Load Data Advise Needed For RMR 124 FMJ

[JohnB-40]

I bought a brick of small pistol primers (Argentinian) from Norma to add to stock. I load .45 ACP and 38/357 and now with the extra primers want to add 9mm. I have a lot of 9 cases which I'm sorting by head stamps (I'm retired) and tumbling . Ordering RMR's 124gr FMJ and a 4 carbide die set is on its way from Midway. All my 9mm pistols which are 3.75 to 4.25 seem to run the best with 124gr.
I have the following powders,Bulls Eye,HP-38,Unique and TightGroup. Any load data advise for an accurate round using the above components at about 1180fps,would be really appreciated. I'm kind of leery of using TightGroup because it sure makes my barrels HOT fast.

 

[algaeguy]

I can't help you with those powders, but if you get CFE Pistol, let me know. My S&M ez shield loved it with the rmr 115 and 124gr

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, as much as I hate TiteGroup... it's a dandy 9mm powder.

My standard load with the 124grn RMR is 4.3grn TiteGroup, at 1.135" I get 1075fps out of my 3.6" Kahr, and 1125fps out of a 5" PT-92. I will say, however, that once I finish up this last pound of TiteGroup, I'll be going back to Unique...

5.6grn Unique, 124grn RMR, gives me 1050fps out of my Kahr.

Your goal of getting 1180fps might be a little lofty... my 4.3grn TG load above is OVER BOOK, and should be approached with caution. It's my opinion that you need to reevaluate your velocity goal on that... with those short barrels. I don't get that kind of velocity out of factory 124grn ammos, either.

 

[dcarr]

The one time i loaded up my s&w mp2 with tightgroup in 9mm was the only time due the hot barrel problem. Always use 124gr in 9mm now days, never have used bulls eye but the hp-38 is very versatile, lots of published loads out there for various bullets and that's where i would start. I assume your pistols are semi's so making sure the load cycles is a big deal with out tossing the shell into the next reality.
I'm retired so I sort also, I have a old lighted circle light magnifer that makes sorting easier.

 

[Jim Watson]

A top load of Unique is your best bet for high velocity from your inventory.

 

[9mmepiphany]

A long time ago, on advice on this forum, I loaded 4.5grs of HP-38 under a 124gr RMR Matchwinner; ignited with a CCI SPP. Shot great, not too dirty, and very reliable. For IDPA competition, I dropped it down to 4.2grs to make 1050fps out of my Glock G34 or SIG 320

The RMR Matchwinner is a FN bullet that ran well in my pistols at 1.114"...when loading RN bullets, that works out to 1.140"

I don't load .HP-38 anymore because I sold my last 16lbs to folks who ran out of Titegroup as shortages were just setting in. Nowadays I load Sport Pistol under 124gr Matchwinners and N310 under 147gr Heavy Matchwinners

 

[MakBaba]

You’re gonna need some slower powders and/or long barrels to get 1180 from a 9mm/124.
My fastest load is 6.2 gr of TrueBlue with RMR 124 Nuke gets me 1150 from a 4” barrel. But that’s at the top of the +p data. Wouldn’t want to shoot that one all the time.
Also the RMR 124 FMJ is a little on the blunt side so pay attention to your COAL to insure it plunks. 3.9 of TiteGroup goes 1027 out of that same 4” barrel

 

[maddmaxx11]

4.3 gn HP38 with RMR 124gn RN FMJ works great with low recoil.

 

[kidneyboy]

at about 1180fps

Unique might get you up to 1180fps. The other 3, not so much. I use 2 different loadings for 124s - 3.7gr of Titegroup (my "standard" load) or 4.3gr of HP38. IIRC the HP38 load runs just under 1100fps.

 

[lordpaxman]

My minor PF load with TG and RMR’s 124 FPMW is 4.10gr TG at 1.120” and makes 130P (1052fps). During load workup and group tests, I went to 4.3gr which yielded 1099fps in a P226.
I didn’t workup a minor PF load with 231/HP38, but initial tests of the RMR 124 RN was 3.9gr at 1.120” and had a 912fps avg in a P226. There wasn’t a lot of 231 around at the time so I never pursued it further, although that load was a great soft load.
I wouldn’t try to achieve your stated V with either of these powders, although they work well for the target sports.

