Does anyone use Hodgdon Universal to reload 9mm 115 or 124 FMJ's

[Sky King]

Picked up some Universal for reloading 9mm Hornady 115gr FMJ and 124gr FMJ. Reloading manuals are all over the place (I have manuals from just about everyone) as to starting loads and max loads. Example Hornady's list 4.5gr as max for 115gr FMJ, Lee's lists it as starting load.

 

[bbqreloader]

Hornady always seems to start on the lower side, just my experience. Lee would be a better place to start with. JUST my opinion, although Universal is a nice powder for just about anything I have used it for, there are better ones to use, HS6 comes to mind for a little more snap in 9's. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Zendude]

9mm is sensitive to small changes in case volume and bullet geometry, so it's difficult to make sense from the different load data. I recently tried 4.3 grains of Universal under a 124 grain plated bullet and it was a bit too light. I would just decide what OAL you will use and work up the power charge from a low starting load. I haven't done a full workup with my bullets to find what works best for me yet.

 

[Dudedog]

Universal works well in 9mm, works good across the recommended charge range, but not as much velocity on top as some other powders if you care about that.

Nothing wrong with Lee data but is it a reprint of data from somewhere else.

Here are some numbers for Universal with the new RMR MPR 124gr JHP
Mixed range brass, S+B SP, 5" 9mm 1911
Charges as thrown after setting measure

String: 4
Date: 7/1/2017
Time: 11:12:50 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1096
Low Vel: 1061
Ave Vel: 1077.4
Ext Spread: 35
Std Dev: 13
4.6 Univ RMR 124 Jacketed HP 1.09
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1079 133.796 320.528
1096 135.904 330.708
1070 132.68 315.203
1081 134.04 321.83
1061 131.564 309.923

don't have the data handy but as I recall 4.2gr of Universal was just a hair to light to make 125 PF with the same bullet/OAL.

The 4.6 load seemed fine in my gun, no pressure signs, vels in expected range.

From Hodgdon's web sire
125 GR. SIE FMJ Hodgdon Universal .355" 1.090" 4.3 1031 26,900 CUP 4.9 1118 30,600 CUP
124 GR BERB HBRN Plated Hodgdon Universal .356" 1.150" 3.8 904 26,300 PSI 4.4 1045 33,500 PSI

115 GR. SPR GDHP Hodgdon Universal .355" 1.125" 4.5 1029 27,400 CUP 5 1149 31,200 CUP

 

[otblue]

ADI manufactured Universal for Hogdon and share the data.

AP70N is Universal.

Here is a link to the ADI site for 9mm.

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/pistol.asp?Calibre=9mm+Luger

 

[Sky King]

Thank's all for the info. ADI's site lists the same info as Hodgdon's site. 9mm data is for lead and plated bullets

 

[otblue]

Thank's all for the info. ADI's site lists the same info as Hodgdon's site. 9mm data is for lead and plated bullets

The ADI site includes AP70/Universal data for 9mm jacketed bullets.