Newbie question on reloading 9mm

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mallard12

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This is my first time reloading 9mm. I have a CZ SP01 shadow and after searching the web and reading a reloading manual I have a few questions. I did the push test as outlined here http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.msg189131#msg189131. After several times I got 1.194 as a chamber max length, if I subtract .015 I'm left with 1.179. My reloading manual gives a max OAL of 1.169.

1) Is it safe being .010 to .015 over the manual data? I made a few dummy round which load and cycle smoothly.
2)I've made 20 bullets using the min powder. 3.8gn of Tightgroup with cci500 primer and a Barry 124gn RN. Will these bullets even make it out of the barrel with the low power due to the bullets being set .010 further out?
3) I've reloaded rifle before and I know that playing with seating depth affect accuracy, is it the same with pistol bullets?

Thanks In Advance
 
1. Yes, if you go over the max OAL the pressure reduces. The only problem is your load may not fit in some chambers as its to long.

2.if it's the min load, it will make it out very likely.


3. I haven't messed around enough to know, but I don't believe it has near the same effect as rifle. But I could be wrong
 
"...is it the same with pistol..." No. Fitting in the magazine is far more important. The whole 'off the lands' thing is a rifle tweaking technique.
 
I reload for my Shadow, and as Spawn-Inc suggests, they have shorter chambers than most. Mallard, you mentioned a push test and that they cycle fine, but have you tried a drop test? Holding just the barrel alone in one hand, drop the dummy into the chamber to see if it does actually fully drop and doesn't need to be coaxed in. Then turn the barrel upside down to see if it drops freely. If it needs to be forced in or pried out, no matter how lightly, it's not right.
I use 4.3gr W231 under the Berry's 124gr RN, with my OAL being 1.087". When I was figuring this out I kept wondering just how short was this damn round going to be? Yup, that short. Yours could be, too, though most Shadows seem to be longer than mine.
 
The reloads for my Shadow average 1.115". They chamber check and FFE* like a champ. No issues.
Honestly forgot how I arrived at the COL. I think it was the first load I tried, it worked and I've never changed.

(E) :cool:

PS
* Feed, Fire, Extract
 
i just got home and checked my 9mm loads i do in bulk and at the time i was using frontier 124gr plated which measure .580" long compared to berry's 124gr at .585" long. i set my dies up for 1.100" OAL.
 
Thanks for the reply

stevebc I tried the push test again, this is what I did. Took a fired case that has only been tumbled and gently push a 124 gn RN bullet into the case, then with the barrel in my hand I pushed the case till it stopped and it measured around 1.194. I then ran the case through my loader without putting a primer or powder and set it at 1.180. Holding the bullet one inch above the barrel I let it fall into the barrel, when it stopped I turn the barrel upside down and the bullet falls out freely. I think I'm doing it right but compared to factory rounds they stick out a lot but still cycle through my mag and action
 
mallard12 said:
Thanks for the reply

stevebc I tried the push test again, this is what I did. Took a fired case that has only been tumbled and gently push a 124 gn RN bullet into the case, then with the barrel in my hand I pushed the case till it stopped and it measured around 1.194. I then ran the case through my loader without putting a primer or powder and set it at 1.180. Holding the bullet one inch above the barrel I let it fall into the barrel, when it stopped I turn the barrel upside down and the bullet falls out freely. I think I'm doing it right but compared to factory rounds they stick out a lot but still cycle through my mag and action
Click to expand...

sounds good to me, load up a box or two and see how they shoot before going into mass production though.
 
3grs will make it out of my glock, but wont cycle the slide all the time. that being said make sure each round made it, i've had a stuck bullet ruin my 1911 barrel before. the shell ejected no problem, but my target was full of holes so i couldn't see if it made it or not and assumed it did.
 
just reload with the suggested OAL for pistol. Ammo will fit any gun.

I never start with min load. I start 3/4 under max for modern firearms.
 
I load 1.110 for my shadow using campro 124 hp and 4.4 w231
This made 129 PF

I just increased my load to 4.7 w231 to hopefully make 135 PF
 
That load will be plenty snappy. My CZ likes 3.3gr of TG. My 1911 likes 3.1g of TG.

My CZ has a short throat. I load to 1.110". Your ammo sounds long to me. How does a loaded (real) round drop into the chamber? It should go in until the mouth of the case hits the chamber. And drop out easily.
 
OP what type of bullet are you using Round nose I'm assuming. With HP. Or TC bullets I find I have to go down to 1.110 OAL
With RN you can get away with a little longer but still your rounds sound a little long. I'm sure it'll cycle But it just depends how much velocity you want
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

I decided to load 4 sets of 20 bullets. I have 20 at 1.170, 20 at 1.160, 20 at 1.150, 20 at 1.140 and see what happens tomorrow. They are Barry's 124gn loaded with 4.1gn of Tightgroup and cci 500 primer. What I don't understand is the factory Winchester white box which I shot about 2000 rounds of is 1.156, why do you guys load them to 1.105 to 1.115?

Not sure if there's a difference but my CZ is a silver Canadian Edition.

Thanks
 
Shot all the reloads this morning, they all went bang and made it through the barrel. There was one set that grouped really well and the other 's were OK and one was really bad. I didn't notice a spike in pressure from the 1.170 to the 1.140 but maybe there not at max loads.

Thanks for the help
 
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