?AA#5 9mm Luger Load Data

[ArchAngelCD]

H6-6 will also do it with low pressures according to Hogdon---I know-I know. May be what I try/buy next.
Thanks to everyone for the inputs.

Even though I'm a huge fan of HS-6 I have to admit Longshot is just a little better in the 9mm with jacketed bullets in my experience. (and that hurts me to say it!) BUT, when loading lead bullets in the 9mm W231 and HS-6 are great...

 

[1SOW]

ArchAngelCD

Even though I'm a huge fan of HS-6 I have to admit Longshot is just a little better in the 9mm with jacketed bullets in my experience. (and that hurts me to say it!) BUT, when loading lead bullets in the 9mm W231 and HS-6 are great...

Do you think Longshot will drive a 124gr jhp to 1100'/sec at less than a max load in a 3.6" bbl? How about muzzle flash?
I'm not too concerned about dirty. I shoot my carry pistol, but not enough in one range trip to get excited about powder cleanliness.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't think you will get 1,100 fps with a less than max charge with that bullet and barrel. BUT, both HS-6 and Longshot are listed as the highest velocities of all powders on the Hodgdon site.

Longshot isn't dirty from what I've seen and the flash is not that bad.

 

[1SOW]

Thanks again.
I'll mull that over.

What's wierd, is that I have chrono'd my minor PF 124gr jacketed loads for a 4.72" CZ at 1040--ish. My Sig will shoot those and chrono maybe 20'/sec less'--it's been a couple of years back.
I have some 115gr SD commercial ammo, but no 124gr to compare with.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Even though I don't think Longshot and HS-6 will get you where you want to be neither will any other powder I looked at. AA#5, Unique, Power Pistol and a few others are not listed with higher velocities than Longshot and HS-6. If you use HS-6 you will generate less pressure than Longshot at the same velocities.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I noted from your original posting that you used two different bullets, also. 125gr vs. 124gr. This, as well as cart. oal. will make things "change".

The short bbl of the SIG is what is giving you the "challenge". That, and the fact that most 9mm data is rather "conservative" as small changes in things such as primer, case, and seating depth (especially when bullet mfg isn't specified) will make large difference in pressure/velocity.

I think that you can slightly increase the charge weight of the #5 until you reach your velocity requirement. 55fps isn't that hard given the selection of components you have. I know of one smaller ammo manufacturer that uses a similar "recipe" for it's factory ammo that has a powder charge higher than Hodgdon lists as "maximum". It's about 5% heavier than Hodgdons load. But, then again they do their own ballistic testing, and have been loading that load for over 20yrs.... And a number of Police agencies use it as an "issue" load.

It's your gun, your ammo. You do as YOU feel neccessary.
I've got a Springfield HD-Compact. My SD load is a factory 124gr GoldDot +P load (Not Speer!) that runs around 1,150fps from the short barrel, so, I know exactly what you are looking for.....

 

[Walkalong]

N340 gave surprisingly good velocities in my 3" EMP using 124/5 Gr jacketed bullets. It beat other powders that gave more velocity in the 5" & 16" barrels. By a "sit up and take notice" margin.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yup, Vihta Vuori powders are good like that.


Extremely clean, achieving velocities other powders can't reach without getting over-pressure signs. In my experience anyway. I played around with different powders getting 1400 fps out of my 9x23 Commander. VV 3N37 was the only one that could do it for me without cratering and piercing primers - small rifle primers.

Anytime I want some high velocity 38 Supers or 9mms, I use 3N37. Sure it costs more, but I've found nothing else does what the V.V. powders will do so easily.

 

[Striker Fired]

In Quickload predictions,VihtaVouri powders tend to burn 100% in shorter time than many/most others.Thats been my observation and probably why they push to higher velocities sometimes . It surprizing then that they also shoot so nice and soft also.

 

[Walkalong]

I also use 3N37 for hot .38 Super. Good stuff. It uses the smaller kernel size like N310, so it meters great, which is a good thing when using top end loads.

 

[Striker Fired]

I'm loading my .40Super with 3N47,n350,or 3N38.They do have a fireball though,but reduced felt recoil quite a bit.

