Nervous about testing 9mm Major Loads

[Carpasteis]

I have followed the formulas from a few veteran shooters but just the sight of a 9mm case almost full to the brim with powder as it comes around the shell plate makes me nervous. Should I be?
Here's what I'm doing:

IMR 7625- 7.0 grains
Sierra JHP- 125 grains
Seating- 1.18

[ptmn]

If you haven't worked up to that load in the specific gun you plan to shoot it in, then you should be very nervous.

If you take someone's custom recipe like that, the you need to start at the very least one full grain less and work up to it

[ptmn]

And one more thing, you need to cross reference that data with a reputable source...or two or three of them

[jonzer77]

Nervous about testing 9mm Major Loads

If you haven't worked up to that load in the specific gun you plan to shoot it in, then you should be very nervous.

If you take someone's custom recipe like that, the you need to start at the very least one full grain less and work up to it

I agree. Major or max loads should be worked up to even if the load was tested in an identical gun as the one you have. It doesn't take much time to work your way up. Make sure you can identify pressure signs in your brass as well when you are working up. If you plan on trying it anyways, then please do us a favor and let us all know when and where you plan on testing them. That way we can go shoot somewhere else that day.

[uhlan1]

Personally, I'd rather just shoot Minor.

[dogslayer1313]

Full face motorcycle helmet and thick, long welding gloves.

[stilly]

There is nothing but truth posted from these guys. You SHOULD build up a load to be safe about it.

[JMP]

I agree. Major or max loads should be worked up to even if the load was tested in an identical gun as the one you have. It doesn't take much time to work your way up. Make sure you can identify pressure signs in your brass as well when you are working up. If you plan on trying it anyways, then please do us a favor and let us all know when and where you plan on testing them. That way we can go shoot somewhere else that day.

[Carcassonne]

I have followed the formulas from a few veteran shooters but just the sight of a 9mm case almost full to the brim with powder as it comes around the shell plate makes me nervous. Should I be?
Here's what I'm doing:

IMR 7625- 7.0 grains
Sierra JHP- 125 grains
Seating- 1.18

The SAMMI spec for length on a 9mm Luger is 1.170"

Since you are using hollow points, the face of the bullet is flatter which may make it rub against the inside-sides of the magazine. If you do load them to 1.180", fill a magazine with them and see it they feed before loading more than fits in one magazine, or you may end up having to disassemble more than a mag full.

I ran your numbers through QuickLoad software, and it showed you are at least 10,000 psi over SAMMI max pressure for 9mm Luger, but you could be more. Max is 35,000 psi; your load shows 46,000 psi.


Here is the factory load data for that powder and similar bullets. The OAL listed for those loads are less than what you have listed, so you can have a little more powder than is listed. There are 4 loads listed. Click on the "+" on the right to expand (open) the data for the listed bullet.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol?&CartridgeName=9mm+Luger&OrderBW%5B%5D=124&OrderBW%5B%5D=125&Powder%5B%5D=SR+7625

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[B W E]

Hodgdon lists the max load for that powder and bullet at 4.6gr. Starting at 7 sounds like a really, really bad idea.

[adrenaline]

I agree. Major or max loads should be worked up to even if the load was tested in an identical gun as the one you have. It doesn't take much time to work your way up. Make sure you can identify pressure signs in your brass as well when you are working up. If you plan on trying it anyways, then please do us a favor and let us all know when and where you plan on testing them. That way we can go shoot somewhere else that day.

Psshhhh....let me know where you are going to test it out at. I'll bring some body armor and a helmet + my GoPro.

Should make for a good viral video...yes/no?

['ol shooter]

Can't say you weren't thoroughly warned...

[Carcassonne]

Psshhhh....let me know where you are going to test it out at. I'll bring some body armor and a helmet + my GoPro.

Should make for a good viral video...yes/no?

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=931603&highlight=Glock+major

OK, that was a Glock 40 S&W, and not a 9mm.

P.S. I would shoot that load out of a Glock 20 with 9mm conversion barrel. I wouldn't shoot it out of my other 9mm guns.


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[Pauliedad]

I like the go pro idea.
I've heard there are a few guys who will load 9mm for major. I don't really get why other than its for bragging rights.
I would imagine you're getting near .40 light load recoil.
Wears the brass hard, risks you and your gun. All for a few points? Learn to shoot a bigger caliber or shoot faster.
Seems ego driven to me.
Go pro, yeah, that's the way to go.

[beetle]

Yes I've heard of this load, no I haven't tried it.

Usually when I hear of 9mm "major" it is from competitors who have full custom guns. A fully supported chamber is a MUST.

I wouldn't use this load on your run-of-the-mill polymer pistol (glock, M&P, etc)