Prima Vectan BA 9 1/2 Powder Loads/Feedback/Etc.

[Darrell]

Gun	Bullet	Bullet Wt	Powder	Chg Wt.	Primer	Case	O.A.L	Avg	E.S.	S.D.	PF	Grp Size	Notes	Date	Temp °F	Crimp
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1056	17	5	126.7	2.04	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1088	18	6	130.6	1.65	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1121	32	19	134.5	1.48	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1030	31	9	127.7	2.38	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1061	37	9	131.6	2.2	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1088	29	8	134.9	1.88	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	989	38	8	122.6	1.31	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.376
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	1021	24	7	126.6	1.67	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3760
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	1058	28	9	131.2	1.46	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3760

[B_RAD]

On 12/2/2017 at 10:56 AM, Darrell said:

Gun	Bullet	Bullet Wt	Powder	Chg Wt.	Primer	Case	O.A.L	Avg	E.S.	S.D.	PF	Grp Size	Notes	Date	Temp °F	Crimp
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1056	17	5	126.7	2.04	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1088	18	6	130.6	1.65	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	120	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.030	1121	32	19	134.5	1.48	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	76	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1030	31	9	127.7	2.38	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1061	37	9	131.6	2.2	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	Bayou TC	124	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.070	1088	29	8	134.9	1.88	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3770
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.0	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	989	38	8	122.6	1.31	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.376
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.2	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	1021	24	7	126.6	1.67	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3760
Accu-Shadow	PD JHP	124	BA9.5	4.4	Fiocchi	Win	1.080	1058	28	9	131.2	1.46	5 shots avg 25 Yds R.R.	04/17/17	80	0.3760

So, your liking this powder?

[BillGarlandJr]

2 hours ago, 57K said:

If you check Vectan and V-Vs load data you'll see that it's identical for N320 and Ba 9 1/2. However, as long as I've seen actual chrono results Ba 9 1/2 has always been several tenths of a grain slower. NobelSport and V-V are owned by the same parent company and I recently learned that they've acquired Norma as well for you guys that load for rifle. Prima V typically comes in closer to charge weights for N320, but Ba 9 1/2 is still a good choice for 9mm Minor, IMO.

What youre talking about regarding Prima V and N320 being similar in terms of charge weights has been my experience. I compared Darrell’s data for 124s loaded with Ba 9 1/2 to the data in the VV loading manual and its pretty comparable to N330, which is an amazing 9mm powder.

[B_RAD]

On 11/27/2017 at 12:31 PM, chaserracer said:

@B_RAD just out of curiosity, what about the TG do you not like?

For me its hard to ignore the savings in using TG vs BA 9.5 at 3.6gr vs 4.2gr for the same exact load.

Even though I feel the BA 9.5 has a noticeably softer feel to it when shooting(and much easier to monitor when loading)... I think I want to experiment with some 147g using TG to see if it would feel similar...

I'm about to order powder for next year. 

 

Wanted to see what's the price difference for .6 gr difference. 

 

Comes out to about $1.50 per 1,000. 

 

Assuming the powders cost the same.per pound. 

 

Not even gonna worry about that.  

 

 

Think I'm gonna order 10 bottles (1.1# ea) of Nobel 9.5. Worried after Jan 1 Graffs and Sons won't have the free hazmat. 

 

Shooting 124 gr Xtremes out of Accushadow and shadow 2. 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2017 by B_RAD

[chaserracer]

51 minutes ago, B_RAD said:

I'm about to order powder for next year. 

 

Wanted to see what's the price difference for .6 gr difference. 

 

Comes out to about $1.50 per 1,000. 

 

Assuming the powders cost the same.per pound. 

 

Not even gonna worry about that.  

 

 

Think I'm gonna order 10 bottles (1.1# ea) of Nobel 9.5. Worried after Jan 1 Graffs and Sons won't have the free hazmat. 

 

Shooting 124 gr Xtremes out of Accushadow and shadow 2. 

 

 

 

 

I agree, when you break it down cost wise its not even worth factoring in as a "savings" one vs the other. I can now definitely say after shooting my last few practices and most recent match with TG paired with 147g BlueBullets i miss my old recipe of 125g and Nobel 9.5.

Sometimes i just cant seem to get out of my own way when it comes to tinkering and overthinking this stuff. I'm going to switch back to the above combo indefinitely. I talked to my local reloading supplier about having a continual supply of Nobel 9.5 and he doesn't seem to think its going to be a problem any time soon.  Lesson learned!

