nmrpilot

Its another way to check what kind of psi your running by measuring how much the case head has expanded after firing. I have read about this before but couldnt remember what the acceptable range was. Just something else to try really. My fired cases look absolutely fine really. Especially for once fired cases.

CocoBolo, Im thinking of firing a few more and measuring case heads before and after. What kind of numbers do you want to see when you do this? Is there an absolute max measurement or is the change more important?

I would never carry reloads for defense purposes. Sorry for any confusion on that. Factory ammo only. I just wanted to develop a duplicate to practice with from time to time. Considering the responsiblity one takes upon themselves when CCW its probably a good idea to remain proficient in case you really need to use force one day.

No excessive psi signs. Mixed brass and cci primers. Fired cases looked no different than the starline brass used by underwood.

Duplicate carry loads for practice. I use an ismi 18lb spring or a wilson 20 when shooting these. I post here because i know there are a number of folks like myself that read here for this kind of info. Posting loads this hot on most other sights can really get a war going. I am seriously considering jumping in and getting a 9mm built for major use. I need one good hobby and really enjoy shooting/reloading. Not new to it. Regarding the load it is softer compared to the hs-6, AA7, and Underwood loads I have tried. If I try major Im not far from it with the Autocomp.

Thought I would share my favorite 9mm load to date. 124 xtp's over 6.8 grains of autocomp. OAL is 1.125. Five rounds over the chrono clocked 1,336 average out of a 4 inch Kimber barrel. ES was 27. Softer recoil impulse than factory Underwood 124 +p+ loads that clocked 1,300 even.

Anybody try one of the EFK firedragon ported barrels?

Actually i did know those items. Reloaded a lot back in the 1990's time frame. Just got back into it. The 9mm round is new to me though. I am a researchaholic. Have been using the chrono lots. One other is AA7. Lost track of the number of very experienced shooters that recommend it to drive 9 fast, especially 147's. May not be the cleanest but it is a "relatively safe" powder if your going to go beyond published data. I do appreciate the caution. Im going to keep working with the HS-6, AA7, and will probably try some Silhouette.

Got my new,old, speer 10 book. One really interesting load stood out. We all know the properties of Blue Dot and AA7. AA7 is listed as a slightly slower powder than Blue Dot and is one of the best powders for heavy loads for 9mm. The book states that the maximum loads do not exceed 35,700 cup which equal to our present day +p max. They list the following load: 125 gr JSP 8.8 max load of Blue Dot. 1.100 OAL 1233 fps out of a S&W 39/ 4" barrel. Im at 8.8 of AA7 running 1163 average out of my Sig P228. My OAL is 1.158. My Lyman 49th list the following load: 125gr JHP 7.1 max Blue Dot 1.075 OAL 1163 fps from 4" universal receiver 32,400 cup Interesting stuff, just thought i would share. Any luck on that load data gng?

Would switching out the recoil spring for a heavier Wolff allow a higher diet of heavier loads without harming the pistol?

Thanks a bunch for the input. Thinking about trying one of Wolf's spring kits that have different lb ratings. I know its not a good idea to shoot lots of hot ammo but i like to practice with what i would defend with. Got to find a happy medium that wont abuse my gun but still allow for effect practice.

I to really like the 147's. Looking forward to your data! I also have an old speer 10 manual on the way to reference also. I hear that book has some of the hottest load data in print. Will be interesting to see and compare. I dont like PP. I can see the flash in the daytime. Was thinking of trying Silhouette though.

Havn't hit my goal yet. Not trying so much to hit major with these but duplicate certain factory stuff. I posted here because there are so many knowledgable people. After all the reading i have done it seemed HS-6 and AA7 were the best to start with.

New Data: 124gr Rem JHP AA7 1.158 col P228 Averages 7.8 1067 8.0 1078 8.2 1106 8.4 1126 8.6 1140 8.8 1163 8.8 out of an sti with 5" barrel 1203 and 1233 147gr WIN JHP AA7 1.158 col P228 Averages 7.0 968 7.2 977 7.6 1034 7.8 1038 Gun functions fine. Primers still look fine no other signs. I like AA7. Loads were not very dirty for me. I do run all loads through Lee FCD with a light crimp. No setback problems.

