Wah-Hoooooo! Fired my first handloads today!

kingknives · November 1, 1999, 08:12 PM

And they all functioned and fired fine, and were more than accurate. I was shooting 9mm 115gr JHP over 6.9gr of Accurate #5. Very nice. As soon as I get my dies from Lee, I'll try out the .45. Thanks for all the advice from the Firing Line Forumites!

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Knee deep in brass, still shootin fast!

Stephen A. Camp · November 1, 1999, 10:00 PM

Hello and congratulations! It IS nice, isn't it? Best.

TheOtherMikey · November 1, 1999, 10:41 PM

I am firmly convinced, and have expounded here, that handloading is at least as enjoyable as shooting.
Walk tall, shoot straight, and tell the truth, Mikey

Contender · November 2, 1999, 09:20 AM

Kingknives, It's always great when you fire your first handload and when you open your eyes,the gun and the end of your arm are still there. Ah, SUCCESS!

(Great to have all doubt removed isn't it?)

Have Fun!

[This message has been edited by Contender (edited November 02, 1999).]

LongDuck · November 3, 1999, 04:43 PM

It's a great feeling! Glad you find it as rewarding as you did.

Just thought I'd mention that I think your powder load may be a bit stiff for AA#5. I've been using 6.1gr (6.2 max according to Lee manual) in my Glock 19's and they function best with very good accuracy. The load you're using seems a bit hot, so watch for pressure signs, and even if you're not getting any you might want to recheck values.

Congrats, and take care,

[for clarity, my recipe is:]

Winchester Cases
Winchester SPP
Accurate #5 x 6.1gr
HardCast 115gr, RN-Copper Plate
Lee Perfect Powder Measure
Lee dies
Lee Reloader scale
HTH.

[This message has been edited by LongDuck (edited November 03, 1999).]

Chad Young · November 3, 1999, 05:09 PM

Two other powders you may wish to consider for 9mm reloading are Winchester 231 and WSF (Winchester Super Field). Takes less powder to get a full power load, which stretched the $ a bit better.

I find 115gr FMJ over 4.8 grains (I think that is the right amount) of 231 to be an easy shooting practice load.

PaulTX · November 6, 1999, 12:10 AM

I've been reloading about 2 years now - 9mm and .45 ACP. I tested my first reloads by putting one round in each of three magazines and turning my head away before I firing. It's a great feeling to shoot your first reloads!

Get and use a Lee Factory Crimp die! I've never had a problem with a round that was crimped and final sized by this die.

[This message has been edited by PaulTX (edited November 06, 1999).]

WESHOOT2 · November 6, 1999, 08:56 PM

Welcome!

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"

November 1, 1999, 08:12 PM	#1
kingknives Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 1999 Location: SW Florida Posts: 214	And they all functioned and fired fine, and were more than accurate. I was shooting 9mm 115gr JHP over 6.9gr of Accurate #5. Very nice. As soon as I get my dies from Lee, I'll try out the .45. Thanks for all the advice from the Firing Line Forumites! ------------------ Knee deep in brass, still shootin fast!

November 1, 1999, 10:00 PM	#2
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 16, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello and congratulations! It IS nice, isn't it? Best.

November 1, 1999, 10:41 PM	#3
TheOtherMikey Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 1999 Location: Surprise, Arizona, USA Posts: 171	I am firmly convinced, and have expounded here, that handloading is at least as enjoyable as shooting. Walk tall, shoot straight, and tell the truth, Mikey

November 2, 1999, 09:20 AM	#4
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Kingknives, It's always great when you fire your first handload and when you open your eyes,the gun and the end of your arm are still there. Ah, SUCCESS! (Great to have all doubt removed isn't it?) Have Fun! [This message has been edited by Contender (edited November 02, 1999).]

November 3, 1999, 04:43 PM	#5
LongDuck Member Join Date: September 15, 1999 Posts: 97	It's a great feeling! Glad you find it as rewarding as you did. Just thought I'd mention that I think your powder load may be a bit stiff for AA#5. I've been using 6.1gr (6.2 max according to Lee manual) in my Glock 19's and they function best with very good accuracy. The load you're using seems a bit hot, so watch for pressure signs, and even if you're not getting any you might want to recheck values. Congrats, and take care, [for clarity, my recipe is:] Winchester Cases Winchester SPP Accurate #5 x 6.1gr HardCast 115gr, RN-Copper Plate Lee Perfect Powder Measure Lee dies Lee Reloader scale HTH. [This message has been edited by LongDuck (edited November 03, 1999).]

November 3, 1999, 05:09 PM	#6
Chad Young Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 1999 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 601	Two other powders you may wish to consider for 9mm reloading are Winchester 231 and WSF (Winchester Super Field). Takes less powder to get a full power load, which stretched the $ a bit better. I find 115gr FMJ over 4.8 grains (I think that is the right amount) of 231 to be an easy shooting practice load.

November 6, 1999, 12:10 AM	#7
PaulTX Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 1999 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 107	I've been reloading about 2 years now - 9mm and .45 ACP. I tested my first reloads by putting one round in each of three magazines and turning my head away before I firing. It's a great feeling to shoot your first reloads! Get and use a Lee Factory Crimp die! I've never had a problem with a round that was crimped and final sized by this die. [This message has been edited by PaulTX (edited November 06, 1999).]

November 6, 1999, 08:56 PM	#8
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Welcome! ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"