Old Reloader ... New to 9x19

[Lee Q. Loader]

Kicking this one again, as I now have all my components to hand. Just got my RMR backorder today: 2K 124 grain MPR hollow points.

I am still planning to experiment with the powders originally listed: Green Dot, Longshot, TiteGroup, and Unique. RMR recommends 1,100 fps, and I have found load data for all four powders that should get there at less than the maximum listed charge. I'll be testing with the aid of a Labradar.

The following contains load data that is safe in my guns. Always work up your own loads.
I load the 124 MPR bullet with Unique, BE-86 and Herco.
With Unique I use 5.3grs. I load them to 1.07" so they will plunk in my Carbine as well as my SR9.
With the 4" barrel, I get about 1130 FPS, with the 16" barrel carbine I get about 1340 FPS.
As everyone knows Unique meters poorly, but I still just throw the charges. I know they must vary between 5.2 and 5.4 and maybe even more, but it really doesn't matter, they still group very well.

 

[jebova2301]

Unique is my go-to powder in 9mm for anything jacketed. It burns VERY dirty until you get it up to higher pressures, but it has been my experience that at full pressure, it burns quite clean. For plated/powdercoated, I run WSF.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING LOAD EXCEEDS HORNADY PUBLISHED LOAD DATA! WORK UP AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Spoiler: Load Data

For me, I seat the 124gr XTP to a 1.11" COAL, use a CCI #500 primer(I have also substituted Fiocchi Small Pistol and Fiocchi Small Rifle Magnum primers with no ill effects or pressure signs), and load it with 5.6 to 5.8 grains of Unique. The run phenomenally through all of my glocks or polymer80 builds. If you want to try this load, it is imperative that you start below 5.0 grains and work your way up, as well as perform a plunk test to verify the bullet easily slides in to and out of the chamber. You may need to adjust the length slightly depending on your chamber. I would recommend starting around 4.6 to 4.8 grains(Hornady lists 5.0 as the max load, but this is VERY conservative. I have gone as high as 6.3 grains, but DO NOT recommend it as it was showing SEVERE pressure signs), and SLOWLY work your way up to find what works best in your firearm. For FMJ, I normally seat them to about 1.13" COAL with 5.0 to 5.2 grains of Unique.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks. I'll probably use up the Green Dot with the 115 grain Armscor FMJs. As I have no other plans for the Longshot and TiteGroup powders, I'll try them with the 124 JHPs. I have lots of Unique that I shoot in my revolvers, so may switch to Unique once I use up the others. But I'm still keeping my eyes open for an opportunistic purchase of Sport Pistol.

 

[jebova2301]

Thanks. I'll probably use up the Green Dot with the 115 grain Armscor FMJs. As I have no other plans for the Longshot and TiteGroup powders, I'll try them with the 124 JHPs. I have lots of Unique that I shoot in my revolvers, so may switch to Unique once I use up the others. But I'm still keeping my eyes open for an opportunistic purchase of Sport Pistol.

If nothing else, give a small batch of unique, win241, wsf, and a few others a try. Worst case scenario, it doesn't pan out and you made some spare range ammo. Best case scenario, you find something that works great with your firearm. That is half the fun, right?