Bullseye
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2008
- Messages
- 1,598
I'm fairly new to reloading 9mm so I get to thinking that
the Starting load vs Maximum load makes little difference in fps compared to other ammo.
For example, most all powders used with a 125 gr bullet in a 9mm luger average at a glance around 950 fps with the starting loads and 1050 fps with maximum loads. This amounts to roughly a 10% difference generally.
To me that isn't much difference for a handgun.
But in another calibers such as 38 spl, using a 125 gr bullet, there can be a very wide range difference depending on what powder is used , the same bullet could travel as slow as 475 fps or as fast as 815 fps using 700x.
Only a few +P loads exceed 1000 fps with this 125 gr bullet.
But with almost all, there is a significant rise in fps with more powder in this comparison. I am sure that there are other examples but the 38 spl projectile appears to be a close relative to the 9mm in size and weight.
So I was pondering this scenario looking at the 9mm and my handloading. There doesn't seem to be much need to max out my powder loads to get a fairly fast load in 9mm.
I suppose the only issues would be that my firearm feeds and ejects well and that accuracy is sufficient. The bullet at these speeds should do the job anywhere in between.
With some other cartridges, powder load seems to be much more of a factor.
the Starting load vs Maximum load makes little difference in fps compared to other ammo.
For example, most all powders used with a 125 gr bullet in a 9mm luger average at a glance around 950 fps with the starting loads and 1050 fps with maximum loads. This amounts to roughly a 10% difference generally.
To me that isn't much difference for a handgun.
But in another calibers such as 38 spl, using a 125 gr bullet, there can be a very wide range difference depending on what powder is used , the same bullet could travel as slow as 475 fps or as fast as 815 fps using 700x.
Only a few +P loads exceed 1000 fps with this 125 gr bullet.
But with almost all, there is a significant rise in fps with more powder in this comparison. I am sure that there are other examples but the 38 spl projectile appears to be a close relative to the 9mm in size and weight.
So I was pondering this scenario looking at the 9mm and my handloading. There doesn't seem to be much need to max out my powder loads to get a fairly fast load in 9mm.
I suppose the only issues would be that my firearm feeds and ejects well and that accuracy is sufficient. The bullet at these speeds should do the job anywhere in between.
With some other cartridges, powder load seems to be much more of a factor.