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Please confirm my 1st batch of handloads are "ok"
- Thread starter cjsoccer3
- Start date
9mm Luger
115 jacketed hp (xtp hp)
5.9 to 6.0 grns of Power Pistol
Case length .754 to .744
Overall length 1.075-1.090
This appears to perfectly fall in between my Lyman 49th edition and hornady handbook.
Will fire through a glock 43.
Have you done a plunk test yet?
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Yep tested
Yep. They chamber just fine - plunked and rolled a few. Chambered one several times measuring to see if OAL dropped all to make sure the crimp was alright. Didnt find a measurable difference there.
Crimped as little as I could - you see a slight outline of the bullet behind the brass on most, but I still tried to be pretty minimalist on the crimp.
Yep. They chamber just fine - plunked and rolled a few. Chambered one several times measuring to see if OAL dropped all to make sure the crimp was alright. Didnt find a measurable difference there.
Crimped as little as I could - you see a slight outline of the bullet behind the brass on most, but I still tried to be pretty minimalist on the crimp.
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Yep. They chamber just fine - plunked and rolled a few. Chambered one several times measuring to see if OAL dropped all to make sure the crimp was alright. Didnt find a measurable difference there.
Crimped as little as I could - you see a slight outline of the bullet behind the brass on most, but I was still tried to be pretty minimalist on the crimp.
I don't have my book in front of me but if you are in the middle pass the plunk test then the only other thing is make sure that the primers are fully seated.
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Thanks for your help! Yep I seated these primers with a hand tool this first go around. Cleaned the primer pockets before I primed. They look good.
These your first reloads?
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ShootistPRS
New member
The load is below maximum, the length fits in your chamber it all sounds good to go.
As long as there are no inverted primers, double powder charges, or missing powder charges it is as close to perfect as a gun needs. Fire at will!
As long as there are no inverted primers, double powder charges, or missing powder charges it is as close to perfect as a gun needs. Fire at will!
Thank you
Thankfully it appears the load can't be double charged without spilling over. Took one aside to see what a double charge would look like - spilled over.
5.9 grains gets me at least 2/3rds full maybe 3/4th. I calibrated the scale, so the amount should be right on.
Thankfully it appears the load can't be double charged without spilling over. Took one aside to see what a double charge would look like - spilled over.
5.9 grains gets me at least 2/3rds full maybe 3/4th. I calibrated the scale, so the amount should be right on.
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TheGuyOfSouthamerica
Moderator
I seat as well with an OAL of 1.085“. If the case is 2/3 full the bullet sits aboit rigth above the powder. If the case is 3/4 full you may have a compressed load.
I wouldnt be able to fit more than 4 grain without compressing.
I wouldnt be able to fit more than 4 grain without compressing.
random guy
New member
You picked a great powder for high perf loads. And great as you note in that it can't be double charged. The only thing left to watch for is missing or inaccurate charges. After missing a charge years ago I began to charge all cases at once then inspect them in the loading block before seating all bullets. Hard to believe but a missing powder charge can potentially blow your gun to bits in your hand.
Your overall length is a bit shorter than what is usually recommended. If it were going to be a problem though, it probably would not be with your starting load. Depending on the exact bullet you are using, that OAL may be just right. You might verify that before proceeding though.
High primers would be another thing to check for. They should be seated fully and just below the surface of the case head. I think you have the right idea on crimp for a semi-auto. Just ironing out the flare in most cases.
Bullet setback during feeding can be a serious problem. It sounds like your cases have a good grip on the bullet though. I always test a few rounds during setup (and any that feel like they seated too easily) by pressing the bullet tip against my bench. Substantial pressure, let's say 20 lbs, should not push the bullet deeper into the case.
Your overall length is a bit shorter than what is usually recommended. If it were going to be a problem though, it probably would not be with your starting load. Depending on the exact bullet you are using, that OAL may be just right. You might verify that before proceeding though.
High primers would be another thing to check for. They should be seated fully and just below the surface of the case head. I think you have the right idea on crimp for a semi-auto. Just ironing out the flare in most cases.
Bullet setback during feeding can be a serious problem. It sounds like your cases have a good grip on the bullet though. I always test a few rounds during setup (and any that feel like they seated too easily) by pressing the bullet tip against my bench. Substantial pressure, let's say 20 lbs, should not push the bullet deeper into the case.
They worked
I shot them all today. About 175 rounds. Two failures to extract; they burnt a little dirty. Seems like they performed like light loads as 'designed.' No pressure issue signs - only those prior signs of light pressure. A bit more muzzle flash than average, but that's just power pistol.
