Texasflyboy
01-25-2006, 11:05 PM
9mm Loads with Nobel Sport/Vectan AO Powder
http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/AO.jpg
This powder was purchased December 2005 from Graf & Sons. Delivered price was $7.50 per lb. AO is a flake powder suitable for 9mm, 40S&W, & .45ACP.
Research on the Internet provided scant information on loading with AO powder. A number of web based resources had conflicting information. Web pages showing burn rates placed AO in the general burning range of HERCO, which suggested that AO was a slower powder.
The best source of information was a French based website which indicated that AO was best suited for “plomb” (lead) pistol loads. But load data was absent.
After diligent research, a maximum load of 5.3 grains of AO for the Hensley & Gibbs #115 9mm bullet was proposed. This proved to be too hot for a lead bullet, but would work for a FMJ bullet. The H&G #115 is a .356 124 grain lead round nose (LRN), which is bevel base in the mold I own. Plain base versions of this mold throw projectiles in the 127-130 grain range.
Photo of the Hensley & Gibbs #115 Mold:
http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/molds/115_5.jpg
All loads were assembled on a Dillon 550 press. Charges with weighed with a Dillon electronic scale. Scale was tested and verified with a set of Lyman check weights prior to and after loading.
The components for testing were as follows:
Case: New Winchester 9mm x 19 unprimed cases
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol Primer
Projectiles:
1) Hensley & Gibbs #115 124gr. 9mm Lead Round Nose
2) USGI .356 130gr. FMJ bullet (normally for .38 special)
The first loads (20 rounds each) ranged from a low of 3.7 grains to a high of 5.3 grains. Loads with both projectiles were:
Target #3 & #6 - 20 @ 3.7 grains (Failed to properly function weapon)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 974fps
Low 871fps
Avg 936fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 955fps
Low 917fps
Avg 934fps
Target #4 & #1 - 20 @ 4.0 grains (best for LRN H&G #115 bullet)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 1040fps
Low 991fps
Avg 1018fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 1037fps
Low 956fps
Avg 1000fps
Target #9 & #12 - 20 @ 4.3 grains (best for USGI 130gr. Bullet)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 1095fps
Low 1042fps
Avg 1069fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 1086fps
Low 1045fps
Avg 1068fps
20 @ 4.5 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 4.7 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 5.0 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 5.3 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
Velocity with USGI 130gr FMJ Bullet:
High 1174
Low 1128
Avg 1149
Velocity with H&G #115 Bullet:
High 1200
Low 1157
Avg 1163
Range was 10 yards for all groups. Target was a 11” x 17” U.S. ledger size paper with three one inch black dots overlayed on 1” grid squares. Point of aim for all groups was the 6 o’clock hold position with the dot sitting on top of the front sight. Groups were fired from the seated supported position with a two hand hold. All shots were chrono’d with a PACT chronograph.
The firearm was a FN mfg Browning Hi-Power in 9 x 19mm. Fixed sights. This pistol was purchased from CDNN in summer of 2005 and has approximately 1,000 rounds of use. The pistol was cleaned prior to shooting. Fouling shots were 15 rounds (one magazine) of CCI Blazer 9mm 115gr FMJ. The pistol was allowed to cool before the first string was fired.
The results:
The most accurate LRN load was 4.0 grains of AO under the Hensley & Gibbs #115 projectile. Loads at 4.3 grains and higher keyholed at 10 yards. 4.0 grains is regarded by me as a maximum load for the H&G #115 with AO.
The most accurate 130gr. FMJ load was 4.3 grains of AO.
Loads at 3.7 grains with the 124 grain LRN bullet failed to function the weapon properly. There was a 50% stovepipe problem @ 3.7 grains. However, the 130FMJ bullet did function at 3.7 grains, but case ejection was weak and the last round failed to lock the slide back.
Targets are labeled. Click the link for larger photos.
Target 3 – 3.7 AO – 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/3.jpg)
Target 6 – 3.7 AO – 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/6.jpg)
Target 4 – 4.0 AO – 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (Best Load for LRN) (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/4.jpg)
Target 1 – 4.0 AO – 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/1.jpg)
Target 9 – 4.3 AO - 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/9.jpg)
Target 12 - 4.3 AO - 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/12.jpg)
Final Note: Cases were examined for high pressure signs. At 5.3 grains high pressure signs were starting to appear. Powder composition did not allow for charges greater than 5.3 grains with either the H&G #115 bullet or the USGI 130gr. FMJ bullet.
http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/AO.jpg
This powder was purchased December 2005 from Graf & Sons. Delivered price was $7.50 per lb. AO is a flake powder suitable for 9mm, 40S&W, & .45ACP.
Research on the Internet provided scant information on loading with AO powder. A number of web based resources had conflicting information. Web pages showing burn rates placed AO in the general burning range of HERCO, which suggested that AO was a slower powder.
The best source of information was a French based website which indicated that AO was best suited for “plomb” (lead) pistol loads. But load data was absent.
After diligent research, a maximum load of 5.3 grains of AO for the Hensley & Gibbs #115 9mm bullet was proposed. This proved to be too hot for a lead bullet, but would work for a FMJ bullet. The H&G #115 is a .356 124 grain lead round nose (LRN), which is bevel base in the mold I own. Plain base versions of this mold throw projectiles in the 127-130 grain range.
Photo of the Hensley & Gibbs #115 Mold:
http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/molds/115_5.jpg
All loads were assembled on a Dillon 550 press. Charges with weighed with a Dillon electronic scale. Scale was tested and verified with a set of Lyman check weights prior to and after loading.
The components for testing were as follows:
Case: New Winchester 9mm x 19 unprimed cases
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol Primer
Projectiles:
1) Hensley & Gibbs #115 124gr. 9mm Lead Round Nose
2) USGI .356 130gr. FMJ bullet (normally for .38 special)
The first loads (20 rounds each) ranged from a low of 3.7 grains to a high of 5.3 grains. Loads with both projectiles were:
Target #3 & #6 - 20 @ 3.7 grains (Failed to properly function weapon)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 974fps
Low 871fps
Avg 936fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 955fps
Low 917fps
Avg 934fps
Target #4 & #1 - 20 @ 4.0 grains (best for LRN H&G #115 bullet)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 1040fps
Low 991fps
Avg 1018fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 1037fps
Low 956fps
Avg 1000fps
Target #9 & #12 - 20 @ 4.3 grains (best for USGI 130gr. Bullet)
Velocity: 124 grain LRN
High 1095fps
Low 1042fps
Avg 1069fps
130 Grain FMJ
High 1086fps
Low 1045fps
Avg 1068fps
20 @ 4.5 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 4.7 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 5.0 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
20 @ 5.3 grains (Keyhole with LRN Bullet)
Velocity with USGI 130gr FMJ Bullet:
High 1174
Low 1128
Avg 1149
Velocity with H&G #115 Bullet:
High 1200
Low 1157
Avg 1163
Range was 10 yards for all groups. Target was a 11” x 17” U.S. ledger size paper with three one inch black dots overlayed on 1” grid squares. Point of aim for all groups was the 6 o’clock hold position with the dot sitting on top of the front sight. Groups were fired from the seated supported position with a two hand hold. All shots were chrono’d with a PACT chronograph.
The firearm was a FN mfg Browning Hi-Power in 9 x 19mm. Fixed sights. This pistol was purchased from CDNN in summer of 2005 and has approximately 1,000 rounds of use. The pistol was cleaned prior to shooting. Fouling shots were 15 rounds (one magazine) of CCI Blazer 9mm 115gr FMJ. The pistol was allowed to cool before the first string was fired.
The results:
The most accurate LRN load was 4.0 grains of AO under the Hensley & Gibbs #115 projectile. Loads at 4.3 grains and higher keyholed at 10 yards. 4.0 grains is regarded by me as a maximum load for the H&G #115 with AO.
The most accurate 130gr. FMJ load was 4.3 grains of AO.
Loads at 3.7 grains with the 124 grain LRN bullet failed to function the weapon properly. There was a 50% stovepipe problem @ 3.7 grains. However, the 130FMJ bullet did function at 3.7 grains, but case ejection was weak and the last round failed to lock the slide back.
Targets are labeled. Click the link for larger photos.
Target 3 – 3.7 AO – 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/3.jpg)
Target 6 – 3.7 AO – 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/6.jpg)
Target 4 – 4.0 AO – 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (Best Load for LRN) (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/4.jpg)
Target 1 – 4.0 AO – 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/1.jpg)
Target 9 – 4.3 AO - 124gr H&G #115 Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/9.jpg)
Target 12 - 4.3 AO - 130gr USGI FMJ Bullet (http://users2.ev1.net/~eastus1/FN/12.jpg)
Final Note: Cases were examined for high pressure signs. At 5.3 grains high pressure signs were starting to appear. Powder composition did not allow for charges greater than 5.3 grains with either the H&G #115 bullet or the USGI 130gr. FMJ bullet.