CAUTION: The following post includes loading data not covered by currently published sources of tested data for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assumes any liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of this information.
I fittingly spent this Independence Day by test-firing 10 rounds each of 4.9 and 5.4 grains of Alliant Unique underneath a 115-gr Hornady FMJ (the only 9mm bullets I could get my mits on). I used two different firearms- a Walther PPS Classic, my typical carry gun, and a Canik TP9 SF Elite. Both firearms functioned perfectly with the 5.4 grain powder charge; the full-size Canik failed to lock rearward on the last shot of 4.9 grains- twice. I was somewhat surprised by these results, as I figured my Walther would be the pickier of the two firearms, as it has a very stiff guide rod and spring assembly, which my wife can't even rack.
Overall, the felt recoil difference between the two loads was noticeable, with the 4.9-gr charge being very tame, and the 5.4 feeling very similar to most of the factory ammunition I've shot, or perhaps at the high end of that spectrum, anyway. I captured and inspected all brass; no signs of excess pressure or pushed-back primers.
I think I'll load 20 rounds with 5.1 grains next, and see if this is a happy medium for the Canik.
I also forgot to pack my target stand and tripod to measure the accuracy, so I'll have to do that this time around.
Any tips for a newbie reloader to practically/smart-ly test fire new hand loads? I'm hoping I can muster up the extra cheddar for a chronograph- I'm considering that a prerequisite for reloading the .223 brass I have saved all these years.
I gotta say, so far this reloading thing is a pretty cool way to blow a few hours a week!
I fittingly spent this Independence Day by test-firing 10 rounds each of 4.9 and 5.4 grains of Alliant Unique underneath a 115-gr Hornady FMJ (the only 9mm bullets I could get my mits on). I used two different firearms- a Walther PPS Classic, my typical carry gun, and a Canik TP9 SF Elite. Both firearms functioned perfectly with the 5.4 grain powder charge; the full-size Canik failed to lock rearward on the last shot of 4.9 grains- twice. I was somewhat surprised by these results, as I figured my Walther would be the pickier of the two firearms, as it has a very stiff guide rod and spring assembly, which my wife can't even rack.
Overall, the felt recoil difference between the two loads was noticeable, with the 4.9-gr charge being very tame, and the 5.4 feeling very similar to most of the factory ammunition I've shot, or perhaps at the high end of that spectrum, anyway. I captured and inspected all brass; no signs of excess pressure or pushed-back primers.
I think I'll load 20 rounds with 5.1 grains next, and see if this is a happy medium for the Canik.
I also forgot to pack my target stand and tripod to measure the accuracy, so I'll have to do that this time around.
Any tips for a newbie reloader to practically/smart-ly test fire new hand loads? I'm hoping I can muster up the extra cheddar for a chronograph- I'm considering that a prerequisite for reloading the .223 brass I have saved all these years.
I gotta say, so far this reloading thing is a pretty cool way to blow a few hours a week!