A question on M9 Ball Propellant

[grog18b]

One of the rounds I reload uses M9 Propellant. I was wondering if anyone knew the civillian equalivant of military M9?

I've been using Bullseye, but it appears to be a bit hot for what I need. Thanks Guys, GROG

[wiljen]

The powder used in M882 ammo (M9 ball) is HPC 26. It is not a canister grade powder. I suspect Power Pistol is about as close as you'll come to the stuff. Plenty of powders will push a 115gr to about 1250 but not at the 6 gr charge weight the mil-spec calls for.

[grog18b]

Thanks Wiljen, Obliged. I am pushing a .50lb projectile at 249fps. The Mil spec on the cartridge is 330mg of M9 propellant (not sure if it is ball or other) in a M118 casing with a Fed 100 primer. (40mm round)

I've tried Bullseye, as I said, and it works well, but normally blows the high pressure chamber on the nylon M212 casing apart. I switched to PB powder for a while, and it gives a really good push, but I'm not getting the distance as with the Mil Spec or Bullseye.

I know you guys don't normally throw things so heavy or slow, but I figured some might have a good idea where to start! :)

Saving up now for the furnace to melt the zinc... ;) GROG

[TCLouis]

You messed me up a while back when you posted M 9 and ball propellant in the same posting.

M 9 for the 40 MM grenade launcher is SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWER than Bullseye.

That M9 is a big ol funny shaped extruded powder.

As I remember when I bought mine from Jeff Bartlett some years ago he said the 40 MM used a system of high pressure/low pressure to launch the grenade.


Since he sold the powder, he might be able to give some insight.

[grog18b]

Thanks TC. I knew the PB functioned more like the real rounds than the Bullseye. GROG

[wiljen]

Yeah you confused me as most of the references I see to the M9 are referring to a 9mm Beretta pistol. I thought you were after an M882 loading. My mistake.

On the 40mm, the powder is a non-canister grade with an extremely high nitroglycerin content.

Per MIL-STD-652D (AR) NOTICE 6 28 April 1990, M9 powder is specified as containing:

57.75% NitroCellulose and 40% Nitroglycerin (+/- 1.5% each)

I was trying to look but dont know of any canister grade flake that is over roughly 10%. This is probably why you are having a hard time duplicating the load.

[grog18b]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help. You guys know a heck of a lot more about powders than myself. GROG