9mm Load Development and Observations

[Shivahasagun]

That’s a good bullet. GT uses a 2-2-96 alloy which opens up at under 900fps nicely. If I recall, the proscription on lead in polygonal rifling has to do with streaking with high velocity loads. Keep it under 1000fps use a lower heat signature nitrocellulose powder - not a double base - and it should be fine. Try it out and let us know.

I'll have to read up on that. Not learned on those powder types.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I decided not to fire lead bullets through my HK carry gun unless I buy an aftermarket barrel for it.

 

[1911in9mm]

Reloading for 9mm can be something of a blessing or a bane. With approximately 60-70 different powders that can work to some degree of success. A myriad of different bullet brands, grain weights, and designs. The possibilities are near endless.

I’ve shot my fair share of those combinations, not even close to all of them. My feeling is your best bet is to work up loads that meet your accuracy and speed requirements for a number of bullets from different makers. And over as many different powders as you can reasonably get your hands on. And settle on your particular favorite, then buy those components in mass. As much as your budget will allow. Having a good supply on hand will help you through droughts like the present one. And if you do run out you’ve already got back ups that are basically plug and play.

I’m probably a little different than most, I don’t reload to particularly save money. I do it as a continuation of my love for all things firearm. So I tend to stick with near premium components all the time. Preferences to Vihtavuori powders and Precision Delta bullets. But you can make some very fine 9 mil over Promo powder and inexpensive bullets. All in what you’re trying to get out of it. Just don’t drive yourself insane trying to chase every variable imaginable. And enjoy the ride, it’s supposed to be fun.

 

[Nature Boy]

Indeed!

I changed primers with a soft load once and it struggled at times to eject fully, but I just lived with it until I shot them up.

the best bullet puller……

 

[Blue68f100]

the best bullet puller……

View attachment 1060566

Those are bullet pushers

 

[DMW1116]

I have several options now from several sources. Acme, Berrys, Hornady, & Lehigh bullets combined with CFE Pistol, Winchester 231/HP-38, and HS-6 powders. I’m pretty well covered I think. I need some more Lehigh bullets but most everyone is out of the one I used.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have several options now from several sources. Acme, Berrys, Hornady, & Lehigh bullets combined with CFE Pistol, Winchester 231/HP-38, and HS-6 powders. I’m pretty well covered I think. I need some more Lehigh bullets but most everyone is out of the one I used.

You should still look at getting some Accurate No 7 and/or Ramshot Silhouette and/or VV 3N38 for higher velocity loads. Those are all currently available and Sierra lists data for each with their 124gr V-Crown.

 

[LiveLife]

the best bullet puller

Those are bullet pushers

For us reloaders, they are all "unloaders".

 

[DMW1116]

I shifted away from pistols for a bit but now there are some 90 grain XTP bullets available locally (Cabelas). Anyone have any luck with these?

 

[LiveLife]

I shifted away from pistols for a bit but now there are some 90 grain XTP bullets available locally (Cabelas). Anyone have any luck with these?

FWIW, my load development and range testing with RMR 95 gr FMJ bullets - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...endence-from-work.853305/page-4#post-11387109

 

[Walkalong]

Fast 90 grainers in 9MM from a pistol are fun.

 

[Nature Boy]

Fast 90 grainers in 9MM from a pistol are fun.

what powder?

 

[1911in9mm]

You can run the little light bullets over a stout dose of slow powder and make virtual laser beams of them. 3N37, 3N38, or the like.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Dont know if its been mentioned, but in the "Library of Wisdom" is a sticky to "The Plunk Test", which really gives a good explanation on OAL, COAL. As many mentioned, the OAL given by any reloading manual or website is based on what they used to fit their breech, specific to the components they used.

The OAL is based on the bullet fitting in the brass at a specific seating depth to load into a specific breech also allowing for feeding on feed ramps, for specific pistols this is very steep. Once you figure out your OAL for any specific bullet (different for each bullet type and make), then you work up your powder. And each powder will be a different load. this is all part of the fun of reloading.

Example: a 115gn FMJ I used to reload for my P320 can use a OAL of 1.120, but that same bullet when used in my JRC 9mm Carbine required seating at 1.09 to properly feed. so yes i had to adjust powder load.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...rrel-find-a-max-o-a-l-with-your-bullet.506678

STAY SAFE.

Leftytsgc

 

[Shivahasagun]

I'm ready to load fired, mixed brass with 147 gr Summit City coated bullets.

OAL will be 1.158 in.

They are for my Beretta CX4 carbine. (Blowback) and just for range use.

The goal is safety, reliability, accuracy, and low recoil.

I think 2.5 to 2.8 gr of Titegroup will do it.

Is 2.5 gr way too low to start?

 

[lordpaxman]

I think 2.5 to 2.8 gr of Titegroup will do it.

Is 2.5 gr way too low to start?

Where did you get your data? Check out Hodgdon online, and look for the 145gr Acme bullet. It should be very close to yours, and suggests a starting charge of 2.9gr TG with a COL of 1.150”. Good luck.

 

[n2omike]

I have never found any plated bullet as accurate as a decent JHP. Plated bullets generally are good up to 1200 fps though and are usable for lots of stuff if you stay under that speed.

I have found that in 9mm... at least with the 147 grain variant... the Berrys accuracy goes to crap well below 1200 fps.

