Newb about to start loading 9mm, a few questions.

Dimebag · May 12, 2009, 09:30 PM

I have a S&W M&P 9mm, and have only fired 115 grain bullets. Anyone have any experience with heavier bullets? Powders, primer, bullets, and brass preferences? Any info is greatly appreciated. Just ordered a Square deal B. Woooohooo!!! cant wait!!!!!!!

1SOW · May 13, 2009, 12:37 AM

The number of choices available are too many to get a pat answer.

What do you plan to use the gun for? S/D, gun games, plinking, etc??

I use my 9mm CZ to punch paper and knock down steel, and I personally can do that better with a 124/125gr fmj bullet with a light load. Win 231 worked well and Vihtavuori n320 did it even better/cleaner. Other shooters playing the same games use an array of different powders and bullets.

In general, for the lighter bullets use a fast burning powder loaded for the power factor/speed you want pushing the bullet that works for your goal and feeds well in your gun.

It's a good feeling to find that juuuust right combination. I know I'll get it perfect someday.

Enjoy reloading, it's a big part of the fun. BE SAFE, read and use a good loading manual starting at the low end of the load data you choose.

bozhoz · May 13, 2009, 07:25 AM

+1 for 1SOW. There are SO many different combinations, it can make your head spin, but that is a good thing. Personally, I used the following with good success:

Powder: IMR SR-4756 (Like this one because it is a high volume powder, you literally cannot fit enough powder in the 9mm case to double-charge... +1 for safety for a new reloader

Cases: I just pick up whatever 9mm brass I can find at the range and/or bulk order used brass from Gun broker. From my understanding, you can reload 9mm brass many many times, so I didn't see a need to purchase new brass. Bought 1000 pieces for about $35 delivered.

Bullets: I wanted a cheap plinking round, so I bought a 1000 count bag of Winchester 115 gr FMJ- Round nose. There are lots of different choices here, but if you want cheap, it's hard to beat bulk.

Primers: Whatever brand you can find!!! I've had small pistol primers on backorder for 3 months. I used Winchester, but I am not picky when it comes to these right now.

Most important component:
Before buying any of the above, invest in a loading manual or two. I used the Hornady manual, but wanted more choices, so ended up purchasing the Lyman as well. Worth their weight in gold. Anything you see on the internet, you need to be cross-referencing with the manuals to make sure it appears to be a safe load.

Sport45 · May 13, 2009, 07:44 AM

I don't use reloads for defense so the following comments are for target/practice only.

For that I like to save money.

1 - Cast bullets are less expensive than plated or jacketed bullets.
2 - I save enough shooting cast to more than offset the extra cleaning required.
3 - I don't have to clean handguns all that often shooting cast bullets.
4 - Heavy bullets require less powder than light bullets
5 - Light bullets cost enough less to offset any savings on powder using heavy bullets.
6 - Light bullets punch the same size hole in a piece of paper as heavy bullets.
7 - Unique, Universal, and W231/HP38 will go in just about any handgun cartridge.

I have, on occasion, bought Golden Saber or something like that in bulk to check out a proposed carry load in my handgun without having to buy a lot of it.

So the short answer to your question is to buy cast 115gr RN in bulk, whatever SP primer you can find, a 1# can of an "all-around" powder (until you settle on your favorite, then buy 4-8# at a time), scrounge range brass and get busy reloading! Make just a few mags full at first until you find the right load and seating depth that you r gun likes. Then you can crank them out en masse.

Japle · May 13, 2009, 07:51 AM

I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds of 9mm and found out a few things.

There are a lot of good powders available. My favorite is Ramshot Silhouette. It's the same (this is from a face-to-face conversation with the Ramshot guys at the S.H.O.T. Show) as Winchester Action Pistol powder.

115 gr plated bullets are great in my BHPs and CZ75s, but keyhole like crazy in my 9mm Glocks. The heavier bullets work fine. Go figure.

Plated 147 gr round nose bullets (I use Berry's) work in anything. Set your seating punch with a factory hardball round and leave it there.

Best loads:

115 gr plated RN / 6.2 gr of Silhouette = 1165 fps
147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette = 880 fps

These aren't hot loads. They are practice/IDPA/Steel Challenge loads. Very accurate and 100% reliable in my guns.

