Info on Bullseye and H. Universal 9mm

bossman · August 18, 2011, 12:06 PM

I've been using 4.5 grs of Universal Clays with Berry's 124 gr RNHB @ col 1.12. I just got in some of their 124 gr RN.

Anyway I was wondering if any of you have info on 4.5 gr of Bullseye and 4.5 of Universal clays? AS I don't have a chrono yet, anyone have any numbers?

**Unclenick** · August 18, 2011, 12:22 PM

In general, Universal is a little slower than Bullseye. Figure about 5% less Bullseye will hit about the same peak pressure.

With Universal, Hodgdon shows 4.3 grains as maximum, and producing as much pressure as their maximum jacketed bullet load of 4.9 grains. That can happen because a softer bullet can upset enough to raise pressure at the higher levels. Plated bullets will fall inbetween lead and jacketed bullets on hardness and load for pressure, so I figure at 4.5 grains of Universal and about 4.2 grains of Bullseye, you'll be using about as much as you want to with the plated bullets. You'll be running in the 30,000 psi range.

BigJimP · August 18, 2011, 03:21 PM

Berry's recommendation - from their website ....

" ....Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. " ....

so look at the jacketed data from Hodgdon's site ...

125 GR. SIE FMJ
Hodgdon Universal
.355" 1.090"
Min is 4.3gr at 1031fps and 26,900 CUP
Max is 4.9gr at 1118fps and 30,600 CUP

so mid range would be 4.6 grains....

Berry's also says, keep their bullets under 1200 fps .../ so you're under that as well ....so starting at 4.3 and working your way up to 4.5 or 4.6grains would make the most sense to me.

I load a fully jacketed bullet in 9mm -- Montana Gold --- and with Universal, I like those rounds at around 4.6 grains in my guns ( Sig 239, Sig 226, Les Baer 5" 1911, a Kimber 4" 1911 and a Wilson Combat 5" 1911 ...) and its a round that shoots real well in all my 9mm's ....good accuracy.

chris in va · August 18, 2011, 08:39 PM

FWIW...

I shoot IDPA matches and use a 125gr lead bullet over 3.8gr of Universal to good effect in my CZ. The charge is low on purpose as I have to seat these suckers really deep.

August 18, 2011, 12:06 PM	#1
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	Info on Bullseye and H. Universal 9mm I've been using 4.5 grs of Universal Clays with Berry's 124 gr RNHB @ col 1.12. I just got in some of their 124 gr RN. Anyway I was wondering if any of you have info on 4.5 gr of Bullseye and 4.5 of Universal clays? AS I don't have a chrono yet, anyone have any numbers?

August 18, 2011, 12:22 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,727	In general, Universal is a little slower than Bullseye. Figure about 5% less Bullseye will hit about the same peak pressure. With Universal, Hodgdon shows 4.3 grains as maximum, and producing as much pressure as their maximum jacketed bullet load of 4.9 grains. That can happen because a softer bullet can upset enough to raise pressure at the higher levels. Plated bullets will fall inbetween lead and jacketed bullets on hardness and load for pressure, so I figure at 4.5 grains of Universal and about 4.2 grains of Bullseye, you'll be using about as much as you want to with the plated bullets. You'll be running in the 30,000 psi range. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 18, 2011, 03:21 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Berry's recommendation - from their website .... " ....Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. " .... so look at the jacketed data from Hodgdon's site ... 125 GR. SIE FMJ Hodgdon Universal .355" 1.090" Min is 4.3gr at 1031fps and 26,900 CUP Max is 4.9gr at 1118fps and 30,600 CUP so mid range would be 4.6 grains.... Berry's also says, keep their bullets under 1200 fps .../ so you're under that as well ....so starting at 4.3 and working your way up to 4.5 or 4.6grains would make the most sense to me. I load a fully jacketed bullet in 9mm -- Montana Gold --- and with Universal, I like those rounds at around 4.6 grains in my guns ( Sig 239, Sig 226, Les Baer 5" 1911, a Kimber 4" 1911 and a Wilson Combat 5" 1911 ...) and its a round that shoots real well in all my 9mm's ....good accuracy.

August 18, 2011, 08:39 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	FWIW... I shoot IDPA matches and use a 125gr lead bullet over 3.8gr of Universal to good effect in my CZ. The charge is low on purpose as I have to seat these suckers really deep.