I bought some Berry's Mfg 9mm 124 grain hollowbase flatpoint (HBFP) bullets, and decided to try three different powders while starting to work up some loads for them. You can get several different styles of 124 grain copper plated bullets from Berry's Mfg for about $77, so I definitely want to find a good load, especially if I can get good loads without leading. Berry's says it's best to use low to mid range loads with these copper plated bullets, so that's what these loads are supposed to be. Went to the range to try these out today. Temps were mid-60s, humidity around 50%, winds light.

These were all loaded using Winchester WSP primers, mixed brass, on Lee dies, using a Lee Factory crimp and a mid-range crimp. If you use the load data, you do so at your own risk!

Load 1
1st up was Titegroup, my personal favorite powder. I got mixed results with this particular load. Velocity was plenty good, but accuracy was so-so. There always seemed to be a flyer, and the ten round group showed some vertical stringing. Perhaps someone has some input on this problem?

124 gr HBFP plated bullet
WSP primers mixed brass
4.2 grains Titegroup
1.090" OAL

Velocities for five rounds were as follows:
1) 1024 FPS
2) 1093 FPS
3) 1077 FPS
4) 1053 FPS
5) 1075 FPS
Avg = 1064 FPS

16 yard (range limit) accuracy for 2 5 round grounds and a 10 rounder:
1) 3.75" with a flyer. 4 rounds went into 1.75"
2) 3.5" with a flyer. 4 rounds went into 1.25"
3) 3 5/8" for 10 rounds. Vertical stringing evident

The velocities weren't as consistent as I usually get with Titegroup, the accuracy not as good. I'm not sure what was up. I think I'll try upping the next batch by .1 grains and see what happens.




Load 2
Next is W231. I've never been overwhelmingly impressed with W231, it's always been a middle of the road powder for me. But the accuracy with this bullet was really good. Unfortunately, the velocities were too low to make minor power factor. I need to get at least another 20 FPS while maintaining accuracy. I'll up the charge a bit next batch and see how that works.

124 gr HBFP plated bullet
WSP primers mixed brass
4.3 grains 231
1.095" OAL
Velocities for five rounds were as follows:
1) 956 FPS
2) 1016 FPS
3) 976 FPS
4) 979 FPS
5) 1014 FPS
Avg = 988 FPS

16 yard (range limit) accuracy for 2 5 round grounds and a 10 rounder:
1) 2"
2) 2.25"
3) 3.75" with a flyer (I was getting tired), 2 5/8" without the flyer for 10 rounds




Load 3
Last is Bullseye. I was both surprised and disappointed with the results. Bullseye, of course, can usually be depended on, but the accuracy with this bullet, at this load, was mediocre. Velocity was high, but a fast miss isn't all that useful! LOL. I could reduce this to a starting load, but with good results from Titegroup and W231, I will just work on refining those to see which ends up being best.

124 gr HBFP plated bullet
WSP primers mixed brass
4.8 grains Bullseye
1.150" OAL

Velocities for five rounds were as follows:
1) 1134 FPS
2) 1162 FPS
3) 1142 FPS
4) 1151 FPS
5) 1152 FPS
Avg = 1148 FPS

16 yard (range limit) accuracy for 2 5 round grounds and a 10 rounder:
1) 4 3/8"
2) 4.75"
3) 4 1/8" for 10 rounds.




Pictures of the ten round groups. Top left = Titegroup, Top Right = Bullseye, Bottom Left = W231