9mm loads

[psalms144.1]

Looking through my ammo stash, I see a disturbingly small number of 9mm rounds left (under 1,500 which is a veritable drought for me). I've got an entire ammo can full of cases ready to load, but no bullets. What are folks who load 9mm using, bullet weight, velocity, etc?

My carry ammo is 147 HST or equivalent, but not sure I need to duplicate that load (and there's not a wide range of 147 gr bulk bullets out there).

If you don't want to post your loads publicly, I'll gladly take PMs. Thanks!

[SecondsCount]

5.0 WSF, Magtech primer*, Precision Delta 124HP

3.1 Clay Dot, Magtech primer, Blue 135 FP



*I'm not sure what happened to Magtech but I haven't seen their primers on the market for a long time. It's too bad because I have used tens of thousands of them without an issue

[Duelist]

Looking through my ammo stash, I see a disturbingly small number of 9mm rounds left (under 1,500 which is a veritable drought for me). I've got an entire ammo can full of cases ready to load, but no bullets. What are folks who load 9mm using, bullet weight, velocity, etc?

My carry ammo is 147 HST or equivalent, but not sure I need to duplicate that load (and there's not a wide range of 147 gr bulk bullets out there).

If you don't want to post your loads publicly, I'll gladly take PMs. Thanks!

Just one ammo can? :D

I use Bullseye or Clays or one of the pistol VV powders, CCI primers, whatever plated or coated or jacketed bullet I have stocked, and find a recipe in one of my loading manuals. If it’s a new bullet or load, I load a few and try them for function in the primary gun I intend to use them in. If it’s one of the loads I’ve used a lot in that gun, I just load till I have enough or until I run out of a component, and go shoot.

I haven’t loaded a 9mm round in a few years, though, because I stopped when grad school ate all my free time. I just bought cases of 9mm and used them up when I had time to do anything with gun safety instead of spending that time loading. And I am using different guns than when I was when I loaded for 9mm before, so I’d basically be started everything from scratch. LOL.

[Trigger]

4.0gr Titegroup, Federal pistol primers, range brass, 124gr HP Precision Delta.

Clays is a nice powder, too. Very soft shooting. But at 4gr per round, I have a lot of 9mm to shoot before I switch powders. I think I have about 16lbs of Titegroup to go. (7000gr per pound, 16 pounds, 4gr per round = 28k to go)

[CCT125US]

RMR 124gr JHP
4.9gr Unique
1.075 OAL
1100 fps

[olstyn]

Mixed range brass, 4.0 gr N320, CCI or Win SPP, Blue Bullets 125 gr truncated cone @ 1.11" OAL. Makes right at 131 PF for me out of a 4" barrel (Walther P99).

(Data given for information only, use at your own risk, YMMV, other guns may give different performance, etc., etc.)

[Trooper224]

5.9 grains of Alliant BE-86 under an 124 grain bullet, any brass, any primer.

Muzzle velocity of 1186fps.

These days it's all I use for range work.

[SecondsCount]

Mixed range brass, 4.0 gr N320, CCI or Win SPP, Blue Bullets 125 gr truncated cone @ 1.11" OAL. Makes right at 131 PF for me out of a 4" barrel (Walther P99).

(Data given for information only, use at your own risk, YMMV, other guns may give different performance, etc., etc.)

N320 is a great powder, I prefer it over WSF but sometimes it gets difficult to source.

[rca90gsx]

RMR 124 FMJ 3.9-4.00 gr Titegroup, 1.10 OAL, or SNS 124gr Conical nose 3.8gr 1.10 OAL, SNS 147GR FP 3.gr 1.13 OAL. these are some of the loads I am trying. Mainly the 124gr FMJ from RMR right now


N320 is a great powder, I prefer it over WSF but sometimes it gets difficult to source.

[DDTSGM]

My carry ammo is 147 HST or equivalent, but not sure I need to duplicate that load (and there's not a wide range of 147 gr bulk bullets out there).

