Hornady 9mm XTP ongoing experiments

[Waylander]

Appreciate all the knowledgeable comments. I plan to raise the velocity to see if they open up better and hopefully get a chronograph by the next range trip. I’ll probably add some barriers just to see what happens. At worst I can keep these for BUG rounds as vicious_cb mentioned.

[Ron3]

Appreciate all the knowledgeable comments. I plan to raise the velocity to see if they open up better and hopefully get a chronograph by the next range trip. I’ll probably add some barriers just to see what happens. At worst I can keep these for BUG rounds as vicious_cb mentioned.

Isn't #7 a little slow for your 4 inch barrel? Maybe #5 or CFE-P or similar would get you more velocity?

[DG23]

Isn't #7 a little slow for your 4 inch barrel? Maybe #5 or CFE-P or similar would get you more velocity?

Not at all.

Especially so if he is looking for the most speed he can get at the lowest pressures...

He is on the money with respect to the powder and bullets both being able to handle a LOT of speed.

[Waylander]

Isn't #7 a little slow for your 4 inch barrel? Maybe #5 or CFE-P or similar would get you more velocity?

CFE Pistol and #7 are the only powers the Hornady manual lists that will safely push the 124 XTP to 1150 fps. The case will be slam full with #7 but it will work. #5 pressure maxes out at about 1075 fps.

[Ron3]

CFE Pistol and #7 are the only powers the Hornady manual lists that will safely push the 124 XTP to 1150 fps. The case will be slam full with #7 but it will work. #5 pressure maxes out at about 1075 fps.

I see.

So you just need another inch of barrel.

[Waylander]

I see.

So you just need another inch of barrel.

Even Hodgdon lists 124 XTP with 7.4 grains of #7 out of a 4 inch barrel at 1144 fps. I’m not sure why you’re splitting hairs over this.

[1168]

Western Powders lists the 124 XTP in 9mm at 7.3 grains of AA#7 at (their max for regular 9mm loads) 1150fps / 34750psi. Sadly their 9mm+p data does not show that particular bullet with AA#7. The Speer GD in that weight they show going up to 7.9 grains in the +p data with that powder so I would guess you have a little room to play with here if your firearm is able to fire +p 9mm rounds safely.


They do not specify barrel length or firearm used for testing.

Western #1 lists that exact data, using a 4” barrel. It does not specify if its a universal receiver, or a real gun. It looks like they used the standard barrel length for most cartridges and don’t mention firearm for them, and has a picture of a universal receiver in one of the sections, so I suspect they used a universal receiver for all of their data.

[Waylander]

Hornady manual

S & W Model 39
4", 1 in 10" Twist Hornady/Frontier Winchester WSP

Powders that worked exceptionally well in our test weapon were Accurate #7, and Alliant Power Pistol.
Velocity differences between 4" and 5" barrels were negligible.

What’s interesting is they show a larger max charge of 7.9 grains Accurate #7 only pushing to 1150 and from what I understand, their recommended max loads are usually on the conservative side.