115 Grain JHP with 4.5 Grains Bullseye

Anyone use this load?

That’ll probably work fine. Close to max though. I run 4.1 over a 124 that works well for me. Quite soft.

I've come to use that 4.5 - 4.6gr Bullseye load (which is just so close to being a LEE #0.5 Dipper, BTW!) for almost all my 115 & 124 gr 9mm reloads...

Put into an Ohaus 1010 for quick check and directly from the pan into a case I get a pretty quick powder charge and, hopefully, nary a double nor a potential squib (low or NO! powder load)? Measuring by BOTH volume & weight may be "belt & suspenders" (or clear evidence of an OCD?), but it has worked well for me.

Obviously often into (or near?) the +P range, none of my 9mm barrels (even the CZ75) are want to accept longer OALs than the minimums, so I typically load many a bit "long" and use coated, jacketed or HBTP bullets.

Cheers!

I’ve settled on 4.3gr do W231 with a 124gr bullet, great load. Use Bullseye with my .45acp loads... 4.5gr of Bullseye with 115gr 9mm sounds a little hot to me, but should be okay. Do you have a chronograph, or have a friend that has one?

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Yes, I have been using that 4.5 bullseye charge driving my 9mm loads for 40 years. It is my standard load for all my 9mm practice ammo. My square D press is set up for it. In fact, in about an hour after I drink some more coffee and walk my canine, I am going to run off 500 rds or so.

Heart-in-mouth newbie mode... I've loaded and shot a couple hundred using that Lee scoop, which should be about 4.7g. Nary an issue, but I thought I was shooting a mid-range load. Obviously I based this on data somewhere (probably the Alliant webpage) but since it was "just a range load" I didn't worry about it. (I don't normally scoop near-max loads, I individually weigh them.)

Revisiting the data I have now, it seems Lyman's 3rd considers 4.8g max. The Alliant page says 4.7g... older Alliant data says 5.0g... Midway Load Map says 4.5g max.

So these sources would seem to indicate 4.5g is a usable load, but be aware that it's not a mid-range load pressure-wise, and 9mm has a small case size and COAL will be important to pressure. So this cowboy is retiring the scoop and loading this one a little lighter.

4.5 grains of Bullseye is just 0.10 grains below Max.
That isn't much room for error ... Nothing wrong with loading with a powder scoop , but you must have a scale , dip consistently and verify the weight of your scoop / technique on a powder scale .

I use scoops and can vary the weight easily 0.10 grs. simply by the way I scoop ... change the technique and change the weight , it's easy to do .

The amount of powder that goes into a case can be critical ...so it's important to verify exactly what the charge is ...
It's OK to get all Anal and OCD about powder charging ... make dang sure how much powder is going in the case !
Gary

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I've been using 4.0 gr. of Bullseye with various coated 115 gr. bullets. I get 100% functioning with various pistols, i.e. Sig P320's, P365 and Beretta 92 FS. Accuracy is just so, so at 25 yards (my standard for defense pistols). One thing I like is that the charge doesn't beat up my pistols and extends brass life. The coated bullets cost a lot less than JHP and with me shooting a couple of boxes each week, that is important.

Just as an aside on powder measuring, the RCBS Little Dandy powder measure is a good measure to use for metering charges like this into pistol cases. Faster and more consistent then scoops. I use scoops, too, but more for bottleneck rifle rounds as opposed to pistol ammo. Just depends on what I am doing.

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Regards,

Tom

Have some 115grn FMJ with 4.6grn Bullseye, along with some loaded with 4.0grn and 4.3.

Shoots reasonably well and cycles reliably with 4.6, but the others have had issues.

Of course these were metered with a Lee Auto Disk and not trickled, so I'm guessing some of the problems are from being under charged.

I think a lot of data is watered down........... for the 115 gr FMJ loads.

Springfield XD49: Bullseye 4.2 @ 1037 fps. 4.8 gr at 1163 fps

Kahr PM9 3" : Bullseye 3.8~ grs at 869 fps

C9 3.5" : Bullseye 3.8 grs at 941 ......... 5.0 grs 1.10" oal at 1180 fps.

Just depends on the condition of the weapon.

Absolutely true! Which is why from the dipper into the pan (on the scale) then directly into the expanded case (with no need for a funnel) works for me: powder by volume double-checked by weight. Every time.

I have developed a list of quite a few favorite powders and corresponding loads where a certain LEE Dipper gets me very close to my goal: perhaps a few twists of the powder trickler and I'm there. Doesn't really slow down my production too much: next step can be seating an individual round or just setting the filled case into a loading block...

Cheers!

P.S. As far as technique goes, one does not need to scoop a heaping dipper every time: close can work. There are some loads and powders where there is NO WAY a single dipper can exceed your intended charge. Actually, the little loading guides in the LEE die set instructions can indicate their suggested dipper for various bullet weights/types. Not always the ultimate load but as safe as any other "published" data... Richard Lee's Manual often has this LEE Dipper info as well.

I might also add that you haveto take in the shape and type of the bullet that you are loading.

A "Ball" FMJ and a JHP style are NOT the same in length........
and seating depths do matter, for pressures that can be attained.

I can get 1350 out of a 115 with 1.14" with Unique shoved in the case
or have a "HAP" style at 1233 fps with just a OAL of 1.075" that is a +P load.
I don't shoot +P+ loads........... but will test loads to see how high they go, if safe.
I could push the envelope since I have HS-6, BE86, CFEp, etc but I don't
since I don't need a Major load for my "Stock" weapons.

Seating depths (as they relate to OALs) are absolutely VITAL! Especially in the semi-automatic calibers vs. revolvers where longer length is more easily adjusted: basically the available length of the cylinder vs. chamber or magazine restrictions.

Which is why certain bullets and certain powders don't SAFELY lend themselves to attaining certain velocities. And with others, no problems!

Cheers!

If someone with the QuickLoad software would run 4.5gr Bullseye with a plated (or FMJ) 115gr RN & a plated (HB-FPTP)124gr in 9mm I would be very appreciative...

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration!

CHEERS!

Springfield XD9 4"
124 fmj Xtreme oal 1.14"
4.5 Bullseye at 1114 fps............... Es 27........ 12/22/2013

Right in there for the standard Remington. Fiocchi, Magtech, Federal, Aguila, etc. 124gr FMJs...?

Thanks, Ed!

P.S. Oh, and Winchester!