9mm Load - The Firearms Forum

The_Vigilante · 08-05-2008, 10:07 PM

I recently reloaded some 9mm ammunition using 147g FP lead bullets and 3.2g of Bullseye. Went out to the range today and got good results-some real nice groups. My question: I would like to increase the powder to 3.8g of Bullseye to see the results at that load. Lee's 2nd Edition Modern Reloading shows a starting load for 147g XTP of 3.9g not to exceed 4.2g. No load for Bullseye is shown in Lee's manual for 147g lead. Lyman's 3rd Edition of Pistol and Revolver Handbook shows a starting load for Bullseye of 2.8g not to exceed 3.5g for a 147g #2 Alloy. Am I going to be OK increasing the powder to 3.8g for the 147g FP lead bullet given the information provided above? Thanks

artabr · 08-05-2008, 10:59 PM

You would be over the MAX load for your bullet. Lyman's load is for a lead bullet such as the one your using. The #2 Alloy refers to a lead alloy bullet.
Your max. load is 3.5 grains of Bulleyes.

Art

JLA · 08-06-2008, 05:58 PM

to add to what art posted, and perhaps provide some explanation, lead requires less powder to push the same velocities as a jacketed bullet of equal weight, 2 reasons; lead bullets are normally 'oversized', for example, in a 9mm a jacketed bullet will mike at .355" and a lead bullet should mike .356", that extra thousandth of an inch will add a tremendous amount of pressure when the round is fired. reason #2, lead provides less friction than jacketed bullets so they achieve a higher velocity faster, so the higher pressure curve and the lack of friction allow a lead bullet to be fired at a jacketed bullets velocity with less powder. besides, if the load you have works, then why would you want to risk life and/or limb to change it?

08-05-2008, 10:07 PM	#1
The_Vigilante V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 123	9mm Load I recently reloaded some 9mm ammunition using 147g FP lead bullets and 3.2g of Bullseye. Went out to the range today and got good results-some real nice groups. My question: I would like to increase the powder to 3.8g of Bullseye to see the results at that load. Lee's 2nd Edition Modern Reloading shows a starting load for 147g XTP of 3.9g not to exceed 4.2g. No load for Bullseye is shown in Lee's manual for 147g lead. Lyman's 3rd Edition of Pistol and Revolver Handbook shows a starting load for Bullseye of 2.8g not to exceed 3.5g for a 147g #2 Alloy. Am I going to be OK increasing the powder to 3.8g for the 147g FP lead bullet given the information provided above? Thanks __________________ The_Vigilante "Keeping the streets safe." "A man can never own enough guns." -->

08-06-2008, 05:58 PM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: 9mm Load to add to what art posted, and perhaps provide some explanation, lead requires less powder to push the same velocities as a jacketed bullet of equal weight, 2 reasons; lead bullets are normally 'oversized', for example, in a 9mm a jacketed bullet will mike at .355" and a lead bullet should mike .356", that extra thousandth of an inch will add a tremendous amount of pressure when the round is fired. reason #2, lead provides less friction than jacketed bullets so they achieve a higher velocity faster, so the higher pressure curve and the lack of friction allow a lead bullet to be fired at a jacketed bullets velocity with less powder. besides, if the load you have works, then why would you want to risk life and/or limb to change it? __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! Last edited by JLA; 08-06-2008 at 06:00 PM..

08-05-2008, 10:59 PM	#2
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: 9mm Load You would be over the MAX load for your bullet. Lyman's load is for a lead bullet such as the one your using. The #2 Alloy refers to a lead alloy bullet. Your max. load is 3.5 grains of Bulleyes. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!