9mm MAJOR... Have any pressure data?

[Galil5.56]

I don't have Quickload, or have ever seen actual psi pressure test data for these loadings, and am curious about this. Anyone ever see lab pressure data done for these/run, or can run Quickload for a decent guess to help out?

Standard Disclaimer: I want to know in the pursuit of knowledge, and have absolutely no intention of trying this data, or recommending anyone here do so. Obviously these loadings are WAAAAY above anything published by a propellant/bullet maker, and again are listed here as illustrative, in order to gain ballistic knowledge... I'm very happy to never exceed the 1200 fps+ I have gotten with published data for 124 grain jacketed bullets; just the same I'd like to learn more about these crazy major loads working pressures.

Here is the load data I found, and all it takes is googling "9mm major data", so it's not like it is any secret. The author of this data is Alan Meek, and I have listed the top charge weight for each select propellant with hi/low velocity in fps:

Barrel: Bar-Sto Precision Length: 4.25
Bullet 124 Jacketed Hollow Point Zero 0.355
Case: Winchester
COAL: 1.145

Powder Hodgdon Longshot

Charge High Low
7.4, 1396.8, 1377.4

Powder Vihtavuori N350

Charge High Low
7.3, 1402.0, 1363.3

Ramshot True Blue data

Charge High Low
8.0, 1398.0, 1382.0

 

[kcofohio]

I'm morbidly curious as to what pressures those would be.

I have a box of Underwood 9mm Luger rated +P+ at 1200 fps. I can't imagine what the loads you listed would be. I wouldn't be surprised if they went beyond 45,000 psi.

 

[wrench459]

This might help
https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/80070-9mm-major-pressure-levels/?do=findComment&comment=932576

 

[jmorris]

+P+ is not a pressure range, so to speak.

SAAMI has 9mm at 35,000, +p up to 38,500, +p+ is one from 38,501 all the way to kaboom.

There is “book” loads that get you well into major PF with no note of being even +p.


https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/?cartridge=89

147 x 1207 = 177429 (177PF) major is 165.

The starting load is 172PF.

 

[Galil5.56]

I'm morbidly curious as to what pressures those would be.

I have a box of Underwood 9mm Luger rated +P+ at 1200 fps. I can't imagine what the loads you listed would be. I wouldn't be surprised if they went beyond 45,000 psi.

Curious for sure... Hope we can at least have someone here with Quickload, give us some idea... Actual pressure data would be fantastic.

One thing I found interesting with the 1200 fps, 124 grain jacketed loads I chronographed using Power Pistol, was it was not even close to being +P ~ Alliant said 32,700 psi. This published data was seen by me from about the mid 90's for a few years after.

 

[mcb]

Assuming the 124gr JHP Zero is .569 inches long, as that bullet is not in the default data base (and I don't own or reload 9mm) and I added it based on a quick Google search for specs. I bumped the default case volume down from 13.3 gr H2O to 13.0gr H2O to get the velocity for the first two loads close to what is reported in the OP

The 7.4 gr Longshot load Quickloads predicts ~52,000 psi @1365 fps
The 7.3 gr N350 load Quickloads predicts ~55,000 psi @ 1390 fps
The 8.0 True Blue Quickloads predicts ~65,800 psi @ 1459 fps


The True Blue load is likely being over predicted even if I bump the case volume back to 13.3 gr H2O is still predicts 61,000 psi at 1440 fps. I think you would see some serious pressure signs in a 9mm case if you were actually getting over 60ksi, but maybe not. Clearly this is Quickloads data done fast and loose without my usually prep work so take it with the huge grain of salt deserving of such fast and loose calculations.

 

[ATLDave]

147 x 1207 = 177429 (177PF) major is 165.

Despite this, you will find very few USPSA shooters running 147s for their 9mm Major loads... the lighter bullets (and the attendant larger charges of powder) simply work the compensators/popple-holes better. The "cautious" often stick to 124's, while the people going all out for flatness usually cram a case full under 115's.

 

[Galil5.56]

Yeah, I bet the crazy 115 JHP load I saw that pushes a 1550 fps avg from a 5" barrel, using 9.1 gr of HS-6 is pretty 'gassy', and works a compensator well. Good lord, proof pressures with every squeeze, and I bet "Major face" is not pretty.

 

[ATLDave]

Powder Hodgdon Longshot

Charge High Low
7.4, 1396.8, 1377.4

Powder Vihtavuori N350

Charge High Low
7.3, 1402.0, 1363.3

Ramshot True Blue data

Charge High Low
8.0, 1398.0, 1382.0

FWIW, I don't know anyone using those powders today for 9mm major. The "usual suspects" for it are AA#7, HS-6, CLE, Silhouette, VV 3N37, AutoComp, and whatever the Shooter's World powder is.

 

[ATLDave]

Yeah, I bet the crazy 115 JHP load I saw that pushes a 1550 fps avg from a 5" barrel, using 9.1 gr of HS-6 is pretty 'gassy', and works a compensator well. Good lord, proof pressures with every squeeze, and I bet "Major face" is not pretty.

I've seen a couple of case failures in 9mm Major open guns. It's "exciting," but I have not seen serious injuries from it.

I'm actually having a 9mm Major open gun built right now. I'm going with a no-popple-holes design so I can have the full length of the barrel to build velocity and not go quite as high on pressure, and plan to use 124's. So almost as fraidy-cat as you can go and still make it worthwhile. I've been watching folks do it for years, so I guess it's making me willing to dip my toe in waters I wouldn't have touched a few years ago.

 

[Walkalong]

Disclaimer: Y'all be careful out there, not something to take lightly.

 

[jmorris]

Despite this, you will find very few USPSA shooters running 147s for their 9mm Major loads... the lighter bullets (and the attendant larger charges of powder) simply work the compensators/popple-holes better. The "cautious" often stick to 124's, while the people going all out for flatness usually cram a case full under 115's.

Yeah, I use 115’s in my open pistols, I was just posting “book loads” that make major without being over +p pressures.

That said my load wouldn’t work in most 9mm’s anyway because of OAL. Lots of us are using 9mm for the inexpensive brass, loaded long helps with pressure and we are using 38 super mags to feed them.