Does my OAL look right? (9mm 124gr Berry's)

Bobby and The Devil

Bobby and The Devil

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I've just started reloading 9mm and the only load data I've found is what people have been sharing online, including here. I'm particularly concerned my OAL may be a tad too short, though I have seen some people reported using it with success:

Berry's 9mm 124gr RN
OAL 1.095"
W231/HP38 @ 4.0gr, 4.2gr, 4.4gr, and 4.6gr

I've seen people using OALs ranging from 1.08xx all the way to 1.2xx with this particular powder and bullet combo.

I only have about 10 bullets made up at each powder increment and haven't fired any yet. I just wanted to double check now before I hit the range instead of later when I may be typing up my experiences with my new hooks-for-hands haha

Thanks,
 
Quick pointer. Never blindly load to any OAL and powder level until you confirm loading in YOUR particular firearm. Load a dummy round (no powder or primer) and start loading at one longest range of OAL's See how it fits YOUR barrel. You will know just how it fits your barrel when to stop.

Also be very weary of powder weight and your OAL. In 9mm pressures can build up very quickly and become dangerous to you and others so be safe!
 
If the rounds you have already loaded drop all the way into the chamber of your pistol barrel without the bullet jamming into the rifling, go ahead and shoot them while watching for pressure signs. If they're too long, seat the bullets a little deeper and then testfire, again watching for pressure signs. Correct OAL is whatever fits your gun, rather than some arbitrary number.
 
I've started a thread about the exact recipe your using. I included the results.

I did find 4.5 grs at 1.125 shot the best. This is the recipe I'm sticking to

Anth_g said:
So here are my results all fired out of my s&w M&P 9mm

3.9grs of Win 231 Oal of 1.129
Very little recoil, felt as if I was shooting a 22. I had no FTF or FTE.

4.2grs of Win 231 Oal of 1.155
a little more recoil than the 3.9 grs, 1 squib(not sure if the primer was bad or if I forgot to load powder) No FTE

4.4 Grs of Win 231 OAL of 1.125
felt more like a factory load with a little less recoil, no FTF or FTE.

All recipes shot pretty accurate and im happy with the 4.4grs. Although I think I might try 4.6grs next time out on the range.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the feedback guys! It didn't occur to me you couldn't just pick some arbitrary OAL. I took apart all the bullets I loaded and did some testing and it looked like the maximum OAL I was able to chamber was 1.160 which, combined with the powder loads I had, seems a lot safer to start with.

Anth_g said:
I've started a thread about the exact recipe your using. I included the results.

I did find 4.5 grs at 1.125 shot the best. This is the recipe I'm sticking to
Click to expand...

Actually it was your thread that really got me to really reconsider my numbers so thanks for that!

stevebc said:
Just curious- what pistol? My Shadow OAL is 1.087.
Click to expand...

This would be with my Kimber.
 
Alright, just came back from the range tonight and here's my findings in case anybody was interested.

Berry's 9mm 124gr RN
OAL 1.160"
W231/HP38
10 rounds of each
Shot through my Kimber Stainless II

4.0gr - felt a little underwhelming, very sooty cases, and one shot resulted in stovepiping.

4.2gr - A little better than the last, but still very sooty cases.

4.4gr - Much cleaner cases and recoil felt much better.

4.6gr - Also pretty clean cases and good recoil, however the primers were starting to flatten out.

I think 4.4gr or 4.5gr is the sweet spot with this particular combo.
 
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