9mm Powder Puff Loads

Nathan · January 6, 2016, 10:15 PM

Looking for 9mm powder puff loads for 115gr and 124 gr plated RN Bullets...any ideas?

My idea is the bottom of this from Hodgdon:
BULLET WEIGHT115 GR. LRN
ManufacturerHodgdon
PowderTitegroup
Bullet Diameter.356"
C.O.L.1.100"
Starting Load
Grains3.9
Velocity (ft/s)1,075
Pressure25,800 CUP
Maximum Load
Grains4.3
Velocity (ft/s)1,151
Pressure30,500 CUP

I'm thinking 3.9 should be a good place to start.

I would love to hear of any powder puff 9mm loads you have.

bluetopper · January 6, 2016, 10:59 PM

You'll have to do some experimenting, but just load then powerful enough to "consistently" lock back the slide on your last shot. This power level will vary a bit from gun to gun.

This makes for pleasurable and accurate target ammo.

chris in va · January 6, 2016, 11:34 PM

What gun are we talking about here? Stiff recoil spring compact or wet noodle full size?

Mike / Tx · January 7, 2016, 05:15 AM

I'm using the Berry 115gr and 124 bullets over a starting load of Bullseye, and AA-5 for about that same velocity range. They shoot great and function my P226 just fine. All the brass would probably go into a 5 gallon bucket set out about 4' from me if I put one there.

AzShooter · January 7, 2016, 07:54 AM

Sounds like you have the right combination. If accuracy is good I'd leave things alone.

skizzums · January 7, 2016, 11:35 AM

r i regularly go 3.2 with titegroup and 124gr bullets. you just gotta start at the min and work down til you get the acceptable ratio of accuracy/recoil that you are looking for. generally speaking, when you start getting out of those minimum velocities, you see your groups open up and possibly even "key-holing", but your not li,ely to keep a semi-auto cycling at energies that low either. I would just find the min published load data and start working down in .2gr increments until you notice inconsistent ignition and poorer accuracy, all while keeping a super careful eye/ear on a possible squib.

but if you are liking the load your @ with 3.9, then great, stick with it. but you can safely go a decent bit lower. but my favorite 9mm plink accuracy load is the 124gr extreme HP with also 3.9gr of TiteGroup

BigJimP · January 7, 2016, 01:05 PM

In my view, you should never go below published minimums ! I think its dangerous - and while it may work / what if it doesn't and you get a squib stuck in the barrel because you don't get reliable ignition....

Its not always intuitive ...but if you go with a faster burning powder...you will find the recoil is lighter...( like Hodgdon Clays )..over TiteGroup - so I think that is a better plan than being an amateur chemist.

on a 115gr jacketed bullet Hodgon publishes 4.5 - 4.8gr TiteGroup / and 3.7 - 3.9 for Clays. The Clays load, and I've tried it ...is significantly less recoil than the TiteGroup load...( but min and max are only 0.2gr apart so you need to be careful and make sure your press and powder drop are on the mark.

g.willikers · January 7, 2016, 03:55 PM

^^^^
I vote with BigJim.
The published data is arrived at through vigorous testing.
Funny and unexpected results can happen by straying from the data.
They are called anomalies.
You might be better off finding another combination of components to get what you want.

Nathan · January 7, 2016, 07:24 PM

I'll start at 3.9 and call hodgdon before I go lower. I find them very willing to discuss their data.

Mike38 · January 7, 2016, 09:01 PM

Quote:

I'll start at 3.9 and call hodgdon before I go lower. I find them very willing to discuss their data.

I use 3.9 grains of Titegroup and 115 grain Poly coated lead bullets. Accurate, low recoil, no problems feeding or extracting in my Beretta 92FS with standard recoil spring. I tried 3.7 and the groups opened up, but still no problems with feed or extraction.

I also use 3.9 grains of Titegroup in .45acp with 200 grain LSWC.

January 6, 2016, 10:15 PM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,334	9mm Powder Puff Loads Looking for 9mm powder puff loads for 115gr and 124 gr plated RN Bullets...any ideas? My idea is the bottom of this from Hodgdon: BULLET WEIGHT115 GR. LRN ManufacturerHodgdon PowderTitegroup Bullet Diameter.356" C.O.L.1.100" Starting Load Grains3.9 Velocity (ft/s)1,075 Pressure25,800 CUP Maximum Load Grains4.3 Velocity (ft/s)1,151 Pressure30,500 CUP I'm thinking 3.9 should be a good place to start. I would love to hear of any powder puff 9mm loads you have.

January 7, 2016, 05:15 AM	#4
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I'm using the Berry 115gr and 124 bullets over a starting load of Bullseye, and AA-5 for about that same velocity range. They shoot great and function my P226 just fine. All the brass would probably go into a 5 gallon bucket set out about 4' from me if I put one there. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

January 7, 2016, 11:35 AM	#6
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	r i regularly go 3.2 with titegroup and 124gr bullets. you just gotta start at the min and work down til you get the acceptable ratio of accuracy/recoil that you are looking for. generally speaking, when you start getting out of those minimum velocities, you see your groups open up and possibly even "key-holing", but your not li,ely to keep a semi-auto cycling at energies that low either. I would just find the min published load data and start working down in .2gr increments until you notice inconsistent ignition and poorer accuracy, all while keeping a super careful eye/ear on a possible squib. but if you are liking the load your @ with 3.9, then great, stick with it. but you can safely go a decent bit lower. but my favorite 9mm plink accuracy load is the 124gr extreme HP with also 3.9gr of TiteGroup __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

January 7, 2016, 03:55 PM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	^^^^ I vote with BigJim. The published data is arrived at through vigorous testing. Funny and unexpected results can happen by straying from the data. They are called anomalies. You might be better off finding another combination of components to get what you want. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 6, 2016, 10:59 PM	#2
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	You'll have to do some experimenting, but just load then powerful enough to "consistently" lock back the slide on your last shot. This power level will vary a bit from gun to gun. This makes for pleasurable and accurate target ammo.

January 6, 2016, 11:34 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	What gun are we talking about here? Stiff recoil spring compact or wet noodle full size?

January 7, 2016, 07:54 AM	#5
AzShooter Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2006 Location: Surprise, Az. Posts: 766	Sounds like you have the right combination. If accuracy is good I'd leave things alone.

January 7, 2016, 01:05 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	In my view, you should never go below published minimums ! I think its dangerous - and while it may work / what if it doesn't and you get a squib stuck in the barrel because you don't get reliable ignition.... Its not always intuitive ...but if you go with a faster burning powder...you will find the recoil is lighter...( like Hodgdon Clays )..over TiteGroup - so I think that is a better plan than being an amateur chemist. on a 115gr jacketed bullet Hodgon publishes 4.5 - 4.8gr TiteGroup / and 3.7 - 3.9 for Clays. The Clays load, and I've tried it ...is significantly less recoil than the TiteGroup load...( but min and max are only 0.2gr apart so you need to be careful and make sure your press and powder drop are on the mark.

January 7, 2016, 07:24 PM	#9
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,334	I'll start at 3.9 and call hodgdon before I go lower. I find them very willing to discuss their data.