Have fun.

Sport45 · May 13, 2009, 08:25 AM

How rude of me... Welcome to The Firing Line, noobie!

A sentiment worth repeating....

Quote:

Originally Posted by bozhoz

Most important component:
Before buying any of the above, invest in a loading manual or two. I used the Hornady manual, but wanted more choices, so ended up purchasing the Lyman as well. Worth their weight in gold. Anything you see on the internet, you need to be cross-referencing with the manuals to make sure it appears to be a safe load.

The Lyman Pistol and Revolver handbook is also a great manual.

McClintock · May 13, 2009, 10:25 AM

Welcome to The Firing Line!

I also have the M&P9, and after almost 4000 rounds through it, most of them handloads due to ammo prices, I've noticed a few things.

It seems to like the 124 gr., mid-weight bullets, both lead and jacketed, but perhaps that's just my preference, as I've shot everything from 115 gr. Wolf ammo (big fireball, I call these "Flamethrower rounds") to 147 gr. Winchester SuperX, and it never complained. I use for my target loads 4.2 gr. of Hodgdon Longshot (I know, not a common 9mm powder, but it works well for me, and it's available, and load info is available on Hodgdon's website), which flings them downrange at around 950 fps (I usually load them just enough to cycle the action, then a little extra for good measure, because they are target loads, and our club does not have a power factor requirement). Longshot is hard to double-charge a 9mm case, as it will be close to overflowing, and, if you have a light shining on your seating station (highly recommended), you can easily tell if you've double-charged a case.

I had a really annoying Failure To Eject problem that I eventually tracked down to insufficient crimp, the case being ejected would occasionally just barely catch on the edge of the next round in the mag. Something to keep in mind when you're handloading.

+1 to all who recommend getting a loading manual, I use Lyman's #49 for most of my info.

And, of course, now the legal mumbo-jumbo:
DISCLAIMER: This is MY load data, and it works in MY handgun. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Be safe, and have fun!
McClintock

Dimebag · May 13, 2009, 11:29 AM

A guy i've talked to suggested Unique powder. He said, like some of yall, that it is near impossible to double charge a 9mm case. As for what I would use the rounds for, I plan on stockpiling ammo as well as training more. So i guess that means mainly plinking, carrying at the deer lease for hogs/snakes...etc. Thanks again for all the info any other tips are well appreciated.

Dingoboyx · May 13, 2009, 12:00 PM

Yup welcome to TFL

Just an obvious word of caution, you probably know already, don't start making heaps (stockpiling) until you have worked out all the bugs, and settle on the perfect recipe for your rounds (what your gun(s) like)

There is nothing worse than making a heap of rounds up, then realising that you should have added/removed 1gr of powder and then having all these lovingly prepared rounds you should pull apart to adjust.... not that I would have ever done anything silly like that

NO WAY

Oh, and clearly mark what is in the rounds, so you can work out exactly which is the right one to duplicate.... I use colored sharpies and symbols like star, single line, double, tripple, X etc, and keep a book to write in what the coloe & symbol contains. If you have a bench mounted wire brush (grinder with a brush like a polishing wheel) when you change what is in the cases the next reload, a quick buzz on the brush gets rid of the symbol

Works for me, again, welcome

Sport45 · May 14, 2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

I use colored sharpies and symbols like star, single line, double, tripple, X etc, and keep a book to write in what the coloe & symbol contains. If you have a bench mounted wire brush (grinder with a brush like a polishing wheel) when you change what is in the cases the next reload, a quick buzz on the brush gets rid of the symbol

A splash of rubbing alcohol in the tumbler will remove magic marker and sharpie too.

vlabella · May 14, 2009, 12:19 PM

since powder is scarce in the NY tri state area (Cabela's had NONE) what is a good starting load for a 115 grain Montana Gold FMJ and CMJ in a CZ-75 sp-01 phantom.
If you all dont mind could you copy ans. to my email
[email protected]
thanks a bunch

DaveTrig · May 14, 2009, 04:19 PM

vlabella -
I'm a reloading newbie as well; just started reloading for my 9mm. I found some Hodgdon HS-6 powder, and found that a 6.0gr load worked great with 115gr JHP. It turned out to be a very nice target load in my Beretta 92FS.

Good luck from a Staten Island escapee...

- Dave

Apache6 · May 14, 2009, 07:42 PM

I am currently loading Stonewall cast bullets (147 Gr.) with 3.3 gr. of W231 powder.

Sport45 · May 14, 2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

since powder is scarce in the NY tri state area (Cabela's had NONE) what is a good starting load for a 115 grain Montana Gold FMJ and CMJ in a CZ-75 sp-01 phantom.

vlabella - Welcome to The Firing Line!

I used to load a lot of MG bullets but I don't have the load data nearby. I'll give the first pat answer to your question. Get a reloading handbook! The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook is a good one.

Start loads are the same regardless of your pistol choice. You'll have to find some powder first and then determine what the starting load will be.

For 9mm, some powders to look for are:

W231
HP-38
Titegroup
Unique
Universal Clays
HS-6
Bullseye
Win Super Target
Power Pistol

There are quite a few more that will work. Once you have the powder you can go online to the powder companies website and often find a starting load. It's not a substitute for a manual, but it's a quick way to find load data.

vlabella · May 15, 2009, 02:12 AM

Thanks for all the responses.
I have 2 Lyman and a Lee reloading book. My problem is that they all have powders I dont have.
I have Bullseye and HP 38 there the only powder that I could find. Actually these are the only powders that were left on the shelf.
Since I live in staten island,ny I took a trip 2 1/2 hours to Cabela's in Hamburg,pa.
They literately had empty reloading shelves.
So now I have 115 grain fmj and cmj from Montana Gold but no starting data from the books.
They seem to be for powders I dont have or for bullets I dont have.
That is the reason for my question.

I guess you can tell I am a little afraid of blowing my face off or having the slide permanently embedded in my forehead. And I guess I would rather be SAFE than sorry.
My pension check get smaller every month or rather gets me less every month. So I cant run out and buy a bunch of powders, bad enough my entire stock of primers consist of 1000 large and 700 small with a bunch of brass I scrounged from ranges and dumpster diving-and at my age getting in is easy getting out is a little more difficult- but the police were very understanding- they thought this old guy was nuts and left me alone. But did tell me to not be there when they returned.

So any help is humbly and greatly accepted. (HELP)
thanks all!!!!

vlabella · May 15, 2009, 02:16 AM

I went to powder companies web sites but they also had powders and bullets I dont have.
Well thanks for all and any help.
I cant believe that 9mm American Eagle costs 25.00 here
45 acp costs are you ready 28-35 dollars.
After 30 years of not shooting and waiting for the kids to finish college I come back to this mess.

Hope to hear from you all soon.
thanks

DaveTrig · May 15, 2009, 05:33 AM

Vlabella -
Next time you're gonna drive that far, try Hoffman's in Newington, CT or Blue Mountain Sports in Mahopac, NY (call ahead, obviously). Hoffman's has a decent stock of powder and even some primers. Haven't been in Blue Mountain recently, but last time I called they had powder and primers in stock. Mahopac's a closer ride for you and Hoffman's is probably about the same. Plus, there's also Cabela's in East Hartford if you strike out in Hoffman's.

I can't imagine what you're going through trying to find supplies from SI. Yech. At least up here there's the occasional gun show.

- Dave

Sport45 · May 15, 2009, 05:58 AM

Hodgdon shows data for 115gr jacketed and lead bullets with W231/HP-38. They're the same powder, BTW.

Start with the "start" load for the 115gr bullet they list and work up until your gun functions with accuracy you like without showing pressure signs or exceeding the max load. I would set the seating die for length off a factory round.

Al Norris · May 15, 2009, 10:24 AM

Lyman's 48th show the following loads for Bullseye and W231/HP38:

Bullseye: 3.5gr start | 4.8gr max.
W231/HP38: 3.5gr start | 4.9gr max.

This data is for JHP (Hornady XTP). However, fully jacketed hollow points and FMJ data will be pretty much the same.

vlabella · May 15, 2009, 01:43 PM

Thanks to all of you!!!!
I REALLY appreciate the Info, you guys are GREAT!
Glad I joined the forum!
You have really made me happy, having a spinal disability this is the only sport I can do, actually its about the only outdoor thing I can do!

