Accurate 9mm handloads for Berretta 92fs

IM_Lugger · October 15, 2005, 01:14 PM

I’m going to start to reload 9mm soon and wondering what’s a good accurate load to be used in Beretta. I’m leaning towards 115gr bullets since they’re the least expansive, also I’ve got some HS-6 powder so…

(loads with other powders are welcome as well). I don’t want it to feel like too much like a .22 but if it’s accurate I’ll give it a try. Btw I’d be using copper plated/jacketed bullets (Frontier)

BTW do heavier bullets hit higher? I notice I have to aim pretty high with 115gr-ers.

DAVID NANCARROW · October 15, 2005, 01:30 PM

I have yet to try HS-6 in my 9MM Vertec, but Nosler lists the powder in their latest manual. Starting load is 6.1, with 7.1 being max., and the top figure listed as most accurate load tested. There is a lot of powders listed for 9MM, but Bullseye and slower, to around Accurate #7 work well.

The 124/125 grain bullets should hit a bit higher-you did not state the range you were shooting at so that can be a factor, too.
I use Accurate #7 for 124 grain ball ammo and get good accuracy out of it.

gb_in_ga · October 15, 2005, 01:33 PM

A> I have exactly zero experience loading for 9mm, can't help you there.

B> Oddly enough, yes, heavier bullets do tend to hit higher than lighter bullets at shorter range from handguns. It is a combination of increased recoil raising the muzzle of the gun faster, in combination with the lessened velocity allowing the muzzle to rise that much farther before the bullet exits.

918v · October 15, 2005, 02:37 PM

There are just two powders for the 9mm, Unique and WSF. Everything else does not group as well. AA powders leave the teeny grains all over the internals.

With 124 grain bullets use 6gr. Unique or 5gr. WSF

With 147 grain bullets use 4gr. Unique or 4.3 gr. WSF

WSP and CCI-500 primers deliver 50% better accuracy than FC.

You can vary the above by +/- .1 grs to adjust to your gun.

My Sigs shoot .5-.75" groups at 15 yards with these loads.

DAVID NANCARROW · October 15, 2005, 02:49 PM

918V-that may be true for your SIG, but that does not hold true for every 9mm made. Just for an example, my Beretta holds equal groups to you SIG's using AA#7 and I have NONE of the problems you describe.
No powder flakes or any of the bad. Reloading is a very individual thing if you are going for best accuracy, and what is best for yours may not be optimum for all.

IM_Lugger · October 15, 2005, 04:21 PM

What about Power Pistol, Blue Dot, Bullseys?

DAVID NANCARROW · October 15, 2005, 04:34 PM

I have tried bullseye and blue dot myself and they work okay. Power pistol I have no experience with, but I'm sure there are some people here who have at least tried it.

If there is one thing I have learned about reloading, be it rifle or pistol, its that the bullets shape and weight have more to do with accuracy, given the powder is within the capability of the cartridge you are loading for. There's a "sweet spot" for every powder/bullet combination, and thats what you will be looking for.

The cartridge I have loaded for longest is 45ACP, and all 5 of my 45's love the hornady 200 grain XTP. Doesn't really matter which powder I select-and I have tried Bullseye, AA#2,5, and 7, HS-6, W-231, Unique, and Blue Dot. What seems to matter more is the speed and pressure.

The important thing is to have fun, and when you get some loads made up and test them, let us know how it turns out for you. I learn something every day on this board-like 918V's combination. It may or may not work as well as what I have found, but I'm gonna try it to see if it will do any better than what I have. Because I load for 380. 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 Shorty and 45 ACP, and Unique has applications in just about all of those, so I'll give it a spin!

topspin43 · October 15, 2005, 05:23 PM

My Beretta shoots very low with 115 grain FMJs. (7-9 inches at 10 yards) Use 124or 147 and it's dead on? So are ANY hollowpoints.... go figure?

Toney · October 16, 2005, 04:26 PM

I really like the power pistol. The only other powder i've tryed
was unique it was'nt up to speed.

The loads seem pretty hot in the alliant book, hotter than my hornady
book

918v · October 16, 2005, 06:23 PM

I just got back from the range where I tested some loads in my new P226 Sport Stock. The best group was fired with 125gr Speer JSP, 5.8grs. Unique, WSP, loaded to 1.125" OAL. It measured .2" at 15 yards. Unique delivered several other tight groups in the .5" range. I don't see how this powder isn't up to speed? Why? Is it because it maxes out at 1200 FPS?

Jim Watson · October 16, 2005, 07:10 PM

Agree with David. Bullets matter more than powder. I have had indifferent results from plated bullets. If the Frontier's don't do well, change bullets, not powders.

cje1980 · October 17, 2005, 10:07 PM

918v already beat me to it. My favorite load is a 124gr. GD or Hornady XTP with 6gr. of unique. Usually pushes about 1250fps from the longer Beretta barrels. I also agree that 115gr loads tend to not be as accurate as the 124gr. and 147gr. loads. They are also not good choices for SD as they penetrate as well.

caz223 · October 19, 2005, 12:26 PM

I've had excellent luck with HS-6, even moreso than WSF/unique.
The bullets you are using make 85% of the difference.

