Tested some loads today

[vaalpens]

I haven't been able to get out and test my loads for a while, so today I made some time to test some of my loads. Following are the actual test results, but I will also add some of the actual scanned targets once I had some time to scan the results. A bonus scan will be a test I did at 50 yards. This was not one of my best grouping loads, but I had it on hand and decide to test the accuracy at 50 yards. I was actually impressed wit the result, but you will have to wait for the posting of the scans to see the 50 yard result.

In the future I will probably take all my best grouping loads an test them all at 50 yards. It will be interesting to see how my top 357sig loads perform against the top 40s&w loads.

Following are the test results:

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.5gr, FED100M
Average: 831
ES: 19
SD: 7.9
Force: 276
PF: 149
Velocities: 825, 842, 823, 836, 830
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.77"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.6gr, FED100M
Average: 862
ES: 10
SD: 4.2
Force: 297
PF: 155
Velocities: 861, 864, 855, 865, 865
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.16"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.7gr, FED100M
Average: 879
ES: 34
SD: 12.9
Force: 309
PF: 158
Velocities: 865, 877, 899, 883, 872
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.36"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.8gr, FED100M
Average: 889
ES: 21
SD: 9.2
Force: 316
PF: 160
Velocities: 880, 881, 901, 896, 889
Grouping @ 15yd: 2.25"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.9gr, FED100M
Average: 907
ES: 24
SD: 10.3
Force: 329
PF: 163
Velocities: 894, 912, 914, 918, 899
Grouping @ 15yd: 2.76"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 5gr, FED100M
Average: 920
ES: 13
SD: 5
Force: 338
PF: 165
Velocities: 915, 917, 922, 928, 920
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.74"
Test Date: 04/30/2021



40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.1gr, CCI500
Average: 919
ES: 28
SD: 11.9
Force: 291
PF: 142
Velocities: 931, 910, 903, 925, 926
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.06"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.2gr, CCI500
Average: 930
ES: 42
SD: 19.8
Force: 298
PF: 144
Velocities: 911, 920, 918, 953, 951
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.63"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.3gr, CCI500
Average: 967
ES: 45
SD: 17.6
Force: 322
PF: 149
Velocities: 940, 963, 969, 980, 985
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.03"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 971
ES: 42
SD: 17
Force: 324
PF: 150
Velocities: 962, 959, 1001, 969, 966
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.87"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.5gr, CCI500
Average: 988
ES: 53
SD: 21.1
Force: 336
PF: 153
Velocities: 997, 1004, 994, 951, 994
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.84"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.6gr, CCI500
Average: 994
ES: 44
SD: 17.3
Force: 340
PF: 154
Velocities: 1010, 1004, 1001, 991, 966
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.43"
Test Date: 04/30/2021



9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.125"
RMR, 115gr, FMJRN, PowerPistol, 5.7gr, FED100M
Average: 1087
ES: 16
SD: 6.4
Force: 302
PF: 125
Velocities: 1079, 1084, 1089, 1095, 1092
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.55"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.125"
RMR, 115gr, FMJRN, PowerPistol, 5.8gr, FED100M
Average: 1089
ES: 20
SD: 9.1
Force: 303
PF: 125
Velocities: 1101, 1084, 1097, 1083, 1081
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.47"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.125"
RMR, 115gr, FMJRN, PowerPistol, 5.9gr, FED100M
Average: 1106
ES: 25
SD: 11.3
Force: 312
PF: 127
Velocities: 1112, 1099, 1116, 1091, 1116
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.26"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.125"
RMR, 115gr, FMJRN, PowerPistol, 6gr, FED100M
Average: 1128
ES: 10
SD: 4.5
Force: 325
PF: 129
Velocities: 1133, 1132, 1124, 1123, 1129
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.19"
Test Date: 04/30/2021



9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.060"
RMR, 124gr, HMPHPRR, PowerPistol, 5.4gr, FED100M
Average: 1022
ES: 18
SD: 7.4
Force: 288
PF: 126
Velocities: 1024, 1028, 1028, 1024, 1010
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.01"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.060"
RMR, 124gr, HMPHPRR, PowerPistol, 5.5gr, FED100M
Average: 1045
ES: 26
SD: 10.7
Force: 301
PF: 129
Velocities: 1026, 1050, 1048, 1052, 1049
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.04"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.060"
RMR, 124gr, HMPHPRR, PowerPistol, 5.6gr, FED100M
Average: 1067
ES: 15
SD: 6.1
Force: 313
PF: 132
Velocities: 1062, 1065, 1077, 1071, 1064
Grouping @ 15yd: 2.16"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.060"
RMR, 124gr, HMPHPRR, PowerPistol, 5.7gr, FED100M
Average: 1119
ES: 27
SD: 10.5
Force: 345
PF: 138
Velocities: 1116, 1106, 1133, 1116, 1127
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.95"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

 

[vaalpens]

This is the 50 yardtest I did. I had a few bullets with me that I loaded using:
1656gr RMR pulled bullets
BE86 5.8gr
COL 1.125"
Grouping at 50 yards: 3.54"

I'm not sure how good this grouping is at 50 yards, but I am definitely happy with the grouping.