I cant find the words to thank you all enough.
Thanks and God Bless.
God Bless the USA and Protect our Troops and bring them home safely.
With respect thanks again!
Vito Labella

CrustyFN · May 15, 2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

A guy i've talked to suggested Unique powder. He said, like some of yall, that it is near impossible to double charge a 9mm case.

I could be looking at it wrong but I never bought into that. I use a powder measure that measures by volume. Only a certain amount of powder can fit in the cavity and no more. The only way I can double charge a case is to run it into the powder die twice. I would rather use a powder I like and pay attention to what I'm doing. After saying that you do need to pay close attention while reloading. I added a light to my press and I look in every case before I set the bullet on to be seated. I am mostly looking for a squib. I also check powder drops a few times during the reloading session to make sure the powder measure hasn't changed. I'm sure there are ways you could measure powder and get a double so be careful and load safe.
Rusty

WESHOOT2 · May 16, 2009, 06:55 AM

Recommend:

-Bullets weighing between 120 to 135g;
-CCI500 or WSP;
-in this order = Alliant Power Pistol (number one choice)
Ramshot Silhouette
Accurate AA5
Hodgdon HS6
Vihtavuori Oy 3N37

-OAL 1.135--1.155".

Dimebag · May 16, 2009, 08:06 PM

Are these radically different than JHP or FMJ? Sites say they shold not be loaded beyond the mid-range loads. Any expirience?

madmo44mag · May 16, 2009, 08:59 PM

[QUOTE]I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds of 9mm and found out a few things.

There are a lot of good powders available. My favorite is Ramshot Silhouette. It's the same (this is from a face-to-face conversation with the Ramshot guys at the S.H.O.T. Show) as Winchester Action Pistol powder.

115 gr plated bullets are great in my BHPs and CZ75s, but keyhole like crazy in my 9mm Glocks. The heavier bullets work fine. Go figure.

Plated 147 gr round nose bullets (I use Berry's) work in anything. Set your seating punch with a factory hardball round and leave it there.

Best loads:

115 gr plated RN / 6.2 gr of Silhouette = 1165 fps
147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette = 880 fps

[QUOTE]

Please clarify 147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette

Not 124gr?????

WESHOOT2 · May 17, 2009, 06:51 AM

I have used pallet-loads of Rainier's 124g TCJ-RN, intended for numerous platforms.
Their core is soft swaged lead, and the plating is applied over that, then the bullet is 'struck' for forming its final shape.
They get loaded with lesser charge weights than conventional jacketed, but slightly more than the swaged-lead bullets from Speer and Hornady.

I have personally driven Rainier 124g bullets over 1400fps from my 9x21 Witness, and their 124g HEX-HP over 1300fps in varied 9x19s.

There is also the superb-for-price brass-jacketed Montana Gold bullets (I just received a case of their .356" 130g FMJ-RN I'm using in 9x19 and 9x21).

May 12, 2009, 09:30 PM	#1
Dimebag Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 21	Newb about to start loading 9mm, a few questions. I have a S&W M&P 9mm, and have only fired 115 grain bullets. Anyone have any experience with heavier bullets? Powders, primer, bullets, and brass preferences? Any info is greatly appreciated. Just ordered a Square deal B. Woooohooo!!! cant wait!!!!!!!

May 13, 2009, 12:37 AM	#2
1SOW Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: South TX Posts: 269	The number of choices available are too many to get a pat answer. What do you plan to use the gun for? S/D, gun games, plinking, etc?? I use my 9mm CZ to punch paper and knock down steel, and I personally can do that better with a 124/125gr fmj bullet with a light load. Win 231 worked well and Vihtavuori n320 did it even better/cleaner. Other shooters playing the same games use an array of different powders and bullets. In general, for the lighter bullets use a fast burning powder loaded for the power factor/speed you want pushing the bullet that works for your goal and feeds well in your gun. It's a good feeling to find that juuuust right combination. I know I'll get it perfect someday. Enjoy reloading, it's a big part of the fun. BE SAFE, read and use a good loading manual starting at the low end of the load data you choose. Last edited by 1SOW; May 13, 2009 at 12:56 AM.

