Everyday range 9mm?

JCase · Mar 12, 2019

Anybody have any suggestions for everyday range loading for 9mm?

Looking for bullet type, weight and powder.

Currently I have some Rainier 115 9mm RN and Unique powder. I've reloaded a few rounds at 4.3grains and 4.7grains but I've not made it to the range to test them out.

I'm new to reloading.

I'm trying to work up loads for:
M&P 9mm PRO CORE
SIG P365
Ruger PC9 carbine

jag22 · Mar 12, 2019

If that load comes from a manual then give it a try. That’s what reloading is all about, finding what works best for you. I tried plated many years ago. Cheaper, yes, but never could match the accuracy of FMJ. Unique has been popular for a long time and has many supporters but a reputation for being dirty. Again, try some other powders and see what you like.

fredj338 · Mar 12, 2019

The issue with Unique is running it below midrange, it will leave a lot of unburnt powder & carbon. With 115gr, Unique wants to run closer to the top end for best results. Also keep in mind a plated bullet is NOT a jacketed bullet when it comes to data you find in most manuals. From the Alliant webs site, you can see even 4.7gr is kinda on the light side:
9mm Luger Speer 115 gr CPRN, Federal sp, 1.135oal, 4"bbl, CCI 500, Unique 6gr max

JCase · Mar 12, 2019

fredj338 said:
The issue with Unique is running it below midrange, it will leave a lot of unburnt powder & carbon. With 115gr, Unique wants to run closer to the top end for best results. Also keep in mind a plated bullet is NOT a jacketed bullet when it comes to data you find in most manuals. From the Alliant webs site, you can see even 4.7gr is kinda on the light side:
9mm Luger Speer 115 gr CPRN, Federal sp, 1.135oal, 4"bbl, CCI 500, Unique 6gr max

I've seen recipes for Unique with 6gr max. I'm following the recipe in the Hornady X book, that builds up from 4.3gr

colt_saa · Mar 12, 2019

JCase said:
Anybody have any suggestions for everyday range loading for 9mm?

Looking for bullet type, weight and powder.

Currently I have some Rainier 115 9mm RN and Unique powder. I've reloaded a few rounds at 4.3grains and 4.7grains but I've not made it to the range to test them out.

I'm new to reloading.

I'm trying to work up loads for:
M&P 9mm PRO CORE
SIG P365
Ruger PC9 carbine

That sounds way too light

For decades I have run 5.5 grains of unique with my 121 gran hard cast conical bullets

rwsmith · Mar 12, 2019

For me its....

125 grain Missouri coated bullets (economical) SWC style to make good holes in the target. I typically load right in the middle or slightly above the reloading manual. I use all kinds of powder. Titegroup, Unique, HP38, Power Pistol and Acc number 7 and all give good service.

These shoot fine out of my 9mm carbine but if anything is different it likes a little heavier bullet with a slightly heavier load.

Wise_A · Mar 12, 2019

125-gr Missouri Bullet Company coated LSWC, 4.0-4.2 gr Bullseye

Or 147-gr RNFP, same company, 4.1gr Power Pistol

I prefer the 147s and PP.

rockquarry · Mar 12, 2019

I realize many don't cast bullets and I have no idea what is available in the way of cast bullets from commercial casters for the 9mm. However, it may be worth the effort to try a variety of bullets. If you find a good bullet that is of the right diameter for your gun and of the right alloy mix for the pressure / velocity of your load, you'll see accuracy at least as good as the best jacketed bullet you can find. If you "tune" the load a bit, accuracy may exceed that of the best jacketed bullet load.

Yes, it involves a bit of work, but the end product is well worth the trouble.

bigggbbruce · Mar 12, 2019

fredj338 said:
9mm Luger Speer 115 gr CPRN, Federal sp, 1.135oal, 4"bbl, CCI 500, Unique 6gr max

Yep.. I run 5.5 - 5.8 for the most part...

Collo Rosso · Mar 12, 2019

Get some other powders. My favorite plinking load for 9mm is a 124gr. MBC coated RN and 4.8 grains of WST. Clean, accurate and cycles just fine in 2 Glocks, 3 CZ's and a S.A. 1911 range officer.
For my Ruger carbine it's 147gr. MBC coated FN with CFE-P or HS-6.