I'll likely bring the grains up to 6.0-6.1 and keeping the length closer to 1.09. I'll probably end up stopping at 6.1. Just enough to cycle the short barrel.
Again, thanks for helping!
I shot them all today. About 175 rounds. Two failures to extract; they burnt a little dirty. Seems like they performed like light loads as 'designed.' No pressure issue signs - only those prior signs of light pressure. A bit more muzzle flash than average, but that's just power pistol.
I'll likely bring the grains up to 6.0-6.1 and keeping the length closer to 1.09. I'll probably end up stopping at 6.1. Just enough to cycle the short barrel.
Again, thanks for helping!
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"...5.9 to 6.0 grns of Power Pistol, Case length .754 to .744, Overall length 1.075-1.090..." All that is load data and dimensions, not a load. None of it is unsafe. The OAL is very close to minimum though.
There is no 'fall in between' 2 manuals. Pick one manual(preferably the Lyman). All of 'em will be slightly different anyway.
Anyway, Alliant says 6.7 grains of Power Pistol is max for a jacketed 115. That means 6.0 is the start load. Max load minus 10%.
Never bothered fussing with OAL myself. I just use the max given in my Lyman manual. 1.169" is max for 9mm. Save you a lot of mucking around using that.
There is no 'fall in between' 2 manuals. Pick one manual(preferably the Lyman). All of 'em will be slightly different anyway.
Anyway, Alliant says 6.7 grains of Power Pistol is max for a jacketed 115. That means 6.0 is the start load. Max load minus 10%.
Never bothered fussing with OAL myself. I just use the max given in my Lyman manual. 1.169" is max for 9mm. Save you a lot of mucking around using that.
If Lyman lists 1.09 as their minimum, what's the maximum? I know a lot of people say what fits in the max.
The reason they say that is that function in the magazine and pistol is the only thing that determines a maximum length in any practical sense. Going below a minimum length, on the other hand, causes pressure increases that can be dangerous, because you are essentially burning the same amount of powder with the same gas production, all in a smaller space. IOW, if you make the rounds too long, they won't load and chamber correctly, and you will know it. If you make them too short, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you pull the trigger.
random guy
New member
The best length is going to vary with the particular bullet shape.
For your 115gr XTP, 1.125" is a commonly used overall length. So you may be just a bit short. I'd say it's very unlikely that you will have too high pressure with the charge you are using. If the rounds feed well at that length and you increase the charge slowly (if desired), you shouldn't have any trouble. One good thing about loading a bit shorter is that you have more bullet shank for the case to grip.
Here is a load similar to yours that I got good results with:
115 Ranier plated HP
Fed brass
Win std primer
4" barrel S&W M&P
6.6 gr. Power Pistol
AVG. 1240 fps. / 393 fpe SD 6 fps.
I actually went a fair ways farther into +P territory and got 1300+fps and 440fpe with no apparent problems. Not something you want to shoot all the time if at all though. You should have a substantial safety margin with your current load.
For your 115gr XTP, 1.125" is a commonly used overall length. So you may be just a bit short. I'd say it's very unlikely that you will have too high pressure with the charge you are using. If the rounds feed well at that length and you increase the charge slowly (if desired), you shouldn't have any trouble. One good thing about loading a bit shorter is that you have more bullet shank for the case to grip.
Here is a load similar to yours that I got good results with:
115 Ranier plated HP
Fed brass
Win std primer
4" barrel S&W M&P
6.6 gr. Power Pistol
AVG. 1240 fps. / 393 fpe SD 6 fps.
I actually went a fair ways farther into +P territory and got 1300+fps and 440fpe with no apparent problems. Not something you want to shoot all the time if at all though. You should have a substantial safety margin with your current load.
TheGuyOfSouthamerica
Moderator
I shot the gun over an chronograph today again.
I did put an simple rubber O-Ring over the spring&guide rod to similate the Wilson Combat Shok Buff. This works well with the rubber O-Ring.
However I experienced a slight difference in reloads from this gun and the SD9VE.
The SD9VE shot an 3.3 grain VV N330 powered 9mm case seated to OAL of 1.040" reliably. However the velocity must have been in the realm of an 38 spl only (at that time I did not have yet an Chronograph).
I received load data for the powder from the shotshell companies. The one spanish one is loaded with (Vectan A1) an powder equivalent of VV N330 and the other spanish brand has CSB 1P powder in it. The argentinian shotshells I have no clue which powder they have in it but it is most likely the so called FM powder known here by that Name on the black marked (BTW I never bought any powder on the Black Market here to Keep within law regulations)
The rounds below are all loaded with Maxam CSB 1P shotshell powder but to simplify I say it is VV N330 (which is a quicker burning powder than Maxam A1).