May 13, 2009, 11:29 AM	#8
Dimebag Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 21	Thanks for the info A guy i've talked to suggested Unique powder. He said, like some of yall, that it is near impossible to double charge a 9mm case. As for what I would use the rounds for, I plan on stockpiling ammo as well as training more. So i guess that means mainly plinking, carrying at the deer lease for hogs/snakes...etc. Thanks again for all the info any other tips are well appreciated.

May 13, 2009, 12:00 PM	#9
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	G'day Dimebag Yup welcome to TFL Just an obvious word of caution, you probably know already, don't start making heaps (stockpiling) until you have worked out all the bugs, and settle on the perfect recipe for your rounds (what your gun(s) like) There is nothing worse than making a heap of rounds up, then realising that you should have added/removed 1gr of powder and then having all these lovingly prepared rounds you should pull apart to adjust.... not that I would have ever done anything silly like that NO WAY Oh, and clearly mark what is in the rounds, so you can work out exactly which is the right one to duplicate.... I use colored sharpies and symbols like star, single line, double, tripple, X etc, and keep a book to write in what the coloe & symbol contains. If you have a bench mounted wire brush (grinder with a brush like a polishing wheel) when you change what is in the cases the next reload, a quick buzz on the brush gets rid of the symbol Works for me, again, welcome

May 14, 2009, 12:19 PM	#11
vlabella Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Staten Island,ny Posts: 4	hp38 for 9mm since powder is scarce in the NY tri state area (Cabela's had NONE) what is a good starting load for a 115 grain Montana Gold FMJ and CMJ in a CZ-75 sp-01 phantom. If you all dont mind could you copy ans. to my email [email protected] thanks a bunch

May 13, 2009, 07:25 AM	#3
bozhoz Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Posts: 82	+1 for 1SOW. There are SO many different combinations, it can make your head spin, but that is a good thing. Personally, I used the following with good success: Powder: IMR SR-4756 (Like this one because it is a high volume powder, you literally cannot fit enough powder in the 9mm case to double-charge... +1 for safety for a new reloader Cases: I just pick up whatever 9mm brass I can find at the range and/or bulk order used brass from Gun broker. From my understanding, you can reload 9mm brass many many times, so I didn't see a need to purchase new brass. Bought 1000 pieces for about $35 delivered. Bullets: I wanted a cheap plinking round, so I bought a 1000 count bag of Winchester 115 gr FMJ- Round nose. There are lots of different choices here, but if you want cheap, it's hard to beat bulk. Primers: Whatever brand you can find!!! I've had small pistol primers on backorder for 3 months. I used Winchester, but I am not picky when it comes to these right now. Most important component: Before buying any of the above, invest in a loading manual or two. I used the Hornady manual, but wanted more choices, so ended up purchasing the Lyman as well. Worth their weight in gold. Anything you see on the internet, you need to be cross-referencing with the manuals to make sure it appears to be a safe load.

May 13, 2009, 07:44 AM	#4
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	I don't use reloads for defense so the following comments are for target/practice only. For that I like to save money. 1 - Cast bullets are less expensive than plated or jacketed bullets. 2 - I save enough shooting cast to more than offset the extra cleaning required. 3 - I don't have to clean handguns all that often shooting cast bullets. 4 - Heavy bullets require less powder than light bullets 5 - Light bullets cost enough less to offset any savings on powder using heavy bullets. 6 - Light bullets punch the same size hole in a piece of paper as heavy bullets. 7 - Unique, Universal, and W231/HP38 will go in just about any handgun cartridge. I have, on occasion, bought Golden Saber or something like that in bulk to check out a proposed carry load in my handgun without having to buy a lot of it. So the short answer to your question is to buy cast 115gr RN in bulk, whatever SP primer you can find, a 1# can of an "all-around" powder (until you settle on your favorite, then buy 4-8# at a time), scrounge range brass and get busy reloading! Make just a few mags full at first until you find the right load and seating depth that you r gun likes. Then you can crank them out en masse. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 13, 2009, 07:51 AM	#5
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds of 9mm and found out a few things. There are a lot of good powders available. My favorite is Ramshot Silhouette. It's the same (this is from a face-to-face conversation with the Ramshot guys at the S.H.O.T. Show) as Winchester Action Pistol powder. 115 gr plated bullets are great in my BHPs and CZ75s, but keyhole like crazy in my 9mm Glocks. The heavier bullets work fine. Go figure. Plated 147 gr round nose bullets (I use Berry's) work in anything. Set your seating punch with a factory hardball round and leave it there. Best loads: 115 gr plated RN / 6.2 gr of Silhouette = 1165 fps 147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette = 880 fps These aren't hot loads. They are practice/IDPA/Steel Challenge loads. Very accurate and 100% reliable in my guns. Have fun.

