reloading for hk p7m8

[kielbasavw]

My only 9mm at the moment is the p7m8. I know these guns were built around thr 9mm nato round. What kind of bullets powder and whatnot hsve you guys been doing to get the perfect round for these babys. Any extra steps for the fluted brass too?

I definitely know not to use bare lead, with the gas piston design.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Batman]

I use a 124 grain FMJRN bullet. I can get away with a lighter load of 4.2 grains of Winchester 231, but the big thing is to use the carbon scraper on the gas piston after you shoot it, as it tends to get finnicky if you don't and won't cycle properly.

[Kurgan]

My P7 isn't too picky when it comes to ammo with the exception that I only shoot jacketed. It has eaten all the factory ammo I've fed it. I shoot 115 gr FMJRN loaded to 4.7 grains of HP38/Win 231 at 1.135 C.O.L.

Cycles well and doesn't batter the gun too much.

[mark501w]

Try XTP's & Bullseye.

[kielbasavw]

I'm a fairly new to loading, would max loads be compared to nato or +p? From what I've read nato is a bit higher then +p.

Also does the fluted brass need any addressing?

[mark501w]

Don't believe it! +P loads & +p+ loads are over loaded cartriges. I don't Know about the fluteing yet I know they are a problem in H&K .308's. We're just going to have to try them.

[mark501w]

Here's my 9mm para load. Hornady 115 gr XTP win case & primer oal. 1.095 , 4.2 gr Bullseye crono@ 1050frs. This load functions great shoots better than I can. Hornady sez 3.9gr as starting load.

[Bill Steele]

SAAMI 9mm maximum pressure = 35K PSI
NATO 9mm spec = 36.5K PSI
SAAMI 9mm +P maximum pressure = 38.5K PSI

Some calibers have a +P designation from SAAMI, usually 10%+ over standard spec. There is no +P+ spec from SAAMI to my knowledge, so loads above +P where a +P spec exists are above SAAMI maximum. +P loads where no +P spec exists are above SAAMI maximum. Make sense?

When someone gives you a recipe for their 9mm load, without telling you what it is loaded to accomplish, what they are telling you is it goes bang in their gun and the case doesn't stove pipe on ejection.

If you want to load lighter recoiling target loads, use faster powders (see Hodgdon burn rate chart as a guide).

If you want to load for self defense, you need to use slower powders to get into the higher velocity ranges jacketed hollow points will perform best at.

Target loads with Bullseye, Titegroup, etc. work great, very cost effective.

If you want premium factory style SD load performance, use a slower powder like VV-3N37, Longshot, Blue Dot.
A look at any powder manufacturer online load guide will tell you everything you need to know.

Good luck, have fun.