9MM Minor Hardcast bullet load

[pgh george]

After being away from pistol shooting for many years , I am back (big time}

I need to work up a load for 9mm minor with a hardcast bullet (no plated no moly}

I looked to my local bullet casters to see what was available.

I chose Mastercast as a place to start. They have a 9mm 125Gr CN bullet .

They offer this bullet as reloaded ammo as well. So I picked up a few boxes of their reloads,

to see if they would run in my gun, and they run flawlesly. I benchrested the first 3 rounds to see

how they would group - at 50ft - 3 shots - one hole. As a former Bullseye shooter I was really impressed.

After 50 rounds I decided to see if accuracy was the same. I shot 5 rounds from a benchrest. The group

opened up to 1.5 inches. I have some concerns with the pattern opening up this much after only 50 rounds

and I am looking for opinons as to weather I should work up a load for this bullet.

I realize using factory reloads may be the issue - mixed brass etc.

I examined the barrel after shooting - some leading was evident but not excessive.

Here's all the info regarding the question -

Gun - STI Steelmaster

Factory Reloads -9MM 125 Gr CN 1050 fps

[Boats]

I use a 125 gr cast lead bullet in my M&P 5 inch 9mm.. It's from a local caster no coating or moly just plain old lead with a hard lube. Recently switched it from W231 to Clays with good results 3.5 gr load is mild and accurate. Just over 1000 fps. Clays is a lot cleaner than other powders. I don't get any leading either.

Bullet somebody needs can be different, all mine need to do is punch holes in paper and ring steel out to about 35 yards, feed good in the pistol too. Lead does all of that very well

Boats

[Jman]

Here is the result of a search for 9 AND 125 AND minor

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...;hl=9+125+minor

I just used the little search box in the upper right hand corner.

21 pages of stuff and it barely scratches the surface.

Jim

[M109R]

Here is the result of a search for 9 AND 125 AND minor

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...;hl=9+125+minor

I just used the little search box in the upper right hand corner.

21 pages of stuff and it barely scratches the surface.

Jim

4.1g of Solo does it for me!!!

[hockeyfighter25]

I use 4.2-4.3 grains of solo1000 at 1.135

4.3-4.4 made 137 pf at the Indiana State Match out of a M&P FS

4.4 and up, shows some signs of pressure so work your way up.

I get very minimal leading shooting wheel weight lead that is water dropped.

[pgh george]

Boats,

Thanks for your input .

I need a barometer of sorts so as to gauge my expectations.

How consistant are the groups of your loads?

Like you, my needs are for a steel load, but with the group opening up this much after 50 rounds -

I don't know if that is normal - or if my expectations are too high.

My frame of reference is skewed after punching paper for many years.

One hole performance is not expected, BUT is a group that expanded from one hole,

to 1.75 inches after 50 rounds acceptable as a starting point ?

Is this normal with a cast bullet and a steel gun ? Is this acceptable ?

If it is normal and acceptable for steel use I'm fine with that.

Just need a starting point.

Thanks again

[pgh george]

I think my suject line should have been -

How consistant are your 9mm minor hardcast loads ?

Edited December 7, 2009 by pgh george

[hockeyfighter25]

I have never measured group size with the load listed after firing x number of rounds, but 1.5in at 50 feet is not a bad group. I personally wouldn't worry about it, the most difficult target in steel challenge is a 10" plate at 18yds so i think 1.5" at 16.6 yds is acceptable. However, I have read somethings on here about issues with lead in comp. guns, but i believe it was mostly related to making cleaning a pain because the lead built up in the comp.

[Macca]

After being away from pistol shooting for many years , I am back (big time}

I need to work up a load for 9mm minor with a hardcast bullet (no plated no moly}

I looked to my local bullet casters to see what was available.

I chose Mastercast as a place to start. They have a 9mm 125Gr CN bullet .

They offer this bullet as reloaded ammo as well. So I picked up a few boxes of their reloads,

to see if they would run in my gun, and they run flawlesly. I benchrested the first 3 rounds to see

how they would group - at 50ft - 3 shots - one hole. As a former Bullseye shooter I was really impressed.

After 50 rounds I decided to see if accuracy was the same. I shot 5 rounds from a benchrest. The group

opened up to 1.5 inches. I have some concerns with the pattern opening up this much after only 50 rounds

and I am looking for opinons as to weather I should work up a load for this bullet.

I realize using factory reloads may be the issue - mixed brass etc.

I examined the barrel after shooting - some leading was evident but not excessive.

Here's all the info regarding the question -

Gun - STI Steelmaster

Factory Reloads -9MM 125 Gr CN 1050 fps

for what it may be worth my STI Targetmaster has a huge preference for 135 grain roundnose hardcast lead over any other weight no matter what powder/primer oal etc i tried. I have also noticed it prefers them set as long as possible, mine are at an OAL of 1.168, case neck diameter .380

[pgh george]

for what it may be worth my STI Targetmaster has a huge preference for 135 grain roundnose hardcast lead over any other weight no matter what powder/primer oal etc i tried. I have also noticed it prefers them set as long as possible, mine are at an OAL of 1.168, case neck diameter .380

Shared knowledge and experiences are most appreciated.

Thanks

[Boats]

PGH tell you the truith I don't think anyone can properly assess pistol loads without a mechanical rest. You can hand hold and tell if one is bad but comparing one good performer to the other with open sights and resting on sand bags is pretty much a waste of time. Works for Rifles with scopes but pistols too many varables.

My 9mm 3.5-3.6 gr Clays load pushing 125 cast round nose will shoot tight groups on IDPA target head shots from freestyle positon at 10 yards and hold the body Zero ring tight out to 20 yards again from freestyle hold. 20 is as far as our club shoots due range limits. Some times I will take it out to 35 when shooting another clubs matches and it will hold the body but I have to slow down considerably.

Way I evalulate is to make fairly long runs of shots on paper from freestyle positon. Not everybody is going to agree with me though, group sizes from rest are much talked about. I shoot a bullseye pistol some and my very accurate S&W M 1905 Target with wadcutters freestyle 2 hand hold slow fire at 25 yards 10 shots will clean the NRA 25 yard target. Not always, it's dependent on my hold and eye that day. Never done quite that well with the 9mm load in my M&P 9L but nearly so which is my reason for judging it accurate. For comparisons I shoot a Stock Colt Combat Commander same distance same target and it's groups are much larger. I think 25 yards 10 shots hand held is a pretty fair test of a pistols performance, it's the test I use most.

Boats

Edited December 9, 2009 by Boats