Published Load Data for Speer #3997 in 9mm

Krogen

Krogen

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Does anybody have published (i.e. loading manual) data for Speer's #3997 bullet in 9mm Parabellum? I came across a stash I had forgotten about. I'd like to make use of them.

I loaded a few quite some time ago. My records show a load of Herco and a specific LOA. Rather than simply do that again, I'd like to experiment a bit. The problem is, the bullet was discontinued. Speer's website doesn't show load data. My old Speer manuals (9, 10 and 11) don't show the bullet. Presumably the current one (15) won't show it either. Maybe it's in No. 12, 13 or 14 - I dunno. If any of you have those manuals and would be kind enough to share some data, I'd sure appreciate it.

It's an odd shaped bullet, so I'm concerned about LOA. As we all know, seating depth in small pistol cartridges can significantly impact pressures; and LOA determines seating depth. I'm about to compare my known 124 gr loads' seating depths and figure an equivalent LOA for the 3997 bullet, but if I can find published data, I'd sure like to have a look.

Thanks!
 

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My "General" loading manual shows the Speer 3997 bullet at;
124 grs
BC .115
SD .141
OAL 1.120"
part# 3997
.355" 9mm UCSP

This bullet will also accept any "Standard" load data with the fps
going from 887 with w231 to 1238 with Blue Dot when shot out of a
S&W M5906 4" pistol with a cci 500 primer.

My old Polish Radom, liked this bullet set at 1.16" OAL with 5.0 grs of Unique, for a light target load.

Have fun.
 
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Thanks, Nevada Ed. That pic is interesting. The Speer bullet appears slightly shorter than the other two 124 gr bullets. If loaded to the same LOA, then data for those bullets is usable. Pressures would tend to be lower because of reduced seating depth. The 9mm can be tricky due to the small case volume and relatively high pressures. If you have Quickload, for an eye-opener try playing with seating depth and look at the pressure results. Doesn't take much to make a big difference.
 
I have load manuals that have pushed a 124 FMJ all the way down to.................
a OAL of 1.09" and one manual had a FN jacketed bullet at 1.05".

This short OAL did not do well in my 5" pistol and they actually LOST fps, when compared to my loads set at 1.12".
However they might work in some short throat pistols.

I do know that this bullet does work great on Nevada, Jack rabbits, though. :D
 
Krogen, I've loaded 9MM for a very long time, and see my Speer #14 still lists the 3997. Speer lists the OAL at 1.120". I wouldn't go any shorter, and FWIW, have always loaded to the longest OAL that will function reliably. And within my humble experience, loading shorter raises apparent pressures significantly. I've found the longer OALs to function most reliably in any 9MM pistols I had.

I used a lot of the Herco you mentioned for years, but most of my Herco loads were loaded to the top end, what would likely be +P or even +P+ now days.

Titegroup and 231 are both faster powders than I normally used, that I guess would be appropriate for light plinking type loads. My Speer #14 lists a start charge with 231 of 4.0 grains for 887 FPS, with a max load 4.5 grains for 998 FPS. Using Titegroup a start load of 4.0 grains is listed for 1020 FPS, with a max of 4.4 grains for 1095 FPS. Barrel length listed is 4".
 
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Thanks, Rock185. Good info and much appreciated. It might be that my old Herco load is indeed a better choice than 231 or Titegroup. I still have part of a 1 lb can. Herco seems to have fallen out of favor. I don't see it mentioned often.
 
Herco powder will do very nice with the longer OAL that will work in your mag's and chambers, as will ALL of the slower burning
and Alliant flake type, slow powders.

Lots of manuals use w231 with the short OAL , since it fits better than Alliant Green Dot that has the same energy but 28% more volume, that needs a longer OAL, to work.

Try a 1.12 & a 1.165" OAL in you pistol just above a starting load and see if the POA and accuracy is different.
I have found that a long OAL load that works the slide, generally has good groups.

Have fun.
 
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