Recoilweb did a two part test on Glock factory and aftermarket barrels. In the first test they use a fixture which rigidly held the barrels, in the second test they used a ransom rest.

https://www.recoilweb.com/aftermarket-glock-barrel-testing-127282.html

https://www.recoilweb.com/fire-4-effect-glock-barrel-testing-part-2-unexpected-results-127423.html

Based on these tests I'm interested in finding the 147gr bulk bullet that most closely matches the Federal load. I'm hoping someone has already done the work.

[olstyn]

Muzzle velocity of 1186fps.

Why so hot? Replicating a +P defensive load? (My N320 load above, which I use primarily for USPSA, is ~130-140 FPS slower.)

[Trooper224]

Why so hot? Replicating a +P defensive load? (My N320 load above, which I use primarily for USPSA, is ~130-140 FPS slower.)

I don't game anymore, so I'm not concerned with the softest, flatest shooting load I can get by with. I prefer something that mimics a full power service load for training. This is also the most accurate load I've found in my nines. I can also use the same powder charge for my .45acp loads, so no dinking with the powder measure between die swaps on the press. Besides, it's a 9mm fired from a Beretta 92. We're not talking about a real hand slapper. :)

[Whirlwind06]

Mixed range brass, mostly Winchester and cci primers.

125 grain Hard cast. ~5.2. Unique

9mm /38 special 147/158 polycoat. ~4.2. be-86


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[olstyn]

125 grain Hard cast. ~5.2. Unique

If you're ever in possession of some 115 grain XTPs, 5.4 of Unique at 1.075" OAL is a really nice load in my experience.

[Whirlwind06]

If you're ever in possession of some 115 grain XTPs, 5.4 of Unique at 1.075" OAL is a really nice load in my experience.So that would compress a bit more powder into the case. Nice thing about it is that pretty much impossible to double charge this load.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[olstyn]

So that would compress a bit more powder into the case. Nice thing about it is that pretty much impossible to double charge this load.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Yeah, Unique is pretty "fluffy." I've seen book loads above 6 grains, but I think somewhere around 6.5 or 7 grains would completely fill a 9mm case.

[ranger]

Cheapest 115FMJ I can find over 5.1 WSF over any primer in mixed brass. If I find 124s I use 4.9 WSF.

[revchuck38]

5.5 grains of BE-86 under a 124-grain FMJ at 1.12” OAL runs about 1100 FPS from my PX4. 5.8 grains runs about 1170 FPS. For context, Winchester NATO-spec hardball runs about 1180 FPS.

[Mark D]

My carry ammo is 147 HST or equivalent, but not sure I need to duplicate that load (and there's not a wide range of 147 gr bulk bullets out there).


My carry ammo is 147 gr HST too. I tried to get something pretty similar and currently have

145gr Bayou RN
3.8 gr WSF
CCI or Winchester primers
Range brass

Unfortunately my recipe is not a great anaolog for the HST. My loads are softer shooting and POI is 3-4" inches off for windage at 25 yards, compared to the HST. Shooting a P2000.

The last batch I went up to 4.0 gr of WSF hoping it would be closer to the HST in terms of recoil and POI, but my range has been closed since March so I haven't been able to test them.

[ViniVidivici]

4.2gr Titegroup, 124gr X-Treme plated hollow point (non-expanding, but accurate bullet).

Same 4.2gr under any jacketed or plated bullet I've run in 124gr does well. 124gr XTP is very accurate loaded this way too, out of several Glocks.

Montana Gold 115gr JHP over 4.8gr of Titegroup is a great load too, but those bullets aren't as cheap as they used to be.

[Clusterfrack]

Blue Bullets 125 LRN 1.115” 3.9gr N320. ~134 power factor from a Shadow2.


Lehigh Extreme Penetrator 9mm 115gr
Accurate #7: 7.0gr. COL 1.100”. 1165fps sd7 from a P-07

[revchuck38]

4.2gr Titegroup, 124gr X-Treme plated hollow point (non-expanding, but accurate bullet).

Same 4.2gr under any jacketed or plated bullet I've run in 124gr does well.

