45ACP 230gr RMR FMJ RN - Winchester WST

[Cannibul]

I know this is a 45ACP thread, but to me it is more a WST thread, and/or a thread to find a better grouping load.

This made me think that I should try WST in 9mm also. Well, there is not much load data out there. So after some research I found some good threads on THR regarding 9mm/WST.

It seems it could be a very accurate load, but you need to be careful about a possible spike in pressure. Case fill is a major discussion point, especially regarding being careful about compressed loads.

LiveLife posted some excellent information, especially about determining max load for a specific COL and bullet. Well I did some calculations using the RMR 124gr TCFPMW bullet. This bullet measures .5535" and I load it to a 1.065" COL. Based on my calculation, this combination will result in the bullet being seated .2365" into a .748" case.
Calculation: .5535" bullet + .748" case = 1.3015" - 1.065" COL = .2365" bullet seating depth.

My calculation is different from LiveLife's calculation, and finding the max load was also a bit different since my mind works differently. The end result should be the same though.

To find the max load I started with 4.6gr in the case, then set my caliper to .2365", and placed the back end of the caliper in the case. So when I moved the caliper around and it disturbed the powder, it indicated to me that the load is over max. When I got to 4.3gr, nothing was disturbed, so it seems 4.3gr is the maximum WST load in 9mm for the COL and bullet I am using.

Based on this I will probably start my load workup from 3.8gr up to a max of 4.3gr with .1gr increments. I can probably increase my COL and have a higher max, but then I will start loosing neck tension and have to start thinking/testing setback.

Any comments regarding my calculation or load data will be appreciated.

I've loaded tons of 125 gr coated bullets over 4 gr WST in the 9mm. It's a really nice shooting load for me.

 

[vaalpens]

I'll have to relook my notes when I worked up WST with 9mm. I was able to get it functioning, but i did have one instance of the bullet getting caught in the barrel. It wasn't a squib because they cartridge came apart as it cycled.
Because the powder fills the case so much, I had to takes care to not seat the bullet too low. So, I chalked it up to seating the bullet too shallow. I used ACME 125gr coated bullets. I've had great success with these bullets and other powders, but I normally seat them to 1.058-1.090. i believe I used a 1.128-1.130 COL. Those lengths are normal for jacketed bullets. Because the powder was so high in the case, I didn't calculate to try and seat any lower.

I would recommend using jacketed type bullets as they have higher COL's over cast bullets allowing higher COL's and better seating to avoid risking seating too shallow a bullet.

Thanks for the information and Good luck.

CH

Thanks!

I will be using jacketed bullets and will stick with my normal COL of 1.065". I will be using a chrono, so will be watching for any spikes.

 

[vaalpens]

I also mentioned in my previous post that, as much as I like WST, I'm not a big fan of it in 9mm. There is a reason why there isn't much data for it in 9mm, the exact reasons are very likely beyond my pay grade. The same is true of BlueDot in the .41MAG... I don't know what magical combination of tolerances are there to make it unsafe in the .41... vs .357 or .44... but Alliant seems to think there is a problem. I have used BlueDot in my .41 loads prior... but I sure don't anymore. WST is the same thing. Can it work? Sure, Crazy Horse proved that it can (that was an interesting thread, BTW...) but I fall back on the 'there is a better mouse trap' theory. Even in these times of empty store shelves, there are umpteen better powders for use in 9mm than WST.

Thanks for the comments. I know there are other powders that works well, but it seems to be very accurate in 9mm. I am just going to try it out to see if I can find a very accurate load, but will be doing it very carefully.

 

[vaalpens]

Charlie98,

Thanks for the mention, I wish I could take credit for the accolade, but as the thread shows, Livelife and Dudedog provided plenty of assistance. Others such as Texas10mm and 1Kperday also chimed in.

I still use WST for 45acp loads (almost exclusively), but for 9mm, right now I'm using Power Pistol. This is mainly because I have been loading Lead coated bullets, and as I explained to Vaalpens-not to mention I was able to find a 4lb cannister in this time of shortages. I think COL of 1.28-1.130 is too shallow for that type of bullet.

As you said there is a better mouse trap theory. That holds true, which is why I went with Power Pistol (unfortunately they were and have been out of Sport Pistol). I also found and purchased a 1lb jug of HS-6. I got a buddy into reloading and that was the powder he chose, so I wanted to try it out just in case he had some questions. I will say that HS-6 burned really clean at the starting loads. But at the starting loads, it felt a bit light on the recoil. I have since then decided to up the charge by a couple 10th's of a grain when I use it again.

Vaalpens, I you decide to continue on your journey, please post your experience and data. I'm curious to see how it turns out for you especially in the COL department.

CH

PowerPistol is my go to and most accurate load in 9mm. I am actually going to test a few loads where I use my best grouping load, and make some slight adjustments to the COL to see if it make any difference in the accuracy. At this point I am just trying to improve my grouping by about .1" at 15 yards.

 

[vaalpens]

I've loaded tons of 125 gr coated bullets over 4 gr WST in the 9mm. It's a really nice shooting load for me.

Thanks! Looking forward to try it out in 9mm. It is a nice shooting load in 45acp for me.