 

[LiveLife]

RMR's 124gr FMJ ... Bulls Eye,HP-38,Unique and TightGroup. Any load data advise for an accurate round ... at about 1180 fps, would be really appreciated

If you are looking for higher velocity loads that are accurate, start/reference with Speer load data as it is sorted top to bottom by muzzle velocity from fastest - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/9mm_Luger__124_rev1.pdf

(BTW, W231 has been same powder as HP-38 for quite a few decades)

• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN Unique COL 1.135" Start 5.2 gr (1080 fps) - Max 5.8 gr (1180 fps)
• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN Titegroup COL 1.135" Start 4.0 gr (1020 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1095 fps)
  
• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN Bullseye COL 1.135" Start 3.9 gr (966 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1059 fps)
• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN W231 COL 1.135" Start 4.0 gr (887 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (998 fps)

FWIW, based on my experience, Bullseye/W231/HP-38/Titegroup have produced greater accuracy loads than Unique (I have never seen anyone compete with Unique in USPSA) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12415502

And if you are looking to produce higher velocity loads that are also accurate, BE-86 "claim" to have been used as OEM powder for premium JHP ammunition for decades (Like for Federal HST/Speer Gold Dot, etc.) and BE-86 has produced more accurate loads than my reference loads in 9mm/40S&W. So if you are looking to load around 1180 fps with accuracy, BE-86 powder is what I would recommend.

• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN BE-86 COL 1.135" Start 5.4 gr (1124 fps) - Max 6.0 gr (1199 fps)

 

[rperyam]

I have been using 4.3 grains of Winchester 231 (HP-38) for a lot of years now with RMR 124 grain FMJ bullets. Very accurate and easy to shoot. I prefer the 124 grain bullets in 9MM, both FMJ and RMR Nukes.

 

[gifbohane]

A long time ago, on advice on this forum, I loaded 3.5grs of HP-38 under a 124gr RMR Matchwinner; ignited with a CCI SPP. Shot great, not too dirty, and very reliable. For IDPA competition, I dropped it down to 3.2grs to make 1050fps out of my Glock G34 or SIG 320

The RMR Matchwinner is a FN bullet that ran well in my pistols at 1.114"...when loading RN bullets, that works out to 1.140"

I don't load .HP-38 anymore because I sold my last 16lbs to folks who ran out of Titegroup as shortages were just setting in. Nowadays I load Sport Pistol under 124gr Matchwinners and N310 under 147gr Heavy Matchwinners

4.3 gn HP38 with RMR 124gn RN FMJ works great with low recoil.

I bought some of those RMR's recently. That is a huge spread between 3.2 and 4.3 which you guys use (IMHO.) Live life seems closer to the higher number. Will have to do my own ladder.

 

[Charlie98]

I bought some of those RMR's recently. That is a huge spread between 3.2 and 4.3 which you guys use (IMHO.) Live life seems closer to the higher number. Will have to do my own ladder.

Just mind your COL. Comparing some of that data above to my load posted above... everyone is using a different COL. My load of 4.3grn TiteGroup is over book (Hodgdon data, for the Berrys...) but my COL is longer than the data, which is probably why I'm not seeing pressure signs.

 

[JohnB-40]

Thanks a lot for the replies. I got the 1180 fps number from the side of the Norma 124gr FMJ box. That round is accurate and cycles well in all my 9mm semi
autos. I realize that is going to drop a fair amount from a shorter barrel,but I don't own a chronograph,so I needed some reference where to start off. I never thought I would see the day when I would think of primers as something rare and not to be wasted. My 9mm pistols are DW Guardian,Glock 43x,48 and LC9s

 

[blackd24]

If it’s the round nose, I load to 1.117 to fit my CZs with 4.1 grains of HP-38. Accurate and lower recoil at about 1000 FPS.

