Powder for gentle 9mm loads

[Toprudder]

One powder that really surprised me for soft loads was AA#7. Shooting 115gn plated Xtreme bullets I was able to get reliable operation and consistent velocity all the way down to 900fps. Seated to 1.150", 6.6gn charge.

I like 700x in some things, but for small charges in 9mm I would pick something else that meters better.

For my normal reduced recoil loads (for my wife) I usually go with Power Pistol, at around 1000fps for 115gn plated Xtremes. 5.3gn with 1.150" COL.

 

[ljnowell]

AA#2 gives a decent case fill in 9mm. It also makes very soft shooting 9mm loads.

I've been using it with the RMR Hardcore Match 115 grain bullets and they shoot very good.

 

[ewlyon]

For me the metering factor doesn't really matter since I use dippers and a scale for every powder charge, only skipping the weighing if i see very good consistency between dipped charges and the load has some wiggle room. Looking at the VMD for 700x and doing some calculations on excel it looks like it will fill about 90% of the case so I can avoid any worry about double charges

 

[walnut1704]

This is not meant to be demeaning or argumentative. I'm amazed at the aspect of the 9mm-Luger quest for soft shooting loads and the respondents that utilize such loads. You learn something new every day. I must not be that recoil sensitive. None the less an interesting topic and the information provided by different respondents.

It's not usually because of recoil sensitivity, at least not in the 9mm which doesn't really have any. In Magnum revolvers it is, but not the 9mm.

As long as accuracy and function are there, I load as light as possible for target shooting. It's the easiest on me, the gun, and is the most economical powder wise. Probably more popular among those that shoot several thousand rounds a year.

 

[ewlyon]

As walnut says this isn't about recoil sensitivity. This is entirely about having a load that is easy on the guns so that they experience less wear from shooting. Trying to make sure these guns stay shooters for my future grandchildren

 

[ljnowell]

This is not meant to be demeaning or argumentative. I'm amazed at the aspect of the 9mm-Luger quest for soft shooting loads and the respondents that utilize such loads. You learn something new every day. I must not be that recoil sensitive. None the less an interesting topic and the information provided by different respondents.

To me I want a load that uses the least amount of powder., shoots the softest maintaining reliability, and is most accurate.

The only exception is defense loadings.

 

[Hangingrock]

walnut 1704:

As long as accuracy and function are there, I load as light as possible for target shooting. It's the easiest on me, the gun, and is the most economical powder wise. Probably more popular among those that shoot several thousand rounds a year.

Not to be argumentative but I view shooting from a different view point and shoot more than several thousand rounds year. When I reload its normally to fill a GI ammo can up to the top with either 9mm-Luger or 45ACP.

Commercial ammunition is normally +P and or +P+ in the 9mm-Luger. Handguns are simply tools and can be replaced.

We meaning I, just view things differently.

 

[Dudedog]

With a 124 about 4gr of HP38, 4gr of Universal or 4.3 of WSF for fun.
If you need to make 125 power factor maybe a hair more.
I really like 4.3gr of WSF, gives about 1050fps with my loads. (makes PF)
WSF is a slower powder so the recoil feels a bit softer IMO than the faster powders.

Some numbers and test results here
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=780028&highlight=RMR+124

 

[AzShooter1]

For light loads I like 3.2 grains of VhitaVhouri N320 and a 147 grain coated bullet. When I want a really light shooting load I switch to 125 coated bullets and 3.8 grains of N 320.

YMMV. It's best to use a chronograph and work up your load data. I find that my loads shoot about 30 fps faster in my gun then other 9's.

 

[Eb1]

I don't know if it has been mentioned, but a 125 grain conical nose projectile. Using 5.0 grains of Unique.

 

[ar556guy]

I've used red dot in lighter 9mm loads

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When I load 9mm range ammo I usually charge 4.0gr W231 under a 124/125gr lead bullet and 4.4gr W231 under a 124gr FMJ bullet. Those numbers work for me and the OAL is right around 1.125" depending on the bullet. I have loaded a 124gr FMJ bullet with 4.8gr W231 @ an OAL of 1.115" with good results too but that load is a little more snappy and more like commercial ammo.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I like to use Titewad in my wife's 9mm, bought it by accident, but turns out at 3.2g for 124gr CPFP it shoots well, light recoil. I also like that a double load is really obvious.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like to use Titewad in my wife's 9mm, bought it by accident, but turns out at 3.2g for 124gr CPFP it shoots well, light recoil. I also like that a double load is really obvious.

Hodgdon used to recommend not using Titewad in handgun loading. Has that been changed?

 

[Jim Watson]

Fast burning powder and heavy bullet are a "recipe" for low FELT recoil, not necessarily low chamber pressure or low shock to the action. A lot of .40 raceguns got beat up with 200 gr bullets and Clays powder.

The original 1903 9mm loads were a 123 gr bullet and 5.4 gr of Rottweil powder for 1033 fps and 5.9 gr of powder for 1095 fps from a 3 7/8" Luger. So much for the legend of "hot loads for Lugers."

Ed Harris said European 9mm uses 5-7 grains of powder for 115 to 125 grain bullets.

The NRA had trouble getting the then-new P7 to function well with Bullseye but it did fine with Unique.

Accurate Arms used to warn that below-maximum loads of AA No 2 might not function European pistols.

If I wanted to follow that logic, I would use a 125 gr bullet and a suitable load of Unique, Universal, WSF, or some similar medium burn rate powder.
More likely the antiques would just have to get by on my regular IDPA load of a 125 gr coated and some HP38. A bit fast by the above criteria, but that is what I am set up for.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Hodgdon used to recommend not using Titewad in handgun loading. Has that been changed?

They apparently changed it. Data from their site

124 GR. BERB HBRN TP
Hodgdon Titewad .356" 1.150" 2.9 847 28,700 PSI 3.4 942 32,200 PSI

I thought I made a mistake, but kinda like the titewad.

 

[Dudedog]

I load as light as possible for target shooting. It's the easiest on me, the gun, and is the most economical powder wise. Probably more popular among those that shoot several thousand rounds a year.
walnut1704 is offline Report Post

While I don't go a light as possible I do like to go a little below factory for fun practice loads. I seem to get better accuracy there as well.

Also it's easier on me if I shoot 500+ rounds in a range trip as well.

If you want really light 9mm loads you can use 100gr bullets with start charges (or a little less)


These shot great for me with a light load of CFE-Pistol.
http://rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets-...6/380-100-grain-plated-round-nose-flat-point/

vallpenns had good results with Autocomp.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=794853&highlight=RMR+RNFP

The 100gr bullets at around 1100fps function my Full size 1911 9mm, and my XD subcompact fine.

 

[Starr1der]

Looked it up; been using 4.9/5.0 gn Power Pistol and the Hi-Tek "lipstick" roundhouse at OAL of 1.105.