Ready for 9mm load testing

[nix4me]

Ready for the range. 6 different loads, 2 powders.
Latter loads of 3.8, 4.0. 4.2 BE with 124gr Xtreme roundnose plated.
Latter loads of 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 HP-38 with 124gr Precision Delta FMJ.

 

[mulyhuntr]

Careful with those HP-38 loads...4.4 is max load on hodgdon's website and Lyman 48th...

 

[LiveLife]

mulyhuntr, Lyman #49 lists 4.4 gr W231 max for 125 gr JHP at 1.075" OAL and there's no load data for 125 gr FMJ. HP-38 is not listed for 9mm loads. Lyman #49 still shows different load data for W231/HP-38 (i.e. 45ACP loads) and I am guessing that they are still using older pre-2006 powder data before Hodgdon got licensed by Winchester.

2003 Winchester load data lists 4.2/4.5 gr as start/max (1060 fps 32,700 PSI) for 124 gr FMJ bullet while 2005 Hodgdon load data lists 4.8 gr as max charge for HP-38 (1088 fps 28,800 CUP). After 2006, both Hodgdon and Winchester load data show the same max charge of 4.8 gr (1080 fps 28,800 CUP).

For this reason, I reference load manuals but check current load data from powder manufacturers. This is what Hodgdon currently lists for 125 gr FMJ bullet - http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

125 gr Sierra FMJ HP-38/W231 OAL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1009 fps) 24,600 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1088 fps) 28,800 CUP

 

[mulyhuntr]

Didn't notice that. Good catch. Guess I'll have to bump up my 4.3gr load

 

[nix4me]

BDS hit it. I used LEE data + online Hodgdon data for the 125gr FMJ. Start is 4.4 max is 4.8. I also set the OAL to 1.135 instead of the shorter 1.090 recommended in the manual.

I fully expect the 4.4 or 4.6 to be a better load but we will see.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

Went to the range today, it is not FMJ but is Xtreme 124gr HP CP with W231 same as HP-38. May help you decide on a load.

9mm 124gr HP, Xtreme bullets, F-C Brass, WSP
Weapon: STAR 30MI Date: 23 Dec 2013 Wx condition: 51 Cloudy
Powder: W231
Powder Load OAL COL Velocity Velocity Velocity Velocity Velocity

ES /S.D. Avg Velocity
4.2 1.1 1020 1017 1013 992 1007
1015 1030 1020 1011 1022 38/10 1014

4.3 1.1 1062 1033 1023 1011 1012
1056 1054 1035 1036 1028 51/17 1035

4.4 1.1 1054 1064 1077 1085 1066
1062 1043 1042 1056 1041 44/14 1059

 

[RAT807]

Moving the bullet out that far will lower the PSI and raise the case capacity (load density %). One load I worked up with N350 @1.142 as per book data, I increased the OAL to a few thousands off the land (OAL=1.165). The crono speed average at 1.142 compared to 1.165, dropped 20fps. An increase of .2 grains recovered the lost 20fps. Accuracy also improved moving to 1.165 OAL with the same powder charge. It also improved again as the speed returned.

Disclaimer... #1 This was with N350 powder, not HP38.

#2 This was not max load but the most accurate load at 1.142 with all the components, trim length, etc.

 

[nix4me]

Ready for the range. 6 different loads, 2 powders.
Latter loads of 3.8, 4.0. 4.2 BE with 124gr Xtreme roundnose plated.
Latter loads of 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 HP-38 with 124gr Precision Delta FMJ.

Went to the range today, very busy at the range actually.

All loads shot and cycled flawlessly in my glock 19. All 6 loads. I was actually quite surprise at the 3.8 BE load as it too cycled and locked the slide back on the last shot.

As for accuracy? They all shot better than i do. It did appear that 4.0 BE plated load was better than 3.8/4.2 and the 4.4/4.6 HP-38 was better than 4.8. It was hot, range was busy and i didn't have time to use a rest or anything. I was just blasting away at 7yd target.

 

[nix4me]

Primer issue - what could this be?

Inspecting primers from yesterday's reload range session. Is this over pressure?

 

[mugsie]

125g lead bullets, 4.4g unique. Super accurate, clean and easy on the recoil. Want more fun? Cast your own like I do. It's addictive!

 

[Vol46]

Your pics are a little fuzzy, but the primers do not look flattened, & I don't see extractor marks or burns. Primers could be cratered, but that may just be your firing pin. Shoot a few factory rounds, or look at your low power loads & see if the firing pin strikes all look the same.