Light bullets in 9MM

[Walkalong]

Years ago when I had a .380 I bought some bulk Rem 88 Gr JHPs. I long ago sold the .380, but still have some of the 88 Gr JHPs. Recently I was inspired to try them in 9MM.

I used 90 Gr XTP data and worked up to max with 3N37.

7.2 Grs of 3N37 under a 88 Gr JHP @ 1.040 to 1.045 OAL with a WSP primer.

4.5" XDm gave an average of 1420 FPS while a 5" S&W 1911 gave an average of 1454 FPS. (58 Degrees & 42% RH)

Silhouette was next. I worked up to max with it at 6.8 Grs. Velocities were slow and I had zero signs of pressure. So I went into +P range (For 90 Gr XTP) with Silhouette according to Western Powders.

I tried 7.0, and then today tried 7.1 Grs.

Rem 88 Gr JHP, 7.1 Grs Silhouette, CCI 500 primer, loaded @ 1.040 to 1.045 OAL. 67 Degrees @ 32% RH. Looking into the setting sun. It was a little tough to shoot into the glare. Not real bad though. The sun angle also caused some missed shots by the chrono. Since I was in a hurry running out of sunshine I just threw the chrono on a 55 gallon jug real quick, so I also had to squat down some to shoot through it.

With the EMP I got 3 into about 1 1/4" at 7 yards with two hanging out. With the S&W I got 4 into about 1 1/4" with one hanging out. I shot the XDm poorly. Not its fault. The AR made a ragged hole of course, being that close.

3" EMP - Average 1297 FPS

4.5" XDm - Average 1440 FPS

5" S&W Pro - Average 1499 FPS

16" RRA AR - Average 1674 FPS

The brass did not eject very far, even from the AR. The primer edges are as rounded as they were prior to shooting them. The +P max is 7.5 Grs. I am going to try 7.2 next. It looks like that is going to give similar velocities to 7.2 Grs of 3N37, but with +P pressures, according to Ramshot.

I was standing (Squatting) just to the right of the faded drum, shooting through the chrono to the target that doesn't even show in the pic due to glare.

These loads appear safe in my guns. Check data and use at your own risk.

 

[JimKirk]

Very interesting ... I remember reading about a ammo company that loads similar loads ... can't for the life of me remember the name ....

 

[gamestalker]

Oh ya, I've loaded quite a few of those 90 gr. XTP's, Longshot or HS6 of course. I think they were running like 1450 fps, or something like that.

GS

 

[Walkalong]

Rem 88 Gr JHP, 7.2 Grs Silhouette, CCI 500 primer, loaded @ 1.040 to 1.045 OAL. 71 Degrees @ 28% RH. It was overcast and caused some missed shots by the chrono. Shot from a sitting postion.

With the EMP I got the first 3 into one rounded out hole at 7 yards dead center of where the lines crossed on the target, but then got sloppy. I shot the same paper target with the XDm and just shot in a hurry to get numbers. Then I changed targets and shot the S&W. I put 7 into about a 1" group centered on the X. The AR made an even smaller ragged hole.

After shooting for numbers I had five rounds left and bounced a water bottle into the air five for five on the 25 yard berm with the S&W Pro. Nice.

3" EMP - Average 1311 FPS

4.5" XDm - Average 1470 FPS

5" S&W Pro - Average 1520 FPS

16" RRA AR - Average 1690 FPS

The brass did not eject very far, even from the AR. The primer edges are still very rounded. The +P max is 7.5 Grs. I looked back and this is over what 7.2 Grs of 3N37 gave me, but this is in +P territory as well.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

If you ask me you did well. Ive loaded some 90gr HP ( Think they were Hornady ?) in a 9mm using WST and the loads were so light that the bullets were 8-10" from bulls eye most of the time shooting from 11yds...too light a load=horrible accuracy that day! :banghead: Cycled fine in the gun though. Needless to say I loaded them up heavier on the next batch of test rounds.

 

[JamieC]

I was interested in trying some 80gr in 9mm reloading. I saw a gel test done using Double Tap 80gr, Barnes TAC-XP. The theory is, in micro nines, the lighter load allows faster follow up shots, less recoil. The Barnes bullets gave 'decent' expansion allowing good penetration. Info from the forums was a bit contradictory, so I bought a couple of boxes of the Double Tap, shot it out of a PF9, it IS softer shooting than my Gold Dot Short Barrel, not THAT much though. I haven't chrono'd it yet, supposedly 1500+ out of a 4", 1440fps out of a 3" micro nine. I might buy some Barnes stuff, 'roll my own', kind of on the back burner now, just bought some 75gr BTHPs to try in my AR. The wife just bought a Sig P238, need to get 'rolling' on 380s.

 

[Walkalong]

I wouldn't pick them for self defense, but they are fun to shoot at the range. They get to the target in a hurry. I am going to try some at 100 yards on my 16" gong one of these days. Probably next week.

 

[Artofgolf]

......... The +P max is 7.5 Grs. I looked back and this is over what 7.2 Grs of 3N37 gave me, but this is in +P territory .......

Walkalong, are you makin' more of those little lasers again? I really like that 3N37 for those rounds with a spicy charge.

 

[chris in va]

I may have to try some in my CX4 carbine. 1600fps would be interesting.

 

[Walkalong]

I just loaded 14 (7 with Silhouette & 7 with 3N37) of the Sierra 90 Gr JHPs I got from Midway on "special" for $12.99 per 100.

