Help With 9mm W231 Load

[azjohn]

I finally ran out of my old supplies of Unique, Bullseye and Herco. After much reading here I bought a 1lb jug of W231 to try in my 9mm. I am going to load Lee's 356-125-2R. Which worked great with all the other powders. This bullet as cast is about 130 grns plus or minus .2 of a grain. I size to .357 and use BAC lube ( good stuff). I have to seat this boolit to a col of 1.1050. With what little data I can find I was going to start with 3.5 grains. I would appreciate some input. Here is a link to the boolit if you are not familir with it. Sorry I am not good enough with a computer to just post a picture.Thanks in advance . John
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=994155

[Calamity Jake]

Direct from a Winchester load book dated 1994

124gr LRN/231 powder 3.3gr for 910 fps and 4.0gr for 1035 fps

[Az Rick]

Winchesters site lists 3.9 to 4.4grs. for a 125gr. lead bullet. I ended up at 4.2grs. With the heavier bullet backing off a little to start is a good idea. 3.5grs. sounds good.

Best, Rick

[Ole]

I use 4.0 grains of WW231 or HP38 in my 9mm for plinking loads.

Bullet is the Lee 125RNFP358, sized to .357".

:)

[blackpowder man]

I shot the Lee TL356-124-2R in a Walther P4 with 231 and true blue and both did well. Seems like 4.0 grains or a few tenths more was about right.

[Hardcast416taylor]

I go along with Ole and blackpowderman on the 4.0 gr. load.Robert

[6bg6ga]

I think from memory that something 3.5-4.0 should be about right. Load several and check the signs for pressure.

[MakeMineA10mm]

I load my 135gr "slippery" spire points with 4.4grs of W231, but I load to a longer OAL than you are. I'd drop down to 4.0 and go from there, due to the shorter OAL. That 4.0 will probably be a good load right there, but you should play up and down slightly to see how functioning and accuracy go. Somewhere within .5grs you'll find a sweet spot that works good. Keep in mind American 9mm loads are pretty mild, so unless it's an older or weaker design, don't worry too hard at this load level.

I'm thinking hard about switching over to BAC. Let us know how smokey (or not) those loads are, would you?

[azjohn]

Thanks for all the input; it is much appreciated. I am going to stick with the 3.5 grains to start and see what happens. I have been using the BAC for about a year now and I don't think it is too bad on the smoke; but I only shoot outdoors. I have had little to no leading even with the one lube groove and after shooting 50 rounds I have a nice lube ring at the muzzle.

[reload68]

Check out Steve's pages for a very comprehensive compilation of reload info. I personally didn't like the 125 but using a 147 TC (Magma bullet I think) behind 4.2 grs of 231 my 1911 9mm shoots happy with no leading or problems!!

Steves page should be a required reading and research site for load work.

Good luck

David

[biscot]

Steve who? Link please.

[azjohn]

Here's the link.
http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm

[chris in va]

I have to seat my 358-125-RF to 1.01 for my CZ, and use a minimum charge.

[biscot]

azjohn, thanks for the link. Handy info, worth checking out.

[azjohn]

I loaded 50 and shot them. No abnormal pressure signs and felt recoil seemed the same as my previous loadings with the 3 previously mentioned powders. I don't have a chrony.Seems the gun is also cleaner than before. A little leading towards the chamber that came out with a few passes with Remngton bore cleaner and a bronze brush. A little smoky but not bad at all. What i consider not bad is for me though. Next loading I will load some up a tenth and see what happens. I am loading 2 pics with this post and hopefully the work. Read up on how to do it so hope they come out. Both targets are 25 shots off-hand at 12 yards. The one with the high right hit is the 1st fouling shot and is normal for my 439. Thanks again for the input.