9mm question

Redneckwannabe1

Redneckwannabe1

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Edmonton
Hello,
I finished my first ever reload session and I have a few questions. Bullets are 124gr FMJ, powder is Unique. I have 3 reloading books (Hornady, Lee and Lyman), the only one with Unique referenced is the Hornady one and it referenced between 4.1 and 5.0. Here is my question, I was aiming for 4.5 but my powder drops were inconsistent ranging from 4.1 to 4.7 for some damn reason. I tested like 100 times, most drops were in the 4.4 to 4.7 range however. In the case the powder all seemed to be same level (approx a little more than half full case)

Now, I screwed up and figured the OAL listed was a maximum (it was listed as 1.150"). Since I thought that was a maximum, I used the OAL length from some factory ammo I had laying around which was 1.105"...so 0.045" short. Any opinions on whether this batch should be scrapped? I can't see this off so much as to be dangerous, but I would like to hear opinions.
Thanks!
 
Lee 2nd edition lists start grain at 4.8g & max at 4.9g with a min OAL of 1.150

If it were me I would try one or two and look for pressure signs but that's me!
How many did you make?
I've had to pull apart a few bullets and run them thru my press with the decaping pin removed
Due to questionable powder drops its a pain but was the safest thing to do
 
Redneckwannabe1 said:
Hello,
I finished my first ever reload session and I have a few questions. Bullets are 124gr FMJ, powder is Unique. I have 3 reloading books (Hornady, Lee and Lyman), the only one with Unique referenced is the Hornady one and it referenced between 4.1 and 5.0. Here is my question, I was aiming for 4.5 but my powder drops were inconsistent ranging from 4.1 to 4.7 for some damn reason. I tested like 100 times, most drops were in the 4.4 to 4.7 range however. In the case the powder all seemed to be same level (approx a little more than half full case)

Now, I screwed up and figured the OAL listed was a maximum (it was listed as 1.150"). Since I thought that was a maximum, I used the OAL length from some factory ammo I had laying around which was 1.105"...so 0.045" short. Any opinions on whether this batch should be scrapped? I can't see this off so much as to be dangerous, but I would like to hear opinions.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Personally, I'm more concerned about being under the minimum OAL than the maximum (though I always aim to get between both). IIRC, if you're too short, you run the risk of compressing the charge which could be dangerous. That said (and I'm not recommending you do this), I probably would shoot a few to see - keeping in mind they could be dangerous (x2 for looking for signs of over pressure).

For the measuring your charges, see if your scale is screwed up, try:
-re-calibrating your scale,
-re-taring your scale every time you measure (not the same as calibrating)
-make sure you're not weighing your powder on a table that's vibrating (i.e. - if you have speakers blasting My Little Pony dubstep with a lot of bass - you tend to get inaccurate reads)
-make sure it's not too cold in the space you're measuring
-make sure there is not a draft or that you are not breathing in the scale
 
I'd find someone who's running Quickload software on their computer and see what is says for that load combination at that OAL. 9mm can build up dangerous pressures in very little space, so I'd be very cautious about using them. I have quickload and could help you out but not until late tonight when the kids are in bed and I'm sitting in front of it. I'll post the results later if no one else gets to it before me.
 
K, this is what Quickload says. Please remember that this software uses algorithms to calculate pressures and speed and there is certainly room for error in these numbers. I always use this as well as published safe load values to see how they all correlate.

Here we go: (Max Published Pressure for 9mm is 35,000 psi)

4.4gr of Unique with a 9mm 124gr FMJ.
@ OAL of 1.150 calculated pressure is 26,018 psi
@ OAL of 1.105 calculated pressure is 32,864 psi

4.7gr of Unique with a 9mm 124gr FMJ
@ OAL of 1.150 calculated pressure is 30,235 psi
@ OAL of 1.105 calculated pressure is 38,709 psi

I can't tell you whether these rounds or safe to try or not. That's a call you have to make on your own. I can only show you the info I have at my disposal.

Hope this helps.

Keep it safe!
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I decided to give them a try and they were fine, if anything I think they were underpowered. Had about 5 feeding problems which I suspect may be due to the underpowered load. I may try a different powder hoping to be more consistent in my powder drops. Thanks again.
Harbl - no my little pony dub step hahahaha. Sorry no bronies here
 
Just a thought: try tapping the powder dispenser half a dozen times just before the drop, powder will settle into a container if you tap it a few times.
 
I did lube all the metal parts except for the bottom funnel section under the plastic tube since I don't think that comes apart...maybe I'm wrong - I used One Shot
 
For what its worth I have very accurate drops with My Hornady powder measures. I have sold my Lee and RCBS measures. Static can be an issue with new measures and some recommend wiping new measures with a dryer sheet?
 
Redneckwannabe1 said:
Hello,
I finished my first ever reload session and I have a few questions.
Now, I screwed up and figured the OAL listed was a maximum (it was listed as 1.150"). Since I thought that was a maximum, I used the OAL length from some factory ammo I had laying around which was 1.105"...so 0.045" short. Any opinions on whether this batch should be scrapped? I can't see this off so much as to be dangerous, but I would like to hear opinions.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

The Lee manual gives 1.125 as a Min OAL so I'm surprised that you found some factory ammo so short. I shoot for 1.51 OAL for my 9mm and check every one for length when finished. This does 2 things, checks for proper length and ensures the primers are seated properly. Under min OAL with a heavier bullet and a max load can be dangerous.
 
I remeasured the factory ammo...most were around 1.124" Remington UMC- I must have screwed up my measurements (first time using the callipers). So now I've learned a few valuable lessons just in my first 50 reloads. Thanks everyone.
 
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