thinking about reloading 9mm

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thechineseguy

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with the ammo prices rising, its getting pretty expensive for me to go to the range as much as i'd like to (at least once a week). right now i only shoot .22LR and 9mm but will probably venture in to .45ACP when i get better with shooting 9mm. i currently shoot winchester bulk 9mm 115gr.

i would like to eventually purchase a reloading kit but im not sure which one as there are a few available on the market. im not looking for the cheapest but im also not looking to spend a fortune. there are two kits that ive been looking at; RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit and Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic Kit.

can either of these presses use carbide dies? are dies interchangeable between brands or must i buy dies that are made specifically for a press?
i would like to get a tumbler which uses dry media (walnut i think is what most people use). is the Lyman 1200 Pro Turbo Tumbler a good choice?

ive seen hodgdon titegroup mentioned numerous times. is that a good powder for me to start with?
what projectiles (preferrably FMJ) would you recommend? (casting my own lead bullets is out of the question)
what primers would you recommend?

are there specific storage regulations when it comes to powder and primers?
ive already know that they must be stored in their original packaging and smokeless powder must be stored in containers 1kg or less but do they need to be stored in a separated locked cabinet than my current ammunition (locked in a stack-on gun cabinet)?

i apologize for the crapload of questions. there wouldve been more but i found the answers to a few of those after reading a few pages of the reloading forum.
thanks in advance.
 
1. Interchangability depends on the thread on the dies and press. 7/8x14 is the most common, and brands threaded accordingly easily interchange. I've run RCBS dies (old ones to boot) in a Lee Press and vice-versa.
2. Both of those presses should accept carbide dies. Carbide dies are the way to go for pistol.
3. Powder: If you can get your hands on some Titegroup, go for it. Pistol powder is getting hard to come by, you might have to take what you can get. Look at a broad list of 9mm recipes and determine which powders you can use.
4. Projectiles: I've heard good things out of CamPro bullets for 9mm. Well priced and Canadian-made to boot. Bullet Barn also makes some quality cast lead bullets at a very reasonable price.
5. Primers: I'm currently using Dominion primers from CanadaAmmo: cheapest on the market, plus free shipping on orders over $200. I've also used CCI, Federal, Winchester. They all work.
 
I'm not nearly a reloading master compared to some of the guys on here but here's a link you might want to read:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...nd-Powder-Storage-Explosives-Regulations-2013

From what I've come across and experienced is that all dies are interchangeable in other brands of presses. There might be some exclusive ones out there. I just haven't dealt with them or seen them.

I use a Frankfurt Arsenal tumbler because it was cheap and I only use it to compliment my ultrasonic cleaner. The ultrasonic is way better for cleaning the primer pockets and inside the cases. I haven't used a stainless cleaner but apparently they are the best all around cleaners.

Powder might be a bit of a tough item to find. Some powders aren't readily available.
 
I've been loading 9mm on a Lee Turret Press since my university days. A couple of years ago, the press finally gave up the ghost when parts wore out and Lee replaced the press for free. I use Lee carbide dies, the same ones since I started something like 25 years ago. I have loaded a boxcar load of 9mm over those years. Powders I used were Unique, Bullseye, and recently Power Pistol. I used Bullseye mostly because of the small powder charges which made it last a long time.

Bullet wise, I mostly shoot cast, but also plated and FMJ through my Glock. once I deplete my current supply of lead, I will be buying only plated as they are running the same as cast in terms of cost, and they don't present problems for Glocks. As for primers, I use Winchester most of the time. But that's not for any particular reason, it's just what I buy. I will, however, buy whatever is on sale, as well. And last year, CanAm had a good sale on their proprietary primers, so I bought 10,000.

As far as tumbling brass goes, I also have the Lyman tumbler. I don't use it much, except for really dirty cases, or grungy looking range brass. But, it will get the job done.
 
Get a good single stage to start out like a Rock Chucker. Carbide dies in 9mm, i like Lee and RCBS
It is slow going with a single stage but its good to learn the ropes.
I load 9's on a Rock Chucker and it is fine. Not nearly as fast as a Dillon 650.

