Loading for a 9mm rifle of unlimited strength.

[R.W.Dale]

I'm not looking to blow my face off or anything like that. But I've got a 9mm TC encore bbl coming that's primary purpose is fun cheap plinking. But it seems like a great opportunity for experimentation. BTW I get that the strength is not unlimited but with a locked breach and enough metal to handle 65k psi belted magnums for the purposes here it probably is.

But what kind of experiments?

What kinds of loads would you test in such a gun?

What is considered the strongest 9mm brass these days?

What are some sources for load data used by people shooting 9mm in competition that must make "major"

 

[Rule3]

I think most brass brand "strength" is subjective.

I would start with new brass probably Starline as they make pistol brass for several large big name companies. Starline seems to be a big favorite.

Regardless use some new brass (tight primer pockets) and the loads are up to you, Some of the slower powders.

Power Pistol, Longshot etc. Good luck!.

 

[BCRider]

There was a powder called "Autocomp" I believe it was that some guys were using for 9mm Major PF loading some years back. I have no idea how much they were using but whichever company it is that makes that powder likely has reloading data for it.

 

[Mad Chemist]

147grJHP + VV3N38. Start at max and begin working up until the case runs out of room. Once fired WCC or new starline brass. You way want to toss the cases. You can get 1200fps from a pistol with this combo. I bet you could get some crazy high velocities from the TC.

Another option is 3N37 or Power Pistol with 124gr XTPs. PP would be fun just because of the noise and fireball from the muzzle.

You would definitely want to mark these somehow to prevent someone from blowing up a pistol with them.

Check the Brian Enos forum for lots of "9mm major" data.

 

[R.W.Dale]

You would definitely want to mark these somehow to prevent someone from blowing up a pistol with them.

Check the Brian Enos forum for lots of "9mm major" data.

That is a concern I came up with right off the bat. So the encore has its own 100rd flip top ammo case with "9mm encore ONLY" emblazoned on it in very clear to read fashion

 

[Walkalong]

The brass is the limiting factor in an action of handling "unlimited" strength.

And yes, do be careful they don't end up in another 9MM firearm. Be very careful.

 

[W.E.G.]

Didn't the pawn shop guys do just about every see-how-much-it-can-stand test on a 9mm gun (HiPoint) that anybody would ever want to see done with a 9mm?

https://youtu.be/2FoWpog5KU4

 

[TimSr]

I doubt you could stuff enough 296 or 110 in the case to get to .357 mag velocities, but you might get there with other slow powders not quiet as dense, like a compressed Blue Dot. The "strength" of your brass won't much be a factor.

 

[jmorris]

My "major" 9 load will push a 115 gn JHP around 1475 fps out of a 5" barrel. I still have HS-7 that I use but know folks that use 3N37 and 3N38 and others.

 

[LiveLife]

What are some sources for load data used by people shooting 9mm in competition that must make "major"

This may help with reloading 9mm major loads - http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=113427

And this - http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137715&p=1549491

encore has its own 100rd flip top ammo case with "9mm encore ONLY" emblazoned on it in very clear to read fashion

Most shooters of 9mm major do not reload the same brass. I would definitely mark the base of the brass with "X" to warn other unsuspecting reloaders who will pick up the brass to reload them.

 

[Walkalong]

The "strength" of your brass won't much be a factor.

I am going to respectively disagree. The chamber is heat treated steel and the brass is pretty soft/weak in comparison. It is the limiting factor in a high strength action.

Most shooters of 9mm major do not reload the same brass. I would definitely mark the base of the brass with "X" to warn other unsuspecting reloaders who will pick up the brass to reload them.

Because the brass is over stressed and can be (Is?) bulged in the solid case head area. That is the part that keeps hot, high pressure gases from blowing out of the gun from the open end of the chamber. If the brass ruptures, it can not only damage the gun, but the shooter.

Y'all be careful out there.

 

[jmorris]

An SMG shooting subsonic 147's does more harm to the brass than my major 9 loads from an open pistol.

 

[spitballer]

Offhand I'd say the primer is going to be the weak link, sore shoulder notwithstanding. Not sure what projectiles/barrels are available in that caliber but obviously a longer barrel is going to mean even more sustained pressure.

I've been known to try almost anything once but only for a specific purpose, in my case target shooting. Saw a video on youtube of a home-made .50 cal with the kick of a mule and that was enough to deter me.

 

[jaguarxk120]

You might want to start looking for some of the steel cased shells. Many times at the range there are lots of steel cases laying around that the guys don't pick up. Relbe the strongest.oading will take carbide dies and lots of lube, but the steel case would

 

[R.W.Dale]

This may help with reloading 9mm major loads - http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=113427

And this - http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137715&p=1549491


Most shooters of 9mm major do not reload the same brass. I would definitely mark the base of the brass with "X" to warn other unsuspecting reloaders who will pick up the brass to reload them.

Thanks. With 9mm brass being next to free this might not be a bad road to take with loads of questionable origin.

One thing I have over autoloaders is the ability to load cartridges longer than what's required to feed.

Brass will never hit the ground so others getting ahold of some is not going to be a problem I will discard and recycle this brass myself

 

[zb338]

Have your barrel rebored to a rifle caliber 9MM.
They have lots of power, and before you pull the
trigger on those hot loads make sure you have
your bullet proof glasses on.

Zeke

 

[Electron]

Hmm if my face staying intact was a concern proof loads would be my limit! If your face is better is better attached let me know where not to be when you touch that one off.

 

[scythefwd]

Why not rechamber to 9x23 and really push it?

 

[buck460XVR]

I would be concerned that jacketed 9mm bullets may have thin jackets(intended for SD) and may separate in the barrel under extreme pressure/velocities.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Why not rechamber to 9x23 and really push it?

That would negate cheap plinking on factory ammo and free brass. 357 mag/max trumps 9x23 if power was the primary concern

This guns primary purpose is not pushing the envelope it just happens to be a prime platform to do so.

Re chamber? This particular bbl hasn't even been made and left the factory yet.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I would be concerned that jacketed 9mm bullets may have thin jackets(intended for SD) and may separate in the barrel under extreme pressure/velocities.

A lot of the shooting will be with powdercoated cast. And a lot of it will be geared towards accuracy at longer than typical 9mm ranges

 

[buck460XVR]

A lot of the shooting will be with powdercoated cast. And a lot of it will be geared towards accuracy at longer than typical 9mm ranges

Then not much of a chance of separation. I only mentioned jacketed risks because you did not tell us before what type of bullet you were planning on using. Finding a 9mm load that would shoot like a .357 max would be cool.

 

[Walkalong]

I have shot my 9MM carbine with 124s at under max, and after figuring out the drop, I could easily hit the 12" plates regularly using a large red dot (8MOA or better). I know, not super accuracy.

I understand the allure of shooting longer distances with a fun, cheap, easy to find components for, caliber.

I love my .38 Super, but it's 9MM brass I have buckets of.

 

[ETXhiker]

If I was wanting to really push 9mm, I would look at the 9mm Major loads people use in the open guns and follow all of the cautions about working up slowly and using new or once fired brass. They should be safe in a Contender, but some of those loads are really pushing the envelope. I certainly wouldn't go beyond those established loads. Stick with a slow powder, like VV 3N37, 3N38 or AA#7. Be careful.

 

[jmorris]

Finding a 9mm load that would shoot like a .357 max would be cool.

Kind of what I thought while I was playing with my 300 blk one day.

Something like this.