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9 mm reloads
- Thread starter Cpmech
- Start date
g.willikers
New member
Yes, a very light loading can cause what you describe.
Judging from the Alliant load data, your load is very light for that powder and bullet combination.
Generally, light loads require a softer bullet, a larger diameter bullet, a heavier longer bullet or a powder with a different burn rate.
Judging from the Alliant load data, your load is very light for that powder and bullet combination.
Generally, light loads require a softer bullet, a larger diameter bullet, a heavier longer bullet or a powder with a different burn rate.
Yes, that is a very light load for Power Pistol under the light 115.
I'm not a fan of your bullet weight / powder combination. But it can be brought into better balance by loading it up more (likely, a lot more - but you'll need to do your proper work up to know how much more.)
If I wanted to push a 115 to the max, I'd reach for the PP. But any application other than wide-open-throttle maximum velocity, I'd go with a faster burn rate propellant like W231/HP-38, or TiteGroup.
Power Pistol is much better behaved and balanced in 9mm when it's pushing 124's (probably 147's too; but I've never gone down that road - yet). But even with 124's, it'll run its best if the round is pumped up beyond your basic range shooter ammo velocities. Power Pistol is aptly named; as its high energy profile really comes into its own in high performance applications. It's great stuff; but it isn't happy unless it's making bullets go fast.
I'm not a fan of your bullet weight / powder combination. But it can be brought into better balance by loading it up more (likely, a lot more - but you'll need to do your proper work up to know how much more.)
If I wanted to push a 115 to the max, I'd reach for the PP. But any application other than wide-open-throttle maximum velocity, I'd go with a faster burn rate propellant like W231/HP-38, or TiteGroup.
Power Pistol is much better behaved and balanced in 9mm when it's pushing 124's (probably 147's too; but I've never gone down that road - yet). But even with 124's, it'll run its best if the round is pumped up beyond your basic range shooter ammo velocities. Power Pistol is aptly named; as its high energy profile really comes into its own in high performance applications. It's great stuff; but it isn't happy unless it's making bullets go fast.
That is a light load as already mentioned. Also Alliant Powder, makers of Pistol Powder, Bullseye, Unique and several others, tends to be dirty. Alliant is, in my opinion, the best powder for handguns because it is very universal with many load options for all handgun calibers and fairly inexpensive but it is dirty.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
I would pay more attention to how they shoot. Yep they tend to run on the side of being sooty. It will not hurt anything at all. There is no problem a few extra passes of a cleaning patch will not solve.
g.willikers
New member
If you decide on using a heavier bullet, the best combination I found was the 147 grain lead truncated cone, sized slightly large at .357 , with Hodgdon 231/HP38 powder loaded to 950 to 1000 f/s.
The overall cartridge length used was identical to factory ball ammo.
It was the most accurate and as reliable in feeding in every 9mm pistol tried.
The 124 grain round nose bullets, loaded similarly worked well, too, but just not as accurate as the 147.
Just a thought.
The overall cartridge length used was identical to factory ball ammo.
It was the most accurate and as reliable in feeding in every 9mm pistol tried.
The 124 grain round nose bullets, loaded similarly worked well, too, but just not as accurate as the 147.
Just a thought.
cpmech,
Make sure you are indeed reloading jacketed, and not plated bullets... Loading may be different..
I'm using 155gr. plated round nose from Xtreme Bullets.
Keeping with Winchester brass, and Fed 100 Sm pistol primers.
So far I've been using Ramshot TrueBlue.
From a shooting standpoint, can't tell difference between my reloads, and factory round nose fodder. This is out of numerous different guns.
Make sure you are indeed reloading jacketed, and not plated bullets... Loading may be different..
I'm using 155gr. plated round nose from Xtreme Bullets.
Keeping with Winchester brass, and Fed 100 Sm pistol primers.
So far I've been using Ramshot TrueBlue.
From a shooting standpoint, can't tell difference between my reloads, and factory round nose fodder. This is out of numerous different guns.
There is no warranty of suitability, or anything else including that I'm sane in what I'm about to say but:
- My favorite load for 9mm 115 plated round nose(usually berry's) is 6.0 grains of power pistol. I've shot about 5000 of them in the last year. You could go higher but I don't (yet) have a chrony so I want to stay well below Berry's 1250 fps speed limit. I've never had any leading and I checked obsessively for it.
- I would expect a load as light as you mention to be dirty.
- Duane at Alliant will have a whole litter of puppies on the spot if you ask him about reducing the max loads shown in alliant's data by more than 10%
- BE-86 from alliant also works well for me
- I use a lot of BE-86 and Power Pistol(still my fave) in both 9mm and .45
- NEVER bet your eyes, fingers, etc or those of the person in the lane next to you on what some bubba on the internet writes. Verify from multiple reputable sources, start with published starting loads and work up.
The reloads shot great just really dirty.
If you're pleased with them, keep loading them. But . . .
If you want to see for yourself how Power Pistol runs to its true potential, then incrementally start working the load upward.
I am (we are) curious what is your specific purpose for these rounds? (Range ammo, recoil practice, defense, etc.)
These reloads are just for punching holes in paper.
That being the case, as your supply of Power Pistol begins to run low (or sooner), might I suggest looking for something with a faster burn rate, which would better suite your purpose.
The following all have a more appropriate burn rate for your application:
W231/HP-38 (They're the same propellant; one under the Winchester label, and one under the Hodgdon label.): Perfect burn rate for the application. Runs clean. Extremely popular with a well-deserved reputation. Probably the best choice all around; but hard to find.
AA#2: Super fine grain; meters second to none; clean burning; well suited for semi-autos; hard to find.
Bullseye: This propellant is legendary in revolvers and 45 ACP. The fastest burn rate of this group. Kind of "residuey;" but otherwise, a great choice for the application.
Vihtavuori N-320: Single base; super clean; super expensive.
TiteGroup: Slightly slower burn rate; but otherwise, much like W231/HP-38. Except it runs hotter (not good for lead) and tends to not run quite as clean. But easier to find. As long as you continue to use plated or jacketed bullets (and you should), I'd grab this one if you find it.
Red Dot: Primarily a shotgun propellant; and has a small but loyal following among the 38 Special target shooters. But it's not known for running clean. It's the right burn rate; but otherwise, not an ideal choice. (Not recommended.)
700X: It's the right burn rate, but not known for metering well, to the point of being problematic for some folks - especially in the small 9mm case. (Not recommended.)