9mm Bunny Fart Loads-For a Single Shot

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I've recently found myself curious about a new range toy in the form of a single shot 9mm pistol. It looks silly and useless, but fun in a "007" or "Mechanic" kinda way.

I am curious how low I could go with power in the hopes of maybe using it to shoot rabbits, spruce hen and such.

I just want to be sure the projectile clears the bore, has reasonable accuracy within 50 yards, ( most likely 25) and to avoid baffle strikes. Anyone got any ideas? Previous searches on the topic just keep coming up with loads not much lighter than factory, or what's required to run most semi auto pistols. I've never experimented with light loads, but I've heard it can get a little strange with heavily reduced powder charges.

I'd sure appreciate y'alls thoughts and suggestions, and I apologize if this has been addressed with my particular nuance and I missed it on searches.

 

[Outpost75]

I have a 9mm single shot rifle threaded for can. I load a 147-grain lead flatnose bullet with 2.5 grains of Bullseye. Ballistics are like the .38 S&W, 700 fps single fed from a pistol and 800 from a 16-1/2" Short rifle.

With a 147FMJ the minimum charge is 3 grains to avoid sticking a bullet in the barrel.

 

[venomballistics]

I'd aim for something in the range of 700 - 900 FPS for the role intended.
given that its a single shot without need of sufficient impulse to run an auto. This leave you to focus on the objective of discrete, humane dispatch.
Spend some time working this load out, you'll be burning a lot of it once you chain it down. the 9 should have no problem making these numbers reliably

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

That is a mighty handsome (and handy!) looking rifle! Thanks for sharing the pics and your thoughts! I might have a can or two of BE layin' around someplace...

 

[Jimbo41]

Titegroup suppresses very well.

Unless you're hunting a rabbit of Caerbannog you won't need 147gr at 700fps, 115 or even 95 at 900fps will be plenty.

 

[Outpost75]

That is a mighty handsome (and handy!) looking rifle! Thanks for sharing the pics and your thoughts! I might have a can or two of BE layin' around someplace...

As FYI John Taylor fabricated this barrel for me using a Green Mountain 9mm Gunsmith Special blank. Rear sight is a Kensight reproduction of the M1 Carbine rear sight and front sight is an M14 rifle sight.

Base zero is at 50 yards with Federal 147-grain ammo with peep sight bottomed out after cutting front sight down 0.12". There is adequate range of adjustment to go out to 200 yards. The minimum 3 grain Bullseye load with 147 FMJ to exit the barrel shoots on at 25 yards and with the rear sight raised to max elevation will hit clay birds on the backstop at 100 yards.

 

[Arkfarmer]

Hey Feller, I also like and have several break action rifles for handgun cartridges. Mine are all for rimmed cases, would love to see pictures of the extractor on the 9mm, I assume he head spaced on the mouth of the cartridge? Thanks John

 

[rwsmith]

What type/weight of bullet are you planning to use? I use HP-38/Win 231 and for a 115 gr lead projectrile I'd start about 4 gr. of HP-38 or 4.4 gr for a jacketed bullet. Work your way down from there. I had good luck getting accurate loads with heavy for caliber bullets and reduced loads. If you use 147 gr bullets, the minimum loads for HP 38 are 3 gr for a jacketed bullet @ 755 fps.

If using Titegroup 3.4 grains for a lead bullet and 4 grains for a jacketed would be a good place to start.

If using a 147 gr jacketed bullet with Titegroup about .2.8 to 3 gr. would be a good try.

 

[venomballistics]

As FYI John Taylor fabricated this barrel for me using a Green Mountain 9mm Gunsmith Special blank. Rear sight is a Kensight reproduction of the M1 Carbine rear sight and front sight is an M14 rifle sight.

Base zero is at 50 yards with Federal 147-grain ammo with peep sight bottomed out after cutting front sight down 0.12". There is adequate range of adjustment to go out to 200 yards. The minimum 3 grain Bullseye load with 147 FMJ to exit the barrel shoots on at 25 yards and with the rear sight raised to max elevation will hit clay birds on the backstop at 100 yards.
View attachment 792519
View attachment 792517

These are the sorts of things I wish we could find straight off the rack.
While I really enjoy my "AR9's", I often want for something manually operated.
A glock mag fed lever or pump would drive me into temptation.
Alas, too few in the market see the worth in such things

 

[RH45]

As with all of the guns I own, you have to shoot different loads to see how accurate they are. I don't care much for Titegroup, because it's smoky. That said 2 1/2 grains of Titegroup, Sport Pistol, or VV320, behind a 160 grain bullet is a good starting point. If you want to try 147 grain bullets, start at 2.7 grains

 

[VinnieL59]

I have a 9mm single shot rifle threaded for can. I load a 147-grain lead flatnose bullet with 2.5 grains of Bullseye. Ballistics are like the .38 S&W, 700 fps single fed from a pistol and 800 from a 16-1/2" Short rifle.
View attachment 792472
With a 147FMJ the minimum charge is 3 grains to avoid sticking a bullet in the barrel.