Titegroup will do just fine, i have a monster jug of 231 that i use and Bullseye will also do the trick.
You will need to get a good supply of projectiles. I use Berry in 124 gr as well as BDX when i can get them.
Beyond that, once you are all set up pour yourself a coffee, put on some tunes and have fun.
 
thechineseguy said:
with the ammo prices rising, its getting pretty expensive for me to go to the range as much as i'd like to (at least once a week). right now i only shoot .22LR and 9mm but will probably venture in to .45ACP when i get better with shooting 9mm. i currently shoot winchester bulk 9mm 115gr. I guess that you bought a crap-load of the bulk Winchester when LeBaron had it on sale. I know I did :)

i would like to eventually purchase a reloading kit but im not sure which one as there are a few available on the market. im not looking for the cheapest but im also not looking to spend a fortune. there are two kits that ive been looking at; RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit and Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic Kit. If you want to reload for pistol, I'd look at a Progressive Press. You just won't have the production volume needed on a single stage (i.e. RCBS Rock Chucker or Hornady Lock-n-Load) to make it worthwhile. For loading both rifle and pistol on the same press, look at a turret or progressive press.

I use a Lee Classic Cast for both rifle and pistol and like it a lot. It's in a sweet spot for value/speed/flexibility. If you only want to load for pistol take a look at a Dillon Square Deal B.

can either of these presses use carbide dies? Dies have little to do with the type of press (with rare exceptions) are dies interchangeable between brands [Yes dies are interchangeable] or must i buy dies that are made specifically for a press?
i would like to get a tumbler which uses dry media (walnut i think is what most people use). is the Lyman 1200 Pro Turbo Tumbler a good choice? The Lyman is fine. Mine has been humming away for many years without issue. Just get your walnut media at PetSmart rather than a gun store. If I recall correctly $12 for a 15 lb bag which I have been trying to use up for a number of years.

ive seen hodgdon titegroup mentioned numerous times. is that a good powder for me to start with? Titegroup is fine if maybe a little dirty in some loads. At this time (Jan/15) it is really, really hard to find pistol powder. Get what you can, when you can. Take a look at the Hodgdon reloading website (http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/node) and search the various types of powders that can be used.
what projectiles (preferrably FMJ) would you recommend? (casting my own lead bullets is out of the question) If cost is a consideration, I'd look at plated 115 and 124 grain projectiles from CamPro, AIM, Berry or Zero. In my experience, the plated bullets don't lead the barrel and hold-up well under high-pressure loads. They also cost a fraction of FMJ.
what primers would you recommend? I think this depends on your pistol. I've been using CCI but have been having a few too many light primer strikes but I also use a lighter firing pin spring in my Glock. Federal is reputed to be softer but then there have been reputed cases of Federal primers detonating on seating.

are there specific storage regulations when it comes to powder and primers?
ive already know that they must be stored in their original packaging and smokeless powder must be stored in containers 1kg or less but do they need to be stored in a separated locked cabinet than my current ammunition (locked in a stack-on gun cabinet)? If my memory serves, they have to be stored separately (primers and powder separate) in a locked, portable container that is non-ferrous and has no ferrous fittings. The container also has to be clearly marked as containing Explosives. There is no maximum for the number of primers but you have a maximum of 10 kg of powder. See: http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/legal_info_for_reloaders.html

i apologize for the crapload of questions. there wouldve been more but i found the answers to a few of those after reading a few pages of the reloading forum.
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

See above in red.
 
Start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. About $30 at your local gun shop or Amazon.
7/8-14 is the standard these days. All manufacturers use it so all dies will fit all current standard presses.
Only the sizer die in a carbide set actually has a carbide insert. Should have 'carb' or the like stamped on the outside. Not an issue one ay or the other, but you do want carbide for handgun cartridges. And a taper crimp die for 9mm and .45. Makes no difference which of those you start with.
The projectile will depend on your club's range. Some do not allow jacketed bullets. Your's apparently does since you've been using Winchester factory. Shooting jacketed bullets get expensive quickly too.
Powder really isn't an issue storage wise. The regulations are mostly for commercial operations. You are unlikely to have enough for it to matter. 25 kilos is a great deal of powder. Common sense will do. Powders will sit and do nothing at all for years quite happily.
Used kit is ok provided you buy RCBS. Their warrantee covers the kit, not who bought it new. Really the only big difference between makers. You do pay more for new RCBS kit though.
 
I love my Lee 4 hole turret with the lee carbide dies...no problems here..I load 9mm, 38 special, 357 mag and 45ACP...Around 10,000rnds total between all of them.
 
