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got some free bullets today 9mm 147gr

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webrx

webrx

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Friend of mine found out I was reloading so dropped a bag of 9mm copper FMJ bullets on my desk at work. He did not have the box, they were in a ziplock.

He said he was pretty sure they were 9mm, cuz his son bought them to go shooting not realizing they were bullets only.

When I got home I counted, measured and weighed them 250 bullets, .355 diameter, and 147 gr, full copper jacket round nose bullets (no opening at the bottom, they are fully jacketed.

I don't have dies for 9mm yet, I figured these were still relatively cheap ammo to buy so I would get dies for the more expensive bullets first.

In any case, other than needing dies, I have titegroup, bullseye, and trailboss for pistol powders. The only load data I can find for 147 gr bullets with these powders is for titegroup.

So, my questions:
Is bullseye too fast for the 147 gr FMJ since there is no load data for this on the Alliant site?

Is there a better/recommended powder for 147 GR FMJ than titegroup?

Anyone out there shooting these in an LC9S or should I see if I can trade them off for some lighter bullets?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dave
 
9mm 147 gn FMJ

I've been working with 147 gn Hornady XTP JHP & Acme Hitec coated "lipstick" RNFP bullets. I had some issues finding loads for them, but both Power Pistol and Longshot work very well. You didn't say length, but it be apparent why I ask. 147 XTP is 0.660" and the Acme coated 147 is 0.640".
You also don't say what you plan on shooting with, although you do mention the LC9s; you'really in luck- that happens to be my carry pistol. I also have the Springfield XD in 9mm with a 4" barrel as opposed to the LC9S 3" barrel.
All that being said, and please bear in mind to ALWAYS work up your loads, here is what I load for each.
Power Pistol:
XTP-- start load, 3.8 gn (800 fps est.) to 5.1 gn (1000 fps est) with 4" barrel
Acme-- start 3.4 gn, 4.7 gn max
I shoot 4.6 for the LC9s and 4.8 for the XD for the XTP ; 4.8 in the LC9s is kind of 'snappy' for my taste.
I load OAL of 1.100 for the XTP and 1.090 for the Acme. These are range rounds.
I do shoot at least a couple of mags of 4.8 in the LC9s to keep aware of the heavier recoil- this load, at least by feel, approximates the commercial round.
Longshot:
XTP start with 3.4 gn to a maximum of 4.7 gn; I shoot 4.5 in the LC9s and 4.6 in the XD.
4.7 theoretically gives you 1004 fps. OAL is again 1.100
Cast or coated, start with 3.5 to a maximum of 4.3; I use 4.1 or 4.2, OAL is 1.090.

I've used both WSP and Remington 1.5 SPP with good success, haven't noticed much difference.
Unfortunately, no place around me allows a chrono, but when I get a chance to visit my brother, I'll see
what velocities I get.
 
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My son gave me a bunch of 147 grain plated 9mm bullets for Xmas (I had asked for 115 grain). Anybody have any AA #5 powder data/COL for the 147 grain weight?
 
I prefer slower powders with 147s in 9mm but Lyman lists 3.4 to 3.9 Bullseye with a jacketed 147 and 2.8 to 3.5 with a lead 147. Older (2005) Alliant Data lists a MAX of 4.2 Bullseye with a 147XTP.

Plated usually work well between lead and jacket charges.
 
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I use 5 gr AA5 with 147 plated xtreme and it runs about 950 fps out of my 5.25 xdm. 950 fps seems most accurate in my gun. ....faster the groups start opening up and less speed not as tight.
 
Thanks for all the info everyone.

Yeah, I was thinking they may just be plated, ill keep that in mind.

FYI: Bullet length measures at .66 and I can shoot it out of the lc9s or I can shoot it out of my el cheapo (hi-point) range gun.

I am going to drop by the LGS(s) this weekend and see who has a set of dies, not going to save much loading 9mm, but, hey, I have bullets :)

EDIT: Just found out the bullets are plated, Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets, 147 gr round nose, max velocity 1250 fps. The person who gave them to me found the original box.
Thanks again

Dave
 
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webrx said:
...EDIT: Just found out the bullets are plated, Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets, 147 gr round nose, max velocity 1250 fps. The person who gave them to me found the original box...
Click to expand...
Good to know exactly what you're working with.
Since you mentioned Titegroup, Patrick Sweeney (Reloading For Handgunners) pp. 125 ~ lists 3.3gr at 1.070 OAL for that recipe using Berry's 147gr. plated.
His chrono for that load was 876 fps.

webrx said:
...Is there a better/recommended powder for 147 GR FMJ than titegroup?...
Click to expand...
Four other powders Sweeney noted in addition (VihtV-320 & 340, Action Pistol, Autocomp).
Good luck & let us know how it works out for you. :)
 
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Shootshellz said:
My son gave me a bunch of 147 grain plated 9mm bullets for Xmas (I had asked for 115 grain). Anybody have any AA #5 powder data/COL for the 147 grain weight?
Click to expand...

9mm One Caliber book page 21 Speer 147 gr TMJ-FN

AA #5
Start 4.5 Max 5.1 OAL 1.130
 
Thanks All.

Probably get dies this weekend and I will get some loaded up.

Now if the weather will cooperate on a day off so I can go shoot.

d
 
I've loaded 147gr with Titegroup and Bullseye. Both work well.

If you don't already have one grab a Lyman reloading manual. They seem to have a lot of data for different bullet types and powders.
 
I have a lyman 48, which shows 147 GR TMJ at 3.2 to 3.6 for Titegroup and 3.4 to 3.9 for bullseye.

It also has loads for a #2 alloy (lead?) which are lower.
2.5 to 2.8 for titegroup and 2.8 to 3.5 for bullseye

Still working out the differences and which numbers to use for plated and TMJ and #2 alloy in my head.

IIRC you would load plated midrange between lead and TMJ correct?

I am asking as these are my first plated bullets, I have only loaded lead so far.

d
 
250 bullets, .355 diameter, and 147 gr, full copper jacket round nose bullets (no opening at the bottom, they are fully jacketed.
Click to expand...

More likely they're PLATED & not jacketed.

There's a difference!

Please be careful
 
Thanks again.

For loading, Berry's website says:

you can use any published load data for a jacketed or lead bullet as long as it is the same weight bullet. Any of the load data books or the powder manufacturers’ website should have that information for you, as long as you keep them under 1250 fps for our standard bullet or 1500fps for the bullets designated as TP (thick plate).

The bullets I have say 1250 max on the box.

Dave
 
I loaded several xtreme 9mm 147 RN w/ titegroup 3.2-3.4-3.6 and chrono'd them last night. Shot great!

*(edit: Cold here in the PNW with rain outside (indoor range) - 56*), got 860-970 fps. I saw a small but measurable difference in CCI vs FED primers. Surprising - both SP not mag. 15-20fps. Odd, but great to see if consistently repeatable later.
 
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