Solo data & questions

[TAP]

Tested a new 8# keg of Solo 1000 today. The keg I received from Powder Valley did not have a lot number sticker.

M&P 9 (4.25")

Mixed Brass

MG 124gr CMJ

Fed small pistol primers

Solo 1000

1.130" OAL

4.4gr

Hi 913

Lo 881

Avg 890

ES 32

SD 12

PF 110

4.5gr

Hi 928

Lo 876

Avg 909

ES 52

SD 15

PF 113

4.6gr

Hi 944

Lo 904

Avg 923

ES 40

SD 11

PF 114

4.7gr

Hi 955

Lo 922

Avg 938

ES 33

SD 12

PF 116

It looks like I have a slow jug. No pressure signs on any of the cases. Primers look good. What's next? Do I keep increasing the charge or look into 147gr bullets? 4.7gr is a lot of powder in a 9mm case. Has anyone tried 4.9gr of solo yet?

[Sarge]

Wow! Those numbers suck. I hate to say it but thats why I moved away from solo 1000. Just too much guess work involved for my liking. You might try a few 147's and see what you get but my guess is a slow keg is a slow keg. Good luck! And be careful.

[jgedmond]

My recent Solo 1000 results (lot #1877, dated 5/14/09) and I thought that this batch was slow! How confident are you in your chrono's accuracy? Do other tests fall in line with published velocities?

WIN brass, CCI SPP, 1.150"

fired from H&K P30 (3.85" barrel)

gr., avg, sd, es, hi, lo

3.8, 939, 5, 14, 947, 933

4.0, 965, 8, 21, 976, 955

4.2, 1003, 9, 23, 1012, 989

4.4, 1048, 11, 28, 1064, 1036

4.6, 1069, 6, 19, 1077, 1058

4.8, 1083, 4, 12, 1090, 1078

4.4 gr and less barely ejected the cases but the P30 is known for a strong recoil spring. 4.6 gr worked the gun well and was fairly accurate. punchy recoil, but little muzzle flip, felt good to me - YMMV.

Edited May 31, 2010 by jgedmond

[TAP]

My recent Solo 1000 results (lot #1877, dated 5/14/09) and I thought that this batch was slow!

WIN brass, CCI SPP, 1.150"

fired from H&K P30 (3.85" barrel)

gr., avg, sd, es, hi, lo

3.8, 939, 5, 14, 947, 933

4.0, 965, 8, 21, 976, 955

4.2, 1003, 9, 23, 1012, 989

4.4, 1048, 11, 28, 1064, 1036

4.6, 1069, 6, 19, 1077, 1058

4.8, 1083, 4, 12, 1090, 1078

4.4 gr and less barely ejected the cases but the P30 is known for a strong recoil spring. 4.6 gr worked the gun well and was fairly accurate. punchy recoil, but little muzzle flip, felt good to me - YMMV.

What bullet were you using with this data?

[jgedmond]

My recent Solo 1000 results (lot #1877, dated 5/14/09) and I thought that this batch was slow!

WIN brass, CCI SPP, 1.150"

fired from H&K P30 (3.85" barrel)

gr., avg, sd, es, hi, lo

3.8, 939, 5, 14, 947, 933

4.0, 965, 8, 21, 976, 955

4.2, 1003, 9, 23, 1012, 989

4.4, 1048, 11, 28, 1064, 1036

4.6, 1069, 6, 19, 1077, 1058

4.8, 1083, 4, 12, 1090, 1078

4.4 gr and less barely ejected the cases but the P30 is known for a strong recoil spring. 4.6 gr worked the gun well and was fairly accurate. punchy recoil, but little muzzle flip, felt good to me - YMMV.

What bullet were you using with this data?

sorry, i knew something was missing

3.8, 4.0, 4.2 were MG 124CMJ

4.4, 4.6, 4.8 were PD 124FMJ

[boomfab]

My new jug of Solo 1000 is slower than heck.

I went from 3.8 gr with Hornady 147 XTP with the old jug to 4.3 gr with the new jug to keep the same PF!