I’ve also loaded them to 1.13 with 4.2 grains of HP-38 with similar results.

mixed cases and federal or cci small primers. Mostly federal/win/blazer cases.

 

[LiveLife]

round nose ... 1.117 ... with 4.1 grains of HP-38. Accurate and lower recoil at about 1000 FPS

While many members are posting "accurate" lighter target loads, OP is looking for higher velocity loads around 1180 fps that is accurate also.

124 gr FMJ ... load data ... about 1180 fps

 

[blackd24]

I wouldn’t use the powders listed for that application then. BE-86 would be my first choice

 

[Charlie98]

OP is looking for higher velocity loads around 1180 fps that is accurate also.

I got the 1180 fps number from the side of the Norma 124gr FMJ box.

I understand your desire to duplicate that load, but a more reasonable velocity expectation might be better, and particularly with the shorter barreled pistols. Personally, I don't load target-level 'soft shooting' loads in .45 or 9mm, I like full house 9mm and .45ACP loads in my pistols. I DO have a chronograph, and I got some example readings from about 10 different factory loads, then set about trying to duplicate the velocity, while maintaining factory accuracy. My biggest concern is, however, 100% function. You can still have reliable function while not pushing the pressure envelope.

Even in the 5" PT92, only 115grn FMJ gave me 1175fps (2 RP loads, FMJ and JHP) where 124grn factory only reached 1125fps (PMC.) I would consider Norma's box data to be optimistic, or it's a pretty hot load.

Duplicating 124grn factory, using velocity (1050fps) as a reference... all seated to 1.135" with the RMR FMJ

4.3grn TiteGroup
5.5grn BE-86
5.6grn Unique

...and one really good load that didn't meet my velocity threshold, but showed the best accuracy, was...
4.5grn W244 (1000fps)

 

[rg1]

I only use Unique powder with 124 gr bullets and CCI 500 primers. Various cases in 4.1” barrels. Speers max data with Unique is hot hot and I won’t go there. A fine shooting load is 5.1-5.2 grains of Unique and I would consider 5.4 a safe maximum in all brands of cases.

 

[2ndtimer]

Your Unique is probably your best option to approach your velocity goal with your powders on hand. Otherwise, be on the lookout for Alliant Power Pistol or BE-86, Ramshot Silhouette or True Blue, or Accurate No. 7. I am not sure if Hodgdon’s CFE-Pistol will get you there, but I hope so, since I have 3 pounds….

 

[Y-T71]

Another vote for 4.3gr HP-38/Win231 under any 124gr bullet.

Been my go to "blasting" load for 30+ years.

Having said that if you can find BE-86 or Power Pistol they will give you the performance you're looking for.

HS-6, Ramshot True Blue and Sillouette are powders I haven't tried personally but have friends who have and they look like top performers as well.

Good luck!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

For higher velocities and good (for me) spread on 25yd targets, with 124gr FMJ Midway “seconds” (which are probably Hornady’s), my goto powders are Unique, No.5, and HS-6. But I’m only looking for 1000fps from a 5” Hi-Power clone (FEG). 1180fps from a 4” is too hot for a steady diet of even a very strong pistol. I use standard loading data from Hornady’s 7th and Western’s v7/8. Hornady recommends No.7 but in my experience it’s too slow for a 5” or shorter barrel.

Edit: Yes, the Hi-Power barrel is only 4-5/8”, not 5”. My bad.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I bought some of those RMR's recently. That is a huge spread between 3.2 and 4.3 which you guys use (IMHO.) Live life seems closer to the higher number. Will have to do my own ladder.

Oops...I missed the "4" and hit the "3" last night. I've corrected my original post. It should have read 4.5grs, reduced the 4.2grs

 

[JohnB-40]

Thanks again guys,
I now have some reference where to start from. I was wondering how the 1180 fps got stuck in my brain,so I looked at some of my 124gr factory stash. Norma was 1180,Win NATO 1140 and American Eagle 1180.printed on the box and now I know.