Range Report: Lipstick Bullets

JD · 09-20-2016, 04:47 PM

Rhuff,

My standard 9mm load is 7.5 grains of BD with a Remington 115 JHP, loaded with an O.L. of 1.14 inches. This produces approx. 1,150 fps in my Sig 226's. I also use the same charge with 115 grain FMJ bullets (not plated, but FMJ), but loaded to an O.L. of 1.17" or a bit longer depending on what your gun will handle and likes. With 115 grain FMJ's, the velocity is closer to 1,100 fps, probably due to the fact that they usually have less bearing surface. I do shoot this load out of my Interarms lugers and my Finnish luger, and it functions perfectly and is quite accurate, with the Remington bullet being more accurate than the FMJ. Back when my eyesight was better (getting old is a pain!!!) I would get 5 shot groups at 25 yards from several of my lugers that would run 1" or just a hair more. Groups from my Sig 226's run about 1.75", which is as good as they do with anything.

One of the keys to good 9mm loads (I believe) is the cartridge O.L. length. For me, longer is better. Longer cartridges function better in my guns and are more accurate. Shortening the O.L. will raise pressures and BD seems to be rather sensitive to this, so you want to make sure that the bullets can't be set back during functioning and feeding. BD also tends to produce more muzzle flash than many powders, but muzzle flash doesn't bother me so I don't mind.

The other load I routinely use in my modern 9mm's is 8.0 grains of BD, with the same bullets. The Remington load gives approx. 1,250 fps out of my Sig 226's, and 1,400 fps out of the 6" barrel of my Browning Hi Power GP comp. This load will produce 3/4" 5 shot groups at 25 yard out of the GP Comp (at least when I do my part, which is getting harder as I get older...). I have safely used up to 8.8 grains of BD with a 115 JHP in my modern guns, but I don't load that warm anymore, choosing to be easier on my guns instead. The 8.0 grain load is the best that I have found in my GP Comp.

I got started using BD in the 9mm way back when, and it has always served me well, but there are so many new and good powders out there now if I were starting to load for the 9mm today, I'm not sure where I would start. Plus every gun is a law unto itself... My Sig 228 shoots nice groups with my 7.5 grains of BD and the 115 grain Remington bullet, but put a 115 grain FMJ on that load and the groups open up to 3 times the size, but that same load shoots well in my Sig 226's and CZ 75's..... Maybe that's why reloading is interesting.....

09-20-2016, 04:47 PM	#20
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Western Washington Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Rhuff, My standard 9mm load is 7.5 grains of BD with a Remington 115 JHP, loaded with an O.L. of 1.14 inches. This produces approx. 1,150 fps in my Sig 226's. I also use the same charge with 115 grain FMJ bullets (not plated, but FMJ), but loaded to an O.L. of 1.17" or a bit longer depending on what your gun will handle and likes. With 115 grain FMJ's, the velocity is closer to 1,100 fps, probably due to the fact that they usually have less bearing surface. I do shoot this load out of my Interarms lugers and my Finnish luger, and it functions perfectly and is quite accurate, with the Remington bullet being more accurate than the FMJ. Back when my eyesight was better (getting old is a pain!!!) I would get 5 shot groups at 25 yards from several of my lugers that would run 1" or just a hair more. Groups from my Sig 226's run about 1.75", which is as good as they do with anything. One of the keys to good 9mm loads (I believe) is the cartridge O.L. length. For me, longer is better. Longer cartridges function better in my guns and are more accurate. Shortening the O.L. will raise pressures and BD seems to be rather sensitive to this, so you want to make sure that the bullets can't be set back during functioning and feeding. BD also tends to produce more muzzle flash than many powders, but muzzle flash doesn't bother me so I don't mind. The other load I routinely use in my modern 9mm's is 8.0 grains of BD, with the same bullets. The Remington load gives approx. 1,250 fps out of my Sig 226's, and 1,400 fps out of the 6" barrel of my Browning Hi Power GP comp. This load will produce 3/4" 5 shot groups at 25 yard out of the GP Comp (at least when I do my part, which is getting harder as I get older...). I have safely used up to 8.8 grains of BD with a 115 JHP in my modern guns, but I don't load that warm anymore, choosing to be easier on my guns instead. The 8.0 grain load is the best that I have found in my GP Comp. I got started using BD in the 9mm way back when, and it has always served me well, but there are so many new and good powders out there now if I were starting to load for the 9mm today, I'm not sure where I would start. Plus every gun is a law unto itself... My Sig 228 shoots nice groups with my 7.5 grains of BD and the 115 grain Remington bullet, but put a 115 grain FMJ on that load and the groups open up to 3 times the size, but that same load shoots well in my Sig 226's and CZ 75's..... Maybe that's why reloading is interesting.....