+1. This powder charge under a 125-grain Zero JHP was a 1.5" @ 25 yard load in my CZ-75B, back when I could see well enough to shoot that well.

[spinmove_]

So, due to the ammo shortage and rising prices I’ve finally decided to get off my bum and get my reloading setup put together and going. I typically shoot 124gr Speer Lawman for practice and USPSA Production.

I’ve got a handful of CCI primers, 1lb of HP-38, and about 10,000 pieces of processed 9mm brass. I also just ordered a handful of 125gr RN bullets from The Blue Bullets. How much powder should I be using and at which OAL to get around 136 PF?

[revchuck38]

So, due to the ammo shortage and rising prices I’ve finally decided to get off my bum and get my reloading setup put together and going. I typically shoot 124gr Speer Lawman for practice and USPSA Production.

I’ve got a handful of CCI primers, 1lb of HP-38, and about 10,000 pieces of processed 9mm brass. I also just ordered a handful of 125gr RN bullets from The Blue Bullets. How much powder should I be using and at which OAL to get around 136 PF?

According to Hodgdon's website (http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol), 4.4 grains under a 125-grain LCN at 1.125" OAL gives 1086 fps. That's their recommended max. PF would be 135.75.

[olstyn]

According to Hodgdon's website (http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol), 4.4 grains under a 125-grain LCN at 1.125" OAL gives 1086 fps. That's their recommended max. PF would be 135.75.

I'd probably make up 10 or 20 rounds each at 4.0, 4.2, and 4.4 and run them over the chronograph to see what the results are before making any final decisions. Always gotta do some experimenting with a new load to find what works best in your specific gun. I guess if 136 PF is the goal for some reason, that's fine, but if it's more accurate and/or feels nicer to shoot at 130 or 132 or whatever, I wouldn't feel obligated to make it do 136. As long as you have some cushion above 125 and it's accurate and runs the gun well, you're good IMO.

[spinmove_]

I'd probably make up 10 or 20 rounds each at 4.0, 4.2, and 4.4 and run them over the chronograph to see what the results are before making any final decisions. Always gotta do some experimenting with a new load to find what works best in your specific gun. I guess if 136 PF is the goal for some reason, that's fine, but if it's more accurate and/or feels nicer to shoot at 130 or 132 or whatever, I wouldn't feel obligated to make it do 136. As long as you have some cushion above 125 and it's accurate and runs the gun well, you're good IMO.

The goal is to crank out my own 9mm load that comes as close to factory specs as possible. I don’t see how making the loads lighter for competition really gives me that much more of a competitive advantage when it’s far less advantageous to not meet power factor. If, for whatever reason, I don’t have access to my own loads for whatever match I’m shooting, then I’m going to have to buy and shoot factory loads anyway. Ultimately it’s about saving money and not being dependent on factory ammo that may or may not be available for XYZ reason, but moreso the latter reason than the former, specifically in the case of 9mm.

[olstyn]

The goal is to crank out my own 9mm load that comes as close to factory specs as possible. I don’t see how making the loads lighter for competition really gives me that much more of a competitive advantage when it’s far less advantageous to not meet power factor. If, for whatever reason, I don’t have access to my own loads for whatever match I’m shooting, then I’m going to have to buy and shoot factory loads anyway. Ultimately it’s about saving money and not being dependent on factory ammo that may or may not be available for XYZ reason, but moreso the latter reason than the former, specifically in the case of 9mm.

Honestly, we're not talking about earth-shattering differences anyway - I mainly meant that you should try to be flexible and be willing to experiment a little vs trying to stick to creating an exact match of whatever factory load you normally buy. I also prefer not to jump straight to a book max load in order to be safe. Matching your desired 136 PF exactly is most emphatically not worth blowing up your hand/gun.

[revchuck38]

If you really do want to run a feistier load, work with a medium-speed powder like Unique, BE-86, CFE-P, or AA#5. You'll be able to get over 1100 fps without getting close to max.

