Powder Question

Tanzer · March 22, 2007, 07:29 PM

I recently got a good deal on 1000 bullets. 9mm 125gr lead round nose. I reload with Win 231. My Lyman's catalogue does not list this bullet specifically. The closest I can find is 125gr RN FMJ. Starting load 3.9gr and maxing @ 4.4.
Does anyone have the actual stats on this bullet?
Thanks in advance.

**Unclenick** · March 22, 2007, 08:55 PM

Don't know. You didn't say whose bullet it is? Most will be about the same in the same weight class, but exceptions occur for shapes that seat more deeply into the case. Usually powders a little slower than 231 are used because they produce more velocity for the same peak pressure. Go to Hodgdon.com and use the first link to enter the load data sight. After you get into the metalic cartridge data portion of the site, select 231 from the list and 125 gr for the bullet weight and 9 mm Luger for the cartridge then hit the Get Data button. You get a couple of loads for different shapes and lengths. I believe your data is in the ballpark. 3.9 grains seems to be a starting load.

Nick

swmike · March 23, 2007, 12:26 PM

My Lee "2nd Edition" shows 4.0 gr of 231 as a "do not exceed" load for the 124 gr Lead.

**Unclenick** · March 23, 2007, 02:02 PM

It's a little perplexing, but despite lower start pressures, some lead bullets have been observed to cause higher chamber pressures, in revolvers, in particular, than equal weight jacketed bullets. Seating depth difference due to shape difference may play a role, though some chambers are probably just filled more solidly by a bullet that bumps up. The limit of 4.0 grains strikes me as low, but should be tested. Certainly with jacketed bullets it doesn't contain as much energy as a military ball load. That would take slightly over 5.0 grains with this bullet.

matt9052 · March 23, 2007, 10:25 PM

You should never use the data for jacketed bullets for lead bullets. fmj bullets can travel at a higher speed which is what the load is made for, although a pistolround isn't really fast enough to be to big of a difference. What kind of powder are you using? I looked on the alliant wbsite and powder was different for each.

CrustyFN · March 24, 2007, 12:44 PM

Speer #13 data is 9mm, 125 gr LRN, 231, 3.8 start, 4.1 max, OAL 1.130.
Rusty

lgsracer · March 25, 2007, 05:33 PM

The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd edition

lists a 125 grain cast Lyman 358093 with a load of 3.2 to 4.2 using 231.

March 22, 2007, 08:55 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Don't know. You didn't say whose bullet it is? Most will be about the same in the same weight class, but exceptions occur for shapes that seat more deeply into the case. Usually powders a little slower than 231 are used because they produce more velocity for the same peak pressure. Go to Hodgdon.com and use the first link to enter the load data sight. After you get into the metalic cartridge data portion of the site, select 231 from the list and 125 gr for the bullet weight and 9 mm Luger for the cartridge then hit the Get Data button. You get a couple of loads for different shapes and lengths. I believe your data is in the ballpark. 3.9 grains seems to be a starting load. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 23, 2007, 12:26 PM	#3
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	My Lee "2nd Edition" shows 4.0 gr of 231 as a "do not exceed" load for the 124 gr Lead. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

March 23, 2007, 02:02 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	It's a little perplexing, but despite lower start pressures, some lead bullets have been observed to cause higher chamber pressures, in revolvers, in particular, than equal weight jacketed bullets. Seating depth difference due to shape difference may play a role, though some chambers are probably just filled more solidly by a bullet that bumps up. The limit of 4.0 grains strikes me as low, but should be tested. Certainly with jacketed bullets it doesn't contain as much energy as a military ball load. That would take slightly over 5.0 grains with this bullet. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 24, 2007, 12:44 PM	#6
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Speer #13 data is 9mm, 125 gr LRN, 231, 3.8 start, 4.1 max, OAL 1.130. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

March 22, 2007, 07:29 PM	#1
Tanzer Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2007 Posts: 884	Powder Question I recently got a good deal on 1000 bullets. 9mm 125gr lead round nose. I reload with Win 231. My Lyman's catalogue does not list this bullet specifically. The closest I can find is 125gr RN FMJ. Starting load 3.9gr and maxing @ 4.4. Does anyone have the actual stats on this bullet? Thanks in advance. __________________ Only the ignorant find ignorance to be bliss. Only those of us who know better will suffer from it.

March 23, 2007, 10:25 PM	#5
matt9052 Member Join Date: July 29, 2006 Posts: 17	You should never use the data for jacketed bullets for lead bullets. fmj bullets can travel at a higher speed which is what the load is made for, although a pistolround isn't really fast enough to be to big of a difference. What kind of powder are you using? I looked on the alliant wbsite and powder was different for each.

March 25, 2007, 05:33 PM	#7
lgsracer Member Join Date: March 25, 2007 Location: Bayou La Batre AL Posts: 54	The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd edition lists a 125 grain cast Lyman 358093 with a load of 3.2 to 4.2 using 231.