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Old 02-08-2019, 08:53 PM
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Default 185 gr 9mm @950 fps

Never heard of this company. Looks like they produce some heavy loads.

Seismic Ammo
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Old 02-08-2019, 09:20 PM
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I'm betting accuracy would suck out of most pistols.
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Old 02-08-2019, 09:42 PM
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Same here - never heard of the company or a 185 gr in 9mm
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:10 PM
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Someone will have to show me how this is so much better than the standard 147-gr JHP 9mm ammo made by several if not all of the major ammo manufacturers. Based on how that case is made, I’ll bet it’s expensive.
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:34 PM
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Default Overall Length?

I wonder if the overall length of this round will prove to be a feeding issue in the current crop of small handguns such as the Kahrs?
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:51 PM
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Default Well, I'mglad to see that...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ladder13 View Post
Never heard of this company. Looks like they produce some heavy loads.

Seismic Ammo
A couple years ago I started a thread where I experimented with 165 gr and 158 gr 9mm bullets. I got some results (not very good) but was stymied due to lack of a suitable soft, HP bullet that would expand at low velocities and scanty loading data for such bullets. (The powder companies weren't helpful)

Another problem is that I was trying to attain expanding velocity out of the typical short barrel carry pistol. Being able to get the velocity these promise with 185(!) gr bullets is pretty amazing, but I'll bet they can only do that out of a full size pistol.

So I'm not going to run out and buy these, though. My typical defense pistol is a Shield or similar compact.
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Old 02-09-2019, 12:10 AM
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Interesting but...........

For years, the 38 special had a 158 gr bullet as it's heavy SD bullet.
It also had a much longer case with a huge powder volume at hand.

The short 9mm case has enough problems with the long heavy 147 gr bullet.
Getting powders to move it fast enough for a good SD loading is taxing.

A 185 gr bullet and a new case design, will certainly open up a BIG can of worms!!
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Old 02-09-2019, 12:15 AM
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Then there was the 90 grain Cor-Bon going 1500 out of a hi-power.
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Old 02-09-2019, 12:41 AM
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Interesting development, assuming manufacturer's data is accurate. Still can't imagine what the potential uses or advantages might be, but I remain open to input from the experts.

I have played around with heavy-for-caliber bullets for quite a few years. Haven't yet found a reliable source for depleted uranium in sufficient quantities for production, and unobtainium remains mostly unobtainable.

So, teach me! I want to learn!
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Old 02-09-2019, 01:03 AM
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The claims they make are utterly preposterous.

"Knockdown power?" No such thing!

"Destructive momentum?" Now that's a new one. What is destructive momentum? What is the unit of measure of destructive momentum? How is it measured? How does momentum cause destruction? Destruction of what?

"Destructive Momentum" belongs on the ash heap along with those venerable myths Stopping Power, Hydrostatic Shock, Energy Dumping / Energy Transfer, and Temporary Wound Cavitation.

Hilarious.

And that two-piece case? Aluminum base and stainless steel body? How much does this stuff cost? What does it do that any other round won't do?

This joins the other magic bullets: Critical Defense, Power Ball, Hybrid X, RIP, Maximum Expansion, Novx, Xtreme Cavitator, ARX, and all the rest which separate the shooter from his money while promising to substitute technology for shooting skill.


I'll stick with Q4318 for the street.

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Old 02-09-2019, 02:04 AM
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A bit too "unconventional" and "Gimicky" for me! The 9mm Pistol was just never designed for 185 grain bullets and 2 piece case! I'm betting the recoil is where "the price" is to be paid and accelerated wear on the gun is also something to be concerned about.

I would think the "knockdown power" they are referring to has been extrapolated from foot pounds of energy- which is nothing more than a factor of velocity and bullet weight.

