9mm Hornady Critical Duty recipe?

[nix4me]

Has anyone tried to copy a load that matches the 9mm Critical Duty +P round?

 

[ljnowell]

I haven't attempted it but I would think that power pistol would be a good start to copy it's ballistics. It will probably have more flash and bang however.

 

[nix4me]

I wonder when Hornady will start selling the FTX bullet in 9mm. They only sell 38, 44, 45 and 50 so far.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I wonder when Hornady will start selling the FTX bullet in 9mm. They only sell 38, 44, 45 and 50 so far.

I don't think they want people loading their own self defense ammo, I think that's why the auto-loader caliber FTX bullets are unavailable. A lot of people use XTP's for self defense ammo but I believe Hornady mainly intends them as "match" style bullets. They offer them for most revolver calibers and I think that's because most people buying them are doing so for hunting purposes. The Z-max pistol bullets might be the closest you can get, if you can still find them.

As for duplicating the load, I'd probably try something like HS-6, Ram Shot True Blue, or the new CFE Pistol. Maybe Alliant's new BE-86 (I think that's the name) if they ever get around to releasing it.

 

[1John1:9]

I tried doing the same for 147 gr standard pressure Federal HST rounds and got pretty close with Silhouette powder.

I'll tell you this. The 135gr +p Critical Duty seems much stouter than the Federal 135gr +p. Here's what I got using a chronograph on the two loads. These were in a short barreled gun. I would expect a 50 fps jump in a longer barrel.

Hornady FlexLock 135gr +p: Ave velocity 1144 fps; high-1193; low-1126; Sd-19

Federal Tactical Bonded 135 +p: Ave velocity 1054 fps; high-1062; low-1043; Sd-6

My point is the Hornady load is HOT! I'm too timid to try duplicating that one. Just be careful if you do.

The Hornady's kicked like a mule compared to the Federal.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That sounds like a good project but i have not tried. Since I shoot Speer's 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 Special +P ammo and the FBI Load that's what I replicated. (and I think successfully) If you do develop a good replica I would appreciate it if you let us know what you use...

In the 135gr Speer Short Barrel .38 Special +P replica I use AA#5.
In the 135gr Speer Short Barrel .357 Magnum replica I use Power Pistol.
For replicating the FBI Load I use HS-6.

 

[jmorris]

I don't but I have a 9mm "major" load that pushes a 115g JHP at 1450 fps.