90 grain 9MM bullets

[adweisbe]

Anyone know who carries these locally? Plated, jacketed, or lead is fine. I am looking to work up the lowest power load possible for a recoil sensitive shooter.

 

[Moderator]

Give Paul a call at Bullseye in Woonsocket, RI. He may have them or could tell you where you can find them.

837 Park Avenue Woonsocket R.I. 02895
Phone 401-766-4409, Fax 401-765-6994
http://www.bullseyeguns.com/

 

[hminsky]

Anyone know who carries these locally? Plated, jacketed, or lead is fine. I am looking to work up the lowest power load possible for a recoil sensitive shooter.

If you find any, send me a note please. My wife would probably benefit from them too.

 

[TY43215]

PM sent.

 

[adweisbe]

After some research...

9MM 115 grain titegroup starting load
Input Data
Charge Weight: 4 gr Muzzle Velocity: 1190.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 2.8 lbs Bullet Weight: 115 gr
Calculated Parameters
Recoil Velocity: 8.1 ft/s Recoil Energy: 2.8 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 0.7 lb•s

9MM 147 grain titegroup starting load
Input Data
Charge Weight: 3.2 gr Muzzle Velocity: 855.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 2.8 lbs Bullet Weight: 147 gr
Calculated Parameters
Recoil Velocity: 7.3 ft/s Recoil Energy: 2.3 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 0.6 lb•s

9MM 90 grain titegroup starting load
Input Data
Charge Weight: 4.7 gr Muzzle Velocity: 1239.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 2.8 lbs Bullet Weight: 90 gr
Calculated Parameters
Recoil Velocity: 6.9 ft/s Recoil Energy: 2.1 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 0.6 lb•s

.22LR high velocity 40 grain
Input Data
Charge Weight: 2 gr Muzzle Velocity: 1200.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight: 1.1 lbs Bullet Weight: 40 gr
Calculated Parameters
Recoil Velocity: 7.3 ft/s Recoil Energy: 0.9 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse: 0.3 lb•s

It would appear that the cost (double or triple) of 90 grain projectiles doesn't justify the rather small difference in performance compared to the starting load for 147 grain bullets. I ordered some 147 lead flat points and I will see if that is close enough for her.

 

[jhrosier]

I tried the light bullets in the 9mm exactly once.
They are virtually impossible to seat straight and the accuracy was TERRIBLE.
I went back to light loads with a standard 125gr. bullet with much better results.

 

[adweisbe]

I tried the light bullets in the 9mm exactly once.
They are virtually impossible to seat straight and the accuracy was TERRIBLE.
I went back to light loads with a standard 125gr. bullet with much better results.

90 grain frangible ammunition is not made of lead and is less dense. It should seat more reliably, never tried it although someone showed me a source. I am going to give the 147s a whirl first.

 

[Len-2A Training]

I used to buy 90 or 95 gr RNL bullets made by Zero back ~30 years ago. But I only loaded them for .380ACP. I would never have used them for 9mm.

I think that I sold off all the 90/95gr bullets that I had.

Bullet sources in MA: Four Seasons and Northeast Trading both stock some bullets for reloading. Give them a call and find out if they have what you want.

 

[TY43215]

90 grain frangible ammunition is not made of lead and is less dense. It should seat more reliably, never tried it although someone showed me a source. I am going to give the 147s a whirl first.

If you want to try 25 or so, let me know but I only have 3000 or so left

 

[drgrant]

90 grain frangible ammunition is not made of lead and is less dense. It should seat more reliably, never tried it although someone showed me a source. I am going to give the 147s a whirl first.

I would agree with this as well. Even factory 147 grainers are considerably
softer shooting than a hot 115 gr load.

Some pistol cartridges/loads are often counterintuitive this way, WRT
recoil. I think this is because the manufacturers will push the bullet
faster when the pressures are lower due to lighter bullets being
involved. The rationale probably is- well, the bullet is lighter, so the
pressure ceiling is higher... so we can push the bullet faster.

With automatics theres also the whole slide velocity thing. Some loads
produce a lot more slide velocity than others do. In 9mm slide
velocity seems to be a lot lower with 147 gr commercial loads than it is
with 115 gr loads of the same brand. I guess the pressure curve
differences change the way the gun unlocks as well. Slide velocity
may play a bigger role in percieved recoil/snap than even the energy of
the cartridge itself.

-Mike

 

[jhrosier]

Light loads can work out in a centerfire pistol.
You will need to reduce the weight of both the recoil spring and the magazine spring for reliable functioning with light loads.
I have a .45ACP 1911 set up for mouse loads, 185gr lead SWC bullet with 2-1/2 grs powder.
It has a 8 or 9 lb recoil spring and functions perfectly.
(With this light spring, you can partially retract the slide by pushing the gun out sharply.)
I've never bothered to chronograph it but I would guess that the velocity is not much over 600fps.
It is pretty much like shooting a .22. The muzzle rises about 1/2" on firing.
As every bit of recoil energy is needed for reliable functioning, a firm grip is required.
I think that you could do the same with a 9mm.

 

[TY43215]

The draw back with reloading Frange is crimp. You need little to no crimp. A tight or even a normal crimp will fracture tthe bullet and cause it to break off flush with the case.

Regards,