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Old 03-20-2016, 10:42 AM
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Have been working on an accurate load for my Model 39, 9mm.


Wanted a 124 grain load using w-231. Tested Hornady 124 gr. RN FMJ, Acme 124 RN lead, Bayou Bullets 124 RN and 124 TC. Started at 3.5 gains, seated at 1.10 and worked up. Seemed 4.0 grains produced the best groups (25 yards) but nothing spectacular. The acme bullets were all over the B-27 looking more like a shotgun pattern rather than a group. The other generally grouped in the 3-5" range with the edge going to the 124 TC bullet from Bayou.

Focused on the Bayou bullet with seating. Working out from 1.10 to 1.155 nothing seemed to really change that much for grouping. Started looking at going shorter. Worked the seating depth down to 1.080 and magic happened

Shooting at 25 yards from a rest, groups went from 3" down to
.8" with a flyer. No signs of pressure and the bore was very clean, no residue powder.
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Old 03-20-2016, 12:30 PM
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It is nice when a plan finally comes together.

Some have trouble getting accuracy just from a soft taper crimp on the load.
Try shooting a full magazine and save the last round. Reload it in the bottom of
the magazine and shoot a full magazine a second time, saving that last round, again.

If the bullet has no setback............. you are good to go.

Just one of the pieces of the puzzle for accuracy.

I agree on the RN........
they have worked best for me so far in my test.
Have fun.

Last edited by Nevada Ed; 03-20-2016 at 12:36 PM.
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Old 03-20-2016, 02:26 PM
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I've been loading the Bayou 124 RN to 1.125" and been pretty happy. I'll be trying your 1.080" and see what happens in my guns.
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Old 03-20-2016, 02:53 PM
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With the MBC 124 RN, I like 1.113-1.116". Same length for generic 124 FMJs. Works good for them too.
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Old 03-20-2016, 03:15 PM
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It was the TC that performed the best. I am now inclined to go back and try the 1.080 seating depth with the Rn to see if they improve as well.

Seems every gun has its own likes and dislikes

Wish it was easier
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Old 03-20-2016, 05:50 PM
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But, but, but the load data COL says...

Ain't rolling your own grand!
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Old 03-20-2016, 06:15 PM
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Thanks for the info. I've loaded the Bayou Bullets 124 TC at 1.108" and got good results with 3.8 grains of Titegroup. But I didn't do alot of experimenting with different COL.

With 231 and RN plated bullets, I got the best results with 4.2 grains at 1.107"
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Old 03-20-2016, 07:47 PM
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I just stumbled onto a load using 124 gr Xtreme FP bullets over 4.2 gr of TiteGroup at 1.075"
Same results as you out of my G34, G19, Browning BDA (Sig P220, 9mm) and CZ 75 TS
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Old 05-21-2018, 10:48 AM
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I realize this is an older post but just came across it. Im wondering if when you were experimenting with seating the projectile deeper did you change the powder charge or keep it the same?

When seating deeper while keeping the same amount of powder, the pressure/velocity will increase. So Im wondering if the shorter OAL changed your point of impact or the difference in velocity
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:18 AM
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Well, PhillySoldier, I saw this thread back when it was first posted, and did not answer then, but I believe it was not the seating depth per se that made the difference, but setting the bullet deeper finally got the pressure up enough to stabilize the bullet.
He could have gotten the same result going to 4.3gr HP38 and loading at 1.12, from my load records.
These 124gr bullets in 9mm are well know to competitors to get unstable and lose accuracy when loaded below a Power Factor about 125 from a FS pistol.
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:25 AM
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Kept the powder charge the same. Kept checking for pressure signs with each incremental change. Don't have a chrono that will do semi autos yet so the velocity change is unknown other than i am confident it will go up some. Functions the action with no issues.

On a side note, the 124 grain Bayou bullet I was working with has been discontinued and replaced with a 120 grain TC bullet. Looking at the two bullets, while the overall length of the 120 is shorter, the shank of the bullet being just a little shorted as well. I am currently working on a 120 grain load using 3.7 of bullseye and seating the 120 so the base of the bullet is the same depth as the 124. Shoots reasonably well. Can hold x-ring on the B-27 at 25 yards and an easy 10 ring at 50.

