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I started loading 9mm in earnest recently. Mostly because I inherited a Ruger pc9 from my dad. Before when I loaded 9 mm I just kind of threw it together because I find loading automatic pistol cartridges a bit boring. I don't have anything against them they work just fine but I love my revolvers and bolt or lever gun cartridges. Also, 9 mm has always been an irritating cartridge for me. The slightly tapered case feels a little different in the press and I always seem to be fighting to get a good load for my pistol. I still haven't found a lead round that will shoot well in any of my 9 mm until recently. The Ruger PC carbine really likes lead and I am working on a load that uses a Lee 358-125 that is very promising. I'm working on a safe oal for that particular projectile.
For the purposes of today's discussion let's talk about the PC carbine, BE-86 powder, and X-treme bullets.
After initial testing (4.8 to 5.8 gr in .2 increments) and settling on a charge I decided to go with 5.5 to 5.6 grains of BE-86 under a 124 grain X-treme plated rn bullet. I think the results are outstanding. After getting that rifle sighted in with my new holosun reflex sight (no magnification) at 80 yards I was getting very consistent groups. I wish it shot as well in my Walther CCP but alas no joy. The Walther doesn't seem to like that bullet at any charge. I wonder if it's that polygonal rifling. I have a heck of a time finding a load that the Walther likes. The Walther seems to like S&B jacketed 9mm 124 grain. I hate buying jacketed Factory ammo.
There is a five shot and then a 10 shot group in the photos. The two flyers in the 10-shot group are totally me. As Paul Harrell says, "Yes that's irritating and yes that's just me."
I need to run these across the chronograph. They hit that plate with a pretty good wallop. Everything fit and functioned no failures. I'm shooting these off the back of my pickup, not the best platform, but it's what I got. It seems to be a little dirty shooting but it doesn't seem to affect the function of the gun. The primers and cases look fine no cratering or ejector/extractor marks. I put over 100 rounds down the barrel and never had a failure. The brass just looks a little dirty/sooty. Amazing how much the group's tightened up at 5.5 and 5.6 grains. Good enough to be quick and dirty at 150 yards for sure.OAL I'm using is 1.148. The plate is 8 in and it's 9/16 hard Steel.
I recently purchased some x-def 135 grain hollow points from X-treme. After I get done with this batch of plated round nose I'm looking forward to working up a load with the hollow points. They aren't ridiculously expensive if they work they might be a nice option. I'd be glad to hear anybody's experience with X-tremes x-def hollow points.
For the purposes of today's discussion let's talk about the PC carbine, BE-86 powder, and X-treme bullets.
After initial testing (4.8 to 5.8 gr in .2 increments) and settling on a charge I decided to go with 5.5 to 5.6 grains of BE-86 under a 124 grain X-treme plated rn bullet. I think the results are outstanding. After getting that rifle sighted in with my new holosun reflex sight (no magnification) at 80 yards I was getting very consistent groups. I wish it shot as well in my Walther CCP but alas no joy. The Walther doesn't seem to like that bullet at any charge. I wonder if it's that polygonal rifling. I have a heck of a time finding a load that the Walther likes. The Walther seems to like S&B jacketed 9mm 124 grain. I hate buying jacketed Factory ammo.
There is a five shot and then a 10 shot group in the photos. The two flyers in the 10-shot group are totally me. As Paul Harrell says, "Yes that's irritating and yes that's just me."
I need to run these across the chronograph. They hit that plate with a pretty good wallop. Everything fit and functioned no failures. I'm shooting these off the back of my pickup, not the best platform, but it's what I got. It seems to be a little dirty shooting but it doesn't seem to affect the function of the gun. The primers and cases look fine no cratering or ejector/extractor marks. I put over 100 rounds down the barrel and never had a failure. The brass just looks a little dirty/sooty. Amazing how much the group's tightened up at 5.5 and 5.6 grains. Good enough to be quick and dirty at 150 yards for sure.OAL I'm using is 1.148. The plate is 8 in and it's 9/16 hard Steel.
I recently purchased some x-def 135 grain hollow points from X-treme. After I get done with this batch of plated round nose I'm looking forward to working up a load with the hollow points. They aren't ridiculously expensive if they work they might be a nice option. I'd be glad to hear anybody's experience with X-tremes x-def hollow points.
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