9mm 124gr FMJ HP38/W231 loads & COL

[morrow]

I am going to be loading 9mm for both a Browning Hi Power and a Walther P1/P38. I have 124gr FMJ (Precision Delta) bullets and HP38/W231 powder. I was wondering if anyone has loaded these and if so what load and COL worked well for you? Does the P1/P38 have a specific max COL compared to the BHP?

 

[LiveLife]

Here's load data from 1999 Winchester

124 gr FMJ W231 Start 4.2 gr (1005 fps) 28,800 PSI - Max 4.5 gr (1060 fps) 32,700 PSI


I haven't used Precision Delta bullets but for most 124 gr FMJ bullets, I have used 1.135" OAL with reliable feeding/chambering. Of course, you can always determine your Max/Ideal OAL using your pistol/barrel/magazine.

 

[777TRUTH]

124gr fmj over 4.4gr HP-38 1.135 COL.

My favorite load.

Hodgdon load data
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[LiveLife]

Forgot to post current Hodgdon load data for both W231/HP-38. Most jacketed bullets will vary about/less than 1 gr and I use both 124/125 load data.

125 gr Sierra FMJ W231/HP-38 .355" OAL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1009 fps) 24,600 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1088 fps) 28,800 CUP

 

[gamestalker]

Regarding OAL, it's always best to find the OAL that functions best from your firearm, while keeping in mind that 9mm is a rather pressure sensitive and a high pressure cartridge to begin with.. .010" can produce noticable pressure variations. I try to find the longest OAL that will reliably function in any handgun cartridges. And working with those faster burning powders can make it even more challenging in this respect.

GS

 

[1SOW]

231 is not that fast a powder.
Like bds, for a 124 jacketed RN bullet, 1.13-1.135 runs well in my pistols too.
It's been a long time since I used PD, but 4.0grs 231 at 1.131 was a soft shooting starter load. Shot fine, but was sooty.
4.72" bbl CZ, 1040 FPS, but the cheap "Chrony" I was using/borrowing at that time was iffy at best.

 

[Blue68f100]

My BHP liked a slightly shorter length 1.125" . You have to see what your gun likes.

 

[USMAGator]

I've run 4.3gr W231 under 124gr JRN @ 1.13 OAL with great reliability through my xDM and Beretta 92FS. Roughly 2000 rounds through each with zero issues.