I am thinking of buying a pistol in 9mm and doing some IDPA with it. Now, is it worth getting set up to reload 9mm or just buy factory? I already reload my rifle rounds with a single stage Lee press, can I use the same press for pistol ammo or should I look into getting something else? Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated.
9mm Reloading - Opinions?
- Thread starter Recce21
- Start date
Go with a progressive or if you are able, buy re-manufactured ammo such as that offered by BDX (Despite my grumblings with Kurt, his ammo is top notch).
Factory ammo is expensive (even 9mm) when you compare the costs of it to a reloading set up.
Factory ammo is expensive (even 9mm) when you compare the costs of it to a reloading set up.
I'm in Calgary.
dinsdale
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just outside the Ottawa City Limits!
I can do ~ 100 rounds an hour in a single stage press.
4.6 grains 231 under 124 grain AIM at 1.100 C.O.L.
132 PF
3.8 grains Unique under 147 grain Frontiers at 1.085 C.O.L.
136 PF
Why? I enjoy reloading and find it relaxing.
Sitting around home doing nothing during cold dark winter months = free reloading time.
Might as well put a price on your time for everything you do.
4.6 grains 231 under 124 grain AIM at 1.100 C.O.L.
132 PF
3.8 grains Unique under 147 grain Frontiers at 1.085 C.O.L.
136 PF
Why? I enjoy reloading and find it relaxing.
Sitting around home doing nothing during cold dark winter months = free reloading time.
Might as well put a price on your time for everything you do.
russels has/ should have everything you need- there are no "special " steps between rifle and pistol, except you don't lube pistol rounds if you're using a carbide die-you will find that the single stage has very low output( i use a lee 1000) and the lead bullets if you really want to go cheap- 124 grainers out of plains ammo in sask- you're shooting for target, not self defense, so why bother with heavy bullets- and you MAY want to use one of those auto-primes- i do- i don't care for the primer feed on the 1000
I would recommend buying the 9mm dies to try reloading on your single stage. For 9mm I use:
3.2g of hodgdon titegroup
CCI small pistol primer
M.D. Charlton 124g .356 lead RN bullets
On my single stage press, with a powder measure, I can reload a round per minute. With my Lee turret press I'm able to reload 50 rounds in 20 minutes, including 1-2 minutes of preparation and general dicking around, so 150 rounds per hour.
You should just buy a pound of powder, 100 primers, the dies, and a primer pocket cleaner. You'll be out like $60.00 and you can sell the dies if it doesn't work out. If you're shooting more than 1000 rounds per month you'll probably want a full progressive, less than 1000 get a turret.
3.2g of hodgdon titegroup
CCI small pistol primer
M.D. Charlton 124g .356 lead RN bullets
On my single stage press, with a powder measure, I can reload a round per minute. With my Lee turret press I'm able to reload 50 rounds in 20 minutes, including 1-2 minutes of preparation and general dicking around, so 150 rounds per hour.
You should just buy a pound of powder, 100 primers, the dies, and a primer pocket cleaner. You'll be out like $60.00 and you can sell the dies if it doesn't work out. If you're shooting more than 1000 rounds per month you'll probably want a full progressive, less than 1000 get a turret.
Not at all, reloading pistol rounds is much simpler than reloading rifle rounds! You don't need to bother with trimming, deburring, etc.
Pretty much what I was going to say. Just goes to show that, for some people (the minority it seems), reloading is nothing more than a means to an end.
- Location
- Prince George B.C
I'm reloading 9mm for IPSC on a Lee turret. I like it a lot. It can really crank em out if you pay attention. Given the price of 9mm here, I couldn't afford not to. In a couple of matches I paid off the cost of the press
No failures so far, and I can tweak the round if I need to. I don't have tons of time, but I get a lot of satisfaction from reloading, so I don't mind. It also sucks if the supply runs out at the store and you are stuck. Go for it!
No failures so far, and I can tweak the round if I need to. I don't have tons of time, but I get a lot of satisfaction from reloading, so I don't mind. It also sucks if the supply runs out at the store and you are stuck. Go for it!
A progressive press is a must for pistol reloading; you will likely find loading pistol ammo on a single stage monotonous and time-consuming even if you only shoot a couple boxes a week. Cast or plated bullets are quite a bit less expensive than jacketed ones
If you don't want to get into reloading for your new pistol right off the bat, buy a supply of remanufactured ammo and save the brass for when you do start reloading.
If you don't want to get into reloading for your new pistol right off the bat, buy a supply of remanufactured ammo and save the brass for when you do start reloading.
Reloading pistol is much less "fussy" than reloading rifle. No case trimming, no weighing individual powder charges, no sorting cases.
Look for a 4+ station progressive, and I would suggest using the Lee Factory Crimp Die as the last die. It crimps and post sizes the finished cartridge for reliability.
In general, primers make no difference, cheaper the better. Any of the fast pistol powders or shotgun powders will work well. A ball powder (or flattened ball powder like Titegroup) meters the best.
I load 9mm for my shootin partner on my Dillon 550. Costs about $6.45/50 rounds at current prices. We use a DRG 135 Grn LRN over 3.9 of 231. gives almost exactly 1000fps out of his pre B CZ75. Will shoot a ragged hole at 15 yards but is a bit smokey. Once set up 400 rounds in an hour is easy if all components are ready to go.
From this weekend
Hope this helps you decide
Andy
From this weekend
Hope this helps you decide
Andy
Last edited:
+2 to what Sandroad has stated.
For bullets, I prefer plated or jacketed rounds. Check with AIM bullets; they have a Calgary based Rep./distributor - Frank K.
A 550b is an excellent press as is the 650 - consider future loading you'll likely want to do -(.223?)