May 13, 2009, 10:25 AM	#7
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	Welcome to The Firing Line! I also have the M&P9, and after almost 4000 rounds through it, most of them handloads due to ammo prices, I've noticed a few things. It seems to like the 124 gr., mid-weight bullets, both lead and jacketed, but perhaps that's just my preference, as I've shot everything from 115 gr. Wolf ammo (big fireball, I call these "Flamethrower rounds") to 147 gr. Winchester SuperX, and it never complained. I use for my target loads 4.2 gr. of Hodgdon Longshot (I know, not a common 9mm powder, but it works well for me, and it's available, and load info is available on Hodgdon's website), which flings them downrange at around 950 fps (I usually load them just enough to cycle the action, then a little extra for good measure, because they are target loads, and our club does not have a power factor requirement). Longshot is hard to double-charge a 9mm case, as it will be close to overflowing, and, if you have a light shining on your seating station (highly recommended), you can easily tell if you've double-charged a case. I had a really annoying Failure To Eject problem that I eventually tracked down to insufficient crimp, the case being ejected would occasionally just barely catch on the edge of the next round in the mag. Something to keep in mind when you're handloading. +1 to all who recommend getting a loading manual, I use Lyman's #49 for most of my info. And, of course, now the legal mumbo-jumbo: DISCLAIMER: This is MY load data, and it works in MY handgun. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. Be safe, and have fun! McClintock

May 14, 2009, 04:19 PM	#12
DaveTrig Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Putnam County, NY Posts: 96	vlabella - I'm a reloading newbie as well; just started reloading for my 9mm. I found some Hodgdon HS-6 powder, and found that a 6.0gr load worked great with 115gr JHP. It turned out to be a very nice target load in my Beretta 92FS. Good luck from a Staten Island escapee... - Dave

May 14, 2009, 07:42 PM	#13
Apache6 Member Join Date: December 8, 2007 Posts: 87	I am currently loading Stonewall cast bullets (147 Gr.) with 3.3 gr. of W231 powder.

May 15, 2009, 02:12 AM	#15
vlabella Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Staten Island,ny Posts: 4	thanks from a reloading newbie Thanks for all the responses. I have 2 Lyman and a Lee reloading book. My problem is that they all have powders I dont have. I have Bullseye and HP 38 there the only powder that I could find. Actually these are the only powders that were left on the shelf. Since I live in staten island,ny I took a trip 2 1/2 hours to Cabela's in Hamburg,pa. They literately had empty reloading shelves. So now I have 115 grain fmj and cmj from Montana Gold but no starting data from the books. They seem to be for powders I dont have or for bullets I dont have. That is the reason for my question. I guess you can tell I am a little afraid of blowing my face off or having the slide permanently embedded in my forehead. And I guess I would rather be SAFE than sorry. My pension check get smaller every month or rather gets me less every month. So I cant run out and buy a bunch of powders, bad enough my entire stock of primers consist of 1000 large and 700 small with a bunch of brass I scrounged from ranges and dumpster diving-and at my age getting in is easy getting out is a little more difficult- but the police were very understanding- they thought this old guy was nuts and left me alone. But did tell me to not be there when they returned. So any help is humbly and greatly accepted. (HELP) thanks all!!!!