 

[bersaguy]

Good data, the only similar load I have would be the 115 FMJRN loads. I use Berry's, and have used PP and BE powders. I load a little longer at 1.150" and get very good results. Thats about .015" off the lands in my CZ75 SP-01. I find that's where I have the best accuracy. 6gn PP or 4.5g BE @ 1.150" gets me about ¾" groups shooting offhand @ 15yds. I tried seating shorter and the groups opened up. Didn't try on purpose, I fat fingered the OAL in my notes, wrote 1.115 instead of 1.155. Either way, I load to 1.150 now

 

[vaalpens]

Following are a couple of the best grouping loads:

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.5gr, FED100M
Average: 831
ES: 19
SD: 7.9
Force: 276
PF: 149
Velocities: 825, 842, 823, 836, 830
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.77"
Test Date: 04/30/2021


40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 155gr, FMJRNFP, HP38, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 971
ES: 42
SD: 17
Force: 324
PF: 150
Velocities: 962, 959, 1001, 969, 966
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.87"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

 

[vaalpens]

The 9mm RMR 115gr FMJRN loads were not all that good. My performance wasn't that good today, so I had a few flyers. It is probably due to not shooting for a while. Following is one of the better performing loads, with a flyer:

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.125"
RMR, 115gr, FMJRN, PowerPistol, 6gr, FED100M
Average: 1128
ES: 10
SD: 4.5
Force: 325
PF: 129
Velocities: 1133, 1132, 1124, 1123, 1129
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.19"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

 

[vaalpens]

The RMR HMPHPRR bullets are plated the bullets RMR used to carry. You can't buy these anymore, but Dudedog PIF'd me a few of these, and I think they are very accurate for plated bullets. Following is the best grouping load using this bullet:

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: FC
COL: 1.060"
RMR, 124gr, HMPHPRR, PowerPistol, 5.4gr, FED100M
Average: 1022
ES: 18
SD: 7.4
Force: 288
PF: 126
Velocities: 1024, 1028, 1028, 1024, 1010
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.01"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

 

[kalielkslayer]

I like the 5 grains of W244 in 40, and the 5.7!grains power pistol in the 9.

that’s good velocity in the 9.

Did they shoot as good as the data?

 

[vaalpens]

I like the 5 grains of W244 in 40, and the 5.7!grains power pistol in the 9.

that’s good velocity in the 9.

Did they shoot as good as the data?

My best load in 40 is 4.6gr W244 with a 180gr FMJRNFP bullet. I tried the plated Berry's to see how they compare to the jacketed bullets, and I thought they performed well. Below are some comparative data.

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 180gr, FMJRNFP, W244, 4.6gr, CCI500
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.53"
Test Date: 08/07/2020

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
RMRPulled, 180gr, FMJRNFP, W244, 4.6gr, SBPRSP
Average: 816
ES: 47
SD: 18.7
Force: 266
PF: 146
Velocities: 829, 789, 836, 822, 808
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.54"
Test Date: 11/01/2020

40SW, P229, 3.9"
Case: RP
COL: 1.125"
Berrys, 180gr, FP, W244, 4.5gr, FED100M
Average: 831
ES: 19
SD: 7.9
Force: 276
PF: 149
Velocities: 825, 842, 823, 836, 830
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.77"
Test Date: 04/30/2021

In 9mm my go to load is 5.6gr Power Pistol with a 124gr FP jacketed or plated bullet. At the moment I am trying to find the same performing 115gr bullet load. Power Pistol seems to work well, but I just need to dial it in I think.

 

[vaalpens]

Good data, the only similar load I have would be the 115 FMJRN loads. I use Berry's, and have used PP and BE powders. I load a little longer at 1.150" and get very good results. Thats about .015" off the lands in my CZ75 SP-01. I find that's where I have the best accuracy. 6gn PP or 4.5g BE @ 1.150" gets me about ¾" groups shooting offhand @ 15yds. I tried seating shorter and the groups opened up. Didn't try on purpose, I fat fingered the OAL in my notes, wrote 1.115 instead of 1.155. Either way, I load to 1.150 now

Thanks. I have tried plenty powders in 9mm, and it seems I always go back to Power Pistol when looking for accuracy. I have never really played with the COL. I just find a COL that looks good to me, then just stick to it. I have changed the COL before if I find that my velocities are much higher or lower than published. Normally I would then adjust the COL to get the velocities more in line with expected numbers.