Some more on 9mm loads

[BBQJOE]

I've been shooting only my own loads now for about three months.
I started with 115gr fmj using unique. Started at 4gr, and slowly increased to 5gr giving what I thought seemed like a good load.

Finding a shortage of unique I switched to w231 loading 3.8-4.0gr.
Which seemed about the same.
Then, finding a shortage on 115gr fmj, I was forced to settle for 124gr fmj.

Still using the 3.8-4.0 load with w231 I found the gun was not cycling very well.(For my wife that is)
So I increased the load to 4.2-4.4 which is about max according to Lymans 48th edition.
The gun shot well and cycled just fine. (Only one case got stuck when the wife shot it)

So just for heck of it I brought out a box of Fiocchi 115gr. loaded it up and shot.
Holy crap! The loads I was making definitely went BANG, but these were like KA-POW!!!! in comparison.
You could tell velocity and speed difference were much greater.
(so was the recoil)

I think I would have to stuff 7gr. of 231 to even get close. (of course I don't believe you could get 7gr. in the case)

So in summary it appears my loads aren't even close to factory.

Any suggestions for a powder closer to factory?
Lyman suggests either AA#7, or power pistol, of which I haven't tried either of.

 

[The Bushmaster]

BBQJOE...I wouldn't sumize that your rounds aren't up to factory. Unless you have a chronograph you will have no idea what velocity you are getting. The sound and recoil don't always compute to fps. Example...Federal Hydra-shok 124 grain from a 3.33 inch barrel run at 1015 fps. My hand loads run at 1050 fps using 4.8 grains of W-231 under a 124gr JHP Remington bullet (exceeds Lyman load data). Yes...You are correct in what Lyman lists for a maximum powder charge for W-231 (4.4 for a 125 grain FMJ) But Sierra load manual lists a maximum of 5.1 of W-231 for a 125 grain JHP (NOTE Jacketed Hollow Point). Lyman tends to be a bit conservative in their listings. If you do decided to exceed Lyman's data...REMEMBER TO WORK UP BY 0.5 GRAIN INCRUMENTS WATCHING FOR HIGH PRESSURE SIGNS...I have loaded to 5.1 gr of W-231, but didn't gain that much more over 4.8 grains. Make sure your firearm is of high quallity and in good condition before trying the higher powder charges...Mine is a Firestar M-43 and in good condition...Also used a Beretta 92F in some of my trials...

 

[Steve C]

So just for heck of it I brought out a box of Fiocchi 115gr. loaded it up and shot.

The Fiocchi that I’ve chrono’d was Italian manufactured and was pretty warm compared to most US loadings. From my Glock 19 their 115gr JHP’s where running at 1,288 fps average.

A load of 5.2grs of Unique w/ 115gr Rem JHP chrono’d at 1,147 fps or about what most standard velocity US 115 gr loads do.

 

[BBQJOE]

I guess it's getting closer to the time to get a chronograph.

 

[Hawk]

I guess it's getting closer to the time to get a chronograph.

Ah feel your pain.

Any idea on which one? So far I've figured out I want one where the brains aren't attached to that which I'll sooner or later (probably sooner) shoot.

Other than that, I'm lost.

 

[Walkalong]

Bushmaster is right. Sound and recoil don't always add up to more FPS. A chrono will show this. Some loads will suprise you.

 

[Walkalong]

oops

 

[BBQJOE]

I saw a chrono last week in town. It looked like it was all one unit. Looked like a box with rabbit ears.
I think it was well under $200.
But I have no idea what to look for either.
Might have to search some threads...................

 

[Hawk]

Box with rabbit ears wouldn't be any good for me.

I'd shoot the box. Sure thing. No doubt.

 

[Eagle103]

Try Power Pistol. If noise and velocity are what you like I think you'll be happy. It's also quite accurate in my experience.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Eagle103...I've been playing with Power Pistol. A very good powder for 9mmX19 but a bit slower then W-231. Also a very good powder for 9mmX19. I've moved on to Power Pistol and .45 ACP next. So far after testing and experimenting with several powders I still can't get away from W-231. It's fast, It's accurate and versitile (9mmX19, .45 ACP, .38 Special and short barreled .357 magnum).

Chronographs....Take a look at the Pact 1. I've own one for almost 20 years and have had only one failure. Pact replaced it free of charge. It was 15 years old when they replaced it...Cost me postage one way.

 

[Luggernut]

I've tried several of the loads you started with with W231... with my starting load of 3.8gr I was completely surprised at the lack of percieved power/recoil, etc. It felt like I was shooting a cap gun. Even up to 4.7gr it didn't feel as hot as regular WWB. Fiocchi is about the hottest commercial plinking ammo I've ever tried. It's noticably hotter in all calibers that I've tried.

I've now settled in with a modest 6.2gr of Power Pistol with 124gr Berry RN bullets. You can go up a bit more if you need more "bang".

 

[sitrep]

My friend gave me this 231 load. 115 FMJ, 4.5grn 231 at 1.125 OAL. Is this okay?

 

[Luggernut]

sitrep- sounds like it should be ok. Here's some data:

http://www.wwpowder.com/data/handgun/9mmlug.php

 

[halvey]

Fiocchi I've used seems pretty hot. You'd need a different powder to get those velocities.

 

[sitrep]

Luggernut:

Thanks for the link. Are the FMJ and the SPR GDHP really that similar, as to be interchangeable? I notice my friends load is .2grn less than what Win gives for the SPR GDHP. Does the .2grn really make a difference between the two types of bullets?

 

[Grump]

RE: shooting the chronograph

Rig yourself a mounting rod that holds it upside-down, attached to some 5/8 plywood strips painted white that are where the sunlight diffusers would be. Reflected light from that surface will never give you the dreaded sun glare problems of bright cloudless days. Then just put the thing on the ground in front of your sandbag rests (prone), or on a portable table in front of the shooting bench.

If you STILL have to mount the works on a tripod, you make a framework with a spot a 1/x20 bolt will screw into, and 1/2-inch square tube steel is your best choice.

I don't know why the makers insist on having us put anything below the line of sight, where we can't detect position sag putting the works in jeopardy.

 

[BBQJOE]

Update

I picked up a pound of the power pistol.
Lyman says 6.5 for 115 gr JHP
Alliant says 6.7 for 115 gr FMJ

I settled on the Lee die that drops 6.0-6.2

I then made about twenty rounds and took them for a drive. I must say I was quite impressed with the performance. First one out of the tube was a direct hit!
The gun cycled very well, and it did feel and sound a lot more like the Fiocci I spoke of previously.
I think I will be sticking with this powder for my 9mm.