Need load for 147 gr cast 9mm w/ Unique or Red Dot

PJ234 · May 1, 2001, 12:02 AM

I have been given some Red Dot and Unique powder along with some 147 gr cast lead bullets for 9mm. I can't seem to find any load data in any of my books for this combination.

Any ideas of what to try? I plan to shoot this from a Beretta 92FS.

Thanks!

Coolray · May 1, 2001, 08:52 AM

The Speer #13 lists a 147gr FMJ load.
Unique 3.8gr 852
Unique 4.3gr 954 (MAX)
I was told you can use data for a FMJ for a cast bullet but not the other way around.
However I'd reduce the load by 10% and work from there.
If not sure just bag it safety is most important.

PJ234 · May 3, 2001, 05:39 PM

Coolray and Don,

Thanks a lot, guys!

What do you use for an OAL on these loads?

PJ

dick w. holliday · May 3, 2001, 08:42 PM

one of my greatest reloading screwups involved this bullet--i loaded two (2) fifty caliber ammo cans full of 9mm's using the lyman 147 gr cast bullet..that's about 4000 rounds..i loaded them using a hot load of 231--the problem was that the hot load i used was for a 125 gr bullet--Pressure was through the roof--finally shot them up through 9mm AR so i could get my brass back. Tried them in my glock but quit when slide cracked at ejection port....How about letting me load some ammo for you...Dick

PJ234 · May 4, 2001, 01:50 PM

Don,

I am not sure, as they were not labeled when I got them. They weigh ~147 gr on my scale. I would describe the bullet style as a round nose flat point. Some .45 bullets I got from the same person were in a box labeled Precision Munitions, but I can't be sure they are of the same make.

Thanks again,

PJ

PJ234 · May 4, 2001, 09:29 PM

Don,

They look just like the Lazer-cast bullets. I will try them out, and thanks again for your help!

PJ

Bill Adair · May 5, 2001, 12:28 AM

PJ,

Check the Alliant web site for a couple of Red Dot loads. It shows only a jacketed 147gr bullet, so you should be able to use that load with a good safety margin for lead.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

Go to the Interactive Reloaders Guide, select pistol loads, and check near the bottome of the page for 9mm.

If you want some advice on metering flake powder accurately, just ask.

Bill

PJ234 · May 6, 2001, 10:41 PM

Well, I tried out some loads today, and wanted to give some feedback on how they worked out. I set my powder measure to 3.4 gr of Unique, adjusted the OAL to 1.120", and fired up the Dillon 550.

After I had loaded a few, I went back to check dimensions and powder charge, and the OAL had moved out to ~1.132. I hand cycled a couple through my 92FS, and they seemed fine, so I went ahead and left the OAL there.

At the range, accuracy was VERY good with this load. My slide failed to lock back on an empty mag about half the time, so I think they were probably a touch on the light side. I may bump up the powder charge a bit and see if that helps. Recoil was even more mild than usual in a 9mm.

Thanks for your recommendations!

PJ

PJ234 · May 7, 2001, 01:23 PM

One thing I forgot to mention before; after shooting 100 of these loads, I cleaned my barrel. I removed quite a bit of lead shavings from the grooves, which surprised due to what I imagine is rather low velocity.

Have you seen leading with this load, Don?

May 1, 2001, 12:02 AM	#1
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	I have been given some Red Dot and Unique powder along with some 147 gr cast lead bullets for 9mm. I can't seem to find any load data in any of my books for this combination. Any ideas of what to try? I plan to shoot this from a Beretta 92FS. Thanks!

May 1, 2001, 08:52 AM	#2
Coolray Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: Spokane ,wa Posts: 290	The Speer #13 lists a 147gr FMJ load. Unique 3.8gr 852 Unique 4.3gr 954 (MAX) I was told you can use data for a FMJ for a cast bullet but not the other way around. However I'd reduce the load by 10% and work from there. If not sure just bag it safety is most important.

May 3, 2001, 05:39 PM	#3
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	Coolray and Don, Thanks a lot, guys! What do you use for an OAL on these loads? PJ

May 3, 2001, 08:42 PM	#4
dick w. holliday Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2001 Location: NC Posts: 589	one of my greatest reloading screwups involved this bullet--i loaded two (2) fifty caliber ammo cans full of 9mm's using the lyman 147 gr cast bullet..that's about 4000 rounds..i loaded them using a hot load of 231--the problem was that the hot load i used was for a 125 gr bullet--Pressure was through the roof--finally shot them up through 9mm AR so i could get my brass back. Tried them in my glock but quit when slide cracked at ejection port....How about letting me load some ammo for you...Dick

May 4, 2001, 01:50 PM	#5
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	Don, I am not sure, as they were not labeled when I got them. They weigh ~147 gr on my scale. I would describe the bullet style as a round nose flat point. Some .45 bullets I got from the same person were in a box labeled Precision Munitions, but I can't be sure they are of the same make. Thanks again, PJ

May 4, 2001, 09:29 PM	#6
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	Don, They look just like the Lazer-cast bullets. I will try them out, and thanks again for your help! PJ

May 5, 2001, 12:28 AM	#7
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	PJ, Check the Alliant web site for a couple of Red Dot loads. It shows only a jacketed 147gr bullet, so you should be able to use that load with a good safety margin for lead. http://www.alliantpowder.com/ Go to the Interactive Reloaders Guide, select pistol loads, and check near the bottome of the page for 9mm. If you want some advice on metering flake powder accurately, just ask. Bill

May 6, 2001, 10:41 PM	#8
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	Well, I tried out some loads today, and wanted to give some feedback on how they worked out. I set my powder measure to 3.4 gr of Unique, adjusted the OAL to 1.120", and fired up the Dillon 550. After I had loaded a few, I went back to check dimensions and powder charge, and the OAL had moved out to ~1.132. I hand cycled a couple through my 92FS, and they seemed fine, so I went ahead and left the OAL there. At the range, accuracy was VERY good with this load. My slide failed to lock back on an empty mag about half the time, so I think they were probably a touch on the light side. I may bump up the powder charge a bit and see if that helps. Recoil was even more mild than usual in a 9mm. Thanks for your recommendations! PJ

May 7, 2001, 01:23 PM	#9
PJ234 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2001 Posts: 11	One thing I forgot to mention before; after shooting 100 of these loads, I cleaned my barrel. I removed quite a bit of lead shavings from the grooves, which surprised due to what I imagine is rather low velocity. Have you seen leading with this load, Don?