9mm Power Pistol Madness!

[strat81]

So a while back I locked up my 24/7 with 6.4 gr of Power Pistol under a 124gr XTP at 1.150. I was using regular JHP info. Since then, I got a Hornady Manual and a One Caliber book and see that Hornady has a max of 5.7gr at 1.060 for the 124gr XTP.

So.

I want to start using it with 115gr FMJ bullets and I'm paranoid about where to even start. From the one caliber book, we have these starting loads:
4.8gr 1.100 - Hornady
5.1 1.100 - Sierra
6.2 1.135 - Speer

For comparable velocities:
5.6 1.100 1100fps - Hornady
5.7 1.100 1100fps - Sierra
6.2 1.135 1122fps - Speer

And Alliant says:
6.7 1.120 1280fps - Alliant

I'll be using these in a Glock 26 and a Taurus 24/7 for casual plinking and target shooting. I'm not looking for +P+ 9mm Super Magnum rounds, but I hate it when loads don't cycle the action. I was considering 5.1gr at 1.130. What do you all think? Anyone have some loads they recommend? Thanks!

 

[LexDiamonds]

I shoot Power Pistol exclusively in 9mm. All results are based on a XD 4".

For me, my go to load which I have several K of stored away is 6.2 grains over a 124FMJ loaded at 1.15"-1.16". These fit well in the magazines and feed %100. (FWIW, i've never had a single FTF or FTE in roughly 5k rounds out of the XD).

Regarding OAL, go with what works best in your gun. Anything under 1.10" sounds a bit short to me and will definately up the pressure.

If you are moving to a 115grn pill, I see no reason why 6.0-6.2grns wouldnt be a good place to start.... especially when you had good luck with a 6.4grn load with 124grm bullets.

For me, 6.2grns of PP gives about 1140fps in 70 degree weather. Not light your pants on fire, but its a nice pop and superbly accurate. Also, 5.7grn Unique or 7.5grns Blue Dot do about the same.. I really like the Power pistol thou because it measures great out of my LnL and is more accurate than other powders (blue dot is a close second however).

Hope this helps!

 

[LexDiamonds]

A few other things while I was thinking about it...

In my testing, I got very little increase in velocity when moving from 6.2 to 6.4grns of PP. Just more flash and crack.... accuracy was about the same.

Finally, take most manual data with some salt... 9mm luger is a old round and published loads take into account all firearms out there capable of chambering the round. While I dont endorce going over %10 book max, I think adjusting OAL to less than 1.10" will have a greater impact on pressure than another .2 or .3 grns of powder.

In my experience, its hard to get into trouble with Power Pistol... velocity just seems to top out and you get a biger fireball.

Cheers--

 

[strat81]

Lex, thanks for the reply. However, 6.4gr did NOT give me good luck: it locked the gun up tight. Upon extracting the cartridge the primer was struck quite well, so there was a bum primer. There was a strange mark on the bullet itself, possibly from hitting the rifling. I believe that's what locked the action up since the primer did not ignite. But I don't know if excessive pressure fubared the gun either. 1.150 worked with other bullets, but the XTP has a unique shape. My apologies, I should have been clearer.

 

[Dave P]

Upon extracting the cartridge the primer was struck quite well, so there was a bum primer. There was a strange mark on the bullet itself, possibly from hitting the rifling.


That sounds like you fired a round with no powder, and the primer kicked the bullet into the rifleing.

Always visually check powder level before seating bullet on each cartridge.

 

[spencerhut]

Load Min and Work Up

I'm sure you've heard this a million times. I used to load in the mid range and try to work to max until for some reason I started to get a new perspective on the whole matter. I think it was shooting Steel Challenge matches that did it to me. Light loads using less powder and lighter bullets are more fun to shoot, just as accurate and easier on your firearms working parts. I now load most of my practice and Steel Challenge ammo to min or less, whatever will cycle the action reliably. I still load the high zoot stuff for making major in the run and guns and for more realistic, occasional, practice.
Oh . . . and don't load more then 10 or 20 rounds of any new load and try them first. Other wise you might have to clear a whole bunch of jams or pull a bunch of bullets. Been there.

 

[Luggernut]

Wow- that's bizzare. My config is simlar to Lex's- 124gr FMJ, 6.0 and COL 1.15" and it's been a charm. I've used up to 6.4gr but I don't need a hot load. I also use PP for S&W .40s. I love it. Like everyone says start low and work up. I don't have a chrono yet but it's on the way.

 

[Crazy4nitro]

I have an Aftermarket Barrel in my G23. I found that I have to seat the Bullets a little deeper (Shorter) or the Bullet touches the rifling and causes the slide to not go to full Battery(or close fully). The Bullets Jam so hard that sometimes I have a real hard time racking the slide to remove the round. With shorter OAL I have zero issues.

Crazy4nitro

 

[strat81]

That sounds like you fired a round with no powder, and the primer kicked the bullet into the rifleing.

Always visually check powder level before seating bullet on each cartridge.

Yup, I always check the powder level before seating. The primer did not ignite at all. After extracting the cartridge from the gun, I did break it down and there was a full charge of powder inside.

 

[JDGray]

I find power pistol to be very hot at published loads. I run 5.5 - 6.0gr with 124gr fmj, with great results. Even the 5.5 load feels hotter than my +P Hydashocks. I need to chrono my loads, but I bet there up over factory hardball.