littleguns223
Member
Hey guys I am going to buy a new xd 9mm. I want to use HP38 powder and Missouri 125gr small ball bullets. Any suggestions on load data and col.This will be my first auto.I always shot and reloaded for revolvers. Thanks
Loading For A XD 9MM
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I load almost that same load for my xDM (I don't use HP38 - can't help there). You are going to want to load that bullet SHORT. The xD's throat is short (very little leade) and loading that bullet to normal length will drive it into the rifling. It may hang up going into battery, but even if it does, when you try to eject a round to "show clear" you'll find the slide magically glued shut! In essence your rifling will have engraved into the bullet and will be trying to pull it from the case.
Load them short, like 1.05" or maybe less, and they work GREAT!
Load them short, like 1.05" or maybe less, and they work GREAT!
J_McLeod
Member
125gr is the only size I haven't load much of for my XD. Only about 10. I used the starting load from Hodgdon and they cycled. I've loaded bullets for my XD between 1.155 and 1.078. They've all worked, but I too seem to get the best accuracy from short bullets.
I really like MBC's 147gr in my XD. It's accurate, has minimal recoil, and doesn't take much powder. Most of what goes downrange from my XD9 is that bullet.
I really like MBC's 147gr in my XD. It's accurate, has minimal recoil, and doesn't take much powder. Most of what goes downrange from my XD9 is that bullet.
capreppy
Member
Can't help you on OAL as I use the MBC 125gr Cone, but I do load these short as well (COL: 1.080) . I use HP-38 and use a charge of 4.3. 4.4 is max according to Hodgdon's website.
GooseGestapo
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Your max powder charge w/HP38-Win231 is going to depend on the individual bullet you choose, and seating depth that you need for proper functioning.
I recommend these:
Hornady 124gr XTP, @ 1.115"oal, 4.7gr Win231/HP38
Remington 124 JHP, @ 1.125" oal, 4.6gr Win231
Personally, my preference (accuracy w/my guns) is the 115gr @ 4.9gr Win231.
For the 124gr bullets. WSF or Hod. LongShot give better results.
I'm not familiar with the Missouri "small ball" bullet, but if it's a cast bullet, 4.3gr will be the prefered charge weight. However, 5.2gr of Hod. LongShot is far superior....
I recommend these:
Hornady 124gr XTP, @ 1.115"oal, 4.7gr Win231/HP38
Remington 124 JHP, @ 1.125" oal, 4.6gr Win231
Personally, my preference (accuracy w/my guns) is the 115gr @ 4.9gr Win231.
For the 124gr bullets. WSF or Hod. LongShot give better results.
I'm not familiar with the Missouri "small ball" bullet, but if it's a cast bullet, 4.3gr will be the prefered charge weight. However, 5.2gr of Hod. LongShot is far superior....
XDm has a tapered chamber. The MBC CB is NOT a Parabellum but RN design. You will have to play with the OAL and crimp to get best results. Your die will turn a tapered case into a straight case. Most seem to just load the CB deep to get it to fit the throat, it works. Try gradually flaring a case and drop fitting into your bl to find max case mouth diameter. Set as long as this dia. allows. Taper crimp a little more than to just remove the flare. The crimp will resize the CB at the crimp only. They are pretty hard CB. Seat the CB part way, then rotate the case 90 deg. and finish seating. Will make the CB seat straighter. If you haven't reloaded 9mm before, you might want to start with J-B, to gain some experience. HP38 works fine.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Is not a what?
Parabellum: (From Wiki) "The word Parabellum is a noun coined by German arms maker Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken and is derived from the Latin saying si vis pacem, para bellum, meaning If you wish for peace, prepare for war."
The Small Ball bullet does not have the same ogive profile that military FMJs do, more "roundy" less "pointy," which is what I think was meant.
16in50calNavalRifle
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littleguns223, I have used that MBC bullet and HP38. I used 3.8 grains of HP38 - lower than some others here, but it cycled the XD and produced acceptable results. As noted above, the ogive (bullet shape) of the lead round-nose and the XD's chamber force you to load fairly short. My COL for this load is 1.065.
If you haven't done much reloading for semi-autos before, look up some posts by THR member bds - he has good concise explanations of how to determine the Max COL and Ideal COL for your XD or other semi-auto loads. It was in checking for the Max COL that I discovered the restrictive nature of the XD chamber.
A question for capreppy - I loaded some test rounds with the MBC Lead Conical Nose (graciously provided by bds). I found I could load that bullet at a COL of 1.110, noticeably longer than the LRN Small Ball. They produced good results, so I plan to make that MBC bullet my lead bullet for the XD. Question: what sort of leading, if any, have you had with the conical nose bullets? I tested with 3.9 and 4.1 grains of HP38, I see you went with a larger charge.
bds also gave me some MBC semi-wadcutters (all of these bullets under discussion are 125 grain) - those loaded at 1.095 COL, but a few of them produced keyholing when fired (!!!). Instead of diagnosing that curious result, I figure I will just go with the conical nose.
