Kp321
Member
Is anyone loading 147 gr. bullets in 9mm using Bullseye powder? I am currently using Unique but have scads of Bullseye and would like to utilize it.
9mm 147 gr bullets with Bullseye
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO it's too fast a powder to generate the best results with heavy bullets, the Unique you're now using is a better choice. Don't get me wrong, it will work but not well IMO.
If you give it a try please let give us a range report.
If you give it a try please let give us a range report.
Jim Watson
Member
I was looking at Bullseye for my IDPA 9mm subsonics, but was able to restock on HP38 which has been my main non-magnum powder.
But I did try one load.
9mm P 147 gr Xtreme plated + 3.4 gr Bullseye = 910 fps in Colt 1991A1 5" barrel.
That is the Lyman STARTING LOAD for a 147 gr Speer, so it is certainly not "too fast" for my application. CAUTION, it is only a tenth below the Lyman MAXIMUM LOAD for a 147 gr cast. Strange.
Now if you want full service load power, Unique is probably better.
But I did try one load.
9mm P 147 gr Xtreme plated + 3.4 gr Bullseye = 910 fps in Colt 1991A1 5" barrel.
That is the Lyman STARTING LOAD for a 147 gr Speer, so it is certainly not "too fast" for my application. CAUTION, it is only a tenth below the Lyman MAXIMUM LOAD for a 147 gr cast. Strange.
Now if you want full service load power, Unique is probably better.
Blue68f100
Member
It can be used. Just start reducing the staring load a 0.1gr at a time. You should be able to get into the 750fps range and the gun still function. It will get real dirty, and you do have the chance of sticking a bullet if too low. Just make sure the bullet clears before the next shot.
lonewolf5347
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With Bulleye powder for me I run 3.2 up to 3.5 grains
Extreme 147 gr
.356 @ .357 diameter in the Glock 17
Extreme 147 gr
.356 @ .357 diameter in the Glock 17
Archie
Member
ArchAngel gave you the best simplest answer and Jim Watson told you why, indirectly.
With any 'fast' powder (fast being a relative, not absolute, term) chamber pressure will develop (increase) quickly. That's what is meant by 'fast'. A heavy (heavier) bullet doesn't accelerate as fast as a lighter bullet and consequently allows the powder charge to build up chamber pressure quicker. So the load range between 'getting the bullet of out the barrel' to 'overload!' is fairly slim.
You would be better off using lighter bullets with Bullseye powder. You would be better off using Unique (or Power Pistol, become one of my favorites) with the heavier bullets.
If you want to use up the Bullseye powder and the 147 grain bullets, you certainly can. But they will be fairly slow loads and you'll need to monitor the charge weight to not get too hot.
With any 'fast' powder (fast being a relative, not absolute, term) chamber pressure will develop (increase) quickly. That's what is meant by 'fast'. A heavy (heavier) bullet doesn't accelerate as fast as a lighter bullet and consequently allows the powder charge to build up chamber pressure quicker. So the load range between 'getting the bullet of out the barrel' to 'overload!' is fairly slim.
You would be better off using lighter bullets with Bullseye powder. You would be better off using Unique (or Power Pistol, become one of my favorites) with the heavier bullets.
If you want to use up the Bullseye powder and the 147 grain bullets, you certainly can. But they will be fairly slow loads and you'll need to monitor the charge weight to not get too hot.
bullseye308
Member
Years ago I asked that ? And RC told me Bullseye and 147gr bullets were like hitting a bowling ball with a hammer. Obviously his explanation was better than mine, but that was the jist of it. So i moved on to a slower powder then decided to stick with 124gr bullets.
Hokie_PhD
Member
Do you find 124 to be the Goldilocks weight? As in not too light and not too heavy?
I ask as I’ve tought about trying 147 but my results with 124 and BE86 have been excellent so I’m reluctant to try anything right now as I’m not shooting as much as I’d like and would rather go with what’s working for now.
Goldilocks would be a good descriptor for 124s IMO. I will add the exception that 130s and up offer better apparent performance subsonic/suppressed, but I haven't run enough of those - let alone through a can yet - to be certain. Actually there is some subsonic data for 124 bullets, so they may be well suited in that role also.
Kp321
Member
Thanks for all of the input. I am not trying for maximum velocity, just want an accurate load since two of my 9's show a definite preference for 147's. I will use my Unique loads for competition but would like to have a reasonably accurate Bullseye load for practice.
As an aside, 20 or so years ago I bought a batch of lead 147's and loaded them with my standard faster powders, Green Dot and 231. Most if not all would key hole. I contacted the bullet caster who said that was normal with faster powders, like RC's bowling ball analogy. He recommended Blue Dot which worked great! Never had any similar problems with the jacketed 147's.
As an aside, 20 or so years ago I bought a batch of lead 147's and loaded them with my standard faster powders, Green Dot and 231. Most if not all would key hole. I contacted the bullet caster who said that was normal with faster powders, like RC's bowling ball analogy. He recommended Blue Dot which worked great! Never had any similar problems with the jacketed 147's.
Like KP321, I have lots of Bullseye powder to use up.
Following the specs in the Lyman's 49th Edition (2008), I loaded 147gr Berry's bullets (TMJ) to the specs in the manual. Powder weights shown are 3.4 to 3.9gr..
Loaded my 147gr to 3.8gr (just under the max), and fired test loads from my subcompact, mid-sized, and full-sized 9mm pistols.
All functioned normally, and while recoil was a little sharper in the smaller guns, it was about on the level of factory self defense loads (Speer Gold Dot for example).
I load to save money practicing self-defense shooting, so not a stickler for extreme accuracy. (3 inch groups are fine with me, shooting at center mass up to 10 yards).
Had a bunch of 9mm loaded with Bullseye in lower powder levels (3.4-3.5gr) that I used up. They shot softer, but still worked very adequately for my needs. My wife preferred practicing with them at the range over the heavier loads.
Also have a good sized supply of Power Pistol that I'll load 147's with to compare both accuracy and recoil.
Just wanted to share my experience with you on this topic.
Gerry
Following the specs in the Lyman's 49th Edition (2008), I loaded 147gr Berry's bullets (TMJ) to the specs in the manual. Powder weights shown are 3.4 to 3.9gr..
Loaded my 147gr to 3.8gr (just under the max), and fired test loads from my subcompact, mid-sized, and full-sized 9mm pistols.
All functioned normally, and while recoil was a little sharper in the smaller guns, it was about on the level of factory self defense loads (Speer Gold Dot for example).
I load to save money practicing self-defense shooting, so not a stickler for extreme accuracy. (3 inch groups are fine with me, shooting at center mass up to 10 yards).
Had a bunch of 9mm loaded with Bullseye in lower powder levels (3.4-3.5gr) that I used up. They shot softer, but still worked very adequately for my needs. My wife preferred practicing with them at the range over the heavier loads.
Also have a good sized supply of Power Pistol that I'll load 147's with to compare both accuracy and recoil.
Just wanted to share my experience with you on this topic.
Gerry
nettlle
Contributing Member
For range shooting I use 2.8 gr Bullseye with 147 gr RN coated and 3.8 Bullseye with 125 gr SWC coated. Bullseye works very well in my 9mm loads.
Although nothing at all wrong with it I don't like to have several pistol powders. Bullseye works well enough in both 45acp and 9mm for my use.
Although nothing at all wrong with it I don't like to have several pistol powders. Bullseye works well enough in both 45acp and 9mm for my use.
bullseye308
Member
I darned sure did! 124 RMR’s and BE-86 is the shiznet. I’m even having good luck with my cast 124’s tumble lubed in some and coated in others, all with BE-86. Goldilocks is definitely right. I don’t load anything hot, more middle of the road, and couldn’t be happier with 124’s and BE-86.
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