Im in the process of having my first MP5 clone built, its starting life as a pistol but will become an SBR, Ive also started the process for an Octane 9 HD 2 can for it. My question is who here reloads for something similar? ALL of my reloads for 9mm up to now have been 147gr J&J hard cast lead bullets. Its a beautifully soft shooting load that just makes minor in IPSC from my M&P 9mm Pro. But I know I shouldnt shoot lead through the new 9mm can. I do have about 1200 Montana Gold 124gr TMJ bullets thats ive just had sitting for the last few years and figured I would start reloading for this new toy but I can not find load data for the HS-6 powder I use with the 147gr lead. If not that powder can anyone suggest an available powder? Titegroup was my first choice but sold out everywhere at reasonable prices. Thanks in advance for any advice.
HS-6 is too slow to work well with heavier projectiles, plus it's flashy. TiteGroup burns very hot. I don't consider either of those optimal for heavy bullets or lead projectiles. Using HS-6 with a 124gr might not reliably cycle the roller action on the MP-5 clone without going supersonic.
Try to find some WST and get something like the Xtreme 147gr plated round nose. Running 3.5gr of WST under the Xtreme at 1.12" OAL nets me 130PF out of my 5" 1911 9mm. It BARELY cycles my Glock 17 with AAC Evo 9 reliably, but it's stupid quiet. The WST burns cool, which keeps temps down on the can. It's also easy on cleanup, just run the gun wet and it'll wipe down without using solvent.
One caveat: IF, your clone has a barrel with polygonal rifling, you might want to consider using jacketed bullets for best accuracy. Plated bullets tend to be pretty soft and sometimes they'll partially "skid" down the bore, leaving heavy copper fouling and terrible accuracy.
Good luck!
HS-6 is too slow to work well with heavier projectiles, plus it's flashy. TiteGroup burns very hot. I don't consider either of those optimal for heavy bullets or lead projectiles. Using HS-6 with a 124gr might not reliably cycle the roller action on the MP-5 clone without going supersonic.
Try to find some WST and get something like the Xtreme 147gr plated round nose. Running 3.5gr of WST under the Xtreme at 1.12" OAL nets me 130PF out of my 5" 1911 9mm. It BARELY cycles my Glock 17 with AAC Evo 9 reliably, but it's stupid quiet. The WST burns cool, which keeps temps down on the can. It's also easy on cleanup, just run the gun wet and it'll wipe down without using solvent.
One caveat: IF, your clone has a barrel with polygonal rifling, you might want to consider using jacketed bullets for best accuracy. Plated bullets tend to be pretty soft and sometimes they'll partially "skid" down the bore, leaving heavy copper fouling and terrible accuracy.
Good luck!
This is the barrel im using http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/MP5-Navy-Barrel-Threaded-1-2-X-28-3-Lug-82p1162.htm#.VD7Z-hZL8n4
If I cant find WST is there a powder by someone else with the same properties?
Solo 1000 is nearly identical, but it tends to be inconsistent from lot to lot. I ran a guy through a low light shoot house using Solo 1000 under a 147gr out of a CZ-75 and you could barely even see a bit of really dull orange at the end of the muzzle. It was so noticeably lower in flash than everyone else, that I had to ask him what he was running.
Vit N320 is another good powder, but pricey. I just haven't found anything with the combination of clean burning, soft recoil and low temp that matches WST.
That barrel you linked doesn't mention polygonal rifling. They usually use it as a selling point if it is, so I'd bet it's not. That means you should be good using plated bullets. You might also consider polymer coated bullets. I just ran 150 through my 9mm 1911 after work today. I've never had my bore clean up as quickly and easily. I ran a few passes with a brush soaked in Hoppes #9, then two dry patches. The third patch was nearly spotless and there was zero fouling left in the grooves. Oh yeah...
Vit N320 is another good powder, but pricey. I just haven't found anything with the combination of clean burning, soft recoil and low temp that matches WST.
That barrel you linked doesn't mention polygonal rifling. They usually use it as a selling point if it is, so I'd bet it's not. That means you should be good using plated bullets. You might also consider polymer coated bullets. I just ran 150 through my 9mm 1911 after work today. I've never had my bore clean up as quickly and easily. I ran a few passes with a brush soaked in Hoppes #9, then two dry patches. The third patch was nearly spotless and there was zero fouling left in the grooves. Oh yeah...
I just bought an additional 3k 147gr cmj bullets so I don't have to worry at all about that side of things. I guess I will have to keep my eyes peeled for more powder. I've got more than enough primers, bullets and brass.
Another one you might look out for is Alliant e3. I'm running it in .38 Short Colt for USPSA revo. Just think of it as a 9mm with a rim on it. The high tek coated 160 lead bullets and 147 Extreme plated shoot good with it. It's super fast so it's economical, it's clean, and it's not temp sensitive at all. I'm basically using it to replace WST for .38SC, 9mm, .40, and .45. It's very fast like VV N310 and Red Dot fast, but it's very well mannered, not being "peaky" like Clays or N310.
Others you might could use are Red Dot, 231, Unique, AA#5, AA#7, or Power Pistol though it's really flashy so it's probably not a good 1st choice.
ETA: where did you score that Octane SD? I've just about decided on that over the TiRant shorty.
Others you might could use are Red Dot, 231, Unique, AA#5, AA#7, or Power Pistol though it's really flashy so it's probably not a good 1st choice.
ETA: where did you score that Octane SD? I've just about decided on that over the TiRant shorty.
I got mine though a vendor on the hkpro.com forum but you can get them locally from Dustin with class 3 designs.
