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DISCLAIMER: There is no current published load data for WST and 9mm. Use the recommendations/load data/loads mentioned in this thread at your own risk.
= Please note particular attention to bullet diameter and OAL of loads mentioned in this thread =
Request for WST (Winchester Super Target) load data question for 9mm comes up from time to time and our typical replies are:
I did some digging and found WST load data for 9mm in Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - 4th Edition (Pages 543 - 548) - http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - 4th Edition - Volume 1.pdf
And these were test equipment/components:
Since I have used WST and W231 with 9mm, I decided to make some comparisons. Here's Hornady #4 load data for 124 gr FMJ RN (Page 547):
So, what's the deal?
Looking at Hornady #4 load data, things that caught my attention were much higher start/max charges for WST and W231.
Here's Speer load data for 124 gr TMJ RN for reference - https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...m_caliber_355-366_dia/9mm_Luger__124_rev1.pdf
When I did my load development with WST and 124 gr FMJ/RN bullets using typical 1.135" OAL, powder charge higher than 4.0 gr would fill the case fairly full. So as to not compress the powder charge, I used longer 1.150"-1.160" OAL. (Note RMR thick plated RN used was sized larger at .356" and produced very accurate load)
NOTE: While slight compression of powder charge may be OK, significant bullet setback and resulting powder charge compression could significantly increase chamber pressures (So when working with WST for 9mm, I would ensure finished rounds did not experience bullet setback) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...neck-tension-and-bullet-setback.830072/page-4
And here's Hodgdon's thoughts on powder compression - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/compressed-loads
So here are my thoughts:
And here's my post on Brian Enos forum on WST and 9mm powder case fill calculations - https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/277312-wst-and-9mm/?tab=comments#comment-3089819
And my reply with case fill calculations
= Please note particular attention to bullet diameter and OAL of loads mentioned in this thread =
Request for WST (Winchester Super Target) load data question for 9mm comes up from time to time and our typical replies are:
- There is no currently published load data for WST and 9mm
- WST pressures can be spiky at the top
- Some match shooters like WST for 9mm (USPSA minor power factor) to produce accurate loads
- Depending on the bullet/barrel used, loads making minor PF may require compressed powder charge
I did some digging and found WST load data for 9mm in Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - 4th Edition (Pages 543 - 548) - http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - 4th Edition - Volume 1.pdf
And these were test equipment/components:
- Pistol - S&W Model 39
- Barrel length - 4" (Groove diameter not mentioned)
- Case - Hornady
- Primer - Federal 100
- Bullet diameter - .355"
Since I have used WST and W231 with 9mm, I decided to make some comparisons. Here's Hornady #4 load data for 124 gr FMJ RN (Page 547):
- 9mm 124 gr FMJ WST COL 1.150" Start 4.8 gr (1025 fps) - Max 5.4 gr (1100 fps)
- 9mm 124 gr FMJ W231 COL 1.150" Start 4.7 gr (1050 fps) - Max 5.3 gr (1125 fps)
So, what's the deal?
Looking at Hornady #4 load data, things that caught my attention were much higher start/max charges for WST and W231.
Here's Speer load data for 124 gr TMJ RN for reference - https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...m_caliber_355-366_dia/9mm_Luger__124_rev1.pdf
- 9mm 124 gr TMJ W231 OAL 1.135" Start 4.0 gr (887 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (998 fps)
- 9mm 124 gr FMJ W231/HP-38 COL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1009 fps) - Max 4.8 gr (1088 fps)
When I did my load development with WST and 124 gr FMJ/RN bullets using typical 1.135" OAL, powder charge higher than 4.0 gr would fill the case fairly full. So as to not compress the powder charge, I used longer 1.150"-1.160" OAL. (Note RMR thick plated RN used was sized larger at .356" and produced very accurate load)
NOTE: While slight compression of powder charge may be OK, significant bullet setback and resulting powder charge compression could significantly increase chamber pressures (So when working with WST for 9mm, I would ensure finished rounds did not experience bullet setback) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...neck-tension-and-bullet-setback.830072/page-4
And here's Hodgdon's thoughts on powder compression - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/compressed-loads
So here are my thoughts:
- I do not know the groove-to-groove diameter of test pistol used (S&W model 39)
- If your barrel's groove diameter is smaller around .355" - .356", I would consider using conservative powder charges around 4.0 gr for your work up (Even consider 3.8 gr as start charge if using shorter OAL) for 124 gr FMJ RN and diligently use chrono for your load development
- If you are using higher than 4.0 gr of powder charge, increase your OAL/COL to 1.135"-1.150"
- If you must use shorter than 1.150" OAL for your barrel, consider reducing your powder charges and doing case fill calculations (see below for example)
- If you are using larger sized .356" diameter bullets, consider reducing your powder charges
And here's my post on Brian Enos forum on WST and 9mm powder case fill calculations - https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/277312-wst-and-9mm/?tab=comments#comment-3089819
ExStreetWalker said:I see that almost any load is going to end up compressing the powder.
The charge I'm looking at is 4.6 gr, under a 125 gr RNFP from a MP mold. This is going to cause a compressed load.
"May depend on the OAL/COL used. To be sure, do some case fill calculations to see if you are going to end up with a compressed load - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/wst-in-9mm.854647/#post-11199933
I measured several 9mm RMR 124 gr FMJ RN and longer bullets measure .598"
I measured several 9mm RMR 124 gr FMJ RN and longer bullets measure .598"
So using OAL/COL of 1.135", my max case fill is:
OAL - Bullet length = 1.135" - .598" = .537"
I measured some resized WIN cases and I got .747" as average resized case length.OAL - Bullet length = 1.135" - .598" = .537"
So I subtract max case fill from average resized case length and I get .747" - .537" = .210"
I used the end of my dial calipers to mark the inside of the case and filled it with WST to mark and weighed the charge - 4.6 gr.
So for .598" length 124 gr RN bullet loaded to 1.135" OAL, max charge of WST before powder compression is 4.6 gr.
This is in line with what CocoBolo posted"
CocoBolo said:WST works very well with BayouBullets or Precision molly in 9 mm, with jacketed bullets 125 gr it is a bit snappy. I have shot a lot of 125 gr Zeros with WST, the OAL (and pay attention here) was 1.145 and 4.6 gr of WST ...
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