A comparative analysis of velocity of cast 9mm ammo from M9 Pistol and Beretta CX4 ca

[Hogokansatsukan]

A comparative analysis of velocity of cast 9mm ammo from M9 Pistol and Beretta CX4 carbine.

I loaded up 50 rounds of each of these cartridges.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016912.jpg

I decided to use the same alloy, same powder, same lube, etc. for the test. The rounds were loaded to pistol specs.

All rounds were cast from a special lead alloy mix, similar to wheel weight lead.
All rounds were sized to .356 and lubed with Thompsons Blue Angel Lube.
Lead hardness was around 14 bhn.
Starline brass, Winchester small pistol primers, and Power Pistol powder was used.
10 round strings were used for each load in both M9 and CX4.
Accuracy test to come later.


This load data proved safe in my guns. Don’t try this at home. I’m a professional. Here… hold my beer and watch this…

Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #356242 9mm (356 Diameter) 90 Grain Round Nose (92 grain actual)
7.8 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.050
M9 1325 fps standard dev 37 359 ft/lbs
CX4 1675 fps standard dev 42 573 ft/lbs
Gain of 350fps and 214 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold TL358-100-RF (Ranch Dog Outdoors) 102 grain actual
7.0 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.010
M9 1316 fps standard dev 17 392 ft/lbs
CX4 1647 fps standard dev 13 614 ft/lbs
Gain of 331fps and 222 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold TL356-124-2R 9mm Luger (124 grain actual)
6.6 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.095
M9 1240 fps standard dev 17 423 ft/lbs
CX4 1483 fps standard dev 22 606 ft/lbs
Gain of 243fps and 183 ft/lbs

Lee Bullet Mold 356-125-2R 9mm Luger (128 grain actual)
6.4 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.169
M9 1244 fps standard dev 30 440 ft/lbs
CX4 1484 fps standard dev 9 626 ft/lbs
Gain of 240fps and 186 ft/lbs

Lyman 1-Cavity Bullet Mold #356637 9mm (356 Diameter) 124 Grain Devastator Hollow Point Bevel Base(132 grain actual)
6.0 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.09
M9 1167 fps standard dev 20 399 ft/lbs
CX4 1402 fps standard dev 21 576 ft/lbs
Gain of 235fps and 177 ft/lbs

Lyman 2-Cavity Bullet Mold #356637 9mm (356 Diameter) 147 Grain Flat Nose Bevel Base (154 grain actual)
5.2 grains Power Pistol
COL 1.150
M9 1023 fps standard dev 31 358 ft/lbs
CX4 1214 fps standard dev 18 504 ft/lbs
Gain of 191fps and 146 ft/lbs

Had one failure to feed and that was with the Devastator Hollow Point in the M9. May have to play with the COL.

Very minimal leading in the barrels.

I need to get a custom mold in the 124-128 grain range with the shape of Ranch Dog's bullet TL358-125-RF
, just would rather have a lube groove than the micro grooves.

[Harter66]

I had simular results with several groups of 38 and 357 from the 6" Security 6 and 18" 1894 Marlin.
My loads have been with several powders ,1jhp and a couple of different cast boolits,1 copper plated swc.
IIRC every load was with in 25 fps of 400 fps faster. I suspect that the large gain could be attributed in part to the cyl.gap vs closed breach/sealed chamber bbl.

Good data , thanks for posting it.

[Hogokansatsukan]

I had simular results with several groups of 38 and 357 from the 6" Security 6 and 18" 1894 Marlin.
My loads have been with several powders ,1jhp and a couple of different cast boolits,1 copper plated swc.
IIRC every load was with in 25 fps of 400 fps faster. I suspect that the large gain could be attributed in part to the cyl.gap vs closed breach/sealed chamber bbl.

Good data , thanks for posting it.

Yes. The CX4 Storm is a blowback operated carbine with a very heavy bolt. Now, some duct tape, some bailing wire, and a shot of WD40 and I could keep that bolt forward and see exactly how much velocity is lost from the action.:)

[Jason30-30]

Hogo

I think your thread is a very good one but i have 1 question,are you using a top punch that is deforming the round nose of your bullets?

[dverna]

An excellent piece of work. Having recently acquired a Sub-2000, this is very informative.

I had elected to experiment with Blue Dot as it is slower and may yield higher velocity in the carbine barrel. I hope to see your accuracy tests soon

Thanks,

Don

[BAGTIC]

I recall reading an article about this is an NRA publication many years ago. The blowback action should not have any effect on muzzle velocity. The bullet has already left the barrel before the chamber is opened.

[jfvacc]

Yup. The operating principle behind a blowback action is that the mass of the bolt keeps the action closed until chamber pressures have dropped to safe levels, so I would think that would mean the bullet is long gone from the barrel, and therefore the action has no effect on velocity.

[sqlbullet]

As has been said, the action functions from residual momentum and pressure. The bullet velocity is not going to be impacted.