[spinmove_]

Honestly, we're not talking about earth-shattering differences anyway - I mainly meant that you should try to be flexible and be willing to experiment a little vs trying to stick to creating an exact match of whatever factory load you normally buy. I also prefer not to jump straight to a book max load in order to be safe. Matching your desired 136 PF exactly is most emphatically not worth blowing up your hand/gun.

Oh, most definitely and totally agreed. I fully expected to have to do some testing and confirmation to make sure everything is on the up and up. I appreciate the ballpark figure so that I’ve at least got a starting point.

[olstyn]

If you really do want to run a feistier load, work with a medium-speed powder like Unique, BE-86, CFE-P, or AA#5. You'll be able to get over 1100 fps without getting close to max.

This is a good call

I would definitely prefer CFE-P over Unique, though - Unique is fairly dirty, and its big flakes don't always meter well through powder measures, leading to larger charge weight variation than a lot of other powders, and as a result, significantly higher standard deviation. (In my experience with a Hornady measure, Unique is +/- 0.2 grains or so, where something like N320, Titegroup, or CFE-P will be more like +/- 0.05 or +/- 0.1 grains.)

[psalms144.1]

This is a good call

I would definitely prefer CFE-P over Unique, though - Unique is fairly dirty, and its big flakes don't always meter well through powder measures, leading to larger charge weight variation than a lot of other powders, and as a result, significantly higher standard deviation. (In my experience with a Hornady measure, Unique is +/- 0.2 grains or so, where something like N320, Titegroup, or CFE-P will be more like +/- 0.05 or +/- 0.1 grains.)I remember that from the old days, Unique was extra sooty with LSWCs, and doesn't really meter that well. Plus, FINDING any Unique (or small pistol primers) is like finding the winning Powerball ticket nowadays...

[rdtompki]

Sport Pistol is very close to N320, easier to source and less expensive. I found SP loads to be .1 to .2 grain less than N320 loads, but that's on the lower end of the charge scale. Both can be dirty using soft loads, but clean up easily.

[MGW]

So, due to the ammo shortage and rising prices I’ve finally decided to get off my bum and get my reloading setup put together and going. I typically shoot 124gr Speer Lawman for practice and USPSA Production.

I’ve got a handful of CCI primers, 1lb of HP-38, and about 10,000 pieces of processed 9mm brass. I also just ordered a handful of 125gr RN bullets from The Blue Bullets. How much powder should I be using and at which OAL to get around 136 PF?

4.2 grains is what I used to use with 124 Xtremes or Bayous. 231 is a substitute for HP38 if you need options. I remember experimenting with 4.0 of the same powder but I think it was a little too soft if I remember correctly.

[chances R]

3.7 BE-86
Win spp
Bayou 147 coated RN
1.130 oal
makes pf

[camsdaddy]

I didn't realize that my supply was as low as it was. When I ran out my normal supplier as of late is 4+ weeks out. I checked several places but most are out of stock. I found acme was out but contacted them and they asked me to check back the next day. The next day inventory was there. The next day my order shipped and I'll have them Tuesday.

When my order arrives I'll be loading 124 coated bullets over 4.0 grains of titegroup. All of my guns like it. I may try some with 4.2 just to see.

[ViniVidivici]

Yeah stuff's scarce. I prefer 124s, but only thing I could find a week ago was Everglades 115gr FMJ, got 500.

Now just need more primers! Had to load 70 of 'em with rifle primers I had on hand.

They all went bang yesterday out of a G19.

[deputyG23]

58062
Hot weather kitchen table 9mm reloading setup.
Shed where bench tools are is simply too hot.
124 grain FMJFP bullet over six grains of Power Pistol.
Shoot well through my new G17 and 19 gen 5.

[deputyG23]

I didn't realize that my supply was as low as it was. When I ran out my normal supplier as of late is 4+ weeks out. I checked several places but most are out of stock. I found acme was out but contacted them and they asked me to check back the next day. The next day inventory was there. The next day my order shipped and I'll have them Tuesday.