Recently picked up a german hardly used P228. It is the best DA auto i have ever shot. I even prefer it to most 1911's i have shot. I have read that the Sig is not the toughest when it comes to longevity especially with hotter loads. Anyone try the EFK Fire Dragon Sig P228 9mm Dual Action Recoil Spring? They say it greatly reduces wear. I purchased the Sig to shoot not sit in a safe. Dont plan on a steady diet of +p but not planning on using really light stuff either.

I know im well into the red zone. I have worked these up after looking at many many loads floating around here and other places. Check this load out! Im not trying it. 124gr Speer FMJ 8.4gr WW540* 1.158” 1432 177.5 Major EAA Gold Team WW540 is same as HS-6.

Sorry no TG data. But, 4.5 gr wsf/ 124 gr redline truncated cone/ OAL 1.090 averages 986fps out of my P228.

I just spoke with Lyman and they are sure there 147 gr TMJ load at 1.169 OAL is not running at 80,000+ psi. Im not saying it couldnt be running over psi though. I think i will work up an HS-6 load using their data and then maybe try some AA7. I will definetly start low and work up slowly. I have also noticed that nobody gets close to VV's velocity with 147gr and 3N38 as listed. Thanks for all the input. FYI, the TMJ they used was from Speer. Picked up the book today.

Wow! How can there be such a huge difference?

Thank you so much for the detailed info. My buddy and I were considering getting the Quickload program. That's wonderful info! G-manbart, mayby you could shed some light on a load that is in a Lyman book, number 48: 9x21 Load 147 gr. TMJ 1.169" OAL Max: AA#7, 9.2gr, 1228 fps, 33k CUP There was a ragging debat on another site about using this 9x21 load data in 9mm since it is loaded to a 9mm COAL. As you can see they say it runs at 33K cup. You would think it would be higher than that even with AA#7. The Hornady manual doesn't show pressure's but does mention that when loaded to same lengths, 9MM and 9x21 have the same case capacity. The only reason i am asking what your program would say is because it is already in a published book. I totally understand if you do not want to do that though. Have you found Quickload to be accurate on all or most counts? Thanks again and i will try to find that new AA data!

No I don't. I could probably work on some though. We do have some PP to use. Any specific target your trying to reach?

Got some questions with some of my results. I have lost track of the hours spent researching here and other sites for info on loading the 9mm. Not new to loading but the 9mm is new to me. Would like to get to the 1,100 fps mark with 147 gr bullets. I would like to avoid the reason's why its just my desire. I acknowledge the fact that my following data is way over published data and so far has been safe in MY gun! Could be dangerous in others. My main question is the results for my 147gr loads. Hodgdon's shows 147 gr jhp/ 4.3gr WSF/ 1.169 coal/ 935 fps out of a 4" barrel. PSI is 32,300. Im at 4.7 with WSF and getting average of 942 out of my P228. The 1.169 length works fine in my gun. I figured i would be faster than this. Should I press on with the WSF, not so sure, or go on to AA7, Silhouette, or VV3n38? I was hoping to reach my goal without having to spend the money on the VV. I know some like Power Pistol to hot rod but it has way to much blast flash for me. I have tried it with 124's. My 124gr results: Rem JHP/ 6.6gr WSF/ 1.169 COAL/ 1198fps average. 7.9 gr HS-6/ 1.169COAL/ 1215fps average. All primers are somewhat flat but no flow. No other signs of really high pressure. The WSF seems to have a better "feel" than the HS-6, a little softer. All loads were with once fired mixed.

BigBets, do you find your +p wsf loads to be lower flash and blast like Silhouette is? I know some like PP and Longshot have lots of blast and flash. Have shot PP and its bright even in the day.

Actually i have been lookind at autocomp and hs-6 also. So many choices. Next thing you know you have more powder than you can shake a stick at. Part of the fun of reloading!

I know Silhouette and AA7 are highly regarded for loading +p type loads. I am curious as to why WSF isn't more frequently referenced for the same job. I have seen it referenced just not as much. From posts elswhere and looking at load tables with PSI listed, WSF seems like the perfect powder for the job. It gets the velocity up but with less PSI but is still slow enough. Also low flash and blast. Would love to know more. Just purchased a pound and loading up 124 GSHP and some leads also. Thanks in advance.