May 15, 2009, 02:16 AM	#16
vlabella Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Staten Island,ny Posts: 4	forgot I went to powder companies web sites but they also had powders and bullets I dont have. Well thanks for all and any help. I cant believe that 9mm American Eagle costs 25.00 here 45 acp costs are you ready 28-35 dollars. After 30 years of not shooting and waiting for the kids to finish college I come back to this mess. Hope to hear from you all soon. thanks

May 15, 2009, 05:33 AM	#17
DaveTrig Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Putnam County, NY Posts: 96	Vlabella - Next time you're gonna drive that far, try Hoffman's in Newington, CT or Blue Mountain Sports in Mahopac, NY (call ahead, obviously). Hoffman's has a decent stock of powder and even some primers. Haven't been in Blue Mountain recently, but last time I called they had powder and primers in stock. Mahopac's a closer ride for you and Hoffman's is probably about the same. Plus, there's also Cabela's in East Hartford if you strike out in Hoffman's. I can't imagine what you're going through trying to find supplies from SI. Yech. At least up here there's the occasional gun show. - Dave

May 15, 2009, 05:58 AM	#18
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Hodgdon shows data for 115gr jacketed and lead bullets with W231/HP-38. They're the same powder, BTW. Start with the "start" load for the 115gr bullet they list and work up until your gun functions with accuracy you like without showing pressure signs or exceeding the max load. I would set the seating die for length off a factory round. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 15, 2009, 10:24 AM	#19
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,659	Lyman's 48th show the following loads for Bullseye and W231/HP38: Bullseye: 3.5gr start \| 4.8gr max. W231/HP38: 3.5gr start \| 4.9gr max. This data is for JHP (Hornady XTP). However, fully jacketed hollow points and FMJ data will be pretty much the same.

May 15, 2009, 01:43 PM	#20
vlabella Junior Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Staten Island,ny Posts: 4	thank you all Thanks to all of you!!!! I REALLY appreciate the Info, you guys are GREAT! Glad I joined the forum! You have really made me happy, having a spinal disability this is the only sport I can do, actually its about the only outdoor thing I can do! I cant find the words to thank you all enough. Thanks and God Bless. God Bless the USA and Protect our Troops and bring them home safely. With respect thanks again! Vito Labella

May 16, 2009, 06:55 AM	#22
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	beginner's luck Recommend: -Bullets weighing between 120 to 135g; -CCI500 or WSP; -in this order = Alliant Power Pistol (number one choice) Ramshot Silhouette Accurate AA5 Hodgdon HS6 Vihtavuori Oy 3N37 -OAL 1.135--1.155".

May 16, 2009, 08:06 PM	#23
Dimebag Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 21	Barry's plated bullets? Are these radically different than JHP or FMJ? Sites say they shold not be loaded beyond the mid-range loads. Any expirience?

May 16, 2009, 08:59 PM	#24
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	[QUOTE]I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds of 9mm and found out a few things. There are a lot of good powders available. My favorite is Ramshot Silhouette. It's the same (this is from a face-to-face conversation with the Ramshot guys at the S.H.O.T. Show) as Winchester Action Pistol powder. 115 gr plated bullets are great in my BHPs and CZ75s, but keyhole like crazy in my 9mm Glocks. The heavier bullets work fine. Go figure. Plated 147 gr round nose bullets (I use Berry's) work in anything. Set your seating punch with a factory hardball round and leave it there. Best loads: 115 gr plated RN / 6.2 gr of Silhouette = 1165 fps 147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette = 880 fps [QUOTE] Please clarify 147 gr plated RN / 4.4 gr of Silhouette Not 124gr?????

May 17, 2009, 06:51 AM	#25
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	no direct 9mm Berrys experience I have used pallet-loads of Rainier's 124g TCJ-RN, intended for numerous platforms. Their core is soft swaged lead, and the plating is applied over that, then the bullet is 'struck' for forming its final shape. They get loaded with lesser charge weights than conventional jacketed, but slightly more than the swaged-lead bullets from Speer and Hornady. I have personally driven Rainier 124g bullets over 1400fps from my 9x21 Witness, and their 124g HEX-HP over 1300fps in varied 9x19s. There is also the superb-for-price brass-jacketed Montana Gold bullets (I just received a case of their .356" 130g FMJ-RN I'm using in 9x19 and 9x21).