Vectan BA 9 1/2 load data for 115gr CMJ RN bullet

[Welshman]

Good Afternoon Gents


I'm starting to develop a load for 115Gr CMJ RN bullet, as per subject title with Vectan BA 9.5.

I started at 3.7gr with OCL of 29.5mm (1.161) which felt like a pop gun going off, along with failure to extract.


www.vectan.fr reloading chart shows "start 3.4gr - max 4.4gr"
I doubt the recommended 3.4gr start load would have exited the barrel. (G17)
How can the chart be so far off ?


I have just made up 10 x 4.1, 4.3 and 4.5 loads to try next.

I don't have access to a chrono' at the moment and would appreciate any tried recipes / velocities for this powder / bullet combo, that I can compare my loads to.



I see a lot of data on 124gr and 147gr, but nothing on 115gr.



Prior to this, I've used 4.5gr Vectan BA 9.5 with .40S&W, using 180gr OCL 27.5mm CMJ FP bullet for over a year with great success.

However, any data you can also share here along with chrono' readings, would also be appreciated.



Hoping someone can help

Thanks Gents

[Ds J]

I don't know about Vectan, but this might help. It is from reloading with Somchem, and starting at the minimum load. The pistols at stake were all new: G26, G17, CZ P07. We got reliable functioning at max loads, or close to it.

- First failure to extract (lowest loads)
- Then stove pipes
- Thereafter failure to feed (medium loads)
- Less failure to feed
- Reliable functioning (close to max, or over max)

[Tripodmvr]

I played around on Quick Load. Shortening your COL to 28mm can add about 50fps and pressure raises by 4000 psi. This could explain your pop gun effect even with 3.7gr.

[Welshman]

I played around on Quick Load. Shortening your COL to 28mm can add about 50fps and pressure raises by 4000 psi. This could explain your pop gun effect even with 3.7gr.

Quite possible yes.
Just to start off somewhere, I went with the COL I chose based on exact comparison to a factory 115gr S&B round.

[Ds J]

https://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/showthread.php?43079-The-9mm-reloading-compendium&s=72d9945d04025e6e4fb64f546f054f2f&goto=newpost

Try this link. There should be usable info.

[NoStepOnSnek88]

Greetings Welshman, you can also try to email Jacques at Frontier Bullets, he MIGHT have load data for VECTAN.
frontierwapens@gmail.com

[oafpatroll]

Posted the same to your thread on GS

Not specific to the OP's question but may be helpful to someone else.

130gr Lee truncated cone cast PC sized .356 with 3.7gr Vectan 9.5 seated 27.5mm gives me just over 1000fps for a PF of >130 out of a CZ75

[Welshman]

LOAD DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 31/09/25

Thanks for your interest and input about this.

Powder : Vectan BA 9 1/2
Firearm Used : Glock 17
Bullet : Frontier CMJ 115gr
Brass : S&B
Primer : S&B
COL : Adjusted to 29.14 (plunks fine)
Vectan Load Chart = Min 3.4gr Max 4.4gr (All tests within this range and up to 4.6gr caused multiple FTE, FTF, SP's etc)

Latest Test Loads ..
10 x 4.7gr = Full Function, No Failure to Eject, No Stove Pipes, Slide Locks Back on Last Round, Excellent Grouping (1/2 of every case was covered in black soot)
10 x 4.8gr = Same as above, slightly less soot
10 x 4.9gr = Same as above, even less soot - I think this might be the one, or very close.

I'll load up 50 x 4.9gr this weekend & rent the chrono' at local indoor range to see where we are at.

[janfred]

You may want to try a COAL of 27.5mm starting at 4.0gr. That is pretty much what the consensus is online for 115gr RN bullets when I was looking for a load.

Just load 5 each at 4.0, 4.2 and 4.4 and see what you get. I just don't like the idea of an inefficient load.