Making PF with 9mm using 231?

[retarmyaviator]

I have been loading 124 grain 9mm with the following but when checked with a chronograph it fell below PF when fired from a stock full size M&P. I keep reading of others using the same load or slightly less making PF. Wondering what the problem is? Thanks

124 gr FMJ OAL – 1.155 Crimp .377

4.6 W231

[AS350Driver]

Maybe it's your chrono? I use 4.3 of 231 with 124's and make about 130pf, almost identical OAL too.

[stein]

Assuming you're talking Minor PF, check your powder scale and chrono, you should be making PF easily.

[eisenhow]

Maybe it's your chrono? I use 4.3 of 231 with 124's and make about 130pf, almost identical OAL too.

FMJ, plated or lead? What length barrel?

[retarmyaviator]

Thanks guys. I checked the powder measure several times and it was correct each time. Loading on a Dillon 550B.

I am ordering a chrono Monday, the one I was using was borrowed. The borrowed chrono was showing about 950-975. The chrono is probably the problem.

[retarmyaviator]

FMJ, plated or lead? What length barrel?

Precision Delta FMJs.

Barrel length - 4.25 inch.

[polizei1]

I suspect the chrono...

I'm using:

PD 124gr FMJ

Win 231 4.5gr

OAL - 1.140

CCI #500

Mixed Brass

My EMP (3") averaged 124pf, my Spartan (5") averaged 140pf. Same load!

I'm using this for my Spartan now:

PD 124gr FMJ

Win 231 4.2gr

OAL - 1.140

CCI #500

Mixed Brass

I suspect this to be about 132-135pf. Since you're barrel is a slight bit shorter, it's going to drop your velocity a little. However, that said...4.6gr should easily be making PF.

Edited April 29, 2012 by polizei1

[superdude]

maybe you have a slow barrel. or slow bullets. or a combination of the two. seriously. or maybe that lot of 231 is slightly off. either way, you'll know once you try the new chronograph.

i get 133 PF with a 124 FMJ Remington and 4.5 of 231 at 1.155 OAL from a 5 inch barrel. but every gun (barrel) is different. let us know what the new chrono says.

[AS350Driver]

Maybe it's your chrono? I use 4.3 of 231 with 124's and make about 130pf, almost identical OAL too.

FMJ, plated or lead? What length barrel?

FMJ's with a 4.25" barrel.

[Mike_P]

I too load W231 under 124/125gr bullets at ~4.2-4.3gr. oal of 1.135". No problems at all.

Hell, my 115gr that I used to load before switching to heavier bullets I loaded to 4.5-4.6gr. You should definitely be hitting 130PF with 4.5 under it.

[retarmyaviator]

I too load W231 under 124/125gr bullets at ~4.2-4.3gr. oal of 1.135". No problems at all.

Hell, my 115gr that I used to load before switching to heavier bullets I loaded to 4.5-4.6gr. You should definitely be hitting 130PF with 4.5 under it.

Thanks. I will know for sure what the problem is when the chrono I ordered gets here next week.

[Scootertheshooter]

I load a 124 mg with 4.4g of 231 out of my 34 though and get 139pf. I still get 130 with a comp on

[kcinnick]

115g's with both my 5" pistols made power factor at 4.6 of W231. (STI Trojan and M&P Pro)

[retarmyaviator]

Results with the new chronograph.

The first load was purposely downloaded from my normal loadings as a test. I then started at .1 gr less from my normal load and worked up to 4.8 gr. The Privi Partzan was thrown in with the NATO for factory loadings, low and high end. Five rounds of each loading were used for the average.

Powder used W231, bullets 124 gr Delta Precision. The 4.6 loading is the same as that originally tested that failed to meet PF, those previous readings were in the 950-975 range. I believe this bares out that the original problem was the chronograph and not the ammunition.

4.2 - 999 – PF 123.88

4.5 – 1060 – PF 131.44

4.6 – 1052 – PF 130.45

4.7 – 1081 – PF 134.04

4.8 – 1095 – PF 135.78

Prvi Partizan – 1048 – PF 129.95

NATO - 1202 – PF 149.05

Edited May 10, 2012 by retarmyaviator