Major 9mm

[shooterx10]

Being a casual reloader, I stick closely to the loads in reloading manuals. However, from what I have read on other forums, loading a 9mm major bullet is not for rookie reloaders. Some loads go beyond SAAMI specs.

That being said, has there been any incidences of KBs in open guns shooting 9mm at Major velocities? Any barrels being chewed out?

Is there any rumor that the USPSA will lower the power factor from 165 to perhaps 160 since that is what IPSC goes by for open pistols?

[randy]

you should post this on www.brianenos.com

[Yar]

Depends largely on your load and the configuration of your pistol. For instance a stock glock barrel would not be wise for major 9.

From my experience kB and case head failures are more double charge, gun maintence and brass issues. I've seen kB's with minor loads with bad brass.

[sargenv]

The key to 9mm major is slow powders (Longshot, HS6, Vit 3n38, etc) and a very long loaded bullet. The idea is that you can attain major with that cartridge while still keping somewhat within pressures. Most who shoot 9 major only used once fired and generally leave the brass after they fire it.

[shooterx10]

Most who shoot 9 major only used once fired and generally leave the brass after they fire it.

So if one was to load a 9mm to major, then it's probably a good idea to use factory fresh brass or at least know the "history" of the brass that is being used i.e. 1x fired.

I guess I'm not going to be picking up any 9mm brass at any shooting bays unless I load for minor (and after a throrough inspection of each case).

[Bob Hostetter]

There are a couple of published loads available for major 9x19 using 147gr bullets or heavier. You would need to check the various manuals to find them. However for bullets lighter then 147gr the only way you are going to make major is by exceeding SAMMI spec's, usually by a lot. It is done fairly regularly by USPSA and IPSC competitors using 115-125 gr bullets. However these rounds are fired thru pistol's especially designed to handle those loads. I regularly load 124gr FMJ bullets to major for use in my STI Open gun using HS-6 powder and Winchester Small Pistol Primers so it can be done safely but you had better know what you are doing.

It is my understanding that the Winchester SXT 127gr +P+ loads will reach major velocities thru certain guns but that is the only factory round that comes close.

If you decide to try and load the 9x19 to major you should be very careful.

[Franksremote]

There are a couple of published loads available for major 9x19 using 147gr bullets or heavier. You would need to check the various manuals to find them. However for bullets lighter then 147gr the only way you are going to make major is by exceeding SAMMI spec's, usually by a lot. It is done fairly regularly by USPSA and IPSC competitors using 115-125 gr bullets. However these rounds are fired thru pistol's especially designed to handle those loads. I regularly load 124gr FMJ bullets to major for use in my STI Open gun using HS-6 powder and Winchester Small Pistol Primers so it can be done safely but you had better know what you are doing.

It is my understanding that the Winchester SXT 127gr +P+ loads will reach major velocities thru certain guns but that is the only factory round that comes close.

If you decide to try and load the 9x19 to major you should be very careful.

+1 VERY careful

[gobabygo]

From my experience kB and case head failures are more double charge, gun maintence and brass issues.

It would be pretty hard to double charge a round loaded with the typical slow powders that are used for 9 major since many of the charge weights are compressed loads.

I honestly don't think reloading for 9 major is "hard", as long as you don't mix up what powder you are using and use decent brass. I personally use once fired brass from ebay. Of course it makes sense to test your load starting low and work up, but once you've found your load, it's just like reloading any other handgun round.

Also, people that shoot major 9 have guns built specifically for that purpose by a gunsmith that knows that he's doing.

[dwtt]

I shoot 124 gr FMJ out of a 9mm Hi-Power with a 4.5" barrel. Using 4.6 gr of Winchester 231, I'm getting about 1080 fps, giving a power factor of 134. I wouldn't want to try to get it into major because I'm a wimp about blowing up my gun.

Why would you want to shoot 9mm major? When I started shooting IPSC I decided that if I didn't want to lose a point on the B & C shots in L10, then I should get a bigger gun, like a 1911 or CZ97. Oh well, that's just me.

[Franksremote]

I would think that he's trying to make major for open out of 9mm, not for any other class. I definately wouldn't try to make major with 9 for anything but open.

gobabygo is right, it's not hard, just working up a load too quickly can be dangerous. Not to mention that dilligence has to be a notch higher just cause things can go really wrong if the bullet setsback or ...