When my order arrives I'll be loading 124 coated bullets over 4.0 grains of titegroup. All of my guns like it. I may try some with 4.2 just to see.

I've got around 3k .355 bullets and a crap ton of various pistol and shotgun powders that can be used from my estate sale buy last fall. Probably 1.5 K .40 bullets and maybe 1K of .45 ball projectiles. Coffee cans full of cases and my gun club pistol bays are covered in spent brass. I picked up about five pounds last weekend.
I am down to about 4K small pistol primers so am starting to get a little nervous.
Resolve never to get low again after the ammo/component drought several years ago.

[ssb]

For 147s, I load:

Brazos 147gr coated FP
3.4gr Titegroup
CCI/WIN/REM SPP
Range brass
1.13" COAL

This gives approx. 925fps from my G19. I got similar results with Bayou 147gr coated FP and the COAL at 1.135". Either load yields 2-3" groups for me from a G19 at 25yds. Recoil is a bit softer than HSTs, POI is close but not spot on (tends to be about 2-3" right - noticable with my RDS). Due to the POI shift, my practice gun is sighted in for these instead of HSTs.

[CCT125US]

Working up a new load using Barry's 147 Hybrid Hollow Point.
60495

I prefer to work with a load that performs well in all my pistols, not just a select few.

The challenge is created by my P2000sk which has a short throat. Combine this with a 147gr HP, a slow, bulky powder such as Unique, and over all length quickly becomes a concearn.

An OAL of 1.085 is still a bit long for this profile, with that (sk) gun.

Initial, functioning load was as follows:

HK P2000
Range brass
Berry's 147gr HHP
1.085 oal
4.2gr Unique
857 avg vel.

Since velocity, and pressure looked good, I feel comfortable upping the charge and driving it faster.

Some gratuitous, completely non scientific milk jug expansion results.

Bullet settled in the 3rd jug each time.

60491

60492

Next batch will likely go through the P30v1 SD / USP9c v7 SD, as they are really the intended hosts for this round. I do have a supply of Winchester 231 that is a bit more energy dense, if need be.

[revchuck38]

CCT125US - I’ve had to do a similar thing for my 9x19s. The tightest chamber among them is in the P99c, so I use that barrel for the plunk test when I’m working up loads. The Berettas and CZs don’t seem to mind. ;)

[OfficeCat]

My current load is 3.6 grains of 231 with a 147 grain coated roundhouse at 1.14 oal which chronos right around 900 fps in a P30SK and around 920 in a P99, with very little deviation. Pretty accurate and clean, and close enough to full power carry ammo for quality practice sessions without beating on the gun unnecessarily. I had been using flatpoints but switched to roundhouse as both the P30SK and the P99 required the flatpoints to be seated deeper than I liked. Walter PPS didn't care though, go figure. I like the 147s both for recoil characteristics and for the fact that they impact a little higher and I like my point of impact to be at or above the top of the front sight rather than below it.

[DDTSGM]

I finally got out the chronograph that had been gathering dust in the garage. Before I began my journey as a professional D class shooter in USPSA, I never really cared about power factors.

Much to my surprise the loads I had been using for the last 4 pounds of a proprietary powder blend all chronoed above the base line for minor power factor. Unfortunately one of my PCC's likes shorter COAL's and I ran out of my gift powder.

This is my first shot with this so tell me if something looks bad.

Bullet: RMR 124gr JHP Powder: WinClean 244 Primer: CCI #500 COAL: 1.075 UNLESS NOTED 10 SHOT STRINGS

3.3gr WinClean 244 SIG P320 X5 Legion 14 shot string
HIGH: 946 Low: 874 Extreme Spread: 72 fps
AVE: 902.8 SD: 19.39

3.6gr WinClean 244 SIG P320 X5 Legion
HIGH: 1055 Low: 993 Extreme Spread: 62 fps
AVE: 1,010.3 SD: 17.748

3.8gr WinClean 244 SIG P320 X5 Legion
HIGH: 1065 Low: 993 Extreme Spread: 72 fps
AVE: 1,029.3 SD: 17.83

