In need of a good 9MM 147 gr load

[Clark]

If a guy was looking for a power 147 gr 9mm load in published data, he would see Vihtavouri 1 1994 5.8 gr 3N37 1140 fps.

He would think that is better than the 5 gr Power pistol in Speer 13 load book that gets 975 fps or the 5 gr Power Pistol 975 fps on the Alliant web site.

But if he took did a work up with these powders and this bullet, he would get very different results.

 

[Sapper771]

Yeah, I am using the Missouri Bullet Co. 147gr Lead Flat Point (aka Subsonic). Sadly, I am out of them now. That figures though, find a good load, then run out of bullets. At least I am not alone, Powder Valley is out too.

I was actually excited to find leading near the muzzle and not the entire bore. Looks like the lube isnt sufficient. Going to try a coat of alox to see if that helps any.

 

[REL1203]

He mentioned Missouri Bullet Company, so those are lead.

Damn, you are totally right... Brain wasnt working well last night... thanks for pointing that out

 

[Galil5.56]

Power Pistol would be a nice place to start. Working up .355" 147 grain JHP/FMJ's/whatever to nearly 1000 fps is doable, even using current Alliant data specifying 147's GD's, and definitely doable using circa mid 90's data that spec'd Hornady 147 XTP bullets. I'll PM you a screen shot from my mid 90's manual if interested.

To give some idea how Power Pistol charge weight in 9x19 relates to a similar bullet weight and resultng velocity, here are results from my 5" Beretta M9 using 140 grain Mastercast.net lead TC bullets sized .3575":

5 grains Power Pistol 140 grain Mastercast TC sized .3575” CCI 500 OAL 1.090”
1066 1072 1067 1048 1061 AV 1062 SD 24 SD 9

This combo is very, very accurate, perfect functioning, with a nice recoil impulse. No pressure concerns to note, not even marked expansion of the case into the unsupported part of the chamber. I may increase the charge a bit to see how the accuracy holds up as velocity increases.

 

[ny32182]

My current match load is 4.8gr HS6, standard primer, and 147gr Precision Delta FMJ loaded to near max mag length. These run pretty consistently in the upper 800's for me out of my G34. Honestly I'm not dissappointed in any aspect of its performance right now.

However I've been told HS6 is too slow; I've done some very limited experimenting with Unique so far... can't say I've been impressed. I had unnacceptably wide variations in velocity (average with 3.8gr was 903fps, but with a very wide ES) and I'm guessing it may not meter so well with the larger flakes. I still need to take the load down some though and see if I get better performance.

I have a pound of Titegroup on the way as well and plan to give it a try. I know a few people who use about 3.2gr of this with 147 FMJs for their match load.

 

[Red Cent]

Who has tried the "tried and tested" IDPA load of a 147gr over 3.1 Clays? Common suggestion 'round here.

 

[RhinoDefense]

4.0gr WSF @ 1.125 OAL for FMJ or RN.

Drop to 1.10 OAL and 3.9gr for JHP.

ETA: Power Factor 132.

Most factory 9mm Luger is 135-140 PF. Most shooters, even professional competitors cannot tell the difference between 130 PF and 135 PF ammo.

 

[Red Cent]

"HS-6 is a fine spherical propellant that has wide application in pistol and shotshell. In pistol, 9mm, 38 Super, 40 S&W and 10mm Auto are some of the cartridges where HS-6 provides top performance. In shotshell HS-6 yields excellent heavy field loadings in 10 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga., and even the efficient and effective 28 ga. HS-6 is truly an outstanding spherical propellant. HS-6 is identical to Winchester's discontinued 540."

HS6 is slower than Unique.

Power Pistol is rated 39 on the burn rate chart. HS6 is 41. Not much difference.

Would you guys please post velocity so we can calculate power factors?

 

[ny32182]

HS-6 is not what I would call "spherical"; not sure where they got that. It looks like small flakes to me. I've run it through a Uniflow, and a Dillon 650 measure with good consistent results.

My velocity with 4.8gr averages around 870-880 from the G34.

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

When Alliant and Speer publish 5 gr Power Pistol 147 gr as a max load, I can't help but think how many times I have shot 11 gr Power Pistol 158 gr 1.169" in a little Kel-Tec P11. Memorable, because the recoil from the more than double load really hurts.

There are no 9mm slide mass - recoil spring force combinations available that could take that load. I have been getting my hand slammed. We could imagine a gun, with 3 pound slide and 50 pound recoil spring, that could take that 9mm load. The 3 pound slide would accelerate forward slow enough for stock magazine spring and trigger reset springs to work.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Edited my post #32 to reflect power factor.

HS6 is a flattened spherical powder. They make it round first, then smoosh it flatter. They call it spherical because Olin Corp (who makes Winchester brand ammo) has a trademark on "ball powder". HS6 is the same as W540 which is known in commercial circles as SMP540 made by St Marks Powder Company.

 

[Red Cent]

"smoosh it flatter". Must be one of those hi-tech terms.

 

[Owen]

red, it totally is. its right before "thingy" in the tech dictionary