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9 mm Luger (9 x 19 mm)

We recommend xxlreloading.com for the most comprehensive 9 mm Luger (9 x 19 mm) load data, covering a wide range of powders and bullet brands or quickload.pro to calculate your individual load:

Caliber Description

The 9mm Luger, also known as the 9x19mm Parabellum, boasts a history spanning over a century, making it one of the most iconic and enduring pistol cartridges in the world. Developed in 1901 by Georg Luger, the 9mm cartridge was designed for the German military and quickly adopted in conjunction with the legendary Luger P08 pistol. Its widespread use in both World Wars solidified its reputation for reliability and effectiveness. The cartridge’s nomenclature “Parabellum” translates from Latin to “prepare for war,” which reflects its original martial intent. As military technology progressed, the 9mm Luger gradually became the standard issue for NATO forces and has since been embraced globally for both military and civilian applications.

The versatility of the 9mm Luger is a key factor behind its immense popularity among various shooting disciplines. Ammunition reloaders appreciate the cartridge due to its manageable recoil, which allows for longer practice sessions with less fatigue—a significant advantage for competitive shooters, law enforcement, and recreational users alike. Its manageable power also makes the cartridge suitable for a wide range of semi-automatic pistols, submachine guns, and even some carbines. For reloaders, the 9mm Luger offers broad component availability, affordable brass, and a wealth of published reloading data, making it an accessible entry point into the hobby. Its straight-walled, rimless case design further facilitates reliable feeding and extraction, qualities that underpin its reputation for dependability.

When considering target species for the 9mm Luger, it is most applicable to small and medium game, as well as personal defense scenarios. While not typically recommended for hunting larger animals, the cartridge is effective for dispatching pests and varmints such as coyotes or raccoons at closer ranges, depending on local regulations and projectile choice. For personal and home defense, the 9mm is a leading caliber due to its optimal balance of stopping power and control. Modern bullet technologies have drastically improved the terminal performance of 9mm loads, making it a viable and popular choice for defensive use among civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel.

Ammunition reloaders working with the 9mm Luger have a wide array of bullet weights to select from, typically ranging between 115 grains and 147 grains. The most common weights encountered are 115 gr, 124 gr, and 147 gr, each offering distinct performance characteristics. Lighter bullets (115 gr) usually generate higher velocities, making them popular in competitive or range settings due to their flatter trajectories. Heavier bullets (147 gr) offer subsonic velocities, which pair well with suppressors and deliver deeper penetration, favored in tactical and defensive roles. The 9mm Luger operates at a standard maximum pressure of 35,000 PSI as defined by SAAMI, although +P and +P+ loadings are available for users seeking higher performance. Its typical muzzle velocity ranges from 1,000 to 1,300 feet per second, depending on load and barrel length, which offers consistent energy delivery while maintaining control and accuracy. For reloaders, this means ample versatility when tailoring ammunition for different purposes, from practice rounds to high-performance defensive loads.

Popular Load Recipes

- 115 gr FMJ, 4.5 gr Hodgdon Titegroup, C.O.L. 1.135", CCI 500 primer
- 124 gr FMJ, 4.4 gr Hodgdon Universal, C.O.L. 1.150", Winchester SP primer
- 147 gr FMJ, 3.3 gr Alliant Bullseye, C.O.L. 1.130", Federal SP primer
- 115 gr JHP, 6.7 gr Alliant Power Pistol, C.O.L. 1.125", Remington SP primer
- 124 gr FMJ, 4.0 gr Alliant Unique, C.O.L. 1.150", CCI 500 primer
- 147 gr JHP, 4.0 gr Hodgdon Longshot, C.O.L. 1.130", Winchester SP primer
- 115 gr FMJ, 5.0 gr Winchester 231, C.O.L. 1.135", Winchester SP primer
- 124 gr FMJ, 5.4 gr Hodgdon CFE Pistol, C.O.L. 1.150", Federal SP primer

Always verify load data with a reputable manual and start at the minimum load, observing all safety recommendations.

Cost per Reloaded Round

Let's do a sample calculation for the cost savings per round when reloading 9mm Luger, using typical prices found in the US as of 2024.

Factory 9mm Luger (115gr FMJ) costs (per 50-round box): about $14 to $18.
Let’s use $16 per 50 rounds = $0.32 per round.

Reloading components (approximate averages):
- Bullet (115gr FMJ): $0.09 each
- Primer: $0.04 each
- Powder: $0.02 per round
- Case: reuseable. First use, say $0.12 each but reused many times, so per reload it’s a few cents; let’s use $0.02 per reload for depreciation.

Total per reloaded round: $0.09 (bullet) + $0.04 (primer) + $0.02 (powder) + $0.02 (case) = $0.17 per round.

Savings per round: $0.32 (factory) – $0.17 (reload) = $0.15 saved per round.

Thus, you save about 15 cents per round by reloading 9mm Luger instead of buying new factory ammunition, not including your time, equipment costs, or other minor expenses. For a typical 100-round range trip, that’s $15 saved.

Technical Specifications

Safety Standard / Application

C.I.P. / Revolver / Pistol Caliber

Most Suitable Bullet Weights

90 - 168 Grains

Case Capacity / Average Charge

13.79 Grains of Water / 4.6 Grains

Average Muzzle Velocity / Energy

1115 fps / 342 ft-lbf

Case Length / Max. C.O.L

0.754'' / 1.169''

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