[B_RAD]

1 minute ago, chaserracer said:

 

I agree, when you break it down cost wise its not even worth factoring in as a "savings" one vs the other. I can now definitely say after shooting my last few practices and most recent match with TG paired with 147g BlueBullets i miss my old recipe of 125g and Nobel 9.5.

Sometimes i just cant seem to get out of my own way when it comes to tinkering and overthinking this stuff. I'm going to switch back to the above combo indefinitely. I talked to my local reloading supplier about having a continual supply of Nobel 9.5 and he doesn't seem to think its going to be a problem any time soon.  Lesson learned!

You ain't got nothing on me!  Ha ha. 

 

I'm picking up a bottle of 9.5 locally. If I like it after testing I'll be buying 10 bottles. 

 

You had good luck with 125 gr? Coated, plated, jacketed?  

[chaserracer]

2 minutes ago, B_RAD said:

You ain't got nothing on me!  Ha ha. 

 

I'm picking up a bottle of 9.5 locally. If I like it after testing I'll be buying 10 bottles. 

 

You had good luck with 125 gr? Coated, plated, jacketed?  

 

Yes, i had nothing but good things come from using 125g coated blue bullets and 4.2g BA 9.5 Always accurate, reliable and chrono was consistent.

[BillGarlandJr]

2 hours ago, chaserracer said:

 

Yes, i had nothing but good things come from using 125g coated blue bullets and 4.2g BA 9.5 Always accurate, reliable and chrono was consistent.

What kind of pf were you getting with that load?

[chaserracer]

3 minutes ago, BillGarlandJr said:

What kind of pf were you getting with that load?

 

5 shot average @129.88 PF

(125g Blue Bullet, 4.2g BA 9.5, 1.125 OAL)

[BillGarlandJr]

6 minutes ago, chaserracer said:

 

5 shot average @129.88 PF

(125g Blue Bullet, 4.2g BA 9.5, 1.125 OAL)

Good info. Thank you!

[chaserracer]

5 minutes ago, BillGarlandJr said:

Good info. Thank you!

 

Your welcome, happy to help if i can.

[B_RAD]

1 hour ago, chaserracer said:

 

5 shot average @129.88 PF

(125g Blue Bullet, 4.2g BA 9.5, 1.125 OAL)

Out of a Stock 2?

 

 

[chaserracer]

1 minute ago, B_RAD said:

Out of a Stock 2?

 

 

Yessir

[MemphisMechanic]

On 12/12/2017 at 1:56 PM, B_RAD said:

You had good luck with 125 gr? Coated, plated, jacketed?  

 

I switched bullets and powders in the last 8 years the way you switched guns in 2017.

 

147 FMJ. 130gr coated. 124gr fmj. 147gr coated. 135gr coated. 150gr SWC coated. 135 coated. Finally back to 125 coated.

 

In a polymer gun there’s a pinch of difference in the 147 vs 124. In a metal gun? Man, find a good price on a 125/125 and shoot the snot out of them with a soft powder. You’re not giving up anything at all. Except in your head.

 

Just like all your gun swapping taught you.

[B_RAD]

7 hours ago, MemphisMechanic said:

 

I switched bullets and powders in the last 8 years the way you switched guns in 2017.

 

147 FMJ. 130gr coated. 124gr fmj. 147gr coated. 135gr coated. 150gr SWC coated. 135 coated. Finally back to 125 coated.

 

In a polymer gun there’s a pinch of difference in the 147 vs 124. In a metal gun? Man, find a good price on a 125/125 and shoot the snot out of them with a soft powder. You’re not giving up anything at all. Except in your head.

 

Just like all your gun swapping taught you.

I bought 10000 124 xtrme.  

 

Need a powder.  Got half a pound of Prima V left.  

 

 

[fbzero]

This thread has me wanting to try the BA 9 1/2 out.  Grabbed a pound of it last time I picked up some Prima SV just to see what it's like, but haven't gotten around to it yet.  Still have a 8lb or so of Prima V, but since everyone has been out for quite a while, I'm assuming I'll eventually have to find a new powder too.

[Darrell]

Once I finish off the 9 cans of Prima V I'm going to be using 9.5 as my N320 replacement. I'm gonna try Prima V in 40 and 45 see how it works just so I can get rid of my stash. Should have bought just 1 to try out, but Graf's had a great sale at the time with no Hazmat.

