M9 Powder / 7.65ARG

[arclight]

Okay, I came into some surplus M9 powder. This stuff is a stick powder, with big fat sticks that sort of resemble a tuna can. Specs appear to be similar to 3031.

Here are my loads:

184GR FMJ-BT, .311 DIA (Surplus)
37gr M9 2,191 FPS
39gr M9 2,270FPS
40gr M9 2,320FPS
42gr M9 2,340 FPS

Also, here are some 4895 loads:
184gr FMJ-BT, .311 DIA (Surplus)
38gr 4895 2070FPS
39gr 4895 2101FPS

150gr Sierra SP Spitzer
42gr 4895 2270FPS


Argentine Factory 150gr military load from same rifle:
2400FPS

This is from a Sporterized 1891 Mauser, 22" BBL.

Happy loading!


John

[Bullshop]

M-9 has a couple problems. It bridges somthin awful in a powder measurer. Be carefull !!!! About the worst I have seen. It dont work so good at less than max pressure. Lower pressures leave them fat kernals just kinda bleached out and spread from the case to the muzzle.
I have done some good shooting with it and like it but you realy have to watch it from a powder measurer. It gave some of my best groups from a mod 71 348 win.
BIC/BS

[arclight]

Man you're not kidding - that stuff was a PITA to meter! I ended up swapping in the "big" powder measure bushings into my RCBS charge thrower, and got a lot more consistant results.

Also, I noticed that all of my lower-powered loads backed the primers out, and the problem went away when I got to 40+ grain charges.

One other thing: the Lee factory crimp die for the 7.62x54R works for the 7.65 and probably other cartridges if you adjust it a bit.

Now to go use up the remaining 10lbs of that stuff... :)

John