Pistol · SAAMI
9x23mm Winchester
The 9x23mm Winchester is a high-pressure semi-rimless pistol cartridge developed in 1996 for USPSA Open Division competition.
- Caliber
- 0.356″ · 9.042 mm
- Introduced
- 1996
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Parent
- 9mm Winchester Magnum
- Primary use
- competition_shooting, self_defense
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1996
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Ammunition
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 15 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 55,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 4–6.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Ammunition
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 9x23mm Winchester. Parent case: .38 Super.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.04 | 0.356 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.68 | 0.381 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.93 | 0.391 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 10.01 | 0.394 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 22.86 | 0.900 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 33.02 | 1.300 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 9x23mm Winchester is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
9 reloading powders listed for 9x23mm Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
Case is a shortened 9mm Win Mag (identical rimless .391 base/.394 rim head); .38 Super is semi-rimmed (.384/.406) — functional twin, not cas
Connected reference
History
Developed by Winchester in collaboration with the USPSA Open Division competitive shooting community. The goal was a 9mm-bore cartridge capable of meeting major power factor without the complexity of .38 Super tuning. The thick case web handles pressure safely in 1911-pattern Open guns. Despite logical design, the entrenched .38 Super Open community prevented widespread adoption, and the cartridge remains extremely niche.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 9x23mm Winchester use?
- 9x23mm Winchester typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 9x23mm Winchester?
- 9x23mm Winchester uses a 0.356″ (9.042 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 9x23mm Winchester still in production?
- 9x23mm Winchester is limited; typical availability is rare.
- What is 9x23mm Winchester used for?
- 9x23mm Winchester is primarily used for competition_shooting, self_defense.
- What is 9x23mm Winchester based on?
- 9x23mm Winchester is derived from the .38 Super case.
- What are the best powders for 9x23mm Winchester?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 9x23mm Winchester include Vihtavuori N340, Universal, N350, Herco, among 9 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Secondary 9mm Winchester Magnum — Wikipedia (rimless, base .391, rim .394, length 1.160" — same head as 9x23 Win, confirming shortened-from relationship) · parent_cartridge
- Secondary Blast From The Past: Revisiting the 9 mm Magnum 'Super Cooper' — American Rifleman/NRA (purpose-built case designed by John Ricco; .38 Super is functional benchmark, same 0.900" length, but tapered vs · parent_cartridge
- Secondary 9×23mm Winchester — Wikipedia (infobox lists parent case = 9mm Winchester Magnum; case 0.900" rimless, base .391, rim .394, 55,000 psi) · parent_cartridge
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →