9mm 147 XTP and HP-38

[Nature Boy]

At the bench this evening wanting to load some 147g 9mm for reduced recoil and figured I'd make some at the recommend starting load using HP-38 and see how they work. Unfortunately Hornady doesn't list it as an option. There was a thread here recently on this subject and I could swear someone used this combo, but I can't find that thread now.

Hodgdon website doesn't list it either.

I probably know the answer to this but I'll ask anyway. Should I not use HP-38 and 147g bullets?

I only have 2 powders for pistol. HP-38 and Silhouette

 

[Nature Boy]

My Speer and Sierra manuals don't list HP-38 with 147g bullets either, although it seems Sierra doesn't make a 147g.

Searching the web I found many post from people who are using it between 3.5g and 4.0g with good results. It was also mentioned that this combo is listed in the Lyman manual. I gave mine to a young man last year who was just starting to reload so if one of you have it let me know if it's in there

I may go ahead and try it at 3.5g unless one of you talk me out of it.

BTW, shooting these rounds in a CZ75 PCR

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since Hodgdon doesn't list it either I would think they feel it's too fast a powder for that heavy a bullet. I'm not sure why since Titegroup, 700x and IMR Target are listed but all are faster than HP-38.

If I were loading a 147gr bullet in the 9mm I would use Longshot, HS-6 or the fairly new W572.
Power Pistol or AA#5 are also good choices.

 

[sellersm]

I would do what you've suggested, start at 3.5gr and work from there, stopping at 4.0gr

It's a pretty fast powder for such a heavy bullet, but many shooters have used it with 147gr so I know it's possible. Keep an eye on your OAL, don't set them too deep! Not sure how the CZ75 PCR chamber is for these loads?

I will actually be trying it very soon, and will be doing the same workup.

Be sure to report back when you've tested them!

 

[243winxb]

http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm and http://castpics.net/dpl/

 

[fxvr5]

Lyman uses a 147 grain Speer TMJ FP plated bullet loaded to 1.115" OAL with 231. Start load is 3.5 gr. Max load is 4.1 grains.

 

[243winxb]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/hp-38-9mm-loads-for-147gr.491194/

 

[LiveLife]

Lyman uses a 147 grain Speer TMJ FP plated bullet loaded to 1.115" OAL with 231. Start load is 3.5 gr. Max load is 4.1 grains.

Speer TMJ FP is plated bullet and Hornady XTP is jacketed hollow point and depending on the OAL used, bullet seating depth can vary which may produce significantly higher chamber pressures - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...re-sized-the-same.818806/page-2#post-10567453

wanting to load some 147g 9mm for reduced recoil ... HP-38

If you want to load reduced recoil load, why not reference lead load data?

1999 Winchester load data listed 3.3 gr start charge for W231 and 3.5 gr max - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=159609&stc=1&d=1329800605

147 gr. Lead CFP W231 Start 3.3 gr (865 fps) 29,000 PSI - Max 3.5 gr (905 fps) 32,100 PSI

Yes, I am aware W231 and HP-38 load data did not merge until after 2006 but should be good enough to reference for load development.

You could try 3.0 gr as start charge and work up to 3.5 gr.

 

[Nature Boy]

I'll load some up this morning.

Any guesses as to how far down on the charge weight scale I might encounter cycling issues?

 

[dgod]

I just grabbed some data from my Loading Database.
145gr SWC, HP-38, 2.2gr = 595fps
147 SWC, W231, 3.5gr, 910fps
147gr XTP, Bluedot 5.4gr, 890fps
147 GDHP, Bluedot, 5.8gr, 1001fps
147gr FMJ, Bluedot 6.0gr, 957fps

As with ANY Unfamiliar load, work up gradually to get to what you desire.

Good Luck, Be Safe
Dan

 

[Nature Boy]

I stopped at the range on the way to work this morning and tried these 147g XTPs with 3.1g of HP-38. Hornady said to load these to 1.100 OAL, so to be safe I added .010 to that

All 10 rounds fired, lrecoil was noticeably lighter and the brass ended up about 2 feet away as apposed to my 115g, 5.0g load that launches brass into the next zip code

I think I might be ordering some more economical plated 147 and 124 in bulk and keep tinkering with reduced recoil loads

Thanks for the feedback all.

 

[Chuck R.]

My standard 9mm load is 3.5 of HP38 under a 147 grn cast or plated, to the tune of 20 plus K a year. Works great, takes down steel, and is soft shooting.

Chuck

 

[Nature Boy]

Another bit of trivia related to my nascent journey into pistol reloading for this new CZ75 of mine (actually my wife's, since after shooting she's laid claim to it)

I've run 600 rounds through it now, mostly 115 xtreme plated RN with varying OAL from 1.100 to 1.150. All have fed and fired without a hitch so I'm assuming the chamber is pretty forgiving.

I'm really enjoying loading pistol rounds on my Dillon 650. It's a nice transition from making precision rifle rounds one at a time. Cranking out high quantities of ammo really highlights the superb design features of this press

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to Dillon 650 club!

Mine is currently set up for 45ACP.

 

[LoonWulf]

My standard 9mm load is 3.5 of HP38 under a 147 grn cast or plated, to the tune of 20 plus K a year. Works great, takes down steel, and is soft shooting.

Chuck

Thats the load I use in my witness P-S, with 147s as well.

 

[Nature Boy]

When I start worrying about the accuracy of my pistol loads like I fret over the accuracy of my rifle loads, I'll know I've reached stage 4 of this reloading disease.

 

[LiveLife]

Nature Boy, you can't fight it. Just embrace it.

Join me and many others to the "bright side" of reloading passion.

 

[Dudedog]

I'm a reloader and it's been 3 days since my last reload.........

 

[GooseGestapo]

I'm a shootaholic; therefore, I reload...