Suppressed 9mm Loads

[Wm Cook]

I could use some advice on gearing up to hand load for a suppressed 9mm. The rig is based around a Ruger PC Charger, SB Tactical stock, Sig Romeo 5 and a Sig Sauer SRD9 suppressor.

I’ve never shot a suppressed handgun before and have read comments about unburnt powder blowback because of the suppressor. Most recommended sub sonic loads and more than a few recommended heavy 147 grain bullets in the 900 to 1000fps range.

To date all I have is a handful of Berry’s 147g copper coated hollow points and a few pistol powders. I have no mold and the powder I’ll need is probably not on my shelf. Tightgroup might work but Bullseye, Red Dot, 231 and Unique probably won’t burn clean enough to keep the blowback to a minimum. Most all could be made to work with 125g unsuppressed but this will be suppressed.

What I could use help with is a recommendation for a multiple cavity mold and a general direction where to go for powder. Right now I’m looking at N320. And is there any competition that this rig could participate in?

Thanks for your help, Bill C.

[Larry Gibson]

Bullseye and Red Dot should be your powders of choice. N320 will work well also but if you've the other two powders it's not needed. Blow back can be a concern but it depends on the powders used. I've found the three mentioned powders to work very well. It's the slower burning powders that can be problematic. Wear safety glasses.

[jdgabbard]

I'd stay away from Red Dot for this application. While I love it with 115gr loads, I've found it to be a little too fluffy for man 9mm loadings, creating a situation where your technically compressing it a bit. Even with my 115gr load, it tamps it down a little. Unique in this situation is a much more desirable powder from a capacity stance. Although if you're looking at cast, and presumably will be powder coating, then some powders with higher Nitro content may be something you're not interested in - it's been debated if they break down or react to powder coat...

That said, there is OLD load data in Lyman Manual 44 which has data for the 358311 158gr RN designed for the 38spl. However, MP-Molds and NOE sell multiple heavy for caliber designs in 9mm. I have a 1st edition Ruger PC-9, the predecessor of the Charger. Though I've always shot jacketed out of it. Though I do have a AR-9 SBR that I shoot cast out of, and it doesn't seem to have any preference over one design or the other.

That said, if you're looking for heavy bullets I'd choose something along the lines of one of these (depending on how you're going to address lubrication):
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/9mm...-multi-choice/
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-359-147-bb/
And if you're still wanting something heavy, I'd take a gander back at old Lyman 44th and 45th for 358311 data.

As for Powder, I'm going to say it, Unique and Bullseye are my preferred for heavier 9mm due to decreased case capacity. While Red Dot is my favorite for lighter loads. In an application such as yours I'd think I'd go with Unique, or possibly True Blue or Silhouette from Ramshot. Those are fantastic powders that don't take up too much space.

[Loudenboomer]

May not be a first choice powder but I have a good supply of 700X. It runs the plated 147's well.

[jdgabbard]

May not be a first choice powder but I have a good supply of 700X. It runs the plated 147's well.

I have heard good things about 700X in the 9mm on more than one occasion.

[JimB..]

My first choice is Titegroup under a 147gr or 158gr projectile, but I’ve also used bullseye and W231.

[Hanzy4200]

Don't over concern yourself with blow back. Every firearm and suppressor combo is different. Since this is a PCC, it will be even less of a concern. I shoot a good bit up subsonic 9mm in my Stribog. No gas blow back at all. I shoot PC'd 147 gr Lyman pills. Usually use a Silencerco Hybrid 46 can.

Mr. Gibson is right on the money. N320 is one of the best sub 9MM powders ever. Super soft shooting, quiet, and ultra clean burning. I shoot mostly 231 and Tightgroup. N320 is pricey.

[Wm Cook]

This might be resolved by buying the N320 because I can today and may not be able to next year. Between that, the Red Dot and the Unique I have it’ll last me through my time left here about. The The MP 359-147 8 Cavity aluminum mold looks right. I still don’t powder coat. Don’t have any issues with it it or those that use it. Just stuck in my ways.

Any one else see any issues with this plan or want to add to it please shout out.

The PC is being set up for home/property defense as a short barreled rifle. So it’s for 20 to 40 yard home/property defense that my wife can hit with. It’s for that and to let the grandkids have some fun.

Thanks for the clarification about the blowback. It sounded like a big deal when I started doing my homework. You know how it is. A few start to shout that the sky is falling annd before you know it everyone is looking up in the sky. It helps to get feedback from people that have been there, done it. Thanks, Bill.

[warf73]

I'm using a Lee 6 cavity 358-150gr RN powder coated, CFE Pistol powder, and Winchester spp with good results in a AR9 and a xdm using a Rugged can.

[Wm Cook]

I’m inching closer. If you could give me a hand I have a couple more question. Again, this is with a suppressed Ruger PC 9mm. The starting load will be with N320 and Barry’s 147 grain.

From VhitaVouri they call for a COL of 1.083. If the magazine allows do you lengthen the COL toward the lands to chase accuracy as we do with rifles? I know little about handguns and even less about the 9mm.

