Reloading 9mm

[xdyoungw]

As many of you know the Westberg reloading room is almost ready for use. I need get some loads mixed up for the summer shoots. I thought I would see if anyone had some suggestion for me. I have reloaded 30-06 and .357 but never for the 9mm. These rounds will be for my XD 5" tactical. Main purpose will be for USPSA, IDPA, and steel shoots. What I am looking to gain is a more accurate,reliable, cleaner, and hopefully cheaper round. I am also wanting to expirement with the felt recoil by using different bullet and powder weights.

Bullets- I plan on starting with Black Bullets International( I have read great reviews and perfer to use someone local) in 130gr and 147gr to start with.

Powder- I am looking for suggestion. I heard shooter had good luck with Solo 1000 and Black Bullets.

Case length- Is it true that 9mm cases can vary as much as .020? Is this something to be concerned about? What are some solutions? Keep in mind these rounds are for run and gun competitions not bulleye.

OAL- While staying with in the tables and keeping the gun functioning, is the something I will need to play with when using the heavier bullets?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion!

[Belgiboy]

The 130 grainer from Black Bullets Inc is a great bullet to shoot and reload.
I don't trim any 9mm cases, but I keep the COL on the short side (1.090") and I never have any feeding problems in either of my 9mm guns anymore. My XDM would gobble up everything but my Browning HP doesn't like longer cartridges. I use 3.8 gr of Universal Clays, which gives me great accuracy, light recoil and never fails to cycle the gun. Don't use too much crimp. In terms of residue left in the gun, it is a clean load but it does smoke... a lot. I haven't been able to find a remedy for that yet but it is kind of low on the priority list since (apart from the clouds billowing out of the barrel ) that load makes me look good on the range.

[Einthoven's Triangle]

If you really want clean and less you pay for it in terms of cost of the powder, ie use VV N320. Universal Clays does not smoke that much in comparison to shooting traditional hard cast lead bullets vs BBI. I have vriturally no smoke when using the BBI and Unviersal Clays in th 45ACP, and I have not had that much with the 9mm loads. Buy the big box!

[westberg]

If you really want clean and less you pay for it in terms of cost of the powder, ie use VV N320. Universal Clays does not smoke that much in comparison to shooting traditional hard cast lead bullets vs BBI. I have vriturally no smoke when using the BBI and Unviersal Clays in th 45ACP, and I have not had that much with the 9mm loads. Buy the big box!

If your shooting this load out of the 45acp, I'm assuming it's pretty accurate out of a 5" barrel. What weight BBI are you using? Again the 45acp would be used in the same applications as Mike mentioned above.

[xdyoungw]

The 130 grainer from Black Bullets Inc is a great bullet to shoot and reload.
I don't trim any 9mm cases, but I keep the COL on the short side (1.090") and I never have any feeding problems in either of my 9mm guns anymore. My XDM would gobble up everything but my Browning HP doesn't like longer cartridges. I use 3.8 gr of Universal Clays, which gives me great accuracy, light recoil and never fails to cycle the gun. Don't use too much crimp. In terms of residue left in the gun, it is a clean load but it does smoke... a lot. I haven't been able to find a remedy for that yet but it is kind of low on the priority list since (apart from the clouds billowing out of the barrel ) that load makes me look good on the range.

Have you tried the 147gr? Is there something about the 130 that make it easier to reload?

[Belgiboy]

No, I haven't used the 147 gr bullet but I don't think there is a reason why that one would be more difficult to reload. Seating the bullets as deep as I do eats up a bit of case capacity but there is plenty of that left with only 3.8 gr of powder. If your goal is to topple steel plates, the 147 gr may be the better choice.

[Einthoven's Triangle]

The 9mm has been the 130 TC with Universal Clays, and 45 ACP has been the 200gr RN....quite the little cherb. The N320 was as smoke free as it gets and boy talk about clean guns! But that is hard to get. So, Universal Clays is a good choice, and I would think Power Pistol would be good, too.

[Jeff Bergquist]

I load Power pistol in my 9mms under 124 gr FMJs and JHPs. I love how clean it burns, cleaner than any factory ammo I've tried.

[Einthoven's Triangle]

PP is a good powder and I think might work well with the BBI bullets. I have used it a little in 9mm with jacketed bullets and it is pretty darn clean burning with jacketed bullets, but I have not loaded it with lead bullet bullets . And, I have used it 45ACP to make some what shall we say potent 45ACP with 230gr Gold Dots!

If price and availability were not an issue N320 would be my prime pistol powder. That is slicker then snot!

I really do not have that much concern with smoke related to lead cast bullets, it is more trying to be a good neighbor at indoor ranges. And, the BBI bullets seem to be a good answer. They shoot pretty darn good out of the Jarvis HK USPf bbl! And, they sure have been good with the G17 and the LWD bbl.

[Keith]

I've not loaded my own 147's yet but have found the ones that I've tried to be very soft shooting with plenty of knock down power for steel.
Once I run out of the 125 grain zero's I'm running now I will try out some 147's.

[westberg]

I've not loaded my own 147's yet but have found the ones that I've tried to be very soft shooting with plenty of knock down power for steel.
Once I run out of the 125 grain zero's I'm running now I will try out some 147's.

Are you using the BBI's?

[Keith]

I've not loaded my own 147's yet but have found the ones that I've tried to be very soft shooting with plenty of knock down power for steel.
Once I run out of the 125 grain zero's I'm running now I will try out some 147's.

Are you using the BBI's?

The only BBI's I've tried so far are some .45 230's and 130 grain .38 specials.

I do have a box of 180 grain .40's to try out that I haven't touched, yet.

[Pinnacle]

I have about 9000 rounds of BBI on the way and some Solo to try as well. I will let you know.

[xdyoungw]

Thanks for the info. I think I will start with the 147's.
I will hopefully be starting next. Let you know how they work after I make it to the range.
Keep the suggestions coming.

[westberg]

I have about 9000 rounds of BBI on the way and some Solo to try as well. I will let you know.

What bullet weight did you order?