(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter,HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose, FMC= Full Metal Case, FMJ= Full Metal Jacket JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)
Loads for 9 MM Luger:
(Note: These are near maximum loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Bullet size is .355″ (jacketed) in diameter. Cast bullets for 9mm (like Lead RN) are often .356″ diameter.
Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start 10% under these charges and work up.
THESE ARE MAXIMUM LOADS! – NOTE, powder companies have reduced some of these hot and maximum loads after these figures were posted. You might check current loads from powder company before loading maximum loads.
90 grain JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
| Bullseye | 5.0 gr. | 1,250 FPS |
| Unique | 6.1 gr. | 1,341 |
| HP38 | 5.8 gr. | 1,349 |
| HS-6 | 8.1 gr. | 1,380 |
| No. 2 | 4.8 gr. | 1,331 |
| No. 5 | 6.8 gr. | 1,343 |
| 231 | 5.1 gr. | 1,305 |
100 grain JHP or FMC (Jacketed Hollow Point)
| Bullseye | 4.9 gr. | 1,182 FPS |
| Unique | 6.0 gr. | 1,248 |
| HP38 | 5.5 gr. | 1,282 |
| HS-6 | 7.5 gr. | 1,313 |
| No. 2 | 5.2 gr. | 1,190 |
| No. 5 | 6.8 gr. | 1,200 |
| No. 7 | 9.0 gr. | 1,230 |
| 231 | 5.1 gr. | 1,235 |
| WAP | 6.0 gr. | 1,155 |
| VV N350 | 6.0 gr. | 1,180 |
115 grain FMC
| Bullseye | 4.3 gr. | 1,180 FPS |
| Unique | 6.1 gr. | 1,185 |
| Universal | 5.0 gr. | 1,149 |
| Clays | 3.9 gr. | 1,095 |
| HP38 | 5.1 gr. | 1,167 |
| No. 2 | 4.4 gr. | 1,092 |
| No. 5 | 7.0 gr. | 1,192 |
| 231 | 4.2 gr. | 1,135 |
| WSL | 4.5 gr. | 1,105 |
| WSF | 5.7 gr. | 1,165 |
| WAP | 6.0 gr. | 1,162 |
| VV N350 | 6.0 gr. | 1,130 |
125 grain Lead RN (.356″ dia)
| Bullseye | 4.7 gr. | 1,105 FPS |
| Unique | 6.0 gr. | 1,165 |
| No. 2 | 4.2 gr. | 1,002 |
| No. 5 | 6.2 gr. | 1,133 |
| 231 | 4.0 gr. | 1,035 updated 9-15-03 to lower 4.0 instead of 5.1 |
| WSL | 3.8 gr. | 985 |
| WSF | 4.7 gr. | 1,055 |
125 grain FMC or JHP
| Bullseye | 4.2 gr. | 1,155 FPS |
| Unique | 6.0 gr. | 1,150 |
| Universal | 4.9 gr. | 1,118 |
| Clays | 3.7 gr. | 1,056 |
| HP38 | 4.8 gr. | 1,088 |
| No. 2 | 4.1 gr. | 1,057 |
| No. 5 | 6.4 gr. | 1,200 |
| 231 | 4.1 gr. | 1,095 |
| WSL | 4.1 gr. | 1,025 |
| WSF | 5.3 gr. | 1,115 |
| VV 3N37 | 6.3 gr. | 1,165 |
145 grain Lead RN (Round Nose)
| Bullseye | 3.5 gr. | 942 FPS |
| Unique | 3.8 gr. | 1,108 |
| HS6 | 5.0 gr. | 968 |
| No. 2 | 3.7 gr. | 893 |
| No. 5 | 5.1 gr. | 984 |
| No. 7 | 7.2 gr. | 1,052 |
| WSF | 3.9 gr. | 961 |
147 grain FMJ or JHP
| Bullseye | 4.2 gr. | 1,010 FPS |
| Unique | 4.4 gr. | 1,010 |
| Universal | 3.7 gr. | 851 |
| HS6 | 6.0 gr. | 973 |
| No. 2 | 4.0 gr. | 888 |
| No. 5 | 5.3 gr. | 991 |
| WSF | 4.3 gr. | 935 |
| WAP | 4.7 gr. | 964 |
| HP-38 | 3.5 grs. | 818 to 825 fps (contributed by a friend) |
Discussion: Bullseye is a fast burning powder and perhaps better suited to the small cases like the 9mm. It burns completely and fast. Unique is a very consistent burning powder and it is almost a tossup with the heavier bullets. Universal, Clays and HS6 are from Hodgdon and similar to Bullseye and Unique. HS6 is slowest of the group (Similar to 2400) and takes quite a bit more powder. Respectively are No.2 and No.5 from Accurate.
As you move up in loads, you at least need the gas check on the bottom of the bullet to prevent gas melting the lead and fouling the barrel. For any loads over 900 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed or plated bullet. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but it’s better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air.
*
Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet – – Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders’ Guide (1995) – – Hodgdon’s Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) – – Speer Reloading Manual, #12 – – Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition – – Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. – – VihtaVuori Oy Company, reloading booklet (1995) – – Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted.
