Loading 9mm for 995 Carbine with slow powder results in impressive performance boost.

[Crosshair]

I posted this in the handloading section but was advised to post this in the rifles section as well. The original thread is Here.

This load data is from the first round of testing and is still experimental, use at your own risk.

I have just finished testing some of my 9mm reloads in my Hi-Point 995 carbine. I wondered if a person could improve the performance of the 9mm by using slower powders in compressed loads to take advantage of the longer 16" barrel. From what I have found out the answer is yes, and quite a dramatic improvement as well. Here is the chrono data. I recorded the chrono output with my video camera and wrote down the numbers afterwards. Made for much faster testing.

My reloads: CCI small pistol primer, 115 grain Winchster HP bullets, and range pickup 9mm brass. (All numbers are in FPS.) Temp was about 15F. Chronograph was about 4 feet from the muzzle.

7.5 Blue Dot

1599
1640
1640
1620
1650
1569
1549
1580
1608

8.0 Blue Dot

1590
1735
1687
1653
1607
1673
1691

8.5 Blue Dot (Max non +P load)

1838
1719
1817
1763
1694
1724
1649
​

I have come to find that the 995 really hates hard primers like CCI and the result is haphazard ignition. Several round did not ignite on the first try and I removed them from the testing. I will probably use soft primers (Like Federal) when I try again. Below is standard factory 9mm being fired from my 995

Wolf 115 grain FMJ

1232
1251
1282
1263
1285
1293
1263
1295
1325
1290
1263
1247
1295
1282
1275​

My 995 hates the hard primers in Wolf as well.

Winchester White Box 115 grain FMJ

1284
1271
1307
1294
1312
1280
1317
1344
1301
1330​

This ammo is 100% reliable in my 995.

From the results I have seen, it is possible to get the 9mm to almost achieve .357 Magnum handgun performance while not exceeding SAAMI spec on the 9mm if slower powders are used. I believe that the performance increase will be the same in other brands of 9mm carbines like the Kel-Tec and Beretta. I hope to explore and experiment further with different powders and OAL to find the best loads for autoloader carbines.

Your thoughts?

 

[Chuckulator]

I am surprised no one has responded to this yet. I think that this is a great idea and impressive results. I am surprised manufacturers haven't been more interested in this.

I would be interested in getting some ammo for carbine use as well.

Are you going to do some +p and +p+?

 

[Crosshair]

Most people are posting in the original thread. I may eventualy make some +p and +P+ ammo for my carbine once I find good load data for standard pressure loadings. Only problem though is that I am filling the case to the brim as it is so I would have to switch to a faster powder to get good +P loads.

 

[beerslurpy]

That is very impressive for 9mm. Those could be 30 carbine figures.

 

[db_tanker]

I must admit that the velocity figures are excellent...but what of the actual accuracy? I am thinking that a FMJ at 50 or so yards would be an excellent small game number...

D

 

[blackhawk2000]

Wow that's pretty cool! You may have just left your mark on history

 

[GTSteve03]

I would be a little worried with the 115gr bullet being pushed to those speeds. Seems like it would disintegrate pretty easily.

Have you tried this with any heavier bullets and what were your velocity numbers like? A 124gr or 147gr that could still manage around 1500fps would be very similar to 357magnum velocities.

Nice find!

 

[Drakejake]

I have shot some of the Hirtenberger 124gr, presumably +P+, in my Ruger carbine. I do not have a chronograph but research indicates that this may achieve 1400-1500 fps. When firing this hot ammo, I didn't notice anything dramatic or remarkable. Shooting 9mm from a well-built rifle should allow for some quite hot ammo, I think. I wouldn't shoot this SMG ammo from a pistol but I imagine that my Rugers wouldn't be damaged by it.

Drakejake

 

[beerslurpy]

Makes me wonder what is possible with 40 S&W from a similar rifle, especially with the higher pressures that cartridge tolerates. An 1800 fps 160 gr JHP would be pretty explodey. Or 357 sig using 115gr 9mm hps, that is another possiblity. 357sig might give you the case capacity and pressure tolerance to make your carbine a 300 yard gun.

 

[Crosshair]

Wow, people are really interested in this stuff. I better get cranking out some 124 grain stuff for testing.

/Gets reloading manual
//Mabee I should get a lisense to make and sell ammo.