If you haven't done much reloading for semi-autos before, look up some posts by THR member bds - he has good concise explanations of how to determine the Max COL and Ideal COL for your XD or other semi-auto loads. It was in checking for the Max COL that I discovered the restrictive nature of the XD chamber.
A question for capreppy - I loaded some test rounds with the MBC Lead Conical Nose (graciously provided by bds). I found I could load that bullet at a COL of 1.110, noticeably longer than the LRN Small Ball. They produced good results, so I plan to make that MBC bullet my lead bullet for the XD. Question: what sort of leading, if any, have you had with the conical nose bullets? I tested with 3.9 and 4.1 grains of HP38, I see you went with a larger charge.
bds also gave me some MBC semi-wadcutters (all of these bullets under discussion are 125 grain) - those loaded at 1.095 COL, but a few of them produced keyholing when fired (!!!). Instead of diagnosing that curious result, I figure I will just go with the conical nose.
capreppy
Member
For my pistol, Taurus PT92 AFS, I tested with 3.9, 4.1, & 4.3. The 4.3 grouped a little better than the other charges.
I was originally loading Mastercast Bullets 125gr LTCN, but at the time of my last purchase he was out so I went with the MBC 125 Cone (same bullet profile and weight). I CAN load at a COL of 1.125, but it was suggested by Mike at Mastercast Bullets that I load at 1.080. I did get my best accuracy at a COL of 1.080. 1.125 will cycle in my Taurus, but I also wanted a generic round that would cycle in other tighter chambers thus the reason I chose to stick with 1.080.
I've not had any issues with leading, but I did slug my barrel in advance of ordering. The Taurus PT92 AFS is being built out of the same plant that the Beretta 92 was built in and they also occassionally suffer from significant barrel diameter variations. Some barrels have been slugged as high as .358. Thankfully mine was ok at .3565.
I was originally loading Mastercast Bullets 125gr LTCN, but at the time of my last purchase he was out so I went with the MBC 125 Cone (same bullet profile and weight). I CAN load at a COL of 1.125, but it was suggested by Mike at Mastercast Bullets that I load at 1.080. I did get my best accuracy at a COL of 1.080. 1.125 will cycle in my Taurus, but I also wanted a generic round that would cycle in other tighter chambers thus the reason I chose to stick with 1.080.
I've not had any issues with leading, but I did slug my barrel in advance of ordering. The Taurus PT92 AFS is being built out of the same plant that the Beretta 92 was built in and they also occassionally suffer from significant barrel diameter variations. Some barrels have been slugged as high as .358. Thankfully mine was ok at .3565.
I load that same bullet with about 4.1gr of HP-38 and they perform well in my SR9. I completely agree with the load them short comment for the XD. My bullets are about 1.07" and they won't chamber in my brother's XD. They fit great in the Ruger though.
16in50calNavalRifle
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Thanks for the response capreppy. I have slugged my bores and cylinders in the hope of finding minimal-leading loads. My XD comes in right at .355, my 1911 right at .451, and my revolvers I can't measure (S&W, and a Colt snubby - odd that, as I thought only the Smiths were hard to measure due to odd number of grooves). All of these measurements my best effort with electronic calipers. So my leading problems (in each of my handguns) apparently will not be addressed through bullet diameter (although I'm not 100% positive that my S&W revolver chambers are all larger than the bore, which I think is the key for revolvers).
littleguns223
Member
Thanks guys I will take all the sugestions and imformation I can get and go from there.It sounds like the col for that bullet 125 Missouri small ball has to be loaded at 1.050 to 1.065 to work in the XD. I will start at 3.8 grs of HP38 col at 1.065. Does that soud right for the starting point? Thanks guys for all of the help.
sam1911 - you are correct, it is a German machine gun round. also used in pistols. Most commercial ammo and jacketed components have the parabellum ogive, most 9mm are designed for that round. With CB's we get to play and see what fits. CB's may work better close to the lands, you may lose some accuracy, get faster throat erosion or more leading just seating deep.
evan price
Member
An interesting point to consider- my older (pre-melonite slide) XD9 eats anything I can get in the magazine including SWC profile bullets. My friend's newer XD9 has a different shape to the feed ramp or slide bottom or something, and any bullets with a step or shoulder on the side cause jams when the extracted case drags across the next round in the mag. The rim of the extracted case hits the step/shoulder of the bullet and causes a jam.
I know on XDTalk they discussed a change made to the XDs relating to this. Whatever you decide, you should probably make sure that you are running smooth-sided bullets unless you know that a SWC will work.
