1049 fps
Last edited:
Dudedog
Contributing Member
Some numbers from 2 of my 9s
Mixed range brass, S+B SP, charges as thrown after setting measure
String: 2
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 10:46:10 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1066
Low Vel: 1027
Ave Vel: 1047
Ext Spread: 39
Std Dev: 12.7
RMR 124 FN-FMJ 4.7 WSF 1.08 OAL 3inch XD
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1032 127.968 293.213
1027 127.348 290.378
1044 129.456 300.071
1042 129.208 298.923
1053 130.572 305.267
1056 130.944 307.009
1044 129.456 300.071
1066 132.184 312.851
String: 1
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 9:06:39 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1112
Low Vel: 1062
Ave Vel: 1081
Ext Spread: 50
Std Dev: 24.2
RMR 124 FN-FMJ 4.7 WSF 1.08 5inch 1911
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1112 137.888 340.434
1082 134.168 322.313
1111 137.764 339.822
1062 131.688 310.508 (maybe a haif light charge wise??)
5th did not read
So 2" about 50fps
Mixed range brass, S+B SP, charges as thrown after setting measure
String: 2
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 10:46:10 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1066
Low Vel: 1027
Ave Vel: 1047
Ext Spread: 39
Std Dev: 12.7
RMR 124 FN-FMJ 4.7 WSF 1.08 OAL 3inch XD
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1032 127.968 293.213
1027 127.348 290.378
1044 129.456 300.071
1042 129.208 298.923
1053 130.572 305.267
1056 130.944 307.009
1044 129.456 300.071
1066 132.184 312.851
String: 1
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 9:06:39 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1112
Low Vel: 1062
Ave Vel: 1081
Ext Spread: 50
Std Dev: 24.2
RMR 124 FN-FMJ 4.7 WSF 1.08 5inch 1911
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1112 137.888 340.434
1082 134.168 322.313
1111 137.764 339.822
1062 131.688 310.508 (maybe a haif light charge wise??)
5th did not read
So 2" about 50fps
KYregular
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^^^^^^^^^^^ this
Mystery Solved!!! Thanks for all the suggestions and information. I conducted more tests and continued to get very slow readings from the short barreled 9’s with all rounds I had on hand. I even tried a bodyguard in .380 and ball ammo clocked in at 325fps. I knew something was wrong at that point. On a whim I moved my chronograph all the way to the target and instantly started getting normal readings. I had previously moved it a few times but only varied it from 8-12 feet from the muzzle. I still don’t know exactly why it only failed on short barreled guns. Possibly unburnt powder. What ever it was was extremely consistent (SD of less than 30 in almost all tests) and showed no errors. Gotta love chasing your tail and wasting ammo and hard to acquire components. Live and learn I suppose.
lordpaxman
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Now you have to tell us, what are the new readings with your reloads???
Got the 3” guns up to 1080fps and the 4” ones up to 1150fps with 5.6 grains of Unique. Accuracy actually improved a bit and they are burning cleaner. Recoil changed but not more violent just “different”. I think Unique is happy where I’m at. Thanks for all the help guys!
The powders that have worked well for me in a Sig 938 with the 3" barrel with 124 and 135gr jacketed bullets are Be-86, Accurate #5, True Blue, and WSF. I had good results with Accurate #7 and True Blue with a 135gr Extreme plated FP in a 3.3" XDS 9x19 the velocities were 1,030-1,050fps.
Charlie98
Member
That's the load I tested, your velocities are 100fps higher than what I was getting. What's your OAL?
...and, you are right... Unique cleans up at max charge.
Just tested yesterday. 4.9 True Blue w/ 135TC Blue gave me 967fps from a G26 (3.43 in.) and 1005fps from my G17 (4.49in). Only 1- 5 shot group for each but 40fps sounds about right for 1" barrel difference. My first attempts at measuring the speeds had lots of sun interference. Started with a 311fps and ended with 1675. lol Changed direction of the chrono and it finally settled in.
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