I'm new to reloading, I bought Bullseye Powder, was going to get Unique Powder, but the clerk said I could use less powder using the bullseye. Heres my question what powder weight do I use on hornadys 124 gr HP XTP. using Bullseye powder. minimum to maximum load. I have looked online and in my hornady reloading book and have a load for 115 gr hp xtp but I have 124 gr bullets coming due to a rebate. Thanks
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Reloading Hornady 9mm 124 gr HP XTP
- Thread starter J.S.
- Start date
90crvtec
Well-known member
Did you check Alliant's website for Bullseye load data? Alliant Powder - Home
They list 124grn Gold Dot HP and a MAX powder charge for that round using Bullseye. I would reduce that by 10% and start there with the XTPs. I'm surprised the Hornady manual doesn't list 115 and 124 XTP load data.
They list 124grn Gold Dot HP and a MAX powder charge for that round using Bullseye. I would reduce that by 10% and start there with the XTPs. I'm surprised the Hornady manual doesn't list 115 and 124 XTP load data.
MichiganScott
Well-known member
In theory, using a small charge and saving money is good. In reality, using a small charge makes it that much more difficult to be able to discern a double charge in the case.
I always use the slowest powder possible that achieves the velocity I want if the ballistic efficiency is there. Not only does powder overflow make double charges noticeable, but full cases are more ballistically efficient. The powder is in the same position in the case with each shot instead of sloshing around.
Full cases of powder also limit bullet setback when the bullet impacts the barrel ramp during feeding if your bullet pull leaves something to be desired.
Bullseye is a great powder. It just may not be the best powder for a newbie to use.
I always use the slowest powder possible that achieves the velocity I want if the ballistic efficiency is there. Not only does powder overflow make double charges noticeable, but full cases are more ballistically efficient. The powder is in the same position in the case with each shot instead of sloshing around.
Full cases of powder also limit bullet setback when the bullet impacts the barrel ramp during feeding if your bullet pull leaves something to be desired.
Bullseye is a great powder. It just may not be the best powder for a newbie to use.
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Hornady does list 115 and 124 load data, just does not list BE powder for the 124 grain. Would not be my choice either. It is a fast powder for 9mm, yes, it can be used, but there are better choices.
The OP can use the 124 gr GD start load on the Alliant site but will have to adjust the COL for his barrel and bullet.
The OP can use the 124 gr GD start load on the Alliant site but will have to adjust the COL for his barrel and bullet.
Fast powders like Bullseye,
Bullseye, Titegroup and those other dense, fast powders are great for target loads.
Depending on your gun and barrel, Bullseye CAN get into the velocity range that will allow jacketed bullets to expand, but it's easier to get there with a slower powder, like Unique or around that range.
The fast dense powders only take a few grains for a target load and it hardly fills the bottom of the case and it's difficult to tell if you have an overcharge. A double charge of such powders will BLOW UP YOUR GUN so you have to be extra careful using them.
So you can use Bullseye, just be careful and realize that if you are looking for something faster than a target load, other powders will do better.
It IS economical. I can get about 3000 target loads out of a pound of Bullseye.
Bullseye, Titegroup and those other dense, fast powders are great for target loads.
Depending on your gun and barrel, Bullseye CAN get into the velocity range that will allow jacketed bullets to expand, but it's easier to get there with a slower powder, like Unique or around that range.
The fast dense powders only take a few grains for a target load and it hardly fills the bottom of the case and it's difficult to tell if you have an overcharge. A double charge of such powders will BLOW UP YOUR GUN so you have to be extra careful using them.
So you can use Bullseye, just be careful and realize that if you are looking for something faster than a target load, other powders will do better.
It IS economical. I can get about 3000 target loads out of a pound of Bullseye.
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I have used Bullseye with the plated 124gr RN "Ball" type bullet with a OAL of 1.14" from starting loads to maximum loads per my manuals in a C9.
My fps started at 945 and top end went as high as a 1050 fps average. Hodgdon data has this style bullet at a lot shorter OAL and the reason for their higher fps listings plus a longer barrel.
When I test the 124gr Speer Gold Dot JHP bullet with Bullseye it reached standard 9mm pressures but the fps were very low and did not reach a high enough velocity to qualify for a SD load with a OAL of 1.125" listed in a Speer manual.
If you have a 4 or 5" barrel, Bullseye might reach a SD loading but as mentioned there are many other powders that will reach the minimum 1140 fps or more without any problems for this loading.
The XTP bullet is nothing like a GD so you will need to start over with the correct OAL for that bullet but it has worked for me but I do not give out OAL for that bullet due to its makeup.
The 124gr has worked in my old long barrel Radom and C9 at medium speeds around 1010 fps or less with no feeding or ejection problems, that were "Fitted" to each weapon.
Have fun.
My fps started at 945 and top end went as high as a 1050 fps average. Hodgdon data has this style bullet at a lot shorter OAL and the reason for their higher fps listings plus a longer barrel.
When I test the 124gr Speer Gold Dot JHP bullet with Bullseye it reached standard 9mm pressures but the fps were very low and did not reach a high enough velocity to qualify for a SD load with a OAL of 1.125" listed in a Speer manual.
