9mm subsonic load

[CMV]

I use a Beretta 92 for a suppressor host. My suppressor is just a hair too heavy for it (no recoil booster). It functions on some brands of commercial 147gr 9mm but not others. On my lighter HS6 loads it does not.

So just about any max load 147gr 9mm Luger load is going t be subsonic. To get a bit stronger recoil impulse, would I want a faster or slower burning powder?

Going to start experimenting around, but would continuing to work up the HS-6 load be appropriate? I also have W231 on hand, but that's it for pistol powders (unless you count W296 that does double-duty for me in 300BLK & .357MAG). The HS6 shows about 100fps more velocity at max load than W231 in Lyman 49. In this case it is significantly higher than Hodgon online data or Hornady 8th, so I'm not sure it would be a good goal to go after.

For HS6, 147gr bullet, Lyman 49 max is 5.8gr, 1046fps. Hodgon online is 5.0gr, 885fps. Hornady 8th is 5.3gr, 950 fps. I'm only at 4.4gr now - my 147gr load was a workup to make a softer recoiling load for my wife & it's fine for that, but too wimpy to cycle with the added heft upfront of the suppressor. I'm also using the MBC coated 147 bullets so probably don't want to be too close to max loads anyway (in nickel cases & the dark read bullet coating, they look like little lipsticks or something )

 

[mstreddy]

OP, I've loaded 147 gr Flat nose and round nose over 3.5grs of Win 231 at 1.115". I've shot them out of several hosts, both suppressed and not. My can does have the booster though, but it may give you a comparison point. This load works fine out of Glock 17 and 19, Beretta 92, Uzi, Beretta CX4 Storm, MP5 clone, AR-15 and several other pistols.

 

[LoonWulf]

Im running thos MBCs from my Witness ps, over 3.5 grn of w231 also. I think HS6 will be a better option tho if your looking for more energetic function. It certainly FELT that way to me when i was testing loads.

 

[rfwobbly]

HS-6 will probably be more accurate.
WSF will probably be cleaner.

 

[wally]

Using a suppressor with a booster, Berry's 147gr plated RN with 3.9gr Unique cycled my Glock 17, but not my 17L, Going to 4.1gr functions in both. I'm pretty sure it is close to max, but still sounds good when shooting suppressed. Since I want one load for all my 9mm guns, this is what I've standardized on, with the length set to the maximum OAL that will function in my Glock mags (1.140")

I'd work towards max with what you are already using. The recoil increase or decrease with powder charge is mostly from velocity changes since the mass of the powder is so small compared to the mass of the bullet. There are formulas for rifles you could use, the powder charge contributes more to the recoil with a rifle since the mass of the charge can be 1/3rd or more of the mass of the bullet.

You can find the formulas here if you feel doing some math might be helpful:
http://www.saami.org/pubresources/GunRecoilFormulae.pdf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While I'm a huge fan if HS-6 it does need to be used where it will perform best. It does not perform well unless it's used at the upper end of the pressure range so using lower charge weights is not a good idea IMO. I woukd use W231 for lower end loads but if you like slower powders try AA#5 instead.

 

[berettaprofessor]

I haven't loaded any 147gr 9mm, but 3.8 grains of Win231 behind a Berry's 124gr PRN is an accurate load at 900.3fps with an SD of 18.94.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

So just about any max load 147gr 9mm Luger load is going t be subsonic. To get a bit stronger recoil impulse, would I want a faster or slower burning powder?

If its not the captured recoil spring Just get a lighter recoil spring! simple, cheap and easy! Wolf has the reduced recoil calibration packs.
https://www.gunsprings.com/BERETTA/92, 96, AND CENTURION/cID1/mID2/dID36#62

If it has the captured spring wolf makes guide rods to replace them so you can run reduced.

https://www.gunsprings.com/BERETTA/92, 96, AND CENTURION/cID1/mID2/dID36#60

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Try VV3N37

 

[CMV]

If its not the captured recoil spring Just get a lighter recoil spring! simple, cheap and easy! Wolf has the reduced recoil calibration packs.
https://www.gunsprings.com/BERETTA/92, 96, AND CENTURION/cID1/mID2/dID36#62

If it has the captured spring wolf makes guide rods to replace them so you can run reduced.

https://www.gunsprings.com/BERETTA/92, 96, AND CENTURION/cID1/mID2/dID36#60

While this IS the simplest solution, what I didn't mention was this is one of the last Beretta 92's that Ernie Langdon/LTT worked on when they were doing mods for people. It is the nicest shooting M9 I've ever come across. Other than my P226 Legion it's my nicest shooting 9mm. So I don't tinker with it it all - but do shoot it very frequently. 99.9% of the time I'm shooting my 115gr range loads and it is perfect for that. Changing a spring is all of 10 sec, but I don't want to have to remember to do that or be bothered with it. And the gun cycles fine with SOME ammo. i.e. 147gr Win Ranger T works flawlessly suppressed - just too expensive for general range ammo. So I *should* be able to come up with a 147gr load of my own that cycles perfectly with my suppressor hanging off the end.

I haven't played around any with this yet, but will see what I can get working with Win231 & HS6 since that's what i have on hand. Will go from there if those don't work.

What is the issue with cast or the coated MBC bullets I'm using and keeping velocities lower? I'm sure there is a very good reason you don't go to jacketed max loads with that type bullet construction but unsure what that reason is. Excessive leading? Excessive pressure because they're typically .0015 oversize?

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

What is the issue with cast or the coated MBC bullets I'm using and keeping velocities lower? I'm sure there is a very good reason you don't go to jacketed max loads with that type bullet construction but unsure what that reason is. Excessive leading? Excessive pressure because they're typically .0015 oversize?

Coated bullets can be shot at FMJ loads.unlike lead or some plated the MBC bullets are hard enough and the coating prevents leading. I load and shoot my coated cast bullets at FMJ loads.No issues. Including my 10mm loads.

The problem with data is that no one wants to jump the lawsuit fence and back up their coated bullets to FMJ loads. I cant blame them. Between insurance companies and lawyers people are afraid to say what its safe to do (at least the last time i checked). In fact Powder coated bullets are quickly becoming the choice for people who cast their own (myself included).

As far as the spring change i assumed you only shot it suppressed. but if you change your mind you can always keep the lighter spring with the suppressor.

 

[mstreddy]

I don't think you would want cast lead through the suppressor. Coated - I don't know. That's a very good question.