[TAP]

At least I know it is not something I am doing wrong. I don't really want to go over 4.8gr in a 9mm case due to volume. I may get some 147s or even save this jug for .45.

I really liked solo too. Too bad.

[DWFAN]

At least I know it is not something I am doing wrong. I don't really want to go over 4.8gr in a 9mm case due to volume. I may get some 147s or even save this jug for .45.

I really liked solo too. Too bad.

My thoughts too. while it may be safe, putting that much solo in a 9mm case makes a mess when the press indexes.

[Shooter32]

Man I thought my jug was slow !! I have went up to 4.8gr with a MG 124 JHP but i would not want to go any higher than that as my case was close to being full and i now the loads were compressed . I have found that i get a little more FPS out of my Zero's thatn my MG's dont figure .

[Cy Soto]

Before I begun shooting Solo 1000 I read a lot of posts and talked to some users that agreed that this powder is best with heavier bullets. I was using 125gr bullets but, as soon as I started loading with Solo, I went to 135gr bullets.

Keep in mind also that MG bullets are famous for needing a bit more powder than normal to reach PF. Switching to 147gr bullets may take care of your issue.

[Sarge]

I have found that i get a little more FPS out of my Zero's thatn my MG's dont figure .

This is typical.

[ben b.]

Jump up to 147s and drop the powder charge. I too think that Solo1000 and light FMJ 9mm bullets don't go together.

My last batch of Solo1000 used 4.3 gr with a 125 lead and made PF 132. I think it was 3.8 gr for Hornady 147 FMJs.

Edited June 3, 2010 by ben b.

[gcambi]

i'm shooting 158 gr lead rn over 2.6 gr solo1k out of a s&w 38 super revolver using 9mm brass as a steel load. it reliably took down steel at palmyra, and the steel city match without problems

i liked it soooooooooo much, i bought a 25lb keg so i could work up a load w/ this lot, and wont need more for >65,000 rounds

i hope to start the work up soon, and will post my findings

[Bob DuBois]

I like Solo also, it has it's problems, only works with 124gn and heavier bullets but sure shoots smooth. I had good results with 147gn bullets, lead, plated and jacketed. Best group on a test session yesterday was Precision Delta Jacketed with 4.3gns at 1.130 OAL. Good results with some old 163gn lead Super bullets I had under the bench at 3.4gns. Accurate and light recoil, 133PF.

I put six rounds on the tail gate of my PU while cronographing some other rounds. Same ammo from a shaded bag 131.5PF.

The ammo that was in the sun for ten minutes dropped to 124.5PF. So it's very heat sensitive, bullets were warm to the touch and it was a 86 degree day. Need to keep match ammo covered on warm days.

The last crono test I did with 124gn bullets was back in the spring and my new batch of Solo took 4.6 to get 128PF. so I would bump it to 4.7 on my next loading session with 124's.

Sticker on the bottom of the can 1930, 2 02 10. It is a lot slower that the older can I had. I haven't tried Solo in 40 S@W but will on my next loading session for my limited pistols.

The data above was shot with a STI Trojan 9mm with a 9lb recoil spring and a 15lb mainspring, I feel the lighter springs may call for a little heavier charge as the gun unlocks quicker. Wish I had my Glock 34 with me but left it at home.

I don't think I can get enough Solo 1000 in the case to load 115gn bullets.

[ben b.]

I'm working thru my 3rd or 4th 8# jug of Solo1000, and have seen some variance in lots. I was surprised by my recent .38 Spcl loads that need 4.45 gr under a 158 gr Berrys at 1.475" OAL to reach a 130 PF. With lead 147 in 9mm, it only takes about 3.4 gr. Yet Accurate data lists 3.4 gr S1000 as max load with 158 gr lead in .38 Spcl, which would be a 137 PF. Accurate data

I started with Solo b/c of the burn rate and the purported "low(er) smoke with lead", but I just don't see a perceptible difference of Solo with the blue lube used by my local caster. I like and use this powder, but I can't see support for the "less smoke" aspect IME.

Edited August 27, 2010 by ben b.

[DWFAN]

i really only see less smoke with Moly bullets. wsf had less smoke with lead last time i tried that powder.