If you have a 4 or 5" barrel, Bullseye might reach a SD loading but as mentioned there are many other powders that will reach the minimum 1140 fps or more without any problems for this loading.
The XTP bullet is nothing like a GD so you will need to start over with the correct OAL for that bullet but it has worked for me but I do not give out OAL for that bullet due to its makeup.
The 124gr has worked in my old long barrel Radom and C9 at medium speeds around 1010 fps or less with no feeding or ejection problems, that were "Fitted" to each weapon.
Have fun.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Bullseye is too fast a powder for the 9mm IMO especially with teavier bullets. When a powder company or bullet company doesn't list data for a cartridge/bullet/powder combination there is usually a very good reason.
I use W231/HP-38 for target loads and lead bullets in the 9mm. For more serious work I prefer HS-6 or Longshot which are fairly slow powders. AA#5 will also work well as will several others with a similar burn rate.
I use W231/HP-38 for target loads and lead bullets in the 9mm. For more serious work I prefer HS-6 or Longshot which are fairly slow powders. AA#5 will also work well as will several others with a similar burn rate.
J.S., welcome to the forum...
As you can see from the responses, you can always cound on a variety of answers... usually based on different load objectives.
I have been reloading for just a few years, many that have responded have much more experience.
From the 9mm, I am only interested in target loads, around 1050 fps from a 5 inch barrel.
I load Bullseye at around the starting Alliant level. The Bullseye meters consistently, is accurate, and I don't believe there is room for a double charge in the 9mm cartridge. I've tried several powders for 9mm target loads and keep coming back to Bullseye.
As a starting reloader, be careful, read your manuals and this forum, I'm sure Bullseye will be a safe powder for you.
Will
As you can see from the responses, you can always cound on a variety of answers... usually based on different load objectives.
I have been reloading for just a few years, many that have responded have much more experience.
From the 9mm, I am only interested in target loads, around 1050 fps from a 5 inch barrel.
I load Bullseye at around the starting Alliant level. The Bullseye meters consistently, is accurate, and I don't believe there is room for a double charge in the 9mm cartridge. I've tried several powders for 9mm target loads and keep coming back to Bullseye.
As a starting reloader, be careful, read your manuals and this forum, I'm sure Bullseye will be a safe powder for you.
Will
rsrocket1
Well-known member
Pluses for Bullseye:
Meters better than Unique
Uses about 10% less charge for equal velocity
Pluses for Unique:
Bulky, fills up the case, you can't mistakenly double charge without overflowing the case
At 9mm pressures, burns completely and with less residual soot than Bullseye which tends to leave soot at any pressure. Not a problem if you clean your gun anyway.
More safety margin - burns at a lower pressure for equal velocity with Bullseye
Low to zero nitroglycerin content - won't eat away certain brands of powder measures
You really won't go wrong with either powder. Just be careful of not to double charge with Bullseye.
Meters better than Unique
Uses about 10% less charge for equal velocity
Pluses for Unique:
Bulky, fills up the case, you can't mistakenly double charge without overflowing the case
At 9mm pressures, burns completely and with less residual soot than Bullseye which tends to leave soot at any pressure. Not a problem if you clean your gun anyway.
More safety margin - burns at a lower pressure for equal velocity with Bullseye
Low to zero nitroglycerin content - won't eat away certain brands of powder measures
You really won't go wrong with either powder. Just be careful of not to double charge with Bullseye.
As mentioned above posting a question on here will elicit a variety of
responses, most however will reflect the responder's biases, opinions
and personal views that have little to no revelance to your question.
The Lyman Pistol and Revolver manual shows a load of 3.9-4.5 grs of
Bullseye with a 125 gr Sierra JHP at an OAL of 1.075. As long as your
OAL is not significantly less than 1.075" you will be fine with their
data and your bullet. As far as using Bullseye powder; there isn't
enough room in the 9mm case for a double charge and Bullseye
actually has a favorable velocity-pressure ratio campared to many
other powders in the 9mm as well as other cartridges. Enjoy your
loading and shooting.
responses, most however will reflect the responder's biases, opinions
and personal views that have little to no revelance to your question.
The Lyman Pistol and Revolver manual shows a load of 3.9-4.5 grs of
Bullseye with a 125 gr Sierra JHP at an OAL of 1.075. As long as your
OAL is not significantly less than 1.075" you will be fine with their
data and your bullet. As far as using Bullseye powder; there isn't
enough room in the 9mm case for a double charge and Bullseye
actually has a favorable velocity-pressure ratio campared to many
other powders in the 9mm as well as other cartridges. Enjoy your
loading and shooting.
The 9mm case will hold 10 grs of water..........
115gr fmj at 5.0 grs of Bullsey or
the longer 124 gr fmj with 4.8 grs of Bullsey
for a maximum load, is hard to double load and still have a bullet in the case.
Nosler has its 124JHP oal 1.12" with 4.4 Bullseye at a 58% case volume.
115gr fmj at 5.0 grs of Bullsey or
the longer 124 gr fmj with 4.8 grs of Bullsey
for a maximum load, is hard to double load and still have a bullet in the case.
Nosler has its 124JHP oal 1.12" with 4.4 Bullseye at a 58% case volume.
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