3.8gr WinClean 244 GLOCK 17
HIGH: 1073 Low: 1033 Extreme Spread: 40 fps
AVE: 1,052.1 SD: 10.16 PF: 130.46

4.0gr WinClean 244 SIG P320 X5 Legion
HIGH: 1076 Low: 1048 Extreme Spread: 28 fps (NINE SHOT STRING)
AVE: 1,063.8 SD: 9.79 PF: 131.9

4.0gr WinClean 244 GLOCK 17
HIGH: 1118 Low: 1069 Extreme Spread: 49 fps
AVE: 1,087.6 SD: 11.93 PF: 134.8

I was shooting through the chrono at a USPSA torso with a 4 inch black sticker for a bullseye. 3.8 and 4.0 shot best in the Legion, group sizes were meh because I have presbyopia and if the front sight is clear, well nothing else is - they were 60% in the bull the rest circling. The Glock 17 has an RMR on it - one raggedy hole.

Shooting one right after the other really accentuates the differences in weight, the Glock was a little snappy at 4.0, the Sig just kinda sits there.

[SecondsCount]

Working up a new load using Barry's 147 Hybrid Hollow Point....


That's pretty cool. I have a bunch of those that I bought at SHOT when they came out, and always wondered how they would perform :cool:

[revchuck38]

The SDs tightened up at 3.8 and 4 grains, and you said the accuracy did too. If it were me, I’d settle on 4 grains and call it good. As a general rule, you want to be at least 5 over power factor to account for differences in chronos and temperature changes.

[DDTSGM]

The SDs tightened up at 3.8 and 4 grains, and you said the accuracy did too. If it were me, I’d settle on 4 grains and call it good. As a general rule, you want to be at least 5 over power factor to account for differences in chronos and temperature changes.

Thanks, that's what I did. I didn't shot the RMR Glock until 3.8 and 4.0 though. I settled on 4.0.

[diananike]

That's pretty cool. I have a bunch of those that I bought at SHOT when they came out, and always wondered how they would perform :cool:

The Berrys hybrids over expand in just about every test I’ve seen
Only at low velocities can you count on adequate penetration
The 147s should be ok but I loaded my 124s down to about 1050 FPS in order to keep them from over expanding

[SecondsCount]

The Berrys hybrids over expand in just about every test I’ve seen
Only at low velocities can you count on adequate penetration
The 147s should be ok but I loaded my 124s down to about 1050 FPS in order to keep them from over expanding

Good to know. I bought these as a backup to my carry load, 124+P Gold Dots, in case I ever ran out and could not get replacements. Back then Gold Dots were unobtainable in bullet form due to demand but later was able to get some.

[Super77]

Just some more data points for Alliant Sport Pistol:

147gr Blue Bullet TC 0.3555 loaded to 1.14 OAL using mixed brass"

Crimped to just remove bell

10-15 discard rounds loaded in between powder adjustments

CCI Small Pistol Primer

Sig X-five Legion

70 degrees F

Average FPS of 10 shots

Loaded on Dillon Super 1050 with powder baffle, SSI funnel and micrometer adjuster

Velocity measured via magnetospeed V3



3.0gr=860fps S-D:7.0 PF:125

3.1gr=882fps S-D:9.1 PF:130

3.2gr=897fps S-D:6.7 PF:132

3.3gr=926fps S-D:9.8 PF:136

3.4gr=939fps S-D:14.7 PF:138

Overall very satisfied with this powder. It's pretty clean, doesn't heat the gun up a whole lot, not smoky, meters very well, and seems to burn pretty consistently.

[olstyn]

3.0gr=860fps S-D:7.0 PF:125

3.1gr=882fps S-D:9.1 PF:130

3.2gr=897fps S-D:6.7 PF:132

3.3gr=926fps S-D:9.8 PF:136

3.4gr=939fps S-D:14.7 PF:138

Overall very satisfied with this powder. It's pretty clean, doesn't heat the gun up a whole lot, not smoky, meters very well, and seems to burn pretty consistently.

