9mm minor Load w/ N320

[PatUSAF]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to reloading and am awaiting my press and materials to come in the mail this week.

I've been reading up here as well as some of the staple books out there on reloading.

I bought what I think to be some decent materials to start with.

1lb of VV N320 powder

100: Hornady 124 grain FMJ/RN

200: Remington 115 grain FMJ/RN (I live in NJ so HP's are out of the question.....communist state!)

1000: Winchester small pistol primers

New Starline brass

I shoot and M&P 5" pro and want to get the best accuracy with the least amount of recoil in the minor class.

Just wondering if anyone has some good loads for me to start off with. I will of course be using the factory specs for VV and doing everything within the safety limits.

Thanks very much

PatUSAF

[kellymc]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to reloading and am awaiting my press and materials to come in the mail this week.

I've been reading up here as well as some of the staple books out there on reloading.

I bought what I think to be some decent materials to start with.

1lb of VV N320 powder

100: Hornady 124 grain FMJ/RN

200: Remington 115 grain FMJ/RN (I live in NJ so HP's are out of the question.....communist state!)

1000: Winchester small pistol primers

New Starline brass

I shoot and M&P 5" pro and want to get the best accuracy with the least amount of recoil in the minor class.

Just wondering if anyone has some good loads for me to start off with. I will of course be using the factory specs for VV and doing everything within the safety limits.

Thanks very much

PatUSAF

I crono some 4.0 n320 124gr fmj Montana gold bullets last weekend at 1034 fps and a pf of 128. overall lenth was 1.100 You could load a little longer and get about the same results. Edited February 28, 2012 by kellymc

[PatUSAF]

When I look at the VV reloading data sheets and they don't have the Remington bullets listed, but they're still a 115 grain round, I should still use what they have listed for the FMJ/RN round....right?

I know there are subtle differences between the size of different manufacture's bullets, but overall, the load data between a Lapua bullet (which is the FMJ/RN listed on VV's sheet) and a Remington of the same "design" should convert just fine? I shouldn't be worried about the maker of the bullet should I?

[sweetback]

Hollow points in the Republic of N.J. are legal when used for target shooting only. When used or carried for self defence you are in trouble.

[motosapiens]

When I look at the VV reloading data sheets and they don't have the Remington bullets listed, but they're still a 115 grain round, I should still use what they have listed for the FMJ/RN round....right?

I know there are subtle differences between the size of different manufacture's bullets, but overall, the load data between a Lapua bullet (which is the FMJ/RN listed on VV's sheet) and a Remington of the same "design" should convert just fine? I shouldn't be worried about the maker of the bullet should I?

you are correct, especially since you are operating well under the limits of pressure. Things like drastically different shape, or hollow-points have a significant effect on the case volume (for a given OAL), and case volume has a significant effect on pressure. There may be ever so slight variances in case volume with 2 different mfrs of an fmj/rn, but that's why you don't start at the max load. at starting loads, it shouldn't be enough to cause any problem.

You may discover that plated (berrys) or lead, or coated lead bullets will go faster with less powder. My minor loads are about 3.7 gr of n320 under a 124 grain berrys bullet, and they chrono around 1030fps out of a cz75. They'll probably go a little faster out of your 5" barrel. With jacketed bullets, you'll probably have to use a tenth or 2 more powder.

[PatUSAF]

Hollow points in the Republic of N.J. are legal when used for target shooting only. When used or carried for self defense you are in trouble.

Very interesting, you learn something new every day! I had thought (and was told by a local gun shop dealer) that HP's were to be used in home defense only and that I shouldn't take them anywhere else as they were technically illegal. I just read the State police regulation about HP's and they are indeed allowed at the range. Good stuff!

(great...no I need to read up on the advantages of using HP's for better accuracy....looks like I'm not getting any work done today!)

Anyway, back to the initial question! Good hand load recipes!

[Ofishl1]

Hollow points in the Republic of N.J. are legal when used for target shooting only. When used or carried for self defense you are in trouble.

Very interesting, you learn something new every day! I had thought (and was told by a local gun shop dealer) that HP's were to be used in home defense only and that I shouldn't take them anywhere else as they were technically illegal. I just read the State police regulation about HP's and they are indeed allowed at the range. Good stuff!

(great...no I need to read up on the advantages of using HP's for better accuracy....looks like I'm not getting any work done today!)

Anyway, back to the initial question! Good hand load recipes!

Viht 320 is a great powder, runs clean and meters very well,.. I run it exclusively in .40 limited and have used it for 9mm loads for my sons beretta in steel challenge, my expierience has been 4.0g under 124g JHP runs very well, however he likes the 147g for less felt recoil, I did not chrono this load, however notes show me 4.0 under a 124 and 3.5 under a 147, col was close to 1.135, you could run this out further on the 124g and higher powder drop, to keep pressure down in your gun as long as they feed. I would start longer then drop an empty round with bullet seated only in the chamber, check to see it drops clean in,..if you are getting rifling marks on the ogive of the bullet, then seat .10 deeper at a time until that stops, then you should have a good length for your gun, all barrels are different.

[1SOW]

I bought what I think to be some decent materials to start with.

1lb of VV

N320 powder

100: Hornady 124 grain FMJ/RN

200: Remington 115 grain FMJ/RN

(I live in NJ so HP's are out of the question.....communist state!)

1000:

Winchester small pistol primers

New Starline brass

I shoot and

M&P 5" pro and want to get the best accuracy with the least amount of recoil

in the minor class.

Vit n320 is THE powder for 9x19 minor PF--good choice. The 124gr bullets will shoot softer than the 115's.

4.0 grs under several 124 FMJ I've tried run well at 1.135" at around 128 -130 PF in my CZ..

The Montana Gold 124 CMJ bullet is much less expensive delivered to your door than your Hornady's and are excellent bullets to consider when you need more bullets. MG is an excellent company to deal with..

http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/

Another bullet that shoots very well at that speed is the Berry's 124 HBRN "TP". (TP= thick plating, rated up to 1450'/sec in 38Super) . Like a hollow point, it has a long sidewall due to the hollow base AND a round nose. 1.135" with 4.1 grs. is 129PF in my CZ

free shipping: http://www.tjconever...ys-bullets.html

Hope this helps

Don, USAF Ret.

5

Edited March 5, 2012 by 1SOW

[PatUSAF]

Don,

1st things 1st.....AIR POWER!

Now that I got my Air Force rant in there.....I like the sound of those Berrys 124 Double struck rounds.

I've never shot a hollow base with a round nose. How does the accuracy fair on those? I wanted to try out some hollow points in a few loads once I finally get all of my reloading equipment delivered.

I would be interested to hear how those hollow base rounds do on accuracy.

Pat

[blueeyedme]

N320 is nice, but I found I prefer N330 for my 9mm minor pushing a 147gr bullet.