All in all, I'm glad to see someone still looking for a "better mouse trap" however I for one would pass on this thing. My EDC carry load from my Sig P365 is the Speer 124 grain +P "Short Barrel" Gold Dot. Even by the chart they show on their website, it is right up there in effectiveness and is still conventional and being manufactured by Speer (whom I trust).

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Old 02-09-2019, 09:19 AM
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The subsonic 158 grain 9MM load is nothing new. IMI has been offering it for many decades. Fiochii also produces a 158 as do other manufacturers

The 158 loading is designed to give more energy in subsonic ammunition (supressed use)

I began hand loading my own 158s about 20 or more years ago when the IMI supply dried up

Fortunately that fine ammunition is once again easily available for those folks that do not hand load

Now that more 165 grain projectiles are available for the 9MM cartridge I have switched to loading one of those bullets instead


With the 165 you load the 9MM to full pressure and still stay subsonic. That gives you maximum energy in a subsonic 9MM loading


I know they are really shiny
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Old 02-09-2019, 10:57 AM
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If I wanted a 185 grain bullet at 950 fps I would buy a 40.

Buying a new gun in a caliber that does what you want makes more sense than trying to convert something you already own into something it was not designed to be.

People are practically giving away 40s on the used market right now and while 40 S&W ammo is more expensive than 9mm it is going to be a lot cheaper than specialty ammo like this. Since 40 S&W is still used by a lot of police agencies ammo makers spent a lot of time and energy developing bullets and loaded ammo that performs very, very well.

Heavy bullets are better for knocking down steel plates but that does not mean they are more effective for self defense. In both 9mm and 40 it seems like the standard weight bullets perform better than the extra heavy ones.

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Old 02-09-2019, 11:27 AM
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I misread the heading as 165, not 185

I agree 185 is too heavy for caliber

The major reason for using 9MM projectiles in the 147 and over category is effective suppression
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Old 02-09-2019, 11:31 AM
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Interesting I suppose. I might buy box if it was $.40 a round but no way at $1.40 a round.

I wonder how much extra powder capacity their case has? There’s no way you can stuff a 185 grain bullet into any normal 9mm case without turning it into a boat tail bullet due to the internal taper of the case.
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Old 02-09-2019, 11:53 AM
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I’m intrigued but skeptical. My LGS will probably get some to test I hope.

I foresee success initially due to curiosity but failure long term. Too expensive.
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Old 02-09-2019, 12:48 PM
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per post #12;

So you load 165gr RN bullets?

I would think a 165gr FN or HP would be better, if available for added
powder volume, for the little 9mm case?

Glad that you have done it and it works out for you.
Heck, I have trouble getting enough powder in the 9mm case with
the long, Berry 147gr RN bullet!!

post #10 note;
the Q4318 load for ... "street use" is the
Winchester 124 NATO FMJ loading.
Just in case others did not know.

carry on.

Last edited by Nevada Ed; 02-24-2019 at 01:53 PM.
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Old 02-09-2019, 12:59 PM
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I'm curious as to how they can get a 185 grain bullet in 9x19 to exit the muzzle at the stated 950 fps and maintain safe pressure levels. A 147 grain bullet at 1000 fps is at the limit of standard pressure and 1050 fps is +P.
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Old 02-09-2019, 01:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed View Post
per post #12;

So you load 165gr RN bullets?

I would think a 165gr FN or HP would be better, if available for added
powder volume, for the little 9mm case?

Glad that you have done it and it works out for you.
Heck, I have trouble getting enough powder in the 9mm case with
the long, Berry 147gr RN bullet!!
AA #7 works very well with this projectile. 5.7 grains will drive the projectile to 880 in the shorter barrels to just around 950 in the longer SMG barrels.

I have been running that load for about 2 years now
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Old 02-09-2019, 03:49 PM
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Default I found a very little load data on the 158 gr.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by colt_saa View Post
The subsonic 158 grain 9MM load is nothing new. IMI has been offering it for many decades. Fiochii also produces a 158 as do other manufacturers......