[chaserracer]

On 11/1/2017 at 10:31 PM, haiedras said:

I have some BA 9.5 I picked up two years ago, and under an ACME 147gr I needed 3.6gr just to get an avg pf of 133, which made it roughly comparable to N320 for me. Haven't really messed with it since then as I have a couple years of TG to burn through first.

 

@haiedras I'm currently traveling back down this rabbit hole and was hoping to get some feedback from you. I just shot a batch of Blue Bullet flat nose 147g bullets loaded with 3.7g of BA 9.5 and it went absolutely amazing accuracy/impulse wise. felt really soft (compared to 125g BB + 4.2g BA 9.5) concerned that it will not pass chrono or knock down heavy poppers. I will have access to chrono after the match but not before...In your opinion does this seem like a safe recipe to make minor PF?

[haiedras]

12 minutes ago, chaserracer said:

@haiedras I'm currently traveling back down this rabbit hole and was hoping to get some feedback from you. I just shot a batch of Blue Bullet flat nose 147g bullets loaded with 3.7g of BA 9.5 and it went absolutely amazing accuracy/impulse wise. felt really soft (compared to 125g BB + 4.2g BA 9.5) concerned that it will not pass chrono or knock down heavy poppers. I will have access to chrono after the match but not before...In your opinion does this seem like a safe recipe to make minor PF?

 

You should be okay, looking at my s2 chrono data 3.6gr gave me a 133pf avg with 147gr Acme FPs. I'd probably end up at 3.7gr anyway as I'd prefer my 147s to run over 900fps for accuracy and grouping purposes.

[chaserracer]

21 hours ago, haiedras said:

 

You should be okay, looking at my s2 chrono data 3.6gr gave me a 133pf avg with 147gr Acme FPs. I'd probably end up at 3.7gr anyway as I'd prefer my 147s to run over 900fps for accuracy and grouping purposes.

Thanks for the reply! 

I'm going to trust it for the match and also bring a handful loaded up with 3.5/3.6/3.8g BA 9.5 just to see how they chrono as well.

[Talon75]

I just started using 9.5 and am liking it so far. It's a bit messy on the press, more so than TG, for me but not to bad. I started with some 125gr cast SNS with 3.1gr of 9.5, quite the powder puff load but ran well in my RIA, only a couple FTEject stovepipes out of 250 rounds. My order of 147gr RN hitek coated bullets finally showed up so I shot some strings today starting at 3.3gr up to 4.1, didn't really notice much difference in felt recoil at all and definatly more recoil than my 125gr rounds(which I'm sure don't meet PF, but I'm also without a chrono yet). I went ahead and loaded 300 of the 147gr at 3.5gr for a match tomorrow, I have yet been to a match that has chrono'd anything, can't wait till I can chrono some and get a good load figured out. I definitely like 9.5 better than TG, and I'm willing to pay a bit extra for it. I want to try some N320 next to see if it's worth the cost to me, but it will have to be a lot better considering the price.

Edited May 6, 2018 by Talon75

[chaserracer]

On 5/4/2018 at 1:23 PM, haiedras said:

 

You should be okay, looking at my s2 chrono data 3.6gr gave me a 133pf avg with 147gr Acme FPs. I'd probably end up at 3.7gr anyway as I'd prefer my 147s to run over 900fps for accuracy and grouping purposes.

So i chrono'd after the match with my load of 147g FN BB loaded with 3.7g BA 9.5 and had an average reading of 949.5 FPS netting me an average PF of 139.5

During the match I had a few rounds that got hung up in the chamber loaded at 1.125 +/- So for this next batch I'm going to drop the powder to 3.5g and adjust the OAL to 1.18 +/- and see how she goes.

[haiedras]

Cool beans, I'll be down next month working the West Coast Brass Fest, will be interesting to check out your load if you got a couple extra then.

[Talon75]

10 hours ago, chaserracer said:

So i chrono'd after the match with my load of 147g FN BB loaded with 3.7g BA 9.5 and had an average reading of 949.5 FPS netting me an average PF of 139.5

During the match I had a few rounds that got hung up in the chamber loaded at 1.125 +/- So for this next batch I'm going to drop the powder to 3.5g and adjust the OAL to 1.18 +/- and see how she goes.

 

When you say hung up on the chamber do you mean they weren't feeding right? Just wondering why a longer OAL is the answer to your issue.

[Talon75]

By the way, my loads at 3.5gr and 1.16 OAL performed flawlessly and I had one of my best matches yet. The rounds were very good accuracy wise, I just hope when I chrono that they meet PF.