Try to find an older used tumbler they were made much better twenty years ago and longer. There will likely be way more useful life in a twenty year old one than a brand new one. Made is USA as compared to made in China. That tells the story. I like the idea of a Lee turret press or a Lee 1000 if you are going to load for your pistol a single stage is so time consuming when loading for a pistol. As you know a person shoots way more pistol rounds at a range outing than rifle rounds or most people do. As said above you are going to use whatever powder you can find that can be loaded in a 9 mm as powder for shotguns and pistols is so hard to find right now. Same can be said for primers as well. Good luck and enjoy.
 
thanks for all the tips, guys!
i have a buddy thats going to give me some Alliant Unique powder to get me started and i already ordered a bunch of DA primers and CamPro 124gr bullets.

as for my tumbler, i've been reading about cleaning with stainless steel pins. is it worth the extra money to buy a rotary tumbler to use SS media? or should i just stick with a regular tumbler with walnut media?

also, where is the cheapest place to find once-fired brass? the cheapest ive seen so far is $50 for 1000 from wolf.
 
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thechineseguy said:
thanks for all the tips, guys!
i have a buddy thats going to give me some Alliant Unique powder to get me started and i already ordered a bunch of DA primers and CamPro 124gr bullets.

as for my tumbler, i've been reading about cleaning with stainless steel pins. is it worth the extra money to buy a rotary tumbler to use SS media? or should i just stick with a regular tumbler with walnut media?

also, where is the cheapest place to find once-fired brass? the cheapest ive seen so far is $50 for 1000 from wolf.
Click to expand...

So what press are you going to get?

I think that for pistol, stainless steel tumbling is more trouble than its worth. To get the most from it (i.e. clean primer pockets) you will have to size/deprime then tumble, dry, then get back on the press to charge, etc. Remember that for the most part, tumbling is all about cosmetics rather than function. I'd stick with the regular tumbler.

$50/1000 is hard to beat for brass. I've never bought 9mm brass. It is so abundant for pick-up at my range its ridiculous.
 
Pr589 said:
So what press are you going to get?

I think that for pistol, stainless steel tumbling is more trouble than its worth. To get the most from it (i.e. clean primer pockets) you will have to size/deprime then tumble, dry, then get back on the press to charge, etc. Remember that for the most part, tumbling is all about cosmetics rather than function. I'd stick with the regular tumbler.

$50/1000 is hard to beat for brass. I've never bought 9mm brass. It is so abundant for pick-up at my range its ridiculous.
Click to expand...

i decided that im going to get a Dillon Square Deal.
 
A single press is good way to start, but eventually after a year or so majority want to switch to a progressive press to save time. A dillon 550B would be a good and wise investment, you can run this press either single press for starter ( one case at a time) and progressive once your reloading knowhow progress. Its a little bit expensive compared to a single press , but you have a press that run single or progressive. For a pistol caliber where most likely you will be shooting a couple of thousand a year, a single press would be a lot of work. I use my 550 for pistols and rifles.
 
ffgats said:
A single press is good way to start, but eventually after a year or so majority want to switch to a progressive press to save time. A dillon 550B would be a good and wise investment, you can run this press either single press for starter ( one case at a time) and progressive once your reloading knowhow progress. Its a little bit expensive compared to a single press , but you have a press that run single or progressive. For a pistol caliber where most likely you will be shooting a couple of thousand a year, a single press would be a lot of work. I use my 550 for pistols and rifles.
Click to expand...

i shoot 1000 rounds of 9mm in approximately 2 months so thats why i decided not to get a single stage. i am going to stick with the dillon square deal for now and see how things go. if i decide to load other calibres in the future i will cross that road when i get there. :)
 
thechineseguy said:
i decided that im going to get a Dillon Square Deal.
Click to expand...

The Square Deal is a good choice - you do realize however, that is the one press that does not accept standard dies. If/when you decide to load other calibers you will have to use the Dillon dies specific to the Square Deal. Have fun.
 
pmt said:
The Square Deal is a good choice - you do realize however, that is the one press that does not accept standard dies. If/when you decide to load other calibers you will have to use the Dillon dies specific to the Square Deal. Have fun.
Click to expand...

yup. i know it uses proprietary dies. i just have to get a calibre conversion kit.
 
damn it. now you guys got me thinking about the 550B. i saw the Square Deal for $399CAD locally and now im wondering how much more the 550B would be. ugh. i hate you guys.
 
I started reloading about a year ago, I went with the square deal as well, for both 9mm and .45. If I remember right I think the conversion kit was around 120 per calibre. I love the thing but now I'm starting to get into rifles so I'm almost wishing I went with the 650. One downside to the 550 is that it is not auto indexing, however some people don't really care about auto indexing. I use titegroup powder and campro plated bullets. Have fun☺
 
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