Now to use the Lee 0.5 cc powder dipper which trhows 3.9 to 4.0 grains of powder I seatd the 124 grain Lee lead TC TL bullet to 1.085" and had almost allways a failure to feed. I realised the slide did not have enough momentum to the rear to load the new round. With this I got 972 (3.5 grain powder) fps which is 260 ft-lbs and 933 fps for 3.3 grain powder which is 240 ft-lbs.
Then I seated the bullets to OAL of 1.062" and with that I got 1027 fps and the gun loaded but on the weak side. This gives an energy of 290 ft-lbs.
Since the slide had a weak travel back feel, I seated the bullets a bit deeper to 1.051" OAL. This gave me an velocity of 1036 fps and an energy Level of 295 ft-lbs which is a very weak 9mm but the Taurus PT 92 AFS reloaded reliably and had a kick to it but did not lock back on the last round (which I don't care about since it mayb due to the rubber O-Ring shock buffer).
This is the weakest powder I have and the other powders may give more velocity.
I did put an simple rubber O-Ring over the spring&guide rod to similate the Wilson Combat Shok Buff. This works well with the rubber O-Ring.
However I experienced a slight difference in reloads from this gun and the SD9VE.
The SD9VE shot an 3.3 grain VV N330 powered 9mm case seated to OAL of 1.040" reliably. However the velocity must have been in the realm of an 38 spl only (at that time I did not have yet an Chronograph).
I received load data for the powder from the shotshell companies. The one spanish one is loaded with (Vectan A1) an powder equivalent of VV N330 and the other spanish brand has CSB 1P powder in it. The argentinian shotshells I have no clue which powder they have in it but it is most likely the so called FM powder known here by that Name on the black marked (BTW I never bought any powder on the Black Market here to Keep within law regulations)
The rounds below are all loaded with Maxam CSB 1P shotshell powder but to simplify I say it is VV N330 (which is a quicker burning powder than Maxam A1).
Now to use the Lee 0.5 cc powder dipper which trhows 3.9 to 4.0 grains of powder I seatd the 124 grain Lee lead TC TL bullet to 1.085" and had almost allways a failure to feed. I realised the slide did not have enough momentum to the rear to load the new round. With this I got 972 (3.5 grain powder) fps which is 260 ft-lbs and 933 fps for 3.3 grain powder which is 240 ft-lbs.
Then I seated the bullets to OAL of 1.062" and with that I got 1027 fps and the gun loaded but on the weak side. This gives an energy of 290 ft-lbs.
Since the slide had a weak travel back feel, I seated the bullets a bit deeper to 1.051" OAL. This gave me an velocity of 1036 fps and an energy Level of 295 ft-lbs which is a very weak 9mm but the Taurus PT 92 AFS reloaded reliably and had a kick to it but did not lock back on the last round (which I don't care about since it mayb due to the rubber O-Ring shock buffer).
This is the weakest powder I have and the other powders may give more velocity.
" Hard to believe but a missing powder charge can potentially blow your gun to bits in your hand."
I'm a fairly new reloader and I just have to ask regarding this statement, HOW?
If you're only shooting an empty cartridge with primer only, how could the gun explode? Doesn't seem possible to me. I'd like to know, please.
TheGuyOfSouthamerica
Moderator
most certainly he means the primer can push out a bullet into the Barrel and there it gets stuck.
If you dont realise it and shoot another round the misshappening will happen.
If you dont realise it and shoot another round the misshappening will happen.
I will give this a shot. Normally, I don't look in much detail, but I thought I might learn something.
First, from SAAMI, your CL is ok, but I wonder how you measured.
Your powder charge looks low....quite low. Maybe it is a low accuracy node....is it? Safe, yes. Accurate? Clean?
Your oal looks short. How did you come up with this? Did you plunk test? Look it up. You want to load at plunk test length.
You want to load test loads from min go max and find your accuracy nodes. Even a rough try has some value. Accuracy is safety. Inaccurate loads may be too hot.
First, from SAAMI, your CL is ok, but I wonder how you measured.
Your powder charge looks low....quite low. Maybe it is a low accuracy node....is it? Safe, yes. Accurate? Clean?
Your oal looks short. How did you come up with this? Did you plunk test? Look it up. You want to load at plunk test length.
You want to load test loads from min go max and find your accuracy nodes. Even a rough try has some value. Accuracy is safety. Inaccurate loads may be too hot.