9mm Major Load (info requested)
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Johnny Guest
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By "Major Load" info - - -
- - - I assume you mean "heavy loads," is this correct?
I haven't shot in a formal IPSC match for many years, lbut there used to be a separation point between "Major" and "Minor" loads. I seem to recall that the break point was 175,000 momentum, as in, bullet weight times true velocity. Thus, a .45 bullet weighing 200 gr, at 875 fps, would just make 175,000. Most of the guys who used 200 gr bullets tried for about 900 fps, to give a fudge factor. Easier with a 230 gr bullet - - 770 fps does the trick.
Anyhow, the attempts to "make major" with the 9 mm and .38 Spl cartridges led to some serious mishaps, and they were ruled out for competing as major power loads. As a practical matter, it is impossible to safely reach that point with the 9x19 mm, and you have to reach beyond max published loads to do it with .38 Super.
As to 9mm heavy loads, you can attain well over 1200 fps with 8.9 gr of HS-7 and a 124 gr. Speer bullet, and also with 7.9 gr of Blue Dot. These are MAX LOADS from the Speer Reloading Manual, No. 12, and clocked from a 4" S&W barrel. I realize you'll get a bit more from a G17, but your power factor will only be around 150,000.
I realize certain custom and premium ammo loaders will sell you ammo claimed to be a touch hotter than the values above, but I doubt they'll give you their formulae for reloading.
Best of luck to you - -
Johnny
- - - I assume you mean "heavy loads," is this correct?
I haven't shot in a formal IPSC match for many years, lbut there used to be a separation point between "Major" and "Minor" loads. I seem to recall that the break point was 175,000 momentum, as in, bullet weight times true velocity. Thus, a .45 bullet weighing 200 gr, at 875 fps, would just make 175,000. Most of the guys who used 200 gr bullets tried for about 900 fps, to give a fudge factor. Easier with a 230 gr bullet - - 770 fps does the trick.
Anyhow, the attempts to "make major" with the 9 mm and .38 Spl cartridges led to some serious mishaps, and they were ruled out for competing as major power loads. As a practical matter, it is impossible to safely reach that point with the 9x19 mm, and you have to reach beyond max published loads to do it with .38 Super.
As to 9mm heavy loads, you can attain well over 1200 fps with 8.9 gr of HS-7 and a 124 gr. Speer bullet, and also with 7.9 gr of Blue Dot. These are MAX LOADS from the Speer Reloading Manual, No. 12, and clocked from a 4" S&W barrel. I realize you'll get a bit more from a G17, but your power factor will only be around 150,000.
I realize certain custom and premium ammo loaders will sell you ammo claimed to be a touch hotter than the values above, but I doubt they'll give you their formulae for reloading.
Best of luck to you - -
Johnny
This load doesn't quite make major but it comes close with a pf of 160.
7.9 Gr. of Blue Dot
Rem Cases
125 Grain FMJ T&T/Star
Federal Primer
1.158 OAL
Extremely, extremely accurate out of my Glock 17 with stock barrel. 1" @ 25yds. 5 shots. My most accurate and unfortunately my hottest 9mm load. Does very well out of my Sig and Beretta but ultra-accurate with that 17. Since 7.9 grains of Blue Dot is max., proceed with caution to persue your power factor
+p or +p+ brass might help
Good Luck!
7.9 Gr. of Blue Dot
Rem Cases
125 Grain FMJ T&T/Star
Federal Primer
1.158 OAL
Extremely, extremely accurate out of my Glock 17 with stock barrel. 1" @ 25yds. 5 shots. My most accurate and unfortunately my hottest 9mm load. Does very well out of my Sig and Beretta but ultra-accurate with that 17. Since 7.9 grains of Blue Dot is max., proceed with caution to persue your power factor
+p or +p+ brass might help
Good Luck!
The "major" power factor has been reduced to 165 and "major nine" is now legal and somewhat popular in Open class only. The Limited classes require .40 (or larger) caliber for major. Don't get me wrong, loading major nine IS pushing the envelope and is typically a reloading only venture. For major nine, one of the top shooters uses factory winchester 127 grain 9mm+p+ ammo; serious stuff.
I'm going to suggest checking out Brain Enos's forum (www.brianenos.com) where there is existing reloading data and serious discussions of the caliber.
I'm going to suggest checking out Brain Enos's forum (www.brianenos.com) where there is existing reloading data and serious discussions of the caliber.
Zak Smith
Member
+1 BrianEnos.com
There's a whole thread on major 9 at http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12740&hl=major+9
I shoot major 9 in my open gun using VV3N37, 7.5 gr with 124gr Montana Gold bullet, Federal SRP and GI brass loaded to 1.160 OAL.
That's in a 5.5in STI with 5 port comp and 2 blowholes.
As always use extreme caution and work up to your load.
I shoot major 9 in my open gun using VV3N37, 7.5 gr with 124gr Montana Gold bullet, Federal SRP and GI brass loaded to 1.160 OAL.
That's in a 5.5in STI with 5 port comp and 2 blowholes.
As always use extreme caution and work up to your load.
MoNsTeR
Member
True Blue
Silhouette
HS-6
HS-7
Longshot
Power Pistol
3N37
N350
can all do it with 124's.
The best 9 major resource out there right now is that BE thread linked above.
Silhouette
HS-6
HS-7
Longshot
Power Pistol
3N37
N350
can all do it with 124's.
The best 9 major resource out there right now is that BE thread linked above.
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