Bullseye Competition load for 9mm, is there such a beast??

I have had the good fortune to pick up a like new Model 952 Performance Shop 9mm.

I am working to find if there is a reliable/accurate bullseye load for this beauty.

Just loaded my first batch of test rounds using a 115 grain Montana Gold JHP with 6.5 grains of AA#5. Should produce a 1050 FPS load.

Seems to be a fine line between low recoil, accuracy and reliability with the 9mm.

Your thoughts/loads on this subject would be appreciated.

Tom

I have not found a super accurate bullesye level load. But in all reality one can obtain outstandng performance with much less recoil using either a S&W 52 in 38 Special or one of the inports in 32 S&WL for the bulleye centerfire stage. In Bullesye CF is used either my Model 52 or in 32 S&WL either my Walther GSP or Pardini HP.

9mm Bullseye?

Tony,

Thanks for the post....

I have a feeling I am going to have a challenge on my hands with this 9mm!

Been on the phone with S&W tech's regarding the trigger pull on this 952 I bought.

They are set up to hold 4 pounds and go off at 3.5 and I would prefer that it went off at 3 pounds. Roland inthe performance center told me to send it back and they will adjust the trigger at NO CHARGE.

Tom

Try a hornady 124 grain flat point bullet. And 6 grains. Of Power Pistol. Also 5 grains of WSF is a good load with 124/125 grain bullets. These are my 50 yard PPC loads.

I have used this Alliant load as a starting point for my 115g loads.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

After some experimentation I have found that 4.2g cycles fine and is an accurate load.

At least this will give you a starting point.

Good luck!

1066 said:

I have used this Alliant load as a starting point for my 115g loads.

Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

After some experimentation I have found that 4.2g cycles fine and is an accurate load.

At least this will give you a starting point.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

So you are using Bulleye??
I am going to also try a Titegroup load.

I've used Bullseye in a non-S&W gun with good results. I followed the recommendation of Alliant's technical representative which was 4.0 to 4.5 grains of Bullseye behind a 115-grain jacketed hollow point and a COL of 1.100". I've also used it behind 115-grain FMJ bullets. I think you'll find 4.2 to 4.4 grains provide the best results.

From the Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol website's reloading page...
Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

A Load for the 9mm Service Pistol

Here is a 9mm load that David Sams has been using for testing Beretta 92 barrels and his completed guns that has been proven sub 1.5" groups at 50 yds is as follows:

* Starline brass
* 115gr Hornady FMJ-RN bullet
* 6.0 - 6.2gr Alliant Power Pistol powder
* Rem #5 1/2 SP primers
* O.A.L. -- 1.120" no-crimp

Out of a barrel test fixture using Bar-Sto barrels groups have consistently run between .975" to 1.5" averaging about 1". Through David's completed 92F's, he claims that they have been running 1.3" - 1.5" as a reminder these are hand-loaded.

For a 9mm, about as good as you can get.

I'm using Bullseye because I have so much of it. 115 Gr. FMJ & 4.4 grs. Bullseye. That works for me.

factory ammo

if you are ever stuck and have to use factory loads winchester 147 gr subsonic both HP and trunicated cone will shoot 2 " or better out of that gun .

I think the OP meant "bullseye" as in "NRA Conventional Pistol" competition, not the Alliant powder.

Correct, I am referring to bullseye competition, not the powder.
Tom

Just for comparison, I've been shooting a .38 super in bullseye(or a .45). I'm running a 115gr LSWC over 3.5gr of bullseye. Plenty low enough charge you can get some LSWC and work up, if you go down just be sure they make it out the barrel. Any lower or higher charge and I got stringing, gun was in a ransom, under 1" groups with that load.

IMO, 9mm loads can be used in .38 super. The load I'm using is reduced that far it should be fine in 9mm.

In my 9mm 1911, I prefer 3.8gr of Green Dot behind a 147gr cast lead bullet for hole punching at 25yds. The 9mm can be just as accurate as any caliber if you're gun is capable, it's just finding the right bullet/powder/amount combo that your gun likes is the problem......and sometimes it's quite difficult.

And congrats on the aquisition of your 952.

So to help answer your original question...