I was very lucky that someone I trusted gave me specific load info (and even then I worked it up to the max) and made it as "easy" as possible. The right combination and help got me started, paying more attention while reloading and loading up mags has kept things running smoothly.

[gobabygo]

I shoot 124 gr FMJ out of a 9mm Hi-Power with a 4.5" barrel. Using 4.6 gr of Winchester 231, I'm getting about 1080 fps, giving a power factor of 134. I wouldn't want to try to get it into major because I'm a wimp about blowing up my gun.

Why would you want to shoot 9mm major? When I started shooting IPSC I decided that if I didn't want to lose a point on the B & C shots in L10, then I should get a bigger gun, like a 1911 or CZ97. Oh well, that's just me.

Under no circumstance would I shoot a 9mm round loaded to major power factor in a gun that was not specifically built for that purpose. If you're shooting Limited/L10 with a 9mm gun, you cannot make major power factor anyway since the rules state the minimum caliber to make major in those divisions is .40 cal. The only division that you are allowed to shoot 9 major is open.

One obvious fact is the smaller the diameter of the bullet/case, the more rounds you can fit in a magazine of a given length. Before 9mm was approved for major in open division, 99.9% of the open guns out there were chambered in 38 super, 9x21, 9x23, etc. I think the main reason people now are shooting 9mm major instead of the others is the cost of the brass. Those other cases are much much more expensive than 9mm.

I used to be able to get my brass on ebay for less than 1 cent each (now 1.5 - 2 cents). Either way, I'm not bothering to pick up my brass, which makes the shooting experience much more enjoyable with much less guilt. I probably shoot about 200 rounds in a typical weekend club match so I'm leaving between $2-$4 on the ground. If I was shooting 38 super at 10 cents a case, that's $20 I'm leaving on the ground and it's harder to justify not picking it up. So over the course of the year, if I shoot 2 matches a month, I'm leaving $48 on the ground vs. $240 if I leave my 38 super.

[uscbigdawg]

Will,

It's not that hard. Some good dimensions and good reloading practices will get you there.

As for pressures, talk to me when you load 108gr. bullets at 175 PF...that's what some of us were doing in the old days with 38 Super and yeah, while we were WAY above SAAMI spec, brass lasted a long time and so did the guns.

There's no replacement for respecting the hazards of reloading and taking proper steps and performing checks to know that you're doing it right.

Rich

[Kiba]

I used to be able to get my brass on ebay for less than 1 cent each (now 1.5 - 2 cents). Either way, I'm not bothering to pick up my brass, which makes the shooting experience much more enjoyable with much less guilt. I probably shoot about 200 rounds in a typical weekend club match so I'm leaving between $2-$4 on the ground. If I was shooting 38 super at 10 cents a case, that's $20 I'm leaving on the ground and it's harder to justify not picking it up. So over the course of the year, if I shoot 2 matches a month, I'm leaving $48 on the ground vs. $240 if I leave my 38 super.

A very good point and one reason I'm thinking of changing my Limcat open gun from .38 SuperComp to 9mm major. (I don't even shoot it in matches yet, but when I do I'll probably change it.) Brass costs alone is the motivation to look at changing-- .38 SC is $125 per 1K. However, it at least gives some cushion. My 124gr 3N38 loads for .38 SC are about 169PF and are just on the verge of being compressed. However the amount of extra caution needed with a 9mm major load isn't to be taken lightly. One little piece of missed debris in a 9mm major case could have interesting consequences... there just isn't much margin for error.

[uscbigdawg]

Current load: 115gr. MGB, CMJ's in 38 Super. 8.4 (I think) grains of N350 at 172-ish PF. I've got 4 hybrid ports, 2 side ports in the barrel and a 3 port comp. No problem at all making major and no problems in barrel life. Far from a true compressed loads.

Rich

[TMC]

Look into Ramshot Silhouette powder, its very dense. I use 8 grns in 9mm cases and it only fills it about 2/3. I load Zero 125 JHP to 1.16 with no pressure signs on Win. pistol primers. I get an average of 1,360fps out of a Schueman 4 port hybrid w/3 port comp.