I want to load some 9mm for minor power factor.
My gun barrel length is 4.72"
I use 231 and win SP primers and a 124 g FMJ bullet.

Load data for the hodgdon (winchester) site
125 GR. SIE FMJ Winchester 231 .355" 1.090" 4.4 1009 24,600 CUP 4.8 1088 28,800 CUP
my results with 4.5g 231 and a 10 shot string average only 904 fps
I do not think 4.7g will make minor power factor.

What to do?

You don't mention your O.A.L. I realize a lot of folks do not consider it very important. However I have foud that even .05" makes a difference not only in feeding, but in fps out the barrel. Are you sure you are at 1.090" ?

For 124 grain FMJ I got some information off:

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=9...Order=Powder&Source=

The data:

FMJ 4.5 gr Win 231 1,060 fps Winchester
Suggested starting load: 4.1 gr

Pressure: 32,700 PSI




Source is listed as Winchester and indicates to me that you might want to be very cautious increasing the powder charge.

Not only the speed (fps) changes, but the Extreme Spread can tighten up or get worse with the OAL. Minor power factor is 125 in USPSA and I'm at 137. No worries at the Chrono check in station for me. 4.7 of 231 might make it, but my Speer # 11, says 5.0 is the max and should give you around 1077 fps..133 PF....Try 4.7, but don't be right on the edge of PF, go higher if you have to....My Sierra book lists a 125 fmj OAL 1.090" and up to 5.1 of 231. I'm using Remington 147 gr Match bullets, 3.85 grs of PB and a OAL of 1.130" for 934.5 fps out of my Glock 34. What are ya launching these out of?

My OAL is 1.173"
This was not planned.

I have about 100 rounds loaded and lightly crimped. Can I just seat them down to 1.090"?

My gun is a new CZ sp 01 shadow, 4.7" barrel.

thanks for the response guys

I'd just shoot them up for practice. But one thing I'd do first is drop them in your CZ's barrel (clean and removed from the gun) and see if they drop in normal or maybe at that long length, see if the bullet is touching the rifling. You don't have to bring the OAL down to 1.090" right away. Your CZ might like those bullets at 1.130 +/- a little. Take notes and when you start getting closer to your ideal round, make smaller adjustments. In my Glock, changing the OAL from 1.115 to 1.150 reduced the speed by 22 fps.

I shoot 124gr FMJ out of a 5" Paraord in competition, and can make minor power with 4.5gr of 231.
4.7gr will certainly make minor if you get the oal down where it belongs. If you are shooting action pistol, you want to leave plenty of room so you don't have feeding problems during a match as the gun gets dirty. Keep that bullet away from the rifling. 100% reliability is vastly more important than a small gain in accuracy.

By the way, pressure and velocity are not linear, so you can't guess what a couple more tenths powder will do; you have to chrono and see.

I'd suggest changing powders to something slower burning that will get you the velocity you want. Any of the following should easily get you velocities you want without excessive pressure: Unique, Power Pistol, AA#5, AA#7, HS6 etc.

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

By the way, pressure and velocity are not linear, so you can't guess what a couple more tenths powder will do; you have to chrono and see.

Could somebody please explain the above comment.
I do not wish to pick at our friends helpful comment. But understanding this will help me (and others) learn. My confusion is that all I get from my crony is velocity?

Update from he range...
4.5 g of 231 and a 124 g FMJ bullet OAL of 1.090" a 10 shot string averages 980 FPS.

4.7 g of 231 and a 124 g FMJ bullet OAL of 1.090" a 10 shot string averages 989 FPS.

Like Steve C said, Why don't you switch to a slower powder? I too was experimenting with a faster powder (Solo 1000) and sorta hit a wall like your experiencing. I went back to my slower powder (IMR PB) and have all the speed I need. When in doubt, fire a round or five of store bought ammo across your chrono to make sure everything is working OK. Wal-Mart centerfire ammo (Winchester white box or Remington's UMC) is a good reference point.

If I might make a suggestion, try going over to this site:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/

Then do a search on "9mm Minor"

It will be worth your time and trouble.

I picked up a couple win WW 9 mm rounds from the grass.

The average speed was 1149 fps

quote:

I'd suggest changing powders to something slower burning that will get you the velocity you want. Any of the following should easily get you velocities you want without excessive pressure: Unique, Power Pistol, AA#5, AA#7, HS6 etc.

You are very likely correct. Slower powder is the way to go.

I am confused, however, why so many use tightgroup or VV 320 for minor PF and they are faster.

Case fill would be #1 or #2. It is not position sensitive at all, that would be #1 or #2 too. It's metering ability would be #3. #4 would be load density, more loads per pound.

This is speculating but is probably close!

125gr zero bullet
HS-6 6.6gr powder
COL 1.125
avg vel 1069
beretta 92fs weapon
PF 133
mild recoil