Major / Minor

[JoeBannon]

What are the requirements to be major?

[Lycanthrope]

In USPSA it's a power factor of 165.

Power factor is found by determining bullet weight multiplied by the bullet speed in feet per second and divided by 1000.

[JoeBannon]

Ok, so here is what I'm using. How can I figure out the power factor?

http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/handgundetail.aspx?symbol=USA9MMVP&bn=4&type=3

[scottys1]

Using your chosen load:

115gr bullet @ 1190 feet per second (actual velocity from your firearm will probably be different, you should chrono them yourself).

115 times 1190 divided by 1000 makes for a 136.8 power factor.

You need to be 125 or above to make minor power factor and 165 or above to make major.

[JoeBannon]

Is it possible to get 9mm ammo with 165 or higher?

[JoeBannon]

Or is there a site / web page with the power factor for each brand and caliber of ammo?

[Lycanthrope]

Yes, you can get 9mm to Major....but you would only want to do that in Open class. All Production is scored Minor anyhow and in Limited and Limited 10 you need .40 caliber or larger to be scored Major....no matter how hard you push the the 9mm.

[JoeBannon]

Ok, thanks!

[OneInTheChamber]

Getting a 9mm to major is tricky. You will be pushing the limits of kB (kaboom!).

Do not even think about if you aren't a very, very experienced reloader using a gun that supports the chamber well.


It's worth it to just go to a .45 if you want major.

[glockopop]

Also, as alluded to before, in Limited/L-10 the diameter must be at least .400(edited). 9mm major is definitely a "wildcat" round and isn't very common. .38 Super is apparently a lot more forgiving to reload.

[Lycanthrope]

Also, as alluded to before, in Limited/L-10 the diameter must be at least .300. 9mm major is definitely a "wildcat" round and isn't very common. .38 Super is apparently a lot more forgiving to reload.

Caliber/diameter has to be .40 or larger for Major. 9 Major is catching on in Open class because you save $100/1000 verus using, say .38 TJ.

[YoungKiwi]

Excellent comments above, well said.
BTW the above comments about 9mm refer to 9x19mm

[9x21 or 9x23 are easier to make major]
... or if you really want to the 9x25 Dillion [which was fashionable a few years ago]

[ryucasta]

If you are loading 9x19 Major for a 1911 doublestack its a non issue but for a Glock there you have to play quite a bit since you are limited to a 1.165 OAL.