I know on XDTalk they discussed a change made to the XDs relating to this. Whatever you decide, you should probably make sure that you are running smooth-sided bullets unless you know that a SWC will work.
J_McLeod
Member
How old is your XD? I don't know when they started the melonite slide, but I bought mine early in 04. The best accuracy is with short bullets, but it does well enough with any length, and has always eaten anything I give it, including all the cheapest ammo I could find.
rfwobbly
Member
As has been said, the XD series has a "tight" chamber and since lead runs slightly larger than jacketed or plated it's going to cause some consternation (read that as 'hair pulling') on your part. I highly suggest your first reloads be plated 124gr RN. When you get those running right, THEN switch to lead.
That way you're taking one step at a time.
That way you're taking one step at a time.
LiveLife
Member
XD45 models had issues with SWC extraction due to the base rim of spent case hitting the shoulder of the bullet in the magazine. XDM45 models have modified slides with angled slide rib and will extract cases without hitting the SWC shoulder in the magazine - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6511108#post6511108evan price said:
Here's repost diagram from xdtalk showing SWC and XD45's straight slide rib
Here's a crude picture of angled slide rib on XDM45
littleguns223
Member
Question for bds. What lead bullet do you reccomend for the Xd9?.
LiveLife
Member
Whichever works well in your pistol/barrel/magazine. 
For newer 9mm semi-auto pistols with stiffer recoil springs (especially if you have compact/subcompact pistols), I recommend the heavier 125 gr bullets over 115 gr (jacketed, plated or lead) as I find myself often having to push the 115 gr bullets to high-near max load data to reliably cycle the slide. If the powder charge won't cycle the slide all the way back, you may have extraction issues and end up with stove piped spent cases. With the heavier 125 gr bullet, I can use mid-to-high range load data and the powder charge will reliably cycle the slide.
With lead bullets, you have the additional concern of leading in the barrel. 18 BHN MBC 125 gr RN bullet (SmallBall) driven to max load data+ caused full-length barrel leading. Start-to-high range load data did not cause leading in .355" groove diameter Glock factory/Lone Wolf aftermarket barrels.
I do not have a XD9, so I'll reply based on other XD9 owner comments. Due to more rounded nose profile of the SmallBall that increases the bearing surface of the bullet, I typically use 1.08"-1.10" OAL, but most XD9 users have been able to load the bullet shorter to reliably feed/chamber. You can also try the Cone Nose (9 Cone) to see if it works well for you.
Here's a post for determining Max/Ideal OAL using your pistol/barrel/magazine (If I am using shorter OAL then published, I will start my powder workup below the start charge, say .2-.3 gr below start charge) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7717654#post7717654
Hodgdon load data: 125 gr Lead CN W231/HP-38 OAL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1009 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1086 fps)
For newer 9mm semi-auto pistols with stiffer recoil springs (especially if you have compact/subcompact pistols), I recommend the heavier 125 gr bullets over 115 gr (jacketed, plated or lead) as I find myself often having to push the 115 gr bullets to high-near max load data to reliably cycle the slide. If the powder charge won't cycle the slide all the way back, you may have extraction issues and end up with stove piped spent cases. With the heavier 125 gr bullet, I can use mid-to-high range load data and the powder charge will reliably cycle the slide.
With lead bullets, you have the additional concern of leading in the barrel. 18 BHN MBC 125 gr RN bullet (SmallBall) driven to max load data+ caused full-length barrel leading. Start-to-high range load data did not cause leading in .355" groove diameter Glock factory/Lone Wolf aftermarket barrels.
I do not have a XD9, so I'll reply based on other XD9 owner comments. Due to more rounded nose profile of the SmallBall that increases the bearing surface of the bullet, I typically use 1.08"-1.10" OAL, but most XD9 users have been able to load the bullet shorter to reliably feed/chamber. You can also try the Cone Nose (9 Cone) to see if it works well for you.
Here's a post for determining Max/Ideal OAL using your pistol/barrel/magazine (If I am using shorter OAL then published, I will start my powder workup below the start charge, say .2-.3 gr below start charge) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7717654#post7717654
Hodgdon load data: 125 gr Lead CN W231/HP-38 OAL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1009 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1086 fps)
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Cherokee
Member
My XDM 5.25 shoots very well with my cast RN 126 gr bullets and 3.8 gr 231. A mild, accurate load at 1.08" OAL of 1000 fps. It also handles the 115 cast SWC just fine with a dose of HS6. I use HS6 for loads over 1000 fps. Power Pistol is also very accurate in my XDM but has a lot of flash.
littleguns223
Member
Today I loaded for the XD9 3.8 grs of HP38 using the MBC 125gr smallball col 1.055 it chambers good and is very accurate. I want to thank all you guys for the help.I would like to thank bds for all the imformation that you gave me.Like I said I always shot and loaded for rifles and revolvers. Thanks again.
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