9mm Score! Well, sorta

[hdwhit]

I recently bought a large quantity of pulled 9mm jacketed (not plated) bullets. It includes all sorts of weights and all sorts of configurations.

* A statistically valid sample was measured with a micrometer and found all sample units to be 0.3550 to 0.3552 in diameter. I plan on treating all the bullets as 0.355 rather than 0.356 in diameter.
* Weights run from 100 grain to 154 grain, but most are in the 113/115 or 145/147 grain class. I intend to treat the 113/115 class as 115 grain bullets and the 145/147 class as 147 grain bullets.

I have a very satisfactory recipe for 115 grain bullets and plan to just add the 113/115 class bullets to that reloading stream.

My question has to do with the 145/147 grain class. My prior experience with bullets of this weight was with HP-38 and Hi-Skor 800X; neither of which proved to be particularly satisfactory. What powder(s) do you recommend as suitable for 145/147 grain bullets? I will develop a load once I have chosen a more suitable powder so I don't need recipes, just suitable powders.

Also, please explain why you make your particular recommendation so that I can learn what factors you are weighting in your post.

Thanks.

 

[kmw1954]

hdwhit nice score. Were those from an online vendor? I do have a couple of those sites bookmarked. What do you think of the quality? Much damage?

Now I don't load above 124gr for the 9mm but I would think old reliable Bullseye would work as I had used that long ago in 38/357 with 148/158gr cast lead bullets. Have also been told that AA#5 works well with heavy bullets.

 

[DaleA]

I am a big fan of Bullseye but I readily admit it is not a very clean burning powder.

Question: are you looking for plinking/target/low power loads or 'stout' loads?

 

[Nick_C_S]

I like to load with fast powders as much as anybody I know.

But 147's are better served by something in the intermediate burn rate range; and even on the slower side of the intermediates - like AA#7.

If you're just making basic range fodder, choosing something slightly faster than #7 would be just fine too. Unique, AA#5, Power Pistol, Silhouette, and HS-6 would all work well.

 

[hdwhit]

kmw1954 wrote:
Were those from an online vendor?

Yes, it was American Reloading.

I've ordered from them for years.

I do have a couple of those sites bookmarked. What do you think of the quality? Much damage?

Their descriptions on the website are accurate. What I have received has been what was described on the site. Now that doesn't mean I haven't gotten an order and asked myself what I was thinking at the time, but that's a problem with me, not them.

With exceptions that are clearly marked as "new", American Reloading deals in pulled bullets, so it is a "used" product. The pictures of the bullets on their website do a pretty good job of showing what you will receive.

The 145/147 grain (the bullets are all over the place weight-wise) bullets did not have a factory cannelure, but were obviously pulled from ammunition where the manufacturer had just crimped into the jacket anyway. This was obvious from the picture on the website and since I intend to crimp right back into that same deformation, I didn't consider it a problem.

 

[hdwhit]

DaleA asked:
Question: are you looking for plinking/target/low power loads or 'stout' loads?

Excellent question!

When I work up a load, I will typically try to work my way up to something on the order of 90% of the published maximum velocity.

The rounds will be used mostly for punching paper and performing a coup de grace on nuisance animals caught in traps at the dam retaining a state licensed reservoir.

 

[hdwhit]

DaleA wrote:
I am a big fan of Bullseye but I readily admit it is not a very clean burning powder.

I like Bullseye, too. Most of my stockpile is reserved for 45 ACP cartridges.

As far as cleanliness, that's what Hoppe's #9 and cotton patches are for. I clean my guns after EVERY outing where they are fired - even if it is only one round.

 

[hdwhit]

Nick C S wrote:
If you're just making basic range fodder, choosing something slightly faster than #7 would be just fine too. Unique, AA#5, Power Pistol, Silhouette, and HS-6 would all work well.

I got into loading 9mm when I was given a bunch of brass shot at a church men's retreat (I do live in Texas, after all). Just looking at the published data, I compiled a list of powders. HS-6 was at the top of the list. But when I drove an hour to get to nearest store selling powder, HS-6 was not available, but HP-38 and 800-X were. I can now get HS-6.

 

[Jim Watson]

My question has to do with the 145/147 grain class. My prior experience with bullets of this weight was with HP-38 and Hi-Skor 800X; neither of which proved to be particularly satisfactory.

Where did the HP38 disappoint?
I routinely load all 9mm bullet weights with HP38, mostly 147 gr plated for IDPA ESP and find it as satisfactory as anything else I have shot.

 

[T. O'Heir]

0.0002" is 2/10,000". .001 is 1/1,000". They're .355". They round? Roll a few across a glass table top and watch the point.
"...113/115 or 145/147..." 2 grains won't make any difference of any kind.
"...Weights run from 100 grain to 154 grain..." That's unusual. You'll have to separate 'em by weight and count each weight to figure out what weight is worth bothering with. 100 grainers, for example, are .a 380 ACP bullet. No idea what a 154 is unless they're some daft European rifle calibre bullets.
147 grain bullets exist because the shooting game players are busy trying to "make major" with the 9mm. Not much difference in velocities between the powders.
No 147 grain Bullseye data on Alliant's site. They seem to be pushing Sport Pistol for that weight.