What's your most accurate 9mm load?

stanmerrell · Apr 27, 2022

I've been trying to settle on a good 9mm load, but can't seem to find one that matches the accuracy of the sellier and belot load I buy. Most recently I've tried WW244 since it's been good availability around here...I also have Bullseye, Unique, 700x, 800x. I use the Hornady 124gr HAP hollow points. I prefer a full power load for plinking and paper. If you have a powder you like please mention it. Thanks.

Rogeronimo · Apr 27, 2022

I load a Nosler 124gn. JHP over 6.3 grains of 800-X, WSP primer, COAL at 1.090". This is not a published load as far as I know, no pressure levels to advise you on, so you're on your own.

85win · Apr 27, 2022

Depends on specific bullet, but for me, out of about a dozen powders:
147 grn bullets—N330 and W231
124 grn bullets—N340 and Silhouette

mtgianni · Apr 27, 2022

I load 4 gr of AA2 and a 124 or 135 gr home cast bullet. I am also experimenting with some powders I got from a nephew's deceased FIL. Ramshot Silhoutte shows some promise but it's early. I am also playing with 800X, 700X, Herco and Red Dot.

teletech · Apr 27, 2022

I have sitting on my desk a 50-yard target with 10 shots inside of 1.9".
Sierra V-Crown 124s in front of 4.0 grains of B/E, loaded to 1.2".
Remington #6.5 primers (yes, I know that's a SRP) and Blazer brass. FWIW.

I've also had pretty good luck with 9.1 of AA#7 with Hornady bullets and with 115s it seems to like VV-N350.
YMMV, this is just what I've used.

mikerjf · Apr 28, 2022

There’s a lot of different 9mm powders and info at natoreloading.com

jake1945 · Apr 28, 2022

My most accurate load is the one I get consistent hits on a man size target at 25 yards!

glenwolde · Apr 28, 2022

I use a similar bullet (Precision Delta) with a close to max load of Universal. That's been the best so far but I'm still working on it. I find the 9mm very sensitive. Small changes can make a good load into minute of Buick.

I think the way to approach it is to take a powder and work through all the variables (OAL, charge weight, headstamp, etc) before giving up on it.

I know it's out there, but with the 9mm I find it difficult. Unlike the .38 Spl which seems to shoot just about anything well.

Edit to add pistol: Springfield 1911 "Loaded Stainless Target"

elpac3 · Apr 28, 2022

I too have found the 9mm to be very challenging to get a tight shooting load. VERY gun dependent.

Mu Sig 320x5 like the Berry 124 RN with 4.0 BE at 1.125" or the Bayou 120 TC with 4.0 BE at 1.06"

Model 39 hates them both. Likes the factory 115 RN.

M29since14 · Apr 28, 2022

I agree with the “gun dependent” factor. I usually start with HS6. My experience is that most guns will do well with it using a maximum load and 115-124 grain bullets. My older SIGs seem to prefer 231. I have one 9mm, an S&W 1911 Pro, that won’t seem to shoot anything but 147 grain FMJ-FN bullets. Loading for accuracy in 9mm pistols can be all over the place. I’d start with HS6 and see if it works well in your gun.

85win · Apr 28, 2022

mikerjf said:
There’s a lot of different 9mm powders and info at natoreloading.com

There is some interesting information on 9mm powders on that site, but they didn’t do their testing at far enough ranges. Their conclusion is that N330 was the overall best powder.

The Norseman · Apr 28, 2022

More Power to you

Currently I like the 9mm 124gr XTP Hornady,
Alliant Power Pistol, CCI SP, Win. or R-P Cases,
trimmed to length, Lee FCD tapered, 1000fps?

I use these as Plinking and Self Defense loads.

Always follow what the Reloading Manuals say!

Funflyer · Apr 28, 2022

Too bad available powder choices are sparse these days. I've found no other powder that matches BE-86 with all bullet weights in 9mm. As mentioned above, HS6 is a great powder for full power loads also.