They are .355 in diameter vs .356 in diameter for the Rem bullet and are .4005 when measured with my HF digital calipers. I measured 14 and all were exactly that. I used the same seater setting (34.0 on my Hornady) and they came out at a very consistent 1.018 +/- .001 with 7.0 Grs of Silhouette and 1.018 +/- .002 with a compressed load of 7.2 Grs of 3N37. I used a CCI 500 primer again. Should get to shoot them next week sometime. At .423 length for the Rem 88 and .4005 length for the Sierra, the Sierras are seated almost identically deep in the case as my previous loads with the Rem bullet.

 

[Artofgolf]

...sierra-bullets-9mm-355-diameter-90-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-100-bulk-packaged.... I got from Midway on "special" for $12.99 per 100.

They are .355 in diameter vs .356 in diameter ... 1.018 +/- .002 with a compressed load of 7.2 Grs of 3N37. .....

That special from Midway was a very good price ~ picked-up some, too.
I'd like to see your results with the 3N37 recipe; little lazers for my red-dot carbine might be interesting....

 

[Walkalong]

7.2 Grs of 3N37 under a 88 Gr JHP @ 1.040 to 1.045 OAL with a WSP primer.

4.5" XDm gave an average of 1420 FPS while a 5" S&W 1911 gave an average of 1454 FPS. (58 Degrees & 42% RH)

I expect similar results with the Sierra. 7.2 Grs was max with a 90 Gr XTP at 1.063 OAL in the 2011 PDF. I had no signs of pressure, ejected cases did not fly far, primers still well rounded on the edges, all fired cases when sized back down still fit the Wilson case gauge. YMMV, start lower of course.

Anyone know how long a 90 Gr XTP is?

 

[Sunray]

The little fellas don't shoot worth beans out of my Inglis. Feed and cycle, but don't shoot well.

 

[Artofgolf]

..Anyone know how long a 90 Gr XTP is?

Just measured a sample of 5 XTP's ~ 0.449" avg.

 

[Walkalong]

That makes my rounds with both bullets seated to almost the same depth, so that is good as far as using the XTP data goes. They might have a tad more bearing surface.

 

[Walkalong]

Got out and shot the 14 rounds the Sierra 90 Gr JHPs I loaded up.


Load # 97: 90 Gr Sierra, 7.0 Grs Silhouette, CCI 500 primer. (7 rounds)

5" S&W Pro - Average 1448 FPS - 75 Degrees 19% RH


Load # 98: 90 Gr Sierra, 7.2 Grs 3N37, CCI 500 primer. (7 rounds)

5" S&W Pro - Average 1436 FPS - 75 Degrees 19% RH


I'm going to load some more and shoot them for accuracy.

 

[CZ9shooter]

I recently developed my first 90gr XTP load. I just acquired a little PF9 and decided to see if I could tame the recoil a bit with lighter bullets. It handles nicely in the KelTec. I think I will stick with it for a while. Maybe try to find some cheaper bullets.

I ran some rounds through the chrono but I have not yet done any real accuracy tests. I went up to 6.8gr of PowerPistol. Velocity was 1245fps. I also tried a few in my CZ75 just for the heck of it. 1375fps.

I am sure a guy could push this load quite a bit further if he desired. This load is in the right ballpark for my purposes though.

 

[blarby]

Thank you once again for the excellent work up !

 

[Artofgolf]

Got out and shot the 14 rounds the Sierra 90 Gr JHPs I loaded up....I'm going to load some more and shoot them for accuracy.

Good to see those little lasers exceeding 1400 FPS ~ curious on the accuracy factor

 

[WestKentucky]

Care to comment on recoil compared to standard 115 fmj loads or something else you could benchmark off of.

 

[Walkalong]

Recoil is light. Cases don't eject far.

 

[Walkalong]

I loaded up some more of the Sierra 90 Gr JHPs using Federal 100 primers and 7.2 Grs of 3N37 with mixed brass.

80 Degrees and Sunny. (Temp bounced up today)
22% RH (Low for around here)

7 rounds each. Not a big sample, but give me a good idea.

3" EMP - Average 1283 FPS

4.5" XDm - Average 1404 FPS

5" Colt - Average 1463 FPS

5" S&W Pro - Average 1446 FPS

16" RRA AR - ???

I forgot the dang AR. Very disappointing. Oh well, I'll try to get them chronoed on another day with a similar temp. I really do like to do it all together though. *Sigh*

I wasn't particular steady today but still shot some decent groups with at least three touching in each group. Overall the accuracy potential looks good. I shot some soda cans from the trash can at the bottom of the berm with the S&W Pro after the chono work. Bounced them around pretty good. (Yes, I put them back in the trash)

The primers were all flattened in the middle, with some flat nearly to the edges, but all of them had some round left on the edges and some had plenty of it.

I took all the fired brass home, cleaned them (All it needed was wiping off they were so clean. This is a very clean load), and sized them. They all then passed the Wilson gauge so that is another good indication the pressures are not excessive.

I wish I had remembered the AR and gotten numbers from a 16" barrel.

While this load appears safe in my guns using my load procedure and scale, it is not a load recommendation. Start low and work up. Use at your own risk.

 

[RainDodger]

Interesting stuff. I loaded up some 90 grain (I think they were XTPs) for my .38 Super a long time ago. They were something over 1500FPS, fairly accurate and a lot of fun! They functioned just fine and recoil was pretty light.