The below target was shot with my carbine at a chrono verified velocity of around 1060 fps at only 35 yards. The two better groups were shot using RMR FMJ round nose. These are brass plated and not as pretty, but are FAR more accurate. Since these RMR bullets are the same price as the Berrys, I see zero reason to buy the Berrys plated product. The chrono data is at the end of the "9mm All Around" thread.

 

[jmorris]

I have found that in 9mm... at least with the 147 grain variant... the Berrys accuracy goes to crap well below 1200 fps.

I haven’t found any plated ones, I can remember, that were better than a decent FMJ at any speed, as far as accuracy goes.

However, I have seen excessive speeds make plated bullets even worse than they are normally, before being pushed fast enough they start coming apart.

 

[Buzznrose]

Great thread! Thanks to all for some excellent reading!

I have a question regarding RMR bullets. Is there any noticeable difference or issues if I want to go with the truncated cone vs the round nose? I am close to ordering. I’ve been working through my supply of XTreem 124 RN and would rather shoot a FP if possible.

Do I need to seat deeper? Just ng for some info.
Buzz

 

[Shivahasagun]

Where did you get your data? Check out Hodgdon online, and look for the 145gr Acme bullet. It should be very close to yours, and suggests a starting charge of 2.9gr TG with a COL of 1.150”. Good luck.

One of the Lyman manuals I found online. It listed 2.5-2.8 Titegroup.

But I've found nobody pouring that little. Most guys are using 2.8-3.5.

Thanks for that data. I have a Lee drum already set up to drop 3.0 gr of Titegroup. (For .32 magnum) Based on other people's experiences it seems that would be a safe place to start and probably to stay, too.

 

[lordpaxman]

Is there any noticeable difference or issues if I want to go with the truncated cone vs the round nose?

I’ve loaded both with no issues found. You have to do separate work ups on them, as you do on any new profile. I happened to load both at 1.120” but my guns will handle the COL and feed ok. I see no noticeable difference in group size, nor my scores , but the FP does punch a slightly more noticeable hole on paper. Some say the FP also transfers energy/momentum better to steel as well. Can’t help you with your decision as I load about an equal number of both and have no preference. Good luck.

 

[DMW1116]

I had forgotten this thread. I'm fooling around now with Silhouette powder and 115 grain Berry's bullets. Accuracy was good, but there is a point of impact shift for the most accurate load so I'll have to settle for the slightly less accurate but more centered load. I'll load up a fair number of the 115 grain bullets with both HS-6 and Silhouette and see which one does better. I want to try some RMR flat points next, but just haven't gotten there. I suspect I'll prefer the RMR but it's nice to have a load I know will work when limited to components I find still sitting on the shelves.

 

[DMW1116]

I went back to my notes and loaded a batch of 115 grain Berrys over HS-6. The data came from Hodgden for a lead round nose 115 grain bullet. I’m in the middle of the range but 6.7 grains seems kinda much to me. It shoots fine and I didn’t see any signs of pressure so maybe I’m paranoid. The top is 6.9 grains in Hodgdens data. Anyone have trouble with that combo?

 

[n2omike]

I went back to my notes and loaded a batch of 115 grain Berrys over HS-6. The data came from Hodgden for a lead round nose 115 grain bullet. I’m in the middle of the range but 6.7 grains seems kinda much to me. It shoots fine and I didn’t see any signs of pressure so maybe I’m paranoid. The top is 6.9 grains in Hodgdens data. Anyone have trouble with that combo?

If memory serves, for 115 grain, most will list between 7.0 and 7.2 grains as the max with HS6. However, in my opinion that would be far too fast for any kind nfb of accuracy with a plated bullet. The Berrys 147 grain plated bullets were far less accurate than the RMR FMJ out of my carbine at only 1060 fps at 35 yards. See the target I posted above. The big group is the plated, smaller groups FMJ. At 7 yards offhand with a pistol it might not make a huge difference, but I think you may be over driving the plated bullet. If you have it, a faster powder will likely work better.

Good Luck

 

[chilehed]

I’m new to reloading, and am looking to develop a) a very soft shooting load for my wife to be introduced to 9mm, and b) a relatively soft shooting load that will make 125-130 power factor. I’ve got Vihtavuori N320 and N330, and I set up a ladder of test loads with DG 124gr RN coated lead and RMR 147 RN FMJ. From the load data it looked like decent starting loads would look like
Bullet.........Powder.........Starting load (gr)
DG124.......N320............3.2
DG124.......N330............4.2
RMR147.....N320............2.8
RMR147.....N330............3.6

But (long story short) they all show flattened primers, the RMR147 even when I reduce the load until I get failure to eject (2.3 gr, speeds <700 fps), and the DG124 down to just before I get failure to eject (2.8 and 3.2 gr, speeds < 800 fps).

Based on this I’d think that I need slower powder, but I’ve gathered that a number of y’all are successful using these powders with these bullet weights, so I’m wondering what I’m missing. The plunk test gives me a max COL of 1.06 for the DG124 and 1.112 for the RMR147; I’ve taken measurements to try to calculate charge density and the highest value I get is around 95% (RMR147, 3.6gr of N330) which seems odd given that that appears to be in the range of suggested starting loads in the Vihtavuori load data and the max load would be compressed about 5%.

I’ve got some WSF, haven’t tried it yet but the tables of relative burn rate make it look like it’s pretty similar to the N330. I’m thinking of trying to find some N350, even though the description makes it sound like it’s might not be the bet fit for my goals. I know I can get a lighter recoil spring to help with failure to eject, but getting flattened primers at under 100 PF is something I need to resolve.

I’d appreciate any guidance y’all might have.