9mm & HP-38

Red_Eagle · February 20, 2010, 11:32 PM

Is 4.8 grains of HP-38 under a 124 grain Speer SP too hot for a Beretta 92FS?

Waldog · February 21, 2010, 02:29 AM

I shoot 4.3 gr HP-38/Win 231 behind 124 gr Montana Gold HP. I do believe 4.8 gr is MAX. I would recommend you drop down .5 gr and work up .1 gr at a time and compare accuracy while checking for high pressure indications with a micrometer. Your pistol will certainly handle that max load. But, in my experience, MAX loads will not provide you with the best accuracy or consistency. If you are looking for more velocity, change to Power Pistol powder.

Jim243 · February 21, 2010, 10:54 AM

I use 4.4 to 4.6 grains of Win 231 (same as HP-38) with 125 grain bullets depending on type of bullet (JHP or FMJ) works very well out of my PT92.

WESHOOT2 · February 22, 2010, 08:39 AM

I wonder what the Speer manual has to say.......

jepp2 · February 22, 2010, 09:11 AM

As sensitive to OAL as the 9mm is, you can't tell from your question or the responses.

jaredb03 · February 22, 2010, 09:20 PM

Thought i would ask a quick question here so i don't have to start another post.

I bought some dardus 9mm 124 grain lead bullets and was wondering how much HS-6, or unique i should put in them? I made 10 with 5.9 HS-6 and they seem a little hot, but im new to reloading so i just want some recommendations. Also what length do you guys set yours to? I have been doing about 1.13.

Red_Eagle · February 22, 2010, 10:42 PM

I ended up using the data from the Speer #13. Start was 4.0grs, max was 4.5 grs. of 231 (I was actually using HP38). I should have used the Lee Data, which called for 4.4 grs as a start load and 4.8 grs as a max. I got a lot of stove pipes in my 1st 2 sets. I made up some more test loads. 10 rds with 4.6 grs, and another 10 with 4.7grs. I also just finished loading up 29 rds using the Sierra 115 gr FMJ with 5.1 grs of American select. It metered great through my Uni-flow and shot great in my Walter P-1. Can't wait to see how the beretta likes 'em.

Red_Eagle · February 22, 2010, 10:51 PM

My Speer manual shows the following for the 125 gr L-RN:

Unique: 4.1 grs (start) 4.5 grs (max)

HS-6: 5.1 grs (start) 5.5 grs (max)

These loads were worked up in a S&W 5906

February 21, 2010, 02:29 AM	#2
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	I shoot 4.3 gr HP-38/Win 231 behind 124 gr Montana Gold HP. I do believe 4.8 gr is MAX. I would recommend you drop down .5 gr and work up .1 gr at a time and compare accuracy while checking for high pressure indications with a micrometer. Your pistol will certainly handle that max load. But, in my experience, MAX loads will not provide you with the best accuracy or consistency. If you are looking for more velocity, change to Power Pistol powder. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

February 22, 2010, 08:39 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I wonder what the Speer manual has to say....... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

February 22, 2010, 10:42 PM	#7
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I ended up using the data from the Speer #13. Start was 4.0grs, max was 4.5 grs. of 231 (I was actually using HP38). I should have used the Lee Data, which called for 4.4 grs as a start load and 4.8 grs as a max. I got a lot of stove pipes in my 1st 2 sets. I made up some more test loads. 10 rds with 4.6 grs, and another 10 with 4.7grs. I also just finished loading up 29 rds using the Sierra 115 gr FMJ with 5.1 grs of American select. It metered great through my Uni-flow and shot great in my Walter P-1. Can't wait to see how the beretta likes 'em. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 22, 2010, 10:51 PM	#8
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	jaredB03 My Speer manual shows the following for the 125 gr L-RN: Unique: 4.1 grs (start) 4.5 grs (max) HS-6: 5.1 grs (start) 5.5 grs (max) These loads were worked up in a S&W 5906 __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 20, 2010, 11:32 PM	#1
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	9mm & HP-38 Is 4.8 grains of HP-38 under a 124 grain Speer SP too hot for a Beretta 92FS? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

February 21, 2010, 10:54 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	I use 4.4 to 4.6 grains of Win 231 (same as HP-38) with 125 grain bullets depending on type of bullet (JHP or FMJ) works very well out of my PT92.

February 22, 2010, 09:11 AM	#5
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	As sensitive to OAL as the 9mm is, you can't tell from your question or the responses.

February 22, 2010, 09:20 PM	#6
jaredb03 Member Join Date: February 22, 2010 Posts: 36	Thought i would ask a quick question here so i don't have to start another post. I bought some dardus 9mm 124 grain lead bullets and was wondering how much HS-6, or unique i should put in them? I made 10 with 5.9 HS-6 and they seem a little hot, but im new to reloading so i just want some recommendations. Also what length do you guys set yours to? I have been doing about 1.13.