Another 9mm/Bullseye question

[Mr White]

Alliant's page says a max load of 4.9 gr Bullseye will give a 125 gr FMJ bullet1,155 fps with 32,000 psi. Lyman 47th ed and the newest Speer list max loads for Bullseye at around 4.4 gr. Stevespages gives 4.9 as max load.

I loaded up 10 rounds each with 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 gr Bullseye. I shot them today. All cases were sooty with the 4.4s and 4.6s being less so. Groups tightened up with 4.6 gr and recoil felt lighter than Winchester white box.

Who do I believe? Lymans and Speer or Alliant and the venerable Steve Ricciardelli? I'm curious to see if 4.9 gr tightens them up any more but this is my first batch of pistol ammo and I don't know how high I can go with Bullseye and be safe? I've heard too many kaboom stories with pistols and reloads.

In your opinions, is 4.9 gr Bullseye and a 124 FMJ bullet a safe 9mm load?

 

[RustyFN]

My Speer #13 also list max at 4.4 grains but according to others a lot of the data in this manual is low. I have shot Titegroup up to max and seemed like I could go more. I don't know if it would be safe to go higher and I don't like to go over max. If the powder manufacture gives a higher max load then maybe try working up to it slow looking for signs of over pressure as you go.
Rusty

 

[FM12]

I use 5.0 BE with 115 gr JHP; 4.9 would be MAX, IMO with the 124 or 125.

 

[ftierson]

4.6 grains of Bullseye behind a Winchester 115gr JHP loaded to a COL of 1.125" yields about 1180fps out of a 5 inch barrel at about 50 degrees F...

For me, that's enough, and I won't be loading it too much hotter...

This is not a load recommendation, but only a statement of fact...

If you blow yourself up using it, don't blame me...

Forrest

P.S. Velocity instrumental at 7 feet...

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

One, I rarely, rarely ever load to max. If I need/want a load that hot, I'll buy factory ammo.

Two, after twenty years of loading 9mm for competition, I've found that AA#2 is giving me my best overall performance.

Three, 4.9 of Bullseye seems like you're living right on the edge. If it were me, I wouldn't do it--and I'll admit, I'd be chicken to try it.

But that's just me.

Jeff

 

[rcmodel]

If I need/want a load that hot, I'll buy factory ammo.

What makes you think factory ammo is hot?

Most of it isn't.

But, it is very reliable, and probably much better to have in your gun then a lot of folks handloads, if you got in a gunfight.


rcmodel

 

[kart racer]

The difference is probably in the oal in which they recommend.I have run 4.8 of bullseye with 124 gr zero bullets at 1.125 oal with no problems in my cz's.ymmv.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I am going to advise a 'slower' powder choice for the 9x19, something around WAP / 3N37 / HS6 / Power Pistol.

Power Pistol can make superior 9x19 ammo; try Hornady 121g JHP over 6.0g.

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

What makes you think factory ammo is hot?

Most of it isn't.

But, it is very reliable, and probably much better to have in your gun then a lot of folks handloads, if you got in a gunfight.

You've probably worded this better than what I was trying to say.

I'm not comfortable handloading to the absolute maximum upper limits for any round--even moreso when various reloading manuals give conflicting powder measurements.

I was thinking more in line with the people who reload to +P (or hotter) specs. Those are the instances in which I strongly prefer to simply buy factory produced ammunition.

Jeff

 

[John C]

I think TexasSkyHawk is right on. I would buy some buffalo bore or Cor-bon ammo if I wanted super-hot ammo. That ammo has undergone a bunch of testing in all sorts of conditions. Much more testing than I can do with any one load.

Or, you could just buy a bigger gun if you want more power. These days, there's always a bigger gun/cartridge out there, up to your ability to handle it. In the case of the 9mm, maybe .357 SIG is a better choice for you.

-John