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.