Powder/load for 9mm 147gr FMJ?

[Tim the Enchanter]

I just got some 147gr FMJ Zero bullets, but the only powder I have right now is W231. I read somewhere (might have been here) that it's too fast burning for this particular bullet weight, that a slower powder would be a better choice.

Besides, the only load data I've found was for cast 147 and W231, not for FMJ's.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[spencerhut]

Looks like they stop after 130g on the W231 load data.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I'd get some HS-6. Sounds like you are new at this so please stay away from the Tightgroup, it's not real friendly to new folks some times.

 

[Tim the Enchanter]

New I am. Thanks for info.

 

[zxcvbob]

There will be very little room left in the case for powder, so you'll need a very dense and/or high energy powder, but not too fast burning. Maybe AA#5 or Bullseye? (Bullseye is a lot slower than people think, it just has a *very* high energy content.)

Be careful.

 

[N.M. Edmands]

I am having good performance W/AA7 behind Hornady's 147 gr RNBT.
Accurate lists 7.2grs as max,with 6.5 as starting. I'm loading 6.9 to 7.0.
Try #5 for lighter loads and #2 for bunny farts.

 

[Tim the Enchanter]

I'll probably buy a pound each of AA#7 and Bullseye. Versatile powders are a definite plus, for different calibers (which I don't have, yet ).

I'm looking for 850-900 or so fps, my main reason for getting the 147's was soft recoil, possibly more accuracy (longer bullet, more engagement with the rifling), for paper-punching.

 

[N.M. Edmands]

Tim: "I'm looking for 850-900 or so fps," You'd probably be better off W/ #5 then #7 it's probably more versatile for milder loads in 9,38,40,and 45. #2 would fit the bill for target loads, and it's cleaner than Bullseye as well as a little slower.
This is my opinion and therefore worth only what you paid for it.

 

[evan price]

Around 4.0 grains MAX of W231/HP38 would be about right, but is not recommended specifically by Hodgdon.

If it were me I would start with about 3.5 grains with the 147's and go up from there, slowly.

 

[Jim Watson]

I load 3.5 gr HP38 (off the 231 production line) and a 147 gr Hornady FMJBT 9mm P. Velocity around 870 fps.

Hodgdon's Manual 26, 1993, is useful because they show other brands of powder than their own. They then went as high as 4.3 gr W231 with a Winchester 147.

Do be careful with internet load data, and don't take candy from strangers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While HS-6 is a good powder my son likes Longshot best in the 9mm. The powder is clean and the most accurate I've used for the 9mm and it will provide the highest velocities with a 147gr bullet compared to most powders. I tried W231/HP-38, Clays, HS-6, AA#5, Power Pistol and Longshot and I feel Longshot is the best powder. I'm sure you will think Longshot is a great powder too if you give it a try.

 

[hiccups]

I like 4.2gr of WSF with mixed brass, Remington 1 1/2 primer, and a Remington or Montana Gold 147gr FMJ. This load comes close to duplicating the Winchester RA9T load in terms of recoil and POI.

I tried the same with 3.5gr of w231 and it was a very mild load.

The other thing I like about WSF is that it has more bulk to it and a double charge will fill a 9mm case to the rim.

 

[Tim the Enchanter]

I'll load a few test rounds with W231, but the thing is, that anything less than 4.0gr results in FTRBs and FTEs in my CZ75 (about 1 in 25 rounds), but that can be fixed with some lighter springs. 4.2gr and 125gr LSWC worked well for me.

Again, thanks for the input.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I tried some HP38 loads with 147 grain bullets but wasn't impressed. Many like 3.0-3.4 gr. of Titegroup with 147s for light recoiling range and competition rounds.

 

[nwb01]

I prefer a fast powder with the heavy bullet, makes for softer perceived recoil.

I have shot thousands of 147grn zeros with 3.2grns of titegroup in USPSA and IDPA competition. It is a nice shooting round, soft and accurate enough. YMMV

 

[TurboFC3S]

I've only loaded and shot 50 147gr 9mm rounds, but what I used was based off my Speer 13 manual. They list 5.1gr of Blue Dot as a start at 900fps, and 5.8gr max at 1001fps ... I went with 5.3gr in my HiPower and they functioned perfectly.

 

[jmorris]

3.1gr of VV310 147gr rn 1.160 is the softest load I've found.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Tim the Enchanter,
I load mostly 124/125gr bullets for my son's 9mm.
When I use W231 for target rounds I charge 4.0gr for a LRN bullet and 4.4gr for a FMJ bullet. Those rounds work very well for us.

I have loaded very few 147gr bullets for the 9mm but when I did Longshot and Power Pistol worked well for Jacketed bullets and HS-6 worked well for lead bullets. It seems W231 in such a small case doesn't work very well with a heavier bullet.

 

[Tim the Enchanter]

Update:
I ended up getting Blue Dot, that's what the local Cabela's had in stock from the choices above. 5.2gr is working well so far, near minimum load, but enough to cycle the action without problems.