A couple questions about Bayou 147fp and 135rn loads...

[LeviSS]

Ok. I got my dies adjusted so the coating is 100% in tact after loading a dummy round and pulling the bullet.

I did the plunk test in my Glock 23 LW 9mm conversion barrel. I started at 1.150. I had to seat deeper until I got to about 1.110ish, and it felt fairly easy to spin. I then went to 1.100 and it spins and drops freely. None of my 3 manuals have 147fp data in them. Alliants website says the minimum coal is 1.08, so it looks like I should be fine.

Is 1.100 an acceptable coal for a 147fp Bayou? Will a the hornady manuals starting charge of 3.5gr Power Pistol (the only powder I have now) be acceptable for this?

Now on to the Bayou 135rn. I can find little to no published data for this weight of bullet, especially when using Power Pistol. The closest thing I can find is hodgdons site that lists a 130rn Berry's.

Is there published data anywhere for a 135gr bullet? If not, how do you figure out where to start?

Edited September 8, 2015 by LeviSS

[Hi-Power Jack]

1. If I were looking for a powder charge for 135's, I'd go right in between the listed loads

for the 124's and the 147's - back that down a bit, and work up slowly with a chrono.

2. The 147 is probably fine, but I'd back the charge down to 3.0 and work up

slowly, with a chrono.

[LeviSS]

Yeah. I don't have a chrono yet. It's the next thing on my list...probably this month or next.

[Steve RA]

As a general guideline - use lead bullet data for coated bullets.

[LeviSS]

That's the problem. I've found 0 load data for 135s, just 130ss and it didn't have my powder listed.

Edited September 10, 2015 by LeviSS

[amokscience]

Finding the exact combination of powder and bullet (and barrel and brass and...) is a fruitless endeavor. You have to guesstimate/extrapolate a starting point (do what Hi-Power Jack wrote), start lower for safety then ramp up a powder load. But first get that chrono, otherwise you're just tossing rocks in the dark.

[LeviSS]

Ok. How do you know if you're starting too low? How light do you have to go before it gets dangerous on the low side?

[Steve RA]

When the bullet doesn't exit the barrel, you are too low.

Generally, pick a starting load for the next heavy bullet and work up from there.

[Hi-Power Jack]

If you're too low, the slide won't eject the spent cartridge case ... No big problem.

[LeviSS]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I was worried because I had read about charges too low creating 2 pressure spikes and bad things resulting. Is that just.in larger cases with really low charges or what?

[Red Ryder]

You should NOT work up a load without a chronograph. It is true that using too little powder will not cycle the slide, or the brass dribbles over your knuckles. It should eject at least a foot from your gun. But without knowing the speed of your bullet, you are just guessing.

[LeviSS]

Yeah. Until now I've stuck just to published data for the exact bullet and powder used and I don't try to push the upper limits. I'm seeing the need for a chrono and will be getting one before working these up.

[rancher5]

One thing i found out was working a load for 125 Blue Bullets, low book loads was 4.9gr cf pistol, chrono'd loads 1110fps worked it down to 4.3-4.4 My speed went to 1040 well over MINOR power factor with better accuracy than 5.0-4.9, without a Chron i would never have dropped my charge as low, other thing i noticed shooting coated bullets they'll run faster by 50 than jacket bullets same wieght, one consideration bullet profile on coated is thicker which equates to a shorter oal, ie higher pressure, all this great knowledge using a chronograph , lol IMHO

[Peplow530]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Edited September 13, 2015 by Peplow530

[rancher5]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

[rancher5]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

Sorry just noticed your CF pistol was only for 135 still accuracy input, be nice to know

[Peplow530]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

Sorry just noticed your CF pistol was only for 135 still accuracy input, be nice to know

I was only shooting off hand at 10 yards, but it was pretty darn accurate. All 10 shots were in a 2.5" group dead center. I felt the most accurate out of the six I listed was the 135gr with 3.4gr bullseye. Although I think I'm going to try 3.3gr next just to drop the PF a tad bit.

[rancher5]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

Sorry just noticed your CF pistol was only for 135 still accuracy input, be nice to know

I was only shooting off hand at 10 yards, but it was pretty darn accurate. All 10 shots were in a 2.5" group dead center. I felt the most accurate out of the six I listed was the 135gr with 3.4gr bullseye. Although I think I'm going to try 3.3gr next just to drop the PF a tad bit.

Thanks helps allot been using 125,145 rnl Blue Bullets, next trying Acme 147's , Like to try 135's

[rancher5]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

Sorry just noticed your CF pistol was only for 135 still accuracy input, be nice to know

I was only shooting off hand at 10 yards, but it was pretty darn accurate. All 10 shots were in a 2.5" group dead center. I felt the most accurate out of the six I listed was the 135gr with 3.4gr bullseye. Although I think I'm going to try 3.3gr next just to drop the PF a tad bit.

Forgot to mention I dropped to 4.3-4.4 gr CF pistol good accuracy, 30 ft 1.5" 10 rounds one flyer 2.5", still meets minors.

[LeviSS]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Thanks. I actually do have some Bullseye my buddy gave me...not much though.

[rancher5]

I just chronographed a few loads yesterday and here is what I have come up with. I used Black Bullets International 147gr. and 135gr. All rounds were loaded to an OAL of 1.09 with mixed brass and Federal small pistol primers. I got the average velocity from 10 rounds through my Chrony with each individual load through a 5" 1911 9mm barrel.

-Here is what I found with my 147gr. bullets

3.0gr. Bullseye, average velocity 926.5 = 136 PF

3.1gr. Bullseye, average velocity 949 = 139 PF

-Here is what I found with my 135gr. bullets

3.2gr. Bullseye, Average velocity 957.1 = 129 PF

3.4gr. Bullseye, average velocity 1017 = 137 PF

3.5gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 966.9 = 130 PF

3.6gr. CFE Pistol, average velocity 990.5 = 133 PF

I realize the powders don't match to what you are looking for, but maybe this will be somewhat helpful?

Great I wondered how CF pistol did on the low end what was your accuracy if you compared?

Sorry just noticed your CF pistol was only for 135 still accuracy input, be nice to know

I was only shooting off hand at 10 yards, but it was pretty darn accurate. All 10 shots were in a 2.5" group dead center. I felt the most accurate out of the six I listed was the 135gr with 3.4gr bullseye. Although I think I'm going to try 3.3gr next just to drop the PF a tad bit.

Forgot to mention I dropped to 4.3-4.4 gr CF pistol good accuracy, 30 ft 1.5" 10 rounds one flyer 2.5", still meets minors.

Late post but Thanks, I'll bookmark the data

[RPatton]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I was worried because I had read about charges too low creating 2 pressure spikes and bad things resulting. Is that just.in larger cases with really low charges or what?

Reduced loads with slow burning powders can cause erratic performance and dangerous pressure spikes. Not sure this would apply to pistol powders.