Nick B · Mar 12, 2019

4.1 grains of Titegroup with a Precision Delta 124 grain FMJ.
1053 FPS average out of a G17.
I’ve shot thousands of this load .

JCase · Mar 12, 2019

colt_saa said:
That sounds way too light

For decades I have run 5.5 grains of unique with my 121 gran hard cast conical bullets

I was using the Hornady X as follows:
115gr with Unique 4.3 / 4.7 / 5.0 / 5.4 with caution

I was working my way up from 4.3 to see how it shoots as I work up.

I see on Unique's data page they have:
Speer 115 gr CPRN 6gr

I'm new to reloading so I'm trying to figure this out and go slow. I see the there is a discrepancy between Hornady max of 5.4gr vs Unique of 6gr

Why the difference?

fredj338 · Mar 12, 2019

JCase said:
I've seen recipes for Unique with 6gr max. I'm following the recipe in the Hornady X book, that builds up from 4.3gr

Which is what I am trying to tell you, unique is a poor choice at starting load levels, especially with lighter bullets.

fredj338 · Mar 12, 2019

JCase said:
I was using the Hornady X as follows:
115gr with Unique 4.3 / 4.7 / 5.0 / 5.4 with caution

I was working my way up from 4.3 to see how it shoots as I work up.

I see on Unique's data page they have:
Speer 115 gr CPRN 6gr

I'm new to reloading so I'm trying to figure this out and go slow. I see the there is a discrepancy between Hornady max of 5.4gr vs Unique of 6gr

Why the difference?

If you look at 4 manuals you will find 4 diff data ref. All bullets are not the same, all barrels are not the same, all test conditions are not the same.
Alliant calls for 6gr max with that bullet. They recommend 10% reduction to start. So 5.4gr. Unique will work pretty well down at 5gr but below that, pretty filthy.
Keep in mind since you are new, you want 2-3 diff vetted data sources. Load to the longest oal that fits your gun. What the book says is almost meaningless, it isnt your barrel, not likely the identical bullet. Load manuals are guides, not bibles. Bullets are rarely if ever plug & play. They All have diff shapes, bearing surfaces, mat'l, rarely can you safely just swap bullets of diff manuf or types with good & safe results.

frankieb01 · Mar 12, 2019

My favorite plinking 9mm load is 124gr plated rn (usually Xtreme or Berry’s) over 4.2gr Bullseye coal 1.135”

Calliope · Mar 13, 2019

I've switched to coated in 9mm.
Far cheaper than plated and more accurate than the plated I've tried so far.
I like the 125 grain cone shape coated bullets from Black Bullets International and Missouri Bullet.

WSF, HP-38 work great, I'm sure many others do too. Use lead data.

BlackTalonJHP · Mar 13, 2019

My go to is 124 grain Berry's Plated over 3.8 grains of Titegroup with WSP primer. Very clean, very accurate, very soft, very reliable.

MyDads38 · Mar 13, 2019

124 gr. Xtreme plated RN over 4.0 grs. TiteGroup works well in all my 9's.

JCase · Mar 13, 2019

fredj338 said:
If you look at 4 manuals you will find 4 diff data ref. All bullets are not the same, all barrels are not the same, all test conditions are not the same.
Alliant calls for 6gr max with that bullet. They recommend 10% reduction to start. So 5.4gr. Unique will work pretty well down at 5gr but below that, pretty filthy.
Keep in mind since you are new, you want 2-3 diff vetted data sources. Load to the longest oal that fits your gun. What the book says is almost meaningless, it isnt your barrel, not likely the identical bullet. Load manuals are guides, not bibles. Bullets are rarely if ever plug & play. They All have diff shapes, bearing surfaces, mat'l, rarely can you safely just swap bullets of diff manuf or types with good & safe results.

How do I determine the longest OAL to fit my gun?

With a shorter bullet and still loading to the longest OAL, how much is the minimum that needs to be seated in the case?

JCase · Mar 13, 2019

I have 3 containers of Unique that I would like to use up before I switch to other powder, hate to waste it. I bought the Hornady LnL AP slightly used with 3 bottles of Unique that were unopened.

Everyday range 9mm?

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