Presuming that 3.2 grain load gives good accuracy, it looks like a winner. 132 PF is enough "cushion" for the chrono stage that I'd be comfortable, presumably it's quite soft shooting, and 6.7 SD is nice and consistent.

[Super77]

Presuming that 3.2 grain load gives good accuracy, it looks like a winner. 132 PF is enough "cushion" for the chrono stage that I'd be comfortable, presumably it's quite soft shooting, and 6.7 SD is nice and consistent.

I haven't tarted doing formal accuracy testing but the 3.2-2.4 seemed to be the sweet spot. I was able to keep everything in the black on a B-8 center at 15yards without trying very hard. Not winning any bullseye competitions by any means but I figured why not take a few preliminary groups while chronographing.

[EricP]

Velocity measured via magnetospeed V3

I’m assuming that you are using the Magnetospeed rail adapter to attach to your X5. How did you get it to work? I’ve tried every sensitivity setting and either gotten no record or a sensor crossing error.

[Super77]

I’m assuming that you are using the Magnetospeed rail adapter to attach to your X5. How did you get it to work? I’ve tried every sensitivity setting and either gotten no record or a sensor crossing error.

I had the same problem with the Magnetospeed adapter. That thing is worthless. I got a mkmachining adapter and got it to work at sensitivity setting 5. The bayonet has to be very close to the bore path, like less than a quarter inch. I’ll post a pic at some point to show how I set it up.

Injust realized I have a typo above, meant to type 3.2-3.4

[Wise_A]

Off-topic, but the LabRadar is awesome. It was an expensive gift to myself back when I drove school buses, but I reasoned (correctly) that it saved me a lot of my precious shooting time. As great as it is to set up on a rifle range you're sharing, it's absolutely nuts how useful it is when working with pistol rounds. You don't have to carefully aim or worry about lighting conditions, just shoot normally. Now, granted, you can whack four or five regular chronographs for the price of one LabRadar, but still... :cool:

[Super77]

Off-topic, but the LabRadar is awesome. It was an expensive gift to myself back when I drove school buses, but I reasoned (correctly) that it saved me a lot of my precious shooting time. As great as it is to set up on a rifle range you're sharing, it's absolutely nuts how useful it is when working with pistol rounds. You don't have to carefully aim or worry about lighting conditions, just shoot normally. Now, granted, you can whack four or five regular chronographs for the price of one LabRadar, but still... :cool:

I’m really tempted to get a LabRadar. Is it really just set it up and go for pistol?

[4given]

I really like the good old tried & true Stephen A. Camp load of 6.0 gr Unique under a Hornady 124gr XTP at 1.11 OAL. Great all purpose round at 1245+ fps in most 4" - "5 barrels

It's been real accurate from my pistols. I keep some loaded up for SHTF.

[olstyn]

I really like the good old tried & true Stephen A. Camp load of 6.0 gr Unique under a Hornady 124gr XTP at 1.11 OAL. Great all purpose round at 1245+ fps in most 4" - "5 barrels

It's been real accurate from my pistols. I keep some loaded up for SHTF.

I've found XTPs to be quite accurate as well, but IMO they're too expensive to keep a stock of for range/match use.

Just for any newbie reloaders who may read this thread, I feel compelled to mention that 6.0 grains of Unique under a 124 grain bullet is a fairly spicy 9mm load. I used to use 124 grain Montana Gold JHPs (very similar bullet profile to XTPs) with Unique for USPSA, and out of a 4" barrel (Walther P99), 4.7 grains was enough to make ~130 PF. A 124 grain bullet at 1245 FPS is ~154 PF, which is unnecessarily hot for most uses, and will definitely result in higher felt recoil/slower follow-up shots. Also, not all pistols will be able to take an XTP at 1.11 OAL (the P99 I mentioned needed XTPs and MG JHPs loaded to 1.075" in order to pass the plunk test).

