Powder for 147gr 9mm?

dave421

dave421

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I’m finally getting started on loading up my 9mm. I prefer 147gr and have 500 plated RN (Xtreme) and 500 coated RN (Acme). All of my experience has been with W231 with lighter loads. Unfortunately, there’s little info out there for 231 and the bullets I’m using. Wondering if anyone has loaded similar and what your powder preference is since I’m probably going to pick up something else for the 147s and keep the 231 for something else.
 
Titegroup for my 147 blues. Makes minor easily and with a small charge.

ETA: if you don't mind spending a little more Vihtavuori n320 is delightful under a 147.
 
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I use titegroup with RMR 147gr plated. Great results both suppressed and unsuppressed in my M&P 4.25" and CZ Scorpion SBR. I can't recall exactly but I'm somewhere around 3.3gr.

ETA:
Checked the notes in my phone, I'm using 3.3gr at 1.150" OAL, WSP primers. My goals were suppressor performance and accuracy at 25yd.
 
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Through an administrative error I acquired a couple dozen pounds of w231, so I’m using for just about everything that’s unsuppressed. Fired 500 of the following last week, and reasonably accurate at 30-45, all good. Lyman 49 lists a similar load for FMJ.

X-treme 9-147 RN
4.0g w231
OAL 1.115”
 
It's completely possible/likely that I'm full of crap. I'll check my notes when I get home.

I also don't have a chrono so if that is correct Im sure it's not making power factor.
 
3-3.5 grains of WSF with cast or plated. Soft pushing recoil, around 930 fps, just depending.
 
I use 4.3gr of HP-38 same as Win231 with plated 124gr bullets 1.140" OAL. This gives me a nice shootable range round that shoots well in BHPs, Sigs, CZs & Sphinxs to name a few.

I do not have a chrono so I cannot speak to velocity.
 
3.0 of Bullseye or 3.2 of Titegroup should push a 147 coated right around 900fps.

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Cleanshot is what you seek.
You will be very pleased with that soft shooting powder that meters better than water
 
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. With some of the comments here and a few I’ve been able to find online I’m going to go ahead with a few trials and see how it does. Going to hit Cabelas tomorrow while I’m in SC to grab some more powder too.
 
I have written down 3.3gr of 231 at 892fps out of a M&P but it looks like I never wrote down what 3.8 is. That will be on the list for Friday morning. And 3.5
 
Slappy McTrigger said:
3.3 is what I load and short for a CZ ~1.13. @NKD loads a little lighter with a 5.4 inch Orange. Still easily makes minor.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think mine end up like 3.15 TG, and if I am not mistaken I was around 950fps. My gun seemed about 50fps more than the 5" STI if I remember.

@drypowder and I also loaded many thousands of extreme plated 147's & Lucky 13 plain lead 147's over IMR7625. Those were a nice soft shooting load. I found the plain lead RN to be very very accurate. But was smokey and dirty. I believe IMR7625 is no longer made. I have 6 pounds of it if anybody is looking for some.
 
NKD said:
...I was around 950fps. My gun seemed about 50fps more than the 5" STI if I remember.
Click to expand...

That's what I recall. Think it's the short throat on that orange and the slightly longer barrel. Either way it's around 140ish powerfactor. Rounds loaded closer to the floor of 125 feel slow and sluggish to me.
 
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Thinking out loud....How can an open gun with all the slide cuts and perforations be stronger than an all steel non cut gun?

Tom
 
9146gt said:
Thinking out loud....How can an open gun with all the slide cuts and perforations be stronger than an all steel non cut gun?

Tom
Click to expand...

An open pistol chambered in 9mm is usually designed to make major and in turn is capable of handling significantly more pressure than a standared barrel/chamber. They do have a habit of cracking slides for those who go too far with slide lightening.

(Edit to clarify) it's the barrel and chamber that is overbuilt and nothing to do with the slide lightening which is a balancing act of speeding up the slide but leaving enough meat for durability's sake.

I too have heard that book charges of 3n38 will make major. Vihtavuori makes some amazing stuff! High velocity while maintaining low pressure is a neat trick.
 
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I'm using CFE Pistol in my 147 cause it's all that was available back in the day. BUT, the smalled cup I have is the perfect load for it so it's fast to make em. Tite Group on my 124.
 
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@Geerubb thanks for posting your load, I learned I was WAY off. Started at 160 PF (8.5" PCC) and ended at 132PF

These results are 147gr bullet on 231:




IMG_4216.jpg IMG_4217.jpg
 
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Glad I could help - even though i was just taking W.A.G. at it. [emoji3] I really need to pony up for a chrono.

Although I guess it doesn't matter for steel challenge, right? Long as the gun cycles, you're golden.
 
Mike Overlay said:
Cleanshot is what you seek.
You will be very pleased with that soft shooting powder that meters better than water
Click to expand...

Online only?


I use Titegroup, 3.3gr with 147gr Xtreme bullets (variety of profiles). Works great suppressed and unsuppressed in my Glock 19
 
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