Hp-38 max load for 9mm

[Joshboyfutre]

I'll probably go ahead and try it but at 4.8 but it seems like the faster the better with the pistol I have. Kinda weird honestly as my experience up to this point has been bad accuracy with max load on most other calibers. Read somewhere that 9mm is kinda known for that tho. For the record the 5.1 load runs good and don't show signs of over pressure but u never know with that kinda thing. I'm also gonna try out some short oal's and see what happens. Thats the side of reloading I like... The mad scientist thing is fun. Once I find what works I don't shoot as much I noticed lol

 

[LiveLife]

For load development with new bullet/powder, I prefer to conduct full powder work up from start to max charge after I determine the max/working OAL (If working OAL may result in compressed charge, say 1.130"-1.135", I will also determine the max case fill and work up to that powder charge amount or use longer 1.150"-1.160" if the powder charge range is too low/narrow -

At the range, I first identify the powder charge that will start to reliably cycle the slide and extract/eject the spent cases then I will focus on shot group size trend to identify accuracy node(s).

With 115 gr FMJ at 1.135", 4.5 gr of W231/HP-38 will start to reliably cycle the slides of full size Glocks and 4.6 gr will cycle the slides of compact/subcompact Glocks with stiffer recoil springs. I use 4.8 gr as my reference load as 4.8 gr load will produce slightly smaller shot groups than 4.6/4.7 gr loads.

I am currently conducting ongoing accuracy testing with 100/115/124/147 gr FMJ/RN/HP bullets with 9mm carbines in this thread and got the following groups at 50 yards with 100/115 gr thick plated bullets and W231/HP-38 loads (will do another carbine thread for jacketed bullets) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10245856#post10245856

 

[LiveLife]

my experience up to this point has been bad accuracy with max load on most other calibers. Read somewhere that 9mm is kinda known for that tho.

If you are using mixed range brass that have been reloaded several times, you are going to get flyers from different chamber pressures resulting from different amount of case expansion from different amount of brass work hardening and internal case volume/case mouth seal with the chamber.

A lot of things happen as primer ignites the powder charge:

- Expanding gas pushes on the bottom of bullet and inside of case neck
- Gas leaks around the case mouth until case neck expansion seals with chamber
- Gas continues to leak around the bullet as bullet jumps to start of rifling
- Expanding gas deforms bullet base to engage rifling until max chamber pressure is achieved

More consistent the max chamber pressure and resulting muzzle velocities, lower the chrono SD numbers and smaller group size on target. Consistency of chamber pressure/muzzle velocities depends on consistency of:

- Bullet weight, ogive shape (as bullet seating stem pushes on the ogive of the bullet instead of tip), OAL, bullet seating depth, neck tension
- Neck tension from resized case length/ID and condition of brass malleability/ductility, taper crimp amount
- Powder case fill/charge
- Primer flash size and duration

At near max/max charges, reloading variables that contribute less to above factors become more noticeable, especially for smaller case volume 9mm. Spikey powders like Titegroup/WST will show their more violent characteristics and reason why I like to recommend W231/HP-38 to new reloaders for more forgiving, less spikey character.

However, powders like Bullseye/Titegroup/WST/BE-86 have produced greater accuracy loads for me than W231/HP-38 and produced sub 2" groups at 25 yards at mid-to-high level load data using even regular and thick plated bullets - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9924922#post9924922

So instead of pushing W231/HP-38 at max charge with mixed range brass, I would suggest other powders if you are looking for greater level of accuracy at lower published charges.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Lol u are one thurough dude. I appreciate all the input man. I'll probably end up tryin some other powders for 9mm. I do like hp-38/win231 because I can reload 380,45 & even 44mag, not to mention its good for a beginner.

 

[LiveLife]

LOL, sorry for the brain cramping post.

I was rushing out the door to test some 9mm carbine loads (which happened to be 115 gr RN with Promo and HP-38) and I just posted whatever came to mind.

Reading the post, I went "What the heck?!" and will probably clean up the post after I post 9mm carbine load test results.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lol u are one thurough dude. I appreciate all the input man. I'll probably end up tryin some other powders for 9mm. I do like hp-38/win231 because I can reload 380,45 & even 44mag, not to mention its good for a beginner.

Even though I use mostly W231 in the 9mm I have used AA#5, HS-6, Longshot and a few other powders in the slower range and all performed well. The velocity was higher but accuracy was just about the same with all of them.

 

[mdi]

I am loading light and then working my way up to Max load... It's called working up your charge I believe. Its not about having max load its about knowing where to stop if u arent finding the accuracy u want. I could care less what someone calls me for doing it... Lol geez

Maximum load information is on the same line as minimum load data in every reloading manual I've seen. If you haven't gotten the results you want by the time you reach the maximum load listed in your manual (or observe pressure signs), stop and try a different approach (different bullet, different powder, OAL, etc.). That's what the max. load data is listed for; a stopping, do not cross, whoa! place...