147 9mil lead and AA #5 and #7

[SW CQB 45]

I have some 147 FP lead 9MM 147gr FP-------250/box [9MM 147gr FP] - $14.00 : Sundance Bullets

and plenty of AA #5 and two bottles of #7.

I am looking to test a load out to 50 yds for PPC.

My last attempt at 9mil was 125 TC from the same company and W231 and while the load was decently accurate and soft shooting, it was smokey...lube perhaps?

anyway, I want to try AA and I know #7 was developed for 9mil NATO carbine which is hotter than standard 9mil pistol stuff.

#5 was designed for use in 45acp but its used in many other pistol cartridges.

(Info obtained from AA #1 manual)

I am not looking for high velocity but accuracy and FPS no more than 900 FPS to reduce the effects of leading, which is a pain to clean up.

Load data for 145 (L) RN COL 1.140"
#5 Min 4.6 @ 866 Vel and Max of 5.1 @ 984 Vel CUP 26,000
#7 Min 6.5 @ 926 Vel and Max of 7.2 @ 1052 Vel CUP 29,500

these are well below the listed max CUP of 33,000

?QUESTION?

does anyone use AA 5 or 7 for 9mil 147 lead and have success data?

the pieces will be a 5" 1911 with a match Nowlin Barrel and a standard 5" 1911 with a S/A factory match barrel.

I would like to stick with one 9mil slug for everything....steel, paper, PPC and the heavier bullet is desired for positive steel knockdown and less wind deflection from 50 yd shots. but accuracy and relability in feeding are areas that will not be overlooked.

thanks in advance

by the way...I just did an inventory of my powder and this is what I have if AA will not cut it for 9mil accuracy
Unique (1)
Action Pistol (1)
HS-6 (1)
VV310 (1)
Clays (1)
Bullseye(not planning on using this for nina)
231(I did find data that shows 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6 around 860-900 fps as accurate and reliable. if 231 is the cause for additional smoke, I dont like waiting for the smoke to clear)

check out the 150 gr SWC from meister. I have meister in 45acp and they are of good quality. expensive though. http://www.meisterbullets.com/asccus...22&navParent=0

the Sun Dance Bullets I have look more like this http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...ry=8&keywords=

[TSQUARED]

I have not used AA powders but have used W-231 with 147 gr. cast lead bullets. The following data for 9mm 147 gr. cast lead bullets and W-231 is from the W-W 14th Ed. reloading manual:
3.3 gr. W-231 = 865 fps = 29000 psi
3.5 gr. W-231 = 905 fps = 32100 psi
I know several individuals who used the 3.5 gr. load with excellent results. I did not experience leading using W-231 with 147 gr. lead bullets in my 9mm's.

[SW CQB 45]

TS,

was there alot of smoke? what brand of slug did you use?

[btruman]

I have never tried the 147 gr weight but have had what I considered good results with target loads using AA7 and 125 gr cast bullets.

[1066]

I'm using 5.5g of AA#7 with a Berry's 147g RN. I did not have great luck with accuracy with +6g loads. This load is fairly accurate, and so far has had enough in it to cycle the slides on everything I used.

You might want to try a few rounds down at this level just to see if it works for you. The Berry's bullets are plated not lead, but I have used them with a lot of loads for lead bullets with no problems - I assume the reverse is also true (ie you can use loads that work good for plated bullets for lead bullets). I've found the Berry's bullets are cleaner, but not as accurate as lead, and almost as cheap.

If you have slide cycle problems, step up to 5.8-6.0g, but I still think you will get better results if you stay below the starting load you listed of 6.5g.

If you come up with a good lead bullet load, let us know.

[SW CQB 45]

Originally Posted by 1066

If you have slide cycle problems, step up to 5.8-6.0g, but I still think you will get better results if you stay below the starting load you listed of 6.5g.

If you come up with a good lead bullet load, let us know.

1066, the listed 6.5 starting load is out of the #1 manual and on their website.

what gun you using with 5.5 grains with?

I think I want to start at 900 FPS (6.3 grains #7)

if I did my guessing correctly baseing my FPS off of the manual listing of min and max

5.5 grns #7 766FPS
5.7 grns #7 798FPS
5.9 grns #7 830FPS
6.1 grns #7 862FPS
6.3 grns #7 894FPS
6.5 grns #7 926FPS
6.8 grns #7 990FPS
7.2 grns #7 1052FPS

[Steve C]

Data is a bit old (1999) but still good. Lead data is for 145 gr but that's close enough to 147gr to make no difference.

Handgun Loading Data

[1066]

I'm shooting it out of a Springfield 1911 with a stock recoil spring and 5" barrel. I do not shoot action pistol, only paper targets; they may not have enough go to knock down steel. Remember that this is for a Berry's bullet, and that Berry's suggests using lead data. The Accurate data is for a Hornady XTP.

I think that you are on the right track to start at 6.3g if you need a little more go. I think I would still load a few a little lower to see how they work for you.

[SW CQB 45]

I loaded 50 rounds of 6.0 of AA#7 behind the 147 lead.

I figure around 850FPS.

Had some smoke, probably the lube.

Had a horrible time at 50 yds seeing the B27 target. Was very humid, hot and the sun was directly overhead. Had sweat in my eyes and was constantly blinking to get a clear front sight.

Will load some more and try again. Did not seem like a powder puff load. Good accuracy out to 25 yds. Have to try again for the 50 yds grouping.