 

[1SOW]

Walkalong:

N340 gave surprisingly good velocities in my 3" EMP using 124/5 Gr jacketed bullets. It beat other powders that gave more velocity in the 5" & 16" barrels. By a "sit up and take notice" margin.

I've been paying the price for VIT "single base" powder (n320) for some time. It IS GREAT powder.

I'm trying to "NARROW IT DOWN" to one or two powders to order/buy to develop this load.
n340, HS-6, Longshot and Green Dot have all been recommended from shooters with past experience with these powders for this SD-type of load.

GooseGestapo: The A#5 scared me off when I moved up from 5.8 to 6.2grains with little speed gain. 6.4grs is running at 35000+ pressures in my load data reference. You may be right, but I'd prefer a little tamer load.
re bullet weight: I have A LOT of "target" Zero 125JHP with a traditional ogive that I'm using to experiment with. My Sig chamber will accept this (and other JHPs with some OAL variation) When I narrow down a load for this bullet, I can make it work in with a 124gr JHP SD bullet using seating depth info gained. OR at least, that's the PLAN.

 

[Walkalong]

Master Match 125 Gr JSP @ 1.122 OAL-WSP primer- March 2010

5.7 Grs N 340

6 Shots -EMP - TZ- AR

HI -1150 -1223- 1345
LO -1130 - 1192- 1303
AVG -1135 - 1205- 1330
ES -20 - 31- 42
SD- 8 - 10- 15


6.4 Grs AA #5

6 Shots -EMP - TZ- AR

HI -1092- 1149- 1328
LO -1035 - 1100- 1265
AVG- 1059- 1122 -1296
ES -57 - 49- 63
SD -22 - 16 -20

6.8 Grs HS-6

6 Shots -EMP - TZ- AR

HI- 1123 - 1195- 1345
LO- 1058 -1158- 1321
AVG -1087 - 1172- 1336
ES -65- 37- 24
SD -21- 13- 8

 

[Walkalong]

N340 is also excellent for pushing a 230 Gr bullet to 850 FPS in .45 ACP.

 

[1SOW]

Well, I'll be durned! Nice ES too.
http://www.lapua.com/upload/downloads/brochures/2011/vihtavuorireloadingguideed9updtjuly2011eng.pdf

Yipes, That load is over MAX everywhere except the Hornady 124 FMJ FP at "1.142"--at MAX 5.7. The n350 "looks" more in line with your results. Looks CAN be decieving though. The LEE data is similar at 1.142, max load 5.8 for a 124 FMJ.

I will try n340. I don't quite need the max speeds and have a "little" more bbl--3.6". I will start low using 1.11 or even 1.12" if it fits on the push test.
I can play with the n340 in my CZ if it doesn't work out for SD.

Thank you very much Walkalong.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With all this talk about VV powders it makes me sad they aren't available anywhere around here.

 

[1SOW]

ArchAngelCD,
Vit is "available" here, but the price makes ordering it a bargain. Over $40/pound (n320) locally. $24/# at P.V.

As always, order in bulk if possible; but in this case it really makes little difference by the time you add gas money and tax.

n320 is the #1 powder for minor PF 9X19. Clean with light loads, soft recoil, not temp or position sensitive, meters excellently in anything, can't double charge, "cool" burning, no muzzle flash, single base powder. The actual cost/rd is actually slightly less than 1 cent more than 231. What 231 will make at 4.3grs, n320 makes at 4.1grs. Close to the same "quantity" of powder needed from Titegroup for the same speed.

I don't own stock in the company, but it is an amazing powder. Sure wish it was made in America.
JMO

 

[Walkalong]

Yes,

That load is over MAX everywhere except

for the Vihtavuori PDF with a Hornady 124 FMJ/FP

Considering the numbers in 5" and 6" barrels, along with recoil, ejection pattern, etc, etc, I consider it safe with a reasonable OAL for the bullet used.

But, I should have given the usual line

Start low, work up, use at your own risk.

I bought a 4 pounder of N310, N320 and N340 after trying a pound of each. A 4 pounder of WST is next.

I'll be interested in your result with N340.

 

[1SOW]

I'll be interested in your result with N340.

Will do. Need to order it soon.

I was pleasantly surprised to find my Sig (UNLIKE my CZ) will accept my test hollowpoint out to 1.16"+, so I can "actually use" the load data---for the first time.