147gr 9mm and bullseye/unique

slicknick

slicknick

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.2%
237   2   0
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Guys:

Got ordered a bunch of 147gr plated and was wondering what powder charge would work. I only have the Hornady reloading manual and it only list unique for 124gr.

Will I need to go buy new powder and save the two I have for .38's?

Thanks in advance.
 
"bullseye starting load at 3.7gr max at 4.2gr"

To my eye, that load looks too hot. Bullseye is very fast. unique is medium speed. I expect the max Bullseye load to to be lighter than the UNIQUE start load.

Suggest this load is investigated. I don't have a manual listing for the 147 and Bullseye.

If your thrower handles unique, that would be a very good powder. If it does not handle unique, a powder of similar speed and flexibility is IMR7625. it meters very well.

Note: Edit to fix a brain fart. Original of mistake appears in quote below.
 
Last edited:
Ganderite said:
"bullseye starting load at 3.7gr max at 4.2gr"

To my eye, that load looks too hot. Bullseye is very fast. unique is medium speed. I expect the max Bullseye load to to be lighter than the Bullseye start load.

Suggest this load is investigated. I don't have a manual listing for the 147 and Bullseye.
Click to expand...

I agree that Bulleye might be too fast for that weight of bullet, unless all you want is a low velocity load. However a low velocity load might not reliably cycle some guns without changes to recoil springs.

Fast powders in small volume cases are also VERY sensitive to changes in OAL, and a small decrease in OAL/case volume under the seated bullet can SUBSTANTIALLY raise pressures.
 
SUC52935.jpg
 
Bullseye is a bit fast for 147gr bullet. I'd suggest SR4756, N340, WSF in no particular order; thou, I know first two will burn clean, but never tried WSF, should not be dirty either.
 
Don't confuse data for JACKETED bullets with LEAD bullets. PLATED bullets use LEAD data, not JACKETED.

Loading for lead/plated you get higher pressures than with jacketed using the same amount of powder.
 
I shoot 147 gr Campro plated bullets with 3.8 grains of Bullseye and have fired thousands of rounds of 9mm loaded with Bullseye. The Lyman 49th edition lists the 147 gr Speer TMJ, which is a plated bullet, at 3.4 to 3.9 grains of Bullseye.
 
"...PLATED bullets use LEAD data, not JACKETED..." Exactly.
There's one 147 grain cast load on Hodgdon's site. Uses WSF.
And one on Reloaders Nest using Win231.
 
SandRoad said:
Don't confuse data for JACKETED bullets with LEAD bullets. PLATED bullets use LEAD data, not JACKETED.

Loading for lead/plated you get higher pressures than with jacketed using the same amount of powder.
Click to expand...

Here is what I found on the Berry's bullets site:

FAQ: How do I load Berry's Preferred Plated Bullets?
Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads.
Click to expand...
 
Silverback said:
Here is what I found on the Berry's bullets site:
Click to expand...

My guess what they are trying to say is that velocity is similar to jacketed but pressure similar to lead?

My references are towards peak pressure, (thinking safety) rather than loading to a specific velocity.

Peak pressure and velocity are only loosely related.
 
Silverback said:
I shoot 147 gr Campro plated bullets with 3.8 grains of Bullseye and have fired thousands of rounds of 9mm loaded with Bullseye. The Lyman 49th edition lists the 147 gr Speer TMJ, which is a plated bullet, at 3.4 to 3.9 grains of Bullseye.
Click to expand...

Peak pressure may be quite dangerous with using very fast powder and heavy bullet as powder burns and creates pressure with expanding gas faster than slower moving bullet can compensate for with its advance forward and making more room/volume behind it.
 
CeeZer said:
Peak pressure may be quite dangerous with using very fast powder and heavy bullet as powder burns and creates pressure with expanding gas faster than slower moving bullet can compensate for with its advance forward and making more room/volume behind it.
Click to expand...

It's a safe load according to the Lyman manual and if you compare it to the previous post of the scan of the other manual (post No. 6) with the 147 gr jacketed load it is just above the starting load which is the suggested load by Berry's plated bullets.
Even with the Lyman maximum load of 3.9 grains they list the pressure at 29,900 CUP which is on the lower end of pressures compared to other loads for the 9mm and well below the SAAMI Spec maximum pressure of 33,000 C.U.P.
I am getting down the last couple of pounds of Bullseye from the two 8 pound kegs I bought years ago so I have loaded a few rounds with this powder and never had a problem.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom