uspsa 9mm loads

[Tim Josey]

Went to a match last week and was wanting to know what reloads you guys use for 9mm. I cast my on - lee 120 gr. and rcbs 147 gr. I will be shooting a 9mm pro 5" probably in production.
Trying to figure out what powder & how much to use for the correct power factor. I have bullseye and unique powders. I also just bought a chrono to check fps.
As you know, powder selection is spotty. Just need a little info on whats the norm.

Thanks

Tim

 

[gm272gs]

You'll need to look up published data. Many powder companies have online reloading databases. They'll typically list 115gr. and 124gr. loads for cast lead projectiles, however.

 

[Mattoneps]

IM shooting 4.0 Titegroup under a 115gn Berry RN seated at 1.110". Not the most accurate compared to the 124 and 147 that I tested, but its really cheap to load and shoot a bunch of. It gets me a 129 power factor in Tucson, AZ which is a dry climate at altitude (2500').

 

[Bkreutz]

I don't think you will have any problem with any standard load making minor PF (even at minimum). Major is another story that I won't get into here . I have a bunch of favorite loads and they are specific to particular pistols. My 4.25 in Limited favors a different load than my 5.0 Open pistol. I've done a lot of testing to find the sweet spot in the different powders that I have available. Used to be I'd use W231 for everything but I haven't seen any for sale for a year. (I did manage to trade some Titegroup for 231 a couple of weeks ago ). I shoot 124 plated because around 20% of my matches are indoors where unjacketed bullets aren't allowed. I could switch back an forth but don't want to introduce another variable in my shooting. I'm hesitant to publish "my" loads on a public forum, but if you're interested, PM me and I'll share what I've found works for me. I have loads worked up using Autocomp, CFE Pistol, HP-38/W231, IMR7625, and Titegroup. I've thought about using VV3N37 because a lot of guys I shoot with really like it but I've been able to find the other powders at half the price of the VV so I haven't gone there yet.

 

[old&slow]

I've been using a 147 gr. with HS-6. Seems to be working OK , plus I have HS-6.. Haven't seen W231 for quite a while.

 

[handgunner356]

The 5" barrel gives you a plus, shouldn't be a problem making minor with any load. The 147gr would only need 851fps, the 120gr would need 1041fps. I like Universal Clays with my loads but everything is getting tough to find.

 

[H Richard]

I recommend going to the various powder mfg. websites and use their loading data for the bullets you are using. Between BE and Unique, I'd use the BE as the Unique doesn't burn clean enough unless you are at or beyond max loads. BE may be a little dirtier, but much better than the Unique and you will make power factor with less powder.