After much thought and a lot of independent research, I decided to start learning the artisan skill of reloading my own ammunition. I want to do it right, and I understand there are many factors at play which is why before I even assemble my press, I want to reach out to people who know more than I do in this area for advice.
I try to base my decisions on numbers and truths, and I respect physics! People go back and forth often about using one data set instead of following another data set. Fair enough. I've tried to take it all into consideration when creating my own data sets.
I am using Berry's 9mm 115gr RN plated bullets (.356) and Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder. After geeking out in my notebook I represented the data into two charts that I am want to use to make some kind of educated guess on where to actually start my load weight and what to expect and where the max load is and what values to expect. Of course, I want to tailor my ammunition to my firearms but I want to make sure I can create ammunition based on real data that is safe to fire and make most efficient for my handgun.
I did extensive comparisons with powder shapes, burn rates, and compositions from seven different reloading books, and reading others' experiences. Not all sources gave me velocities for starting loads so while it is an issue to represent the data exactly throughout. If for the sake of representing relevant data, reflecting the max charge load weight vs velocity to determine a starting load while visualizing velocity trend by assuming a linear relationship between charge weight and velocity. Only the max load weights have a known muzzle velocity hence the line density.
In my findings I was able to get the pressure (PSI) at the maximum load for 6 of the 8 other powders which I graphed to analyze the relationship with max load and generated pressure. I do not know myself, other than internet research, what an acceptable cartridge pressure is to measure at, which is why I wanted to have the data in front of me. Would it make sense to create 5 rounds ranging from charge weights from 4.8gr - 5.4gr based on this chart and my specific components, then fine tuning from there, worrying about other values.
Please give me any amount of productive advice, or criticism for any reason. I love to learn and become better skilled in as many facets of life as I can. I would be grateful to know at this point, where any experienced, or enthusiastic reloaders would go from this point on (if it wasn't all useless) given I have all the components and machinery.
I try to base my decisions on numbers and truths, and I respect physics! People go back and forth often about using one data set instead of following another data set. Fair enough. I've tried to take it all into consideration when creating my own data sets.
I am using Berry's 9mm 115gr RN plated bullets (.356) and Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder. After geeking out in my notebook I represented the data into two charts that I am want to use to make some kind of educated guess on where to actually start my load weight and what to expect and where the max load is and what values to expect. Of course, I want to tailor my ammunition to my firearms but I want to make sure I can create ammunition based on real data that is safe to fire and make most efficient for my handgun.
I did extensive comparisons with powder shapes, burn rates, and compositions from seven different reloading books, and reading others' experiences. Not all sources gave me velocities for starting loads so while it is an issue to represent the data exactly throughout. If for the sake of representing relevant data, reflecting the max charge load weight vs velocity to determine a starting load while visualizing velocity trend by assuming a linear relationship between charge weight and velocity. Only the max load weights have a known muzzle velocity hence the line density.
In my findings I was able to get the pressure (PSI) at the maximum load for 6 of the 8 other powders which I graphed to analyze the relationship with max load and generated pressure. I do not know myself, other than internet research, what an acceptable cartridge pressure is to measure at, which is why I wanted to have the data in front of me. Would it make sense to create 5 rounds ranging from charge weights from 4.8gr - 5.4gr based on this chart and my specific components, then fine tuning from there, worrying about other values.
Please give me any amount of productive advice, or criticism for any reason. I love to learn and become better skilled in as many facets of life as I can. I would be grateful to know at this point, where any experienced, or enthusiastic reloaders would go from this point on (if it wasn't all useless) given I have all the components and machinery.