9mm Luger loads

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saskminer

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Hi all
Learning the ins and outs of loading pistol ammo...

Quick question: I have 2 types of powder, 800-X and Titegroup. I loaded both at starting loads and tried them out today. The 800-X has noticeably sharper recoil to the point that I'm wondering about the amount of powder. The Hodgdon website data call for 5.2 grains of 800-X which fills the case near capacity. Seating the bullet is close to compressing the powder. I looked at the spent brass and found nothing obvious pressure-wise. Any suggestions for the 800-X? According to the data chart the recoil should be similar but my wrist says otherwise.
I much prefer the Titegroup powder but I've got to find a way to use up the pound of 800-X I bought.

9mm 800x.jpg
 

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The obvious answer is to reduce the charge. Being new that can be a little intimidating but if you're careful it's doable. I would make test loads of 5.0gr, 4.8gr, 4.6gr. ALWAYS CHECK FOR SQUIBS! Be safe.

FYI, this is what you're feeling (Recoil Velocity, Recoil Energy, Recoil Impulse):

bar-graph.php


If you want even softer go with a 147gr bullet and fast(er) powder like Titegroup (3.4gr "ish" should get you there).
 
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Do you need the basic laws of physics explained to you? Your own picture shows the bullet traveling much faster. You figure that comes at no cost?? 800-x is a great powder for maximum velocity in many pistol cartridges, too bad it meters so poorly. I have however produced the lowest SD of any ammunition I have ever made with my 650. Chronographed 4.7fps SD propelling a 250 grain bullet from a .45 Colt case. That inspires me to do more testing.
 
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800X is a slow powder, good for making full power loads. It is not very suitable for making mild loads. Load a bunch of cases with 5.2 gr and put it aside as your "power" ammo, when you want more power. 800X also has metering problems with some equipment and has ignition problems if you try to reduce the charge.

TiteGroup is a fast powder, excellent for making accuracy loads. I suggest you load 10 opf each from 3.0 to 4.0 in 0.2 gr increments. Note if the mild loads still cycle the action, and see if one looks to be more accurate than the others. My pistols do well with 3.5 gr.
 
saskminer said:
@Gandrite, thanks for the recommendations. I'll save the 800-X for power loads in the standard fun-gun pistols and stick with the Titegroup in my CZ Shadow.

Time to load up some ammo to test and see what I get.
Click to expand...

For what its worth Ive tried 124s, 147s & 158s.

124s were snappy, 158s were slow and 147s with 3.3gr Titegroup was the sweet spot, controllable recoil and good accuracy.

Ganderites advice will get you the results you seek.
 
Ganderite said:
800X is a slow powder, good for making full power loads. It is not very suitable for making mild loads. Load a bunch of cases with 5.2 gr and put it aside as your "power" ammo, when you want more power. 800X also has metering problems with some equipment and has ignition problems if you try to reduce the charge.

TiteGroup is a fast powder, excellent for making accuracy loads. I suggest you load 10 opf each from 3.0 to 4.0 in 0.2 gr increments. Note if the mild loads still cycle the action, and see if one looks to be more accurate than the others. My pistols do well with 3.5 gr.
Click to expand...

I went to the range with a bunch of baggies of TiteGroup and found the best accuracy to be at 3.8 grains. Fun to see the groups shrink as the load changed!
On another note, had a brain fart buying primers from the only game in town and got CCI 550's. I will most likely use them this winter because it's minus 20 to minus 30 consistently out here at the moment. From the research I did, it looks like I can knock a couple of tenths of powder and it will all be good. Anyone care to weigh in on the subject of magnum primers? I only bought 500 and that equals a trip or two to the range so I'll definitely use them up in the cold weather.
 
saskminer said:
I went to the range with a bunch of baggies of TiteGroup and found the best accuracy to be at 3.8 grains. Fun to see the groups shrink as the load changed!
On another note, had a brain fart buying primers from the only game in town and got CCI 550's. I will most likely use them this winter because it's minus 20 to minus 30 consistently out here at the moment. From the research I did, it looks like I can knock a couple of tenths of powder and it will all be good. Anyone care to weigh in on the subject of magnum primers? I only bought 500 and that equals a trip or two to the range so I'll definitely use them up in the cold weather.
Click to expand...

The best thing to do with the magnum primers is to use them as an excuse to get a 357 revolver and start reloading for it. You could use them in 9mm by knocking a few tenth of a grain (if that...) out of the load, but it's kind of a waste of a good excuse.
 
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