9 mm 145 gr. LRN loads for WST, WSL, Unique or AP 100

285greg · Nov 25, 2012

Hi all, I've just joined the forum and this is my first post.

I live in Australia and recently bought a S&W M&P model 9L. I have been shooting and reloading pistol (.38/.357, .45 ACP, .45 LC) and rifle (.375 H&H) for many years, but I have not yet reloaded 9 mm.

I will be shooting 145 gr. LRN projectiles and I have the following powders on my loading bench:

Winchester WST
Winchester WSL
Hercules Unique
ADI AP 100 (ADI is an Australian company you may not be familiar with)

I was hoping to use these powders for my 9 mm reloads, but I have been unable to find much information about any starting or maximum loads for them.

The only load I was able to find for the 145 gr. LRN is 3.8 gr. of Unique @ 942 FPS (without knowing what the pressure for this load is).

So I was hoping that some of you may have some experience with one or more of these powders and the 145 gr. LRN and that you would like to share the loads you have used.

I have also just bought a chronograph so, if I can't find any additional information, I will start slow and experiment to see what loads I can safely arrive at (in which case I will be happy to share these).

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

fltbed · Nov 25, 2012

First off. Welcome to the forum.

Here in the states, the 147 gr. truncated nose is the heavy bullet of choice for the 9mm. Also, I could never find any load data for WSL or WST with the 147 so I worked up my own. Use at your own risk.

WSL was the first “light target” powder I tried but I found it burns to hot for cast lead bullets, leading to leading just beyond the chamber throat. Works ok with jacketed bullets though. I started at 3.3 gr. and worked up in 0.1 gr. increments to 3.6 gr. with Winchester bulk 147 gr. JHP. The 3.6 gr. load was the most consistent (and most accurate of any powders tested) with velocities of 900 f.p.s. and no signs of excessive pressure.

WST has been my “go to” powder for 45 acp target loads since it was introduced. I buy it by the keg and load all my USPSA ammo with it. (45 acp, 40 S&W, 9mm)
In my 9L production gun, I use a Bear Creak 147 gr. poly/moly coated lead bullet. Start load was 3.3 gr. and worked up (again in 0.1 gr. increments) with a max of 3.8 gr. Between 3.3-3.6 gr. I saw a velocity increase of only 40 f.p.s. but the ES, SD’s, and accuracy, improved dramatically at 3.6 gr. From 3.6-3.9 saw only an additional 30 f.p.s. with a couple cases showing some excessive pressure signs at 3.9 gr. So I called 3.8 gr. Max in my gun. WST is reverse temperature sensitive in my tests so I load 3.6 gr. (890 f.p.s.) for temps up to 90 degrees (32.2 C) and I’ll bump it to 3.7 for the hotter months. (WST also has a low flash signature, so it’s great for dark houses and night shoots.)

Again, use this data at your own risk.
Always work up your loads carefully.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

Granddad · Nov 25, 2012

For 147 gr. it is often recommended that one use slower powders. I prefer Unique and WSF
loaded about 0.2 below max. (about 3.6 and 3.8 respectively). I also tend to load them a
little long at 1.135" OAL. Just start low and work up to the charge that performs like you want.

With that, Welcome!

285greg · Nov 25, 2012

Thank you very much for the advice guys, I really appreciate it! I will give these a try as a starting point and I will post the results.

125JHP · Nov 25, 2012

Welcome Greg

Since your using lead you will want to reduce any load data given for copper jacketed and even for copper plated bullets (since a lot of people load them to FMJ mid-range or higher specs).

I use WST mainly in 115 and 124gr 9mm but have tried a couple of loads with Berrys and Rainier copper plated bullets. I worked up to 3.6gr WST at 1.15" oal for a velocity around 880 fps. For lead I would probably drop that to 3.2 or 3.3 to start.

I had a little better accuracy with 4.0 of WSF (875~900 fps) which is on the burn rate chart horizontally very close to your AP100 and also in the range of Solo-1250. Again for lead I would drop to 3.7 or 3.8 of WSF for initial testing.
Another popular slightly faster powder is AA-5 (similar to and between AP50 and AP-70.

Of course, all internet disclaimers apply, YMMV

Where I am in Arizona the temps are typically between 90 and 100 F

9 mm 145 gr. LRN loads for WST, WSL, Unique or AP 100

285greg

fltbed

Member

Granddad

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285greg

125JHP

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