9mm 125 gr LRN (MBC) & Universal Powder

[Catpop]

Does anyone have any experience using Universal under 124 gr LRN.
I have started with 3.8 gr at 1.120. Initial accuracy and functionality in my SW SD9VE look good. I’m a sucker for high accuracy and mild recoil as long as functionality is not compromised. When I find that, I’ll pull a fps.
Any experience appreciated.

 

[mdi]

I use a lot of Lee 125 gr RNFP and Universal. My info shows 3.8 gr (993 fps) to 4.3 gr. (1096 fps)...

 

[Catpop]

Update
My LC9 passed 3.8 test flying colors, but my SD9VE balked on about 20%.
So I’m upping next to 4.0

 

[lordpaxman]

Good old Universal - I did what I suspect a few others have done, searched a few manuals and tried to find a powder that would cover a number of calibers and loads. At the time Universal was all I could get.
I used Hodgdon’s data, but at 1.150”, 4.0 gr averaged 981, 4.2 gr averaged 1037 out of a 5” barrel. That barely makes minor PF and at the time faster powders became available and I didn’t load a lot more Universal. I still have a bunch in reserve in case I need it.

 

[JKP]

I use 4.3 of Universal with 125gr coated lead. When I shot through the crono, the average was 1061

 

[Dudedog]

When I was loading 124 lead in 9mm, 4.0gr of Universal shot well for me.
(which happened to be what the .43 disk on my Lee measure threw)

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I was using 4.4 at 1.1" Oal with 124gr plated bullets. They were a little warm and I migrated away from that load.
There was a time when Universal was really popular but most of it's popularity now is from loyalty from the old days. The newer powders have a narrower band of use but are better specialized for certain calibers and just work better in them.
But I still keep some around because it works really well in my .327FM with reduced loads. Really good accuracy.
In 9mm it worked well enough, no complaints except to me, velocity always seemed to be lower than other powders of the same burn rate.