Is it necessary to crimp or do you just kiss the flair enough to even out the case?

I had two, now three molds that look pretty good. The first is the MP 359-147 JD suggested and the NOE 360-147 RN. The Lee is a good option as well.

Thanks for everyone’s help. Bill C.

[JimB..]

I’m inching closer. If you could give me a hand I have a couple more question. Again, this is with a suppressed Ruger PC 9mm. The starting load will be with N320 and Barry’s 147 grain.

From VhitaVouri they call for a COL of 1.083. If the magazine allows do you lengthen the COL toward the lands to chase accuracy as we do with rifles? I know little about handguns and even less about the 9mm.

Is it necessary to crimp or do you just kiss the flair enough to even out the case?

I had two, now three molds that look pretty good. The first is the MP 359-147 JD suggested and the NOE 360-147 RN. The Lee is a good option as well.

Thanks for everyone’s help. Bill C.

You can load longer, but it is unlikely to have much effect at 40 yards. On a similar note, I find the accuracy of plated bullets to be uninspiring. You may want to use then for practice, but buy or cast something better for use.

Just even out the case, no need for a beastly crimp.

[Wm Cook]

“I find the accuracy of plated bullets to be uninspiring”

Appreciated that. Good to know when you’re bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Bill.

[Kosh75287]

There's very little wrong with, and a great many things RIGHT with IMR-700X in small capacity auto pistol calibers. I've yet to find a combination in 9mmP or .45 ACP with which I was not pleased.
While its burn rate might suggest that it would not work well with heavy-for-caliber loads, it seems to handle 147 gr. bullets in 9mmP and 250 gr. RNFPs in .45 ACP (for bowling pins) quite well. Other powders will develop higher velocities, but 700X burns very cleanly, and gives remarkably consistent performance.
If the OP can locate any, 700X would be a contender for use in a suppressed 9mmP w/heavy bullets. Of the propellants he lists as having on hand, I'D probably try W231 first.

[TyGuy]

I’ve been casting and powder coating from a Lyman 356637DV. They come out around 150gr once coated. Accurate No. 7 is the powder I’ve been using. So far I’ve been pleased with the results in a suppressed Glock. I’ve also used Unique in the past but it doesn’t seem like that is ever going to be available again.

[Wm Cook]

Thanks for that. It looks like the powders will be N320, Red Dot and Bullseye since now all three are on the shelf. I have the 147 HHP Berry’s in hand but I’m getting MP’s 359-147 Bevel Base, 8 Cavity AL Mold and will cast some to compare with the Berry’s. I hope to get out to the range and compare the two in a couple weeks. I’ll circle back and share the results.

I guess my fear and concern about blowback was needless. There’s been a bunch of powders suggested and the testimony behind them are sincere. As far as powders are concerned the 9 seems to be pretty fuel friendly.

And I haven’t heard that the 147g wasn’t a good choice for suppresses. So I’m assuming that since there was no criticism, that a heavy for caliber bullet works with suppressed loads.

I need another few hours in the shop going over the rig tightening things up, looking at COAL, bullet to throat fit and bore sighting my test scope.

Been I while since I ran a 6+ cavity mold so I’ll have to shake the cobwebs out and see if I remember how to make make that work. Take care, Bill C

[Meatpuppet]

I shoot subs suppressed out of a PTR9C (MP5 clone) with an 8.8 inch barrel and a Glock 34 suppressed. The loads listed below are loads I shoot in my CZ's for USPSA matches. They function reliably in the PTR and are super quiet. I have never shot the Charger, but if it feeds and chambers in the PTR, it should work in yours. The N320 is super clean burning. The 165gr load is crazy quiet when suppressed, but you have to pay attention when reloading since it is easy to spike chamber pressures due to it being seated so deep.

165gr Ibejiheads RN-NLG (0.357dia) / VV N320 - 2.7gr / 1.14oal / .379crimp / 790fps out of a 4.7 inch barrel
147gr Blue Bullets RN-NLG (0.356dia) / VV N320 - 3.1gr / 1.11oal / .379crimp / 868fps out of a 4.7 inch barrel

[Wm Cook]

Fascinating. That lead me on an information search for Ibejiheads. I wanted to get a look at the 165g you mentioned. No web site that I can see but still looking. I was hoping there may be a competitive class for shouldered fired PTR9C, MP5, Ruger PC etc. but can’t find anything so far. Thanks for sharing that. Bill.

[kweidner]

I did this video last week on this very subject. https://youtu.be/501agFmGbSU With that said, I did not share load data. The secret sauce in these is Tite group. Slowly work down till you get the velocity you want. The Rugers will run it no problem. Mine is a pretty light load but I have run it for quite some time with absolutely no issue.

[BJung]

I don't shoot subsonic but this is from my old Accurate Manual.

[Meatpuppet]

Ibejijeads:

Home Page: https://www.ibejiheads.com

165g RNBB, NLG
https://www.ibejiheads.com/product_i...c9d2bd05e38695