231 is 231; doesn't matter how old it is, you're just not using ENOUGH - no NEED to buy new books, just USE THE ADVICE you've been given or go to the manufacturer's site( winchester, hogdon, etc) and LOOK IT UP- then PRINT the page and add it to your notes- i keep a 3 ring for just such a purpose- it's got a string through it and hangs on a nail in my reloading room- in it there's EVERY piece of ANECDOTAL INFORMATION i've accumulated over 40 years of reloading- as long as that powder goes boom, and DOESN'T SMELL FUNNY- like rotten eggs; you're good to go
9mm reloading failures
- Thread starter williams_19
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231 is 231; doesn't matter how old it is, you're just not using ENOUGH - no NEED to buy new books, just USE THE ADVICE you've been given or go to the manufacturer's site( winchester, hogdon, etc) and LOOK IT UP- then PRINT the page and add it to your notes- i keep a 3 ring for just such a purpose- it's got a string through it and hangs on a nail in my reloading room- in it there's EVERY piece of ANECDOTAL INFORMATION i've accumulated over 40 years of reloading- as long as that powder goes boom, and DOESN'T SMELL FUNNY- like rotten eggs; you're good to go
Assuming COAL is correct and that you've properly sized and assembled the rounds, the fact that factory ammo works fine indicates that the problem is probably not with the weapon, but rather with the recipe you are using - most likely underpowered rounds. Given that semiauto pistols work on Newton's 3rd Law - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, underpowered loads just don't provide the slide with enough oomph to make it do everything it's supposed to do.
If I underload my 9mm's, I get the same sort of problem as your first two.
Looking at my copy of Sierra's 5th edition manual for 125 gr FMJ, for 231, it lists min/max loads as 3.9 and 5.1 gr. For Unique, it says min/max is 4.1 and 5.6 gr. Always approach max loads with caution! Based on that, try gradually upping your load, watching for signs of high pressure, and stop when (if) it starts performing properly.
Yes, smokeless propellant can indeed go bad, but generally only if badly stored - in the presence of chemicals or in a very warm spot. If upping your loads doesn't do it, powder's cheap enough. Replace your grandfather's with something newer.
BTW, many people are unaware that reloading manuals are, shall we say, works in progress. The recipes do tend to change somewhat over time. While I still have my first reloading manual (a Speer, too), I buy a new one every so often to stay current. I'd suggest that you give your grandfather's book a place of honour on your shelf and get something more current.
If I underload my 9mm's, I get the same sort of problem as your first two.
Looking at my copy of Sierra's 5th edition manual for 125 gr FMJ, for 231, it lists min/max loads as 3.9 and 5.1 gr. For Unique, it says min/max is 4.1 and 5.6 gr. Always approach max loads with caution! Based on that, try gradually upping your load, watching for signs of high pressure, and stop when (if) it starts performing properly.
Yes, smokeless propellant can indeed go bad, but generally only if badly stored - in the presence of chemicals or in a very warm spot. If upping your loads doesn't do it, powder's cheap enough. Replace your grandfather's with something newer.
BTW, many people are unaware that reloading manuals are, shall we say, works in progress. The recipes do tend to change somewhat over time. While I still have my first reloading manual (a Speer, too), I buy a new one every so often to stay current. I'd suggest that you give your grandfather's book a place of honour on your shelf and get something more current.
