9mm reloading question

xJMV

xJMV

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Hi fellow reloaders,

I am experimenting my firsts 9mm (and pistol) loads right now and was wondering about "compressed" charge. I use Hornady 9th edition reloading book.

I've reloaded few round nose ammo and measurements shows powder is not compressed at all. But for HP load, it will compress the powder...

The data:
  • Powder: Alliant - Power Pistol
  • Primer: Win - WSP
  • Bullet: Hornady 9MM 355 124gr HPXTP
  • Charge: 4.3 to 5.7grains

The COL specified for this bullet is 1.060". The max 9mm COL in the book is 1.169". I actually seated everything to 1.169".

My question: Do I need to seat everything to 1.06" or it can cause a problem ? Everything actually cycle properly in the pistol.
 
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Drop the bullet into the barrel, they should fall all the way in.
Smoothly,with a small plunking sound:)

You have to take your barrel out of the gun,for this test.
 
Brianma65 said:
Drop the bullet into the barrel, they should fall all the way in.
Smoothly,with a small plunking sound:)

You have to take your barrel out of the gun,for this test.
Click to expand...

Due to the shape of the bullet, it should not be a problem, round nose are the same length but the tip is a bit larger... but will test it, thanks for the tip.
 
xJMV said:
Due to the shape of the bullet, it should not be a problem, round nose are the same length but the tip is a bit larger... but will test it, thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...

Should always check. Every other month we get a guy who loads up a thousand rounds only to find they don't work in their gun. Especially with cast bullets
 
xJMV said:
Due to the shape of the bullet, it should not be a problem, round nose are the same length but the tip is a bit larger... but will test it, thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...

That is a bad assumption. For the amount of time it takes do it and then you know your length is correct. You should also spin the case after the plunk just to make sure it's not hitting the rifling
 
AHiltz said:
That is a bad assumption. For the amount of time it takes do it and then you know your length is correct. You should also spin the case after the plunk just to make sure it's not hitting the rifling
Click to expand...

Considering that this takes literally seconds, it's a no-brainer. I do this every time that something changes like a new batch of bullets or brass. And sometimes just because.
 
skoal said:
I load up dummy rounds with no primer or powder and make sure they chamber and cycle by hand.
Click to expand...

yup. I've got a bunch of dummy "template" rounds for each bullet type/weight. If my dies need to be adjusted for another bullet type/weight, I just back off the die, insert the template round, raise the ram, screw down the die till it hits the dummy round, lower ram, screw down die a 1/8-1/4 turn. Run off a couple live rounds and test for size. If all's good, crank away. Probably quicker to setup the die than it took to read that.
 
It seems I post this every couple of weeks...

FIND YOUR OWN OAL!!! ALWAYS!!! This is not my work but it save me from explaining:

*Note: If being used in multiple handguns load to the shortest OAL while remaining in the "safe zone". Make sure your rounds pass the plunk and spin test. Make sure they function properly in the magazine.

Fit a new jacketed or plated bullet into a fired case. (No powder; fired primer.) If you try 2 or 3 bullet/case combinations you'll end up with 1 or 2 where the bullet is a snug "push fit". Set the bullet out to an OAL of like 1.300". Any OAL longer than what you need. Working with your barrel REMOVED from the gun, slide this "test cartridge" into the chamber. At some point it will stop going into the chamber. In other words, whatever the bullet is striking is keeping the test cartridge from going in all the way. At this point, if you continue to push, the bullet will slide back into the case until the mouth of the case comes to rest on the end of the chamber. So whatever the bullet was striking has pushed the bullet back into the case. Follow?

Finding%252520OAL%2525201.jpg


Finding%252520OAL%2525202.jpg


Finding%252520OAL%2525203.jpg


Now, slowly and carefully withdraw the test cartridge and measure its new length. Do this with other bullets and other cases until you start to see the same number again and again. That measurement is your exact chamber length for that bullet in that barrel. Now of course we need a set-back distance off the rifling, so subtract at least .015" from that number to obtain your maximum OAL.

Finding%252520OAL%2525204.jpg


So let's assume your test cartridge keeps giving you a number like 1.177". We subtract our setback and get 1.177" - .015" to equal 1.160". You see I've backed off an additional .002" because 1) it's simply easier to read on a caliper, 2) the chances of finding a load for 1.162" is impossible, whereas 1.160 is probably pretty good, and 3) we're talking less than a human hair, so gee whiz give it a break!
 
@4n2t0 the OAL of the chamber is not a problem at all in my case. But yes this is a good point, everyone should do it when starting to reload a new firearm.
 
xJMV said:
@4n2t0 the OAL of the chamber is not a problem at all in my case. But yes this is a good point, everyone should do it when starting to reload a new firearm.
Click to expand...

It is because you stated the following:

"The COL specified for this bullet is 1.060". The max 9mm COL in the book is 1.169". I actually seated everything to 1.169".

My question: Do I need to seat everything to 1.06" or it can cause a problem ? Everything actually cycle properly in the pistol."

There is no specified OAL, as you suggest, that's the OAL used when they tested the load. You should have seated it to the max OAL your barrel(s)/magazine(s) allow (seat to the shortest length obtained if loading for multiple firearms). Disregard all OAL's listed in books or data, they're useless for the most part.

P.S. Don't worry about compressed loads unless it's so compressed that it causes other issues.

P.S.S. Just out of curiosity what firearm are you loading for that allowed 1.169 (max length) in the magazine?
 
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4n2t0 said:
It is because you stated the following:

"The COL specified for this bullet is 1.060". The max 9mm COL in the book is 1.169". I actually seated everything to 1.169".

My question: Do I need to seat everything to 1.06" or it can cause a problem ? Everything actually cycle properly in the pistol."

There is no specified OAL, as you suggest, that's the OAL used when they tested the load. You should have seated it to the max OAL your barrel(s)/magazine(s) allow (seat to the shortest length obtained if loading for multiple firearms). Disregard all OAL's listed in books or data, they're useless for the most part.

P.S. Don't worry about compressed loads unless it's so compressed that it causes other issues.

P.S.S. Just out of curiosity what firearm are you loading for that allowed 1.169 (max length) in the magazine?
Click to expand...

S&W M&P9, there is not much room left, but it fits. Coming back to why I asked, I was more wondering about possible pressure problems than room for the round. If compressing load is not a problem, I will probably get the ammo shorter.

Thanks everyone!
 
xJMV said:
S&W M&P9, there is not much room left, but it fits. Coming back to why I asked, I was more wondering about possible pressure problems than room for the round. If compressing load is not a problem, I will probably get the ammo shorter.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

Yes, don't worry about compressed loads until it interferes with seating the projectile to the desired length. Don't trust me? That's fine, I understand, lol, so read this:

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/compressed-loads

I figured it was an M&P. I should have guessed, it would have been more impressive, lol. Have you actually fired some rounds? Or have you only played with dummy rounds at home? 1.169 is looooooooooong and I'm a little surprised that you're not having any feeding issues. Regardless, there is no need to load at max length, especially since your press will likely produce ammo that will vary in OAL +/- .005".
 
Be super careful about the COAL. Better to go a bit longer than shorter, pressures can escalate very rapidly in such a small boiler room. Make sure they fit in the magazine and feed properly before making a pile of them. As well the 9mm is a tapered cartridge so it headspaces partly on the mouth so a slight taper crimp is all you need. I will say this just because... Always begin with the start load and work your way up as all guns are not created equally.
Have fun.
 
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