I like it! I have a single-shot .45 LC/ .410 break action pistol. I think it was made by Rexio in Argentina. I've loaded .45 Colt way down to plink with in it. I haven't tried it in my Taurus Judge, but there is no reason it wouldn't work.

 

[gwpercle]

2.5 grains of Bullseye , Red Dot , W231 or HP-38 ...
with a 124 gr. TC / RF cast bullet should do the job nicely .,
Try other weights of bullets , but do use lubricated , coated or plated lead ..., these are easier to get through a barrel with less pressure .
Jacketed bullets are easiest to get stuck ... so don't go there !
Gary

 

[dillonhelp]

I had a Spanish bolt action rifle in 9mm Largo. My gunsmith opened the boltface to accept 38 Super cases. I used 130 grain cast bullets and 1.6 grains of Red Dot for squirrel hunting. Only moving about 630 fps. Comfortable to shoot without hearing protection. But I had to use the 75 yard sight setting to be on at 25 yards.

 

[Outpost75]

Hey Feller, I also like and have several break action rifles for handgun cartridges. Mine are all for rimmed cases, would love to see pictures of the extractor on the 9mm, I assume he head spaced on the mouth of the cartridge? Thanks John

Don't have picture of the 9mm extractor, but do from my .45 ACP barrel which works the same way. Both headspace on case mouth. Extractor hook drops clear of case body when action is opened. Is forced upward into extractor groove by a cam as action is closed. The .45 ACP barrel has Rim seat so that it will also extract and eject .455s.

 

[dnavaille]

I have a 9mm single shot rifle threaded for can. I load a 147-grain lead flatnose bullet with 2.5 grains of Bullseye. Ballistics are like the .38 S&W, 700 fps single fed from a pistol and 800 from a 16-1/2" Short rifle.
View attachment 792472
With a 147FMJ the minimum charge is 3 grains to avoid sticking a bullet in the barrel.

Wow! What kind of rifle is that!

 

[dnavaille]

I had a Spanish bolt action rifle in 9mm Largo. My gunsmith opened the boltface to accept 38 Super cases. I used 130 grain cast bullets and 1.6 grains of Red Dot for squirrel hunting. Only moving about 630 fps. Comfortable to shoot without hearing protection. But I had to use the 75 yard sight setting to be on at 25 yards.

I have been working on copying a bolt from a Spanish Destroyer Carbine for a few years off and on , getting close and then I will convert it to 9mm Luger, I only have to set the barrel back one turn.

 

[dnavaille]

The simple answer is to look in reloading manuals and use data for 380 ACP! There should be loads for 90, 100 and heavier.
The Lyman Cast Bullet Manual would be a good place to start!

 

[Drifter Mike]

Wonder how those loads would work in the new Taylor 9mm model 73 lever action?

 

[Outpost75]

Wow! What kind of rifle is that!

Action is Pre-WW2 H&R .44/.410 Garden Gun small action. John Taylor fabricated several barrels for me to that I can pack a rifle barrel to accompany whichever revolver I am taking along. Thera are not "stub" sleeved jobs but complete barrel assemblies which interchange. In had the original .44 shot barrel rechambered to .410 3

Wow! What kind of rifle is that!

Action came from WW1 era H&R .44 Garden Gun. John fabricated several complete interchangible barrel assemblies in various handgun calibers for me. The original .44 shot barrel was rechambered to .410 3-inch.
Design intent was for a very light back packable takedown gun not more than 4 pounds.

 

[Arkfarmer]

I have been working on copying a bolt from a Spanish Destroyer Carbine for a few years off and on , getting close and then I will convert it to 9mm Luger, I only have to set the barrel back one turn.

Thanks for the pics and info, love the idea of the adding the 455 into the mix. Probably could add a 45 auto rim to the family. Recently Taurus and a couple of others have started making small light weight break open singles for a lot of smaller calibers especially handgun cartridges. In fact some such as the 454 are down right vicious in recoil if loaded to it's potential. Would love to know more about the fellow who did the work for you.. thanks John