Question on loading 9mm

[p404445]

Looking at the Speer load data it is interesting that Unique is plus 110 fps over w231, and has a wider range between start and max charge.
It seems to work better for me for 147 grn plated RN.
I am having trouble finding an accurate load for my xd sc with 115 plated. I think I will try Unique next.

 

[Charlie98]

Looking at the Speer load data it is interesting that Unique is plus 110 fps over w231, and has a wider range between start and max charge.
It seems to work better for me for 147 grn plated RN.
I am having trouble finding an accurate load for my xd sc with 115 plated. I think I will try Unique next.

Because Unique is a slower powder, it would work better with the 147's... what is in reality a heavy bullet for the cartridge. You would have to be pushing max pressure with something like W231 to match the velocity with a powder like Unique or Blue Dot. It's one of the reasons I'll use up my current stash of 147's and be done with them, there is far more load flexibility with 115 and 124's.

As with any high pressure cartridge... watch your combined OAL with the 9mm.

 

[74shooter]

MP9 M2.0 5" barrel

Had som issues with my Taurus G2, very steep feed ramp and short barrel, my OAL is 1.09, also I polished the feed ramp and functions perfectly now.

 

[p404445]

Had som issues with my Taurus G2, very steep feed ramp and short barrel, my OAL is 1.09, also I polished the feed ramp and functions perfectly now.

The G2s seem to have a short chamber lead also

 

[Texas10mm]

Almost all 9mm chambers are not cut to SAMMI spec in regards to throat.

I'm not sure why this is. I've had to send a few barrels out to be properly throated. It's amazing what a difference it makes.

 

[Walkalong]

What is properly throated and what difference does it make>

 

[Texas10mm]

A properly throated barrel will have a leade between the chamber and the rifling. Many if not most new 9mm barrels have no leade.

I've seen 9mm chambers cut with the rifling at a 90° angle to the chamber right at the chamber mouth.

My Canik was like this. It was very problematic with cast bullets. The bore slugged at 0.356, which means I needed .357 bullets at a minimum. However with rifling it would not chamber a bullet of this diameter at all.

I sent the barrel out to Cylinder Hone (Facebook) aka DougGuy (castboolits) to have it throated. It will now chamber a .358 bullet that's seated to magazine length maximum. He sets the throat to better than SAMMI spec.

Also it no longer strips the coating off the bullets and leads up.

For anyone who has a 9mm barrel that requires short seating the bullets I'd suggest to get hold of DougGuy and see what he can do for ya.

He also does cylinder throats on revolvers.

 

[748]

My old speer manual shows 5.6gr for the starting load with 6.3gr being the max for unique under 115gr plated bullets.
If you were loading with around 5gr of 231 you would be near the max load.
I load a ton of 380 with unique. Just drop the max load or 0.1 shy from the max load and run it. So far the accuracy us as good or better than factory ammo.

 

[LiveLife]

A properly throated barrel will have a leade between the chamber and the rifling. Many if not most new 9mm barrels have no leade.

KKM barrel showing cut/throated barrel that will allow longer OALs (particularly for 9mm Major loads) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...g-oal-col-for-reference.848462/#post-11068318

M&P Shield 9mm barrel showing cut/throated barrel that allows SAAMI max of 1.169" OAL with most FMJ/RN bullets

Lone Wolf barrel with very short leade and sharp start angle of rifling that requires shorter OAL

Factory Sig 1911 barrel with almost no leade and sharp start angle of rifling that require shorter OAL with almost all bullet types

 

[George P]

I have been loading for a long time, rifle and revolver. My first time loading for pistol. S&W MP9 recently purchased; first time shooting. Normally I would shoot some factory rounds when first shooting a gun but couldn't find any 9mm available locally. I loaded 3 different charge weights in each of 2 different powders-Unique and W231. Hornady 115 gr XTP bullets.

Loads with 231 shot fine. Ejected cleanly, cycled fine, everything was good. Cases were a little sooty causing me to think I should try a heavier load.

Loads with Unique were problematic. Very weak ejection, several instances where the spent case did not eject at all, and lots of issues cycling the action. Frequently jammed when the follow-up round did not get picked up cleanly. Also the slide did not lock open after last round fired.

CCI 500 primers on all, the Unique loads were 4.7, 4.9, and 5.1 grains. Lyman 50th shows a starting load of 4.4 gr. Loaded to an OAL of 1.090. Did the plunk test on all. The can of Unique I am using is old-purchased mid-90s. I have used this same powder for .38 spec and .44 mag loads with no problems but don't expect those would show anything.

Question-is it possible this powder has deteriorated over time? When I started using this again, I checked for any unusual odor and didn't notice anything. I also poured a little powder on concrete and lit it just to see if it would still ignite. Lit up fine. Granted not a scientific test but I felt it was adequate.

Any thoughts?

If you go to Alliant, you see max charge for a 115 is 6.3; I'd say using the right load data might help you get better results.

 

[Walkalong]

A properly throated barrel will have a leade between the chamber and the rifling. Many if not most new 9mm barrels have no leade.

I've seen 9mm chambers cut with the rifling at a 90° angle to the chamber right at the chamber mouth.

So why do you think they do this? Accuracy? Most pistols can out shoot most owners anyway.

 

[Texas10mm]

So why do you think they do this? Accuracy? Most pistols can out shoot most owners anyway.

I'm pretty sure it saves a few pennies per barrel.

This is the work the DougGuy does.

 

[Theinkman]

OP here. I upped my Unique load with the 115gr XTPs and everything functioned as it should. Interesting that Lyman 50th shows a starting load of 4.3gr Unique and a max load of 5.3gr with 115gr bullets. With 5.1 grains and under I could not get the consistent ejection; some didn't eject at all. I reloaded with 5.6gr, 5.7gr, and 5.8 and all shot well with no pressure signs. One thing I learned? Look at different load books when working up a new load.

 

[Walkalong]

I upped my Unique load with the 115gr XTPs and everything functioned as it should.

Nice!

 

[cfullgraf]

Currently, I use True Blue in my 115 gr or 124 grain 9x19 ammunition. I like the way it meters and shoots. Use Western Powders data for Ture Blue and the bullet you are using. I discovered True Blue during the shortages around 2008 to 2010.

I'm not near my reloading records, but I am sure that I have used Unique in 9x19 in the past and would not hesitate to use it again.

I could survive quite well with Unique being my only powder, capable loads from 380 ACP to 460 S&W Magnum.

 

[Walkalong]

Currently, I use True Blue in my 115 gr or 124 grain 9x19 ammunition. I like the way it meters and shoots. Use Western Powders data for Ture Blue and the bullet you are using.

I have played with it in 9MM and was happy with the results. Meters nearly perfectly.