Hasbeen1945 · Apr 28, 2022

My Wilson ACP test target used Hap bullets and Power Pistol. Works good for me. My Pact took a dump so I’m not sure on velocity.

Nevada Ed · Apr 28, 2022

A lot depends on the pistol and bullet weight and types, (RN vs HP ) as well as OAL.

My pistols like w231 for light target.....
medium loads with CFE pistol powder.....
and depending on the bullet and how deep it is seated and it's OAL
for maximum loads my pistols like Unique, Blue Dot or BE-86 with the
JHP in 115, 124 and 147 grains for +P loads, that are accurate.

At the pressent I have 13 powders that I have used with my 9mm loads.

Out of all my pistols this is the best group that I have on paper
that was used in my testing fps in loads and just putting loads across the screen
and not really trying for accuracy, just not hitting my unit.
Target was at 20 feet and chrony at ten feet.

I will note, that this was before I had four verts in my neck fused.

My days of tight groups are over now, but just happy to still be able
to get out and pop primers and do some test now and then.

stanmerrell · Apr 28, 2022

Wow that CFE looks really good

Nevada Ed said:
A lot depends on the pistol and bullet weight and types, (RN vs HP ) as well as OAL.

My pistols like w231 for light target.....
medium loads with CFE pistol powder.....
and depending on the bullet and how deep it is seated and it's OAL
for maximum loads my pistols like Unique, Blue Dot or BE-86 with the
JHP in 115, 124 and 147 grains for +P loads, that are accurate.

At the pressent I have 13 powders that I have used with my 9mm loads.

Out of all my pistols this is the best group that I have on paper
that was used in my testing fps in loads and just putting loads across the screen
and not really trying for accuracy, just not hitting my unit.
Target was at 20 feet and chrony at ten feet.

I will note, that this was before I had four verts in my neck fused.

My days of tight groups are over now, but just happy to still be able
to get out and pop primers and do some test now and then.

Wow thanks for this info. That CFE lead looks like a keeper. Good data. Thank you

stanmerrell · Apr 28, 2022

Thanks that's a good link

mikerjf said:
There’s a lot of different 9mm powders and info at natoreloading.com

Thanks for this link. Seems like a lot of work was done by these fellas.

STORMINORMAN · Apr 28, 2022

"Most accurate 9mm load...?" Now THAT depends...

Depends a lot on the specific gun. Most of the time the 1st thing I'm trying to establish is a load (or loads?) that will work reliably in ALL my firearms in any specific caliber. With a new powder it may be for a bunch of different calibers as well.

Not always will every load be the most accurate in each example. This is where the real "fun" in reloading begins: at least for me. Determining the combination of powder, bullet and firearm that is accurate. Which opens the entirely different can of worms: exactly how much accuracy is actually needed? And at the expense of what other attribute, such as expansion &/or penetration in the case of defensive loads?

Cheers!

P.S. Only two of the previous posters included the kind of 9mm they were posting about. This, to me, is most relevant.

So, as far as powders for accuracy in 9mm are concerned I'll include CFE Pistol, 231, Unique and (sometimes) Bullseye. These in different pistols ranging from a CZ75, various M&Ps, a 3913 & a couple Glocks...

biku324 · Apr 28, 2022

I used 4.5 grains of Unique and Speer 125 grain LRN bullets #4602. I could regularly ring 200 yard IHMSA rams with my issue 5906 and that load. I am NOT a super shooter.

Seems like that 5906 really liked the soft lead. Dunno if there was leading, as I usually fired a few jacketed bullets in my shooting sessions.

oddshooter · Apr 28, 2022

Here's another vote for Vihtavouri N340.
Accurate.
Stable.
Clean.

The holy trinity of Handloading, which is experimenting to find the right load. Reloading is making the same combo over and over and over.

Prescut

What's your most accurate 9mm load?

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