October 15, 2005, 01:14 PM	#1
IM_Lugger Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2004 Posts: 2,011	Accurate 9mm handloads for Berretta 92fs I’m going to start to reload 9mm soon and wondering what’s a good accurate load to be used in Beretta. I’m leaning towards 115gr bullets since they’re the least expansive, also I’ve got some HS-6 powder so… (loads with other powders are welcome as well). I don’t want it to feel like too much like a .22 but if it’s accurate I’ll give it a try. Btw I’d be using copper plated/jacketed bullets (Frontier) BTW do heavier bullets hit higher? I notice I have to aim pretty high with 115gr-ers. __________________ "I feel the Beretta is a great character, it's so strong and elegant. The other guns look dumb to me." - John Woo

October 15, 2005, 01:33 PM	#3
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	A> I have exactly zero experience loading for 9mm, can't help you there. B> Oddly enough, yes, heavier bullets do tend to hit higher than lighter bullets at shorter range from handguns. It is a combination of increased recoil raising the muzzle of the gun faster, in combination with the lessened velocity allowing the muzzle to rise that much farther before the bullet exits. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...

October 15, 2005, 04:21 PM	#6
IM_Lugger Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2004 Posts: 2,011	thanks What about Power Pistol, Blue Dot, Bullseys? __________________ "I feel the Beretta is a great character, it's so strong and elegant. The other guns look dumb to me." - John Woo

October 15, 2005, 05:23 PM	#8
topspin43 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Palm Beach Posts: 761	My Beretta shoots very low with 115 grain FMJs. (7-9 inches at 10 yards) Use 124or 147 and it's dead on? So are ANY hollowpoints.... go figure? __________________ Be careful out there.

October 19, 2005, 12:26 PM	#13
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	I've had excellent luck with HS-6, even moreso than WSF/unique. The bullets you are using make 85% of the difference. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

October 15, 2005, 01:30 PM	#2
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	I have yet to try HS-6 in my 9MM Vertec, but Nosler lists the powder in their latest manual. Starting load is 6.1, with 7.1 being max., and the top figure listed as most accurate load tested. There is a lot of powders listed for 9MM, but Bullseye and slower, to around Accurate #7 work well. The 124/125 grain bullets should hit a bit higher-you did not state the range you were shooting at so that can be a factor, too. I use Accurate #7 for 124 grain ball ammo and get good accuracy out of it.

October 15, 2005, 02:37 PM	#4
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	There are just two powders for the 9mm, Unique and WSF. Everything else does not group as well. AA powders leave the teeny grains all over the internals. With 124 grain bullets use 6gr. Unique or 5gr. WSF With 147 grain bullets use 4gr. Unique or 4.3 gr. WSF WSP and CCI-500 primers deliver 50% better accuracy than FC. You can vary the above by +/- .1 grs to adjust to your gun. My Sigs shoot .5-.75" groups at 15 yards with these loads.

October 15, 2005, 02:49 PM	#5
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	918V-that may be true for your SIG, but that does not hold true for every 9mm made. Just for an example, my Beretta holds equal groups to you SIG's using AA#7 and I have NONE of the problems you describe. No powder flakes or any of the bad. Reloading is a very individual thing if you are going for best accuracy, and what is best for yours may not be optimum for all.

October 15, 2005, 04:34 PM	#7
DAVID NANCARROW Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,761	I have tried bullseye and blue dot myself and they work okay. Power pistol I have no experience with, but I'm sure there are some people here who have at least tried it. If there is one thing I have learned about reloading, be it rifle or pistol, its that the bullets shape and weight have more to do with accuracy, given the powder is within the capability of the cartridge you are loading for. There's a "sweet spot" for every powder/bullet combination, and thats what you will be looking for. The cartridge I have loaded for longest is 45ACP, and all 5 of my 45's love the hornady 200 grain XTP. Doesn't really matter which powder I select-and I have tried Bullseye, AA#2,5, and 7, HS-6, W-231, Unique, and Blue Dot. What seems to matter more is the speed and pressure. The important thing is to have fun, and when you get some loads made up and test them, let us know how it turns out for you. I learn something every day on this board-like 918V's combination. It may or may not work as well as what I have found, but I'm gonna try it to see if it will do any better than what I have. Because I load for 380. 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 Shorty and 45 ACP, and Unique has applications in just about all of those, so I'll give it a spin!

October 16, 2005, 04:26 PM	#9
Toney Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma Posts: 790	I really like the power pistol. The only other powder i've tryed was unique it was'nt up to speed. The loads seem pretty hot in the alliant book, hotter than my hornady book

October 16, 2005, 06:23 PM	#10
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	I just got back from the range where I tested some loads in my new P226 Sport Stock. The best group was fired with 125gr Speer JSP, 5.8grs. Unique, WSP, loaded to 1.125" OAL. It measured .2" at 15 yards. Unique delivered several other tight groups in the .5" range. I don't see how this powder isn't up to speed? Why? Is it because it maxes out at 1200 FPS?

October 16, 2005, 07:10 PM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Agree with David. Bullets matter more than powder. I have had indifferent results from plated bullets. If the Frontier's don't do well, change bullets, not powders.

October 17, 2005, 10:07 PM	#12
cje1980 Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,412	918v already beat me to it. My favorite load is a 124gr. GD or Hornady XTP with 6gr. of unique. Usually pushes about 1250fps from the longer Beretta barrels. I also agree that 115gr loads tend to not be as accurate as the 124gr. and 147gr. loads. They are also not good choices for SD as they penetrate as well.