Ramshot Silhouette and 9mm? Very long COAL publushed data!

[alpha6164]

I have read many references on this board about what a great powder Silhouette is for 9mm etc. I purchased a pound and reloaded 124gr XTP based on Ramshot's load data they have on their website. What i am shocked to see is the COAL they list which is 1.169". The bullets that long look almost stupid, if that makes any sense. They look abnormally long for a 9mm. I have seen 9mm loaded as long as 1.13-1.14 but not basically 1.17. I loaded a few batches with 5.4gr and 5.6gr with Hornady XTP 124 to their recommended 1.169" and the velocities were ok for max loads but definitely not as good as what i got with AA#7.

Here are the numbers i got with the two loads, same day, same chrono. These are both out of my M&P 9c 80deg weather at sea level:

Silhouette: 1.169", XTP 124gr

5.4gr= 1026,1045,1011,1038,1020

5.6gr= 1042,1051,1056,1061,1058

AA#7, XTP 124gr, 1.13" COAL

7.8gr= 1089,1096,1091,1101,1096

8.0gr= 1110,1116,1107,1118,1124

***8.2gr= 1138,1142,1129,1150,1147 (THIS IS 0.2 GRAIN ABOVE MAX LOAD PER ACCURATE LOAD DATA)

The silhouette at 5.6gr loaded that long is listed at 33,000psi, where as the AA#7 at max load of 5.6gr loaded to 1.095" is listed at 29,000psi. This is the reason that i tried 8.2gr since the max charge pressure listed were very conservative and i loaded the bullet longer than the 1.095" listed which would help pressure.

The bottom line is that i came away from this not very impressed with Silhouette. Its max published charge is about a 75-100ft/sec slower with higher pressure listed than the max charge published by Accurate Arms. Not sure if you guys have any inputs/suggestions with Silhouette and COAL published and why it is listed so long. At this point, i dont see any reason to use Silhoueete over AA7. All inputs appreciated.

[smokshwn]

The reason your results are not what you expected them to be is a because silhouette is a very god 9mm powder for guys shouting in Open at major power factor.

For example my load is 8.2gr @ 1.17 oal

For 9mm minor there are better choices in powder

[briansea2]

I think you would get better results with tightgroup over silhouette for your application. I have never used AA so I can not comment on that powder. I use the exact same load as smokshwn and it works well for me.

B

[alpha6164]

The reason your results are not what you expected them to be is a because silhouette is a very god 9mm powder for guys shouting in Open at major power factor.

For example my load is 8.2gr @ 1.17 oal

For 9mm minor there are better choices in powder

So you think going any higher than the listed 5.6gr in my stock M&P9c is not wise and stick to the powder that works such as the AA#7 in my case.

[CocoBolo]

The reason your results are not what you expected them to be is a because silhouette is a very god 9mm powder for guys shouting in Open at major power factor.

For example my load is 8.2gr @ 1.17 oal

For 9mm minor there are better choices in powder

So you think going any higher than the listed 5.6gr in my stock M&P9c is not wise and stick to the powder that works such as the AA#7 in my case.

Well if you are plinking it just doesn't matter on the other hand if you are shooting production uspsa or IDPA get some TiteGroup, or N320, WST, or Solo1000. I shoot 10gr of AA#7 in 9 major at 1.190,you can't makem any shorter they just push back out. Silhouette I also use in 9 major. In 9 minor I use 3.9 gr of N320 with a 124gr Zero at 1.140, or 4.3gr of Titeroup, or 4.7gr of WST and they all produce about 135pf.

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: As stated above you are using the wrong powders for Production loads. I use Tite Group for my Production loads. It is cheap and easy to find. It also burns clean enough for me. Thanks, Eric

[Jaxshooter]

My major power factor load with Silhouette is 8.2 gr @ 1.170 with a 124 gr Montana Gold JHP. 172 PF out of full size gun with no barrel ports. Same load in my backup gun with two hybrid holes in Scheumann barrel 167 PF. If i were to switch guns I would bump the load up to make 172 PF with the holes.

Edited September 20, 2010 by Jaxshooter

[norbs007]

Surely that OAL is for a major load, but considering the posted pressure at 5.6gr. I can understand why it's longer. I am using 8.0gr. Silhouette over 124 MG JHPs at 1.170 averaging over 1370 fps at 170 PF.

[19852]

I've used Silhouette for minor and it left unburned powder in my Beretta. I like Ramshot Competition or VV N320 for minor.