Have loaded the round 3.6 to 4.0 and 3.7 seems to shoot the tightest.

Last edited by elpac3; 05-21-2018 at 11:28 AM.
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:28 AM
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Thank you. Yes that is what Im "thinking" that pressure differences might be reason. In searching the web I see many experiment w different seating depths but I havent seen any data where someone for example changed there charge to keep the same velocity.

Since you mentioned 124g; I'll throw this out there too though it might be a bit off topic. I noticed with match grade 9mm; differing brands only come in 115 or 147. I havent seen any match grade at 124 gr.
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:37 AM
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I have since switched from my model 39 to a Sig P320 x 5 as my competition gun for both PPC and IDPA.

I have tried the 115's (lead) and they did not seem to shoot that well. Have also shot the 147's (hiTec) and they shoot well. I have been shooting HiTec coated bullets for cost saving and reduced leading.

I have also loaded 124 plated since the IDPA league here requires a jacketed or plated bullet and it is easy to get the 125 PF without have to kick the velocity up too high. I also has enough momentum to knock over the steel targets without having to head hold.

The Sig really seems to like the 135 grain RN with 4.0 of BE-86. Shoots nice, soft recoil, quick recovery and tight grouping.
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:41 AM
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Thanks Elpac3. I love my sigs too. My 226 is my main gun. I just got a ransom rest and good chrono and thats one of the things I want to test on it and compare. Both differing seating depths while keeping the charge the same as well as if you changed the powder to keep the velocity the same. So I was searching on the subject and found this thread
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Old 05-21-2018, 11:59 AM
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My COL depends on the type of bullet I'm using. 115 gr HP's for example I'll set them at 1.075". For 115gr FMJ RN 1.10". For 124 gr FMJ RN my best loads were 4.4gr bullseye and a COL of 1.135"

For a Hornady 124gr FMJ I suggest using Unique 4.7gr (max of 5.0) and set your COL to 1.15"
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Old 05-21-2018, 12:36 PM
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Just a note that all pistols are different, due make up, main springs etc.

your light w231 loads just barely work in my 3 and 3.5" 9mm pistols but......

4.0grs of w231 in my 5" pistol does only 951fps and will not eject 100%.
I need at least 4.3 grs of w231 for my factory parts pistol to work
with a 124gr weight bullet.
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Old 05-21-2018, 01:17 PM
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Unless you are using specific data for a specific bullet, seating to THAT publisher's OAL, stick to SAAMI dimensions. SAAMI OAL is 1.169". 1.160" works. As always, start low and work up.
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Old 05-22-2018, 12:40 PM
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Unless you are using specific data for a specific bullet, seating to THAT publisher's OAL, stick to SAAMI dimensions. SAAMI OAL is 1.169". 1.160" works. As always, start low and work up.

Maybe, but.........

A lot of factory ammo for a 9mm comes from the factory with a OAL........
of 1.12 for a 115gr FMJ or a 1.135" for a 147gr HST hollow point.

Just saying.
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Old 05-22-2018, 12:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elpac3 View Post
Have been working on an accurate load for my Model 39, 9mm.


Wanted a 124 grain load using w-231. Tested Hornady 124 gr. RN FMJ, Acme 124 RN lead, Bayou Bullets 124 RN and 124 TC. Started at 3.5 gains, seated at 1.10 and worked up. Seemed 4.0 grains produced the best groups (25 yards) but nothing spectacular. The acme bullets were all over the B-27 looking more like a shotgun pattern rather than a group. The other generally grouped in the 3-5" range with the edge going to the 124 TC bullet from Bayou.

Focused on the Bayou bullet with seating. Working out from 1.10 to 1.155 nothing seemed to really change that much for grouping. Started looking at going shorter. Worked the seating depth down to 1.080 and magic happened

Shooting at 25 yards from a rest, groups went from 3" down to
.8" with a flyer. No signs of pressure and the bore was very clean, no residue powder.
ATTABOY !!!
This is why reloaders reload...the sweet smell of success !
Gary
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