The 158 loading is designed to give more energy in subsonic ammunition (supressed use)

I began hand loading my own 158s about 20 or more years ago when the IMI supply dried up

Fortunately that fine ammunition is once again easily available for those folks that do not hand load

Now that more 165 grain projectiles are available for the 9MM cartridge I have switched to loading one of those bullets instead


With the 165 you load the 9MM to full pressure and still stay subsonic. That gives you maximum energy in a subsonic 9MM loading


I know they are really shiny
...and maybe one suggestion for a couple of powders on loading the 165 gr.

Off course I still tried to attain a decent velocity, wanting to exceed the power of the .38 special (which is about all I got) without knowing what the max loading was. I got ZERO expansion with the HP SWCs that I used. Well, actually, the tips expanded, but their diameter was no more than the shank of the bullet.

I'll look for a box of Fiocci's to play with.
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Old 02-09-2019, 05:14 PM
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This smells of gimmick about which the only question is what is more likely to suffer damage first - your firearm, your finances, or your self-respect.
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Old 02-09-2019, 05:46 PM
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Is it april fools day already?

I can't buy it. Smells like a hoax

Nothing on you OP, but I don't believe that's a real ammo website at all
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobafett View Post
Is it april fools day already?

I can't buy it. Smells like a hoax

Nothing on you OP, but I don't believe that's a real ammo website at all

Read before you bash..SHOT Show: Seismic Ammo's Extremely Heavy Projectiles in 9mm, .45 ACP, and 12 Gauge - The Truth About Guns
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Old 02-09-2019, 06:48 PM
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Interesting!

From SHOT show review:

I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is “no.” These aren’t compressed tungsten or anything exotic; they’re just lead and they’re just large bullets.

The real trick here isn’t the bullet, but the powder. Seismic Ammo has spent most of their development time and effort getting the correct powder blend that propels that large projectile to the desired speeds despite the small amount of space remaining in the case for the powder itself.


Propellant research has made a lot of seemingly impossible things possible. The 30 carbine and 22 Hornet, delivered new performance with then-new non-canister powders. Before that, there was something called "smokeless powder".

As for accuracy, the classic Swiss made P210 was made with a 1-250mm twist barrel. It's perfect for all sorts of subsonic loads.

For a similar idea with similar ballistics, yet being a very old cartridge, look into the British 38/200.
It featured a 200 gr lead bullet at a little over 600 fps, loaded in a 38 S&W case (that is NOT the 38 Special). Developed in the 1920s, it was used in a lot of colonial hostilies where it was found to be very effective. The bullet tumbled with reduced penetration, and caused some pretty nasty effects.
But, then came that Hague Convention bugaboo and we had to be nice how we killed our enemies. So, the lead 200 gr was dropped in favor of a slightly lighter bullet with a copper metal "cap".

Who knows? This might be kinda cool! I'll wait til the powder hits the market, then roll my own!

Jim
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Old 02-09-2019, 08:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith View Post
...and maybe one suggestion for a couple of powders on loading the 165 gr.

Off course I still tried to attain a decent velocity, wanting to exceed the power of the .38 special (which is about all I got) without knowing what the max loading was. I got ZERO expansion with the HP SWCs that I used. Well, actually, the tips expanded, but their diameter was no more than the shank of the bullet.

I'll look for a box of Fiocci's to play with.
My hand written loading notes are not yet unpacked at the new house, but then neither is my loading room

Here is the 2015 Shooting Times article that got me interested in the 165s:
Reloading Heavy Bullets in 9mm Luger - Shooting Times

As to the Fiochii 158 factory loaded ammunition, I will send you a PM
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Old 02-10-2019, 03:04 PM
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Not bashing, the link you just shared has a lot more info than the link the OP shared. I've never heard of this company. And I wouldn't trust it in my gun until its been proven. But im just the sceptible type so don't take me the wrong way
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