Just a check here, Is this safe?

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

I loaded up some test 9mm rounds useing a 147gr cast bullet, and blue dot powder.

I loaded up four loads, I believe they are 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8 grains. (Can't remember, but they are written on box I put them in).

Anyways, the max load was 5.7 grains, so im far from that. One thing that has me worried is that the 4.2 grains filled the cases quite full, and I am sure that the 4.8 load has the bullet touching the powder. This does not seem right to me and want to make sure I don't blow myself up.

I find it hard to beleive that this amount of powder can fill the case so much. I checked all the weights and they are what I think they are. ill double check before I shoot them but want to see what other think about them.

Thanks.

 

[ATOM]

Well, a pretty reliable data source is that of the powder firm itself.

Alliant's calculator doesn't list 147 gr cast bullets, but they do include 147 gr Sierra Gold Dot HP and the rule of thumb is that jacketed bullets produce higher pressure than cast (some wet finger in the air science, but generally valid), so it's safe to use jacketed loads for cast, but not the other way around.

For the 147 gr GDHP and CCI 500 primers, Alliant says you can use 5.8 gr of Blue Dot and a minimum COAL of 1.13" for a velocity of 1,001 fps. Please check that yourself to verify. (http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=147&shellid=23&bulletid=27).

So your much lighter loads would seem safe, based on Alliant's data. Compressed loads are not unknown, but I'm not sure how one would get 5.8 gr into a 9mm case in the first place.

Good luck.

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

OK so I should be good then?

 

[ATOM]

Again, I suggest you check for yourself, but based on the way I read the Alliant website load calculator, yes.