Unless you have a specific need for that much velocity, I would recommend dialing it back a bit, as it'll be much more pleasant to shoot. I went through 500 115 grain XTPs once because I got them for just the price of shipping due to having bought a Hornady press, and the load I settled on with those bullets was 5.4 grains of Unique at 1.075" OAL. A different powder would probably also be a good idea - Unique works for just about everything, but the big flakes make for inconsistent powder charges, leading to high extreme spread and high standard deviation.

[4given]

I've found XTPs to be quite accurate as well, but IMO they're too expensive to keep a stock of for range/match use.

Just for any newbie reloaders who may read this thread, I feel compelled to mention that 6.0 grains of Unique under a 124 grain bullet is a fairly spicy 9mm load. I used to use 124 grain Montana Gold JHPs (very similar bullet profile to XTPs) with Unique for USPSA, and out of a 4" barrel (Walther P99), 4.7 grains was enough to make ~130 PF. A 124 grain bullet at 1245 FPS is ~154 PF, which is unnecessarily hot for most uses, and will definitely result in higher felt recoil/slower follow-up shots. Also, not all pistols will be able to take an XTP at 1.11 OAL (the P99 I mentioned needed XTPs and MG JHPs loaded to 1.075" in order to pass the plunk test).

Unless you have a specific need for that much velocity, I would recommend dialing it back a bit, as it'll be much more pleasant to shoot. I went through 500 115 grain XTPs once because I got them for just the price of shipping due to having bought a Hornady press, and the load I settled on with those bullets was 5.4 grains of Unique at 1.075" OAL. A different powder would probably also be a good idea - Unique works for just about everything, but the big flakes make for inconsistent powder charges, leading to high extreme spread and high standard deviation.

Yes, this is not a good load for your progressive high-volume press, Nor for a practice or competition round. That’s not what I had in mind when I said it’s a good general purpose load. I guess I should’ve been more precise. I think it makes a real good General purpose load for self-defense, woods, hunting, STF and those types of applications. I’ve shot quite a few of these in my Glock’s and I don’t see where the the recoil is any worse than the Speer 124 grain gold dot +P at 1220 FPS or so. YMMV. I actually use my single station press and trickle/weigh each charge using my Hornady lock and load auto dispenser when loading this round.

I should also mention that you should always work up to this load
or any other for that matter. That said, there has been a lot written about this load, and it is generally well regarded. You can Google it to find out more.

[Wise_A]

I’m really tempted to get a LabRadar. Is it really just set it up and go for pistol?

Presuming you have a tripod tall enough for your shoulder--yeah. I got it for rifle, but I've found it to be far more meaningful for pistol. At a certain point, you can outrun the thing, but I got got 100% capture rates at maybe .6- or .7-second splits (I wasn't running a timer during this). I chronographed 50 rounds, 5 strings of 10 rounds each, in ten or fifteen minutes. Note also that I'm using the doppler trigger at maximum sensitivity, and my range was admittedly empty that day. It will also happily read bullet velocities through cardboard target backers. I would place the following caveats on it:

*Check your phone compatibility. I think I would be less-jazzed about it if I couldn't use the app and had to control the thing myself. Very awkward with how my club's rifle range is set up. And the app is very much just a remote control--you can't label shot strings (although they are date and time-stamped).
*If your pistol-shooting locale is very windy, you may be less-jazzed about it. It's basically a somewhat fragile sail. I had a kinda budget tripod lying around. I may yet upgrade to a BOG or something.
*Get a USB rechargeable battery off Amazon to go with it. The damn things are just useful as hell anyway. In think I paid $40ish for a 36,000maH battery. Charges up the phone a bunch of times, will run the LabRady on the least power-conservative settings until the sun collapses. If you're determined to run it off conventional batteries, it's gonna eat a package of them in a single session unless you dial the performance way back.
*It will inspire a ton of interest, jealousy, and general old-guy-hate. I can't run into somebody else while using it without getting asked what it is and how much I paid for it, and then getting told how it's not any better than a Caldwell and I'm a shitty shooter and worse reloader.

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