help with 9mm Missouri bullet load

Beau Bo · February 23, 2012, 10:38 PM

Can't find Missouri bullet load data. I have 125gr LRN bullets loading into mixed range brass and I want to use W231 powder.

I loaded a dummy round and pulled the barrel on my Ruger P85 to make sure the round would load. At 1.125 COL I seemed to be hitting the rifling as the round wouldn't drop back out easily. It wasn't until I got to a cartridge OAL of 1.105 that it really felt like the bullet dropped back out freely.

Using the data in my Lee Manual for 125 gr lead it lists for W231 a start of 3.9gr and a max of 4.4gr at a COL of 1.125.

How would I go about estimating a starting powder load for this?

Thanks...

BDS-THR · February 23, 2012, 11:17 PM

MBC 125 gr 9mm RN has shorter, more rounded nose profile that increases the length of bearing surface of the bullet (bullet base portion that rides the rifling). Winchester 115 gr FMJ compared to MBC 125 gr RN - note the longer bearing surface of the MBC bullet.

Due to the shorter nose, 1.080"-1.100" OAL has fed/chambered reliably for me in several pistols without hitting the start of rifling. As you found out, 1.125" OAL may allow the bearing surface of the bullet to hit the start of rifling (depending on the leade length of the barrel).

As to W231 load data, current load data from Hodgdon lists 3.9 gr - 4.4 gr for W231/HP-38 but for Lead Cone Nose bullet.

Quote:

125 gr LCN W231/HP-38 .356" OAL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1009 fps) 25,700 CUP - Max 4.4 gr (1086 fps) 31,200 CUP

1999 Winchester load data listed 3.3 gr - 4.0 gr of W231 for 124 gr lead Round Nose. Although I have tested MBC 125 gr RN to 4.3 gr of W231/HP-38, but due to the nose profile that seats bullet base deeper at 1.080"-1.100" OAL, I have used 3.6 gr - 4.0 gr of W231/HP-38 with MBC 125 gr RN (SmallBall) with good results.

Beau Bo · February 23, 2012, 11:33 PM

WOW! You sure do know how to put together a reply backed up with data and pictures!

Since you have had good luck with 3.6 gr - 4.0 gr at a slightly shorter OAL than I am at, I feel safe using that range as a starting point.

Thanks again for taking the time to put together all that info in your reply.

Miata Mike · February 24, 2012, 04:35 PM

I did a work up from 3.3 grains HP-38 up to 4.1 grains with a OAL of 1.125". CCI primers and WIN brass. Don't remember off the top of my head what Ruger I used for the trial but know they chambered cleanly in my Ruger hand gun(s).

3.8 grains was the lowest that would cycle all test rounds. I wouldn't be against shortening the OAL a little bit, but tend to use the longest my guns will feed reliably. Having said that, I have settled on 4.0 or 4.1.

dunerjeff · February 24, 2012, 04:41 PM

Beau Bo = You also have the data for WSF right there,If you have that powder on hand,don't be afraid to try it. Between Win231/HP-38,WSF and AA#5, it's a toss up for me which one I like better for lead.

Don P · February 24, 2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

How would I go about estimating a starting powder load for this?

Why would you estimate. You have the min load.
I was running my 9 mm at 1.147 and when I switched to Missouri Bullets my OAL is now 1.122. It is the shape of the bullet.

Beau Bo · February 24, 2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

How would I go about estimating a starting powder load for this?

Quote:

Why would you estimate. You have the min load.

The min load I had (at the time of my initial post) was 3.9gr of 231 at a COL of 1.125. I was trying to understand how I would estimate what a new minimum load would be in light of the reduced COL. In this case didn't have to thanks to the post from BDS-THR. I'm still interested though in learning how to estimate what the reduced load should be if I have to seat the bullet in further than the COL listed with the load data in the book.

BDS-THR · February 24, 2012, 10:50 PM

When I use shorter OAL than listed in the published load data, I typically reduce my start/max by .2-.3 gr for my powder workup.

When I did load development of Missouri 9mm 125 gr SWC bullet with very substantial bullet base that seated the bullet base deeper in the case neck, I reduced the start/max by .3 gr.

YMMV

February 23, 2012, 10:38 PM	#1
Beau Bo Member Join Date: January 1, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	help with 9mm Missouri bullet load Can't find Missouri bullet load data. I have 125gr LRN bullets loading into mixed range brass and I want to use W231 powder. I loaded a dummy round and pulled the barrel on my Ruger P85 to make sure the round would load. At 1.125 COL I seemed to be hitting the rifling as the round wouldn't drop back out easily. It wasn't until I got to a cartridge OAL of 1.105 that it really felt like the bullet dropped back out freely. Using the data in my Lee Manual for 125 gr lead it lists for W231 a start of 3.9gr and a max of 4.4gr at a COL of 1.125. How would I go about estimating a starting powder load for this? Thanks...

February 23, 2012, 11:33 PM	#3
Beau Bo Member Join Date: January 1, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 24	WOW! You sure do know how to put together a reply backed up with data and pictures! Since you have had good luck with 3.6 gr - 4.0 gr at a slightly shorter OAL than I am at, I feel safe using that range as a starting point. Thanks again for taking the time to put together all that info in your reply.

February 24, 2012, 04:35 PM	#4
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	I did a work up from 3.3 grains HP-38 up to 4.1 grains with a OAL of 1.125". CCI primers and WIN brass. Don't remember off the top of my head what Ruger I used for the trial but know they chambered cleanly in my Ruger hand gun(s). 3.8 grains was the lowest that would cycle all test rounds. I wouldn't be against shortening the OAL a little bit, but tend to use the longest my guns will feed reliably. Having said that, I have settled on 4.0 or 4.1.

February 24, 2012, 04:41 PM	#5
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	Beau Bo = You also have the data for WSF right there,If you have that powder on hand,don't be afraid to try it. Between Win231/HP-38,WSF and AA#5, it's a toss up for me which one I like better for lead. __________________ sent via telegram

February 24, 2012, 10:50 PM	#8
BDS-THR Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2010 Posts: 479	When I use shorter OAL than listed in the published load data, I typically reduce my start/max by .2-.3 gr for my powder workup. When I did load development of Missouri 9mm 125 gr SWC bullet with very substantial bullet base that seated the bullet base deeper in the case neck, I reduced the start/max by .3 gr. YMMV