I would recommend you go over to the Bullseye-L archive and search on 9mm. This is strictly NRA conventional pistol folks and there are a number of nationally ranked shooters there. I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for. I just did a random search on "9mm" and got lots of hits with loads. Keep in mind that these are all service loads, since I don't think many folks shoot centerfire with a 9mm (but I could be wrong).

Here's the URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/Bullseye-L-Archive

A dear friend of mine has a 952 and believe it or not the best performing and most accurate ammo was........CCI Blazer! Who would have thought that? I have seen it and shot it...WOW! Might work for you as well!
Randy

9mm Load

growr said:

A dear friend of mine has a 952 and believe it or not the best performing and most accurate ammo was........CCI Blazer! Who would have thought that? I have seen it and shot it...WOW! Might work for you as well!
Randy

Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I am more looking for a Sub-Sonic load.
Will most likely end up going with a 147 grain bullet and see if I can get this thing to shoot in the 900-950 FPS range.

Tom

THREEDFLYER said:

Thanks for the heads up. I am more looking for a Sub-Sonic load.
Will most likely end up going with a 147 grain bullet and see if I can get this thing to shoot in the 900-950 FPS range.

Tom

Click to expand...

I don't shoot bullseye but If your going 147 gr than I can offer that I've had VG results with 3.3 gr of W231 under a 147 gr lead CFP (out to my normal 25 yds (max)). Seems accurate, cycles well and is not real dirty. Shoots in the low 900's as I recall.

My load for 9 mm Luger pistols...

was a hard piece of work.

All guns works best with the Swiss-Army-9 mm Luger.
RUAG is the maker of this kind of gold.

But when it comes to reloading I got the best success with the following combination:

Case: GECO (german brand, but i guess it's not sooo important)
But the caselength must be equal.
Primer: CCI 500
Bullet: Speer FMJ 124 grain
Powder: Accurate Arms #2
Powderweight: 4.1 grains
COL: 1.159 inches

Experimenting how strong you press the casemouth at the bullet is not the worst thing you could do.

Even my biggest piece of sorrow, aka. Beretta Model 92FS, shoosts acceptable results with this load.

Using this data is at your own risk.

Swissman

Finding 9mm 50yd accuracy is neither easy nor inexpensive . Here's the latest info I've been able to find via Neil Kravitz / David Sams . While I can't comment on the 952 , this pertains to guns built on the 1911 platform .
Best accuracy has been found using KKM barrels with a 1 in 32 twist . 1 in 16 twist was found to be too fast for optimum group size . KKM barrels need a special reamer , preferred is JGS . Unfortunately Bar Sto barrels did not test out as well . Note that cartridge OAL is determined by your chambers finished dimensions . If cut with a deep throat magazine will tell you the OAL . It's also been determined that a short throat is preferable . The following loads were developed using an OAL of 1.085 as determined by the JGS reamer .
Powder was either VVN 330 ( 5.0grs ) or VVN 340 ( 4.8grs ) with stated OAL of 1.085 & taper crimp of .375 . New Starline brass & Fed GM100M primers . In the past acceptible loads were found with Power Pistol & AMU is trying WSF . Bullet is Hornady 115gr XTP . It was found to group the best . Have not been able to find a lead bullet that'll perform as well or consistantly .
It's been found that brass & sizing die have a SERIOUS effect on 9mm loads . There's also a distinct possibility that seating die could effect the loads performance too . It's very important to note that NEW Starline brass used to obtain these results .
Personally I don't see the need for 9mm for the following reasons :
1) You must shoot the 45 & it can also be used for CF .
2) Accurate 9mm loads must use jacketed bullets & have same recoil as the 45 .
3) Having to use new brass increases ammo cost considerably .
4) The cost of building a 9mm 1911 is more than the cost of building a 45 1911 . You can buy 2 Kart barrels for the price of 1 KKM , not to mention reamer costs .
5) Accurate 9mm loads are higher pressure than accurate 45 loads . Not to mention increased wear / battering of the gun & it's hand fitted parts .
Like I said I can't comment on the 952 . I do shoot a 52 , but not in competition . Ruby Fox long time women's champ used to shoot a 38 super 1911 in CF . It's been my bitter experience that the smaller calibers will hurt more than help . For me the 45 is the way & my scores confirm it . Hope this helps , good lock in your endevour .
Andy