9x23 is a great cartridge, but WW 9x23 brass is almost impossible to find. Starline's .38 super comp is not as strong, I'm told, and doesn't last as long. jfruser, you are right about factory loads for the .38 super. Only CorBon is loaded to clearly exceed the 9mm+P+. I have a 9mm barrel for my .38 super, and I use it to practice for less cost. I might just do as you say and use the Win 127gr +P+ load, as it is a great performer, and certainly won't batter a 1911 frame
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If you reload it is really cheap to get 9x23 Winchester brass. And you can get unlimited amounts for pennies each and a little work.
The 9x23 is based on a cut-down 233 case (Think Super-Cooper). I just bought 2500 rounds of once fired 223 brass at less than 2 cents apiece ($115 shipped).
It is simple to convert to 9x23 Winchester. Just cut the 223 brass down to 23mm and swage the crimped primer pocket. Instant 9x23 Winchester brass for pennies! Because the 223 brass is designed as a centerfire rifle cartridge, it is rated at over 62,000 PSI. At 9x23 Winchester pressures the brass lasts just about forever.
From Burns Custom:
Besides the other well known pistoleros involved here, Major George Nonte was playing the same game. His addition was chopped .223 brass to replace the 38 super brass and to head space the 38 super on the case mouth instead of the semi rim.
Wowie, zowie! The first 9x23! In a case designed to take rifle pressures, 52,000 psi to be exact. Winchester 9x23 is designed to take 48,000 CUP. And in Winchester's own words, "The strongest case ever built for a center fire cartridge". Amazing how much the 223 case and a 9x23 Win case look alike when dissected.
With the 223 brass Cooper was able to safely get a 124gr bullet to 1700 fps and a 90 grain bullet up to 2000 fps. Even Cooper was impressed with those numbers, tiny bullets and all. His comment, "I intend to carry it a lot while boon docking. While it was never intended to be a fight stopper, one would be well advised to stand out of its way, (it) should prove to be a reliable fight stopper if ever called upon." "It will shoot as flat as any man alive can hold."
