9 mm load

wrangler yj · September 3, 2009, 07:33 PM

I started to work up a load for my Springfield XD9. I wanted to try some different powders. I settled on going with Blue Dot. The first loads would not allow the pistol to completely cycle. I worked up a hotter load using Blue Dot with 5.1 grns. with Hornady 147 gr. HP-BT. According to Hornady's book, the C.O.L should be 1.100. I could only get 1.126. The bullet is compressing the powder. This is not the max load. The pistol seems to cycle properly, but I have never loaded a round where the bullet is compressing the powder. Is this something that happens often or should I stay away from this condition.

PCJim · September 3, 2009, 08:43 PM

Speer #14 lists 5.1gr as the starting load at a COL of 1.13, Speer case
Lyman #49 lists 5.3 gr as the starting load at a COL of 1.115, Federal case

Neither of these manuals indicate a compressed load with Blue Dot powder. Remember that a longer COL will produce a lower pressure. Ss long as your finished rounds will work in your magazine and feed properly, loading to a longer COL is acceptable.

I have no idea what brass you are using or it's volume capacity. It is possible that the above brass have a larger volume capacity than what you are using, which could explain the compressed powder. Personally, I'd load a few at 1.13 as Speer lists and check them for function.

McClintock · September 4, 2009, 11:40 AM

In my limited experience, you find compressed loads more in rifle cartridge reloading than handgun, but YMMV. I've personally never used a compressed load, either in the 9mm or .223 that I load for, that to me just seems like asking for trouble, but that's just me.

+1 to PCJim, I'd go with the longer COL. If you're not over maximum COL (1.169) you won't hurt anything.

My $0.02.

Cheers!
McClintock

bozhoz · September 4, 2009, 12:54 PM

I use IMR SR4756. I have gone as high as 6.2 grains on a max of 6.3, and they were compressed. The manual clearly stated, however, that this was a compressed load. If you are getting a compressed load when you are not anticipating, I would stop and re-evaluate the situation... Is the scale accurate? Are you using brass with a lower volume than the norm? Etc. Basically, if you are getting something other than what the reloading manuals tell you you should be getting, stop and determine why before firing.

brando77 · September 4, 2009, 04:33 PM

when i load for 9mm i use 4.5gr red dot & 124gr win fmj bullets and the load is compressed just a tad, since i don't use blue dot i can't say anything about it,but the red dot loads shoot just fine compressed.

wrangler yj · September 4, 2009, 05:19 PM

I figured that since I was using Hornady bullets, just go by their manual. Will look in my Lyman & also Lee book to see what they give. I do have Red Dot powder, once I shoot these ones up will give the Red Dot a try. Then see which one shoots better out of this pistol. Thank you all that replied.

September 3, 2009, 07:33 PM	#1
wrangler yj Member Join Date: July 21, 2009 Location: Southeastern Ohio Posts: 67	9 mm load I started to work up a load for my Springfield XD9. I wanted to try some different powders. I settled on going with Blue Dot. The first loads would not allow the pistol to completely cycle. I worked up a hotter load using Blue Dot with 5.1 grns. with Hornady 147 gr. HP-BT. According to Hornady's book, the C.O.L should be 1.100. I could only get 1.126. The bullet is compressing the powder. This is not the max load. The pistol seems to cycle properly, but I have never loaded a round where the bullet is compressing the powder. Is this something that happens often or should I stay away from this condition.

September 3, 2009, 08:43 PM	#2
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	Speer #14 lists 5.1gr as the starting load at a COL of 1.13, Speer case Lyman #49 lists 5.3 gr as the starting load at a COL of 1.115, Federal case Neither of these manuals indicate a compressed load with Blue Dot powder. Remember that a longer COL will produce a lower pressure. Ss long as your finished rounds will work in your magazine and feed properly, loading to a longer COL is acceptable. I have no idea what brass you are using or it's volume capacity. It is possible that the above brass have a larger volume capacity than what you are using, which could explain the compressed powder. Personally, I'd load a few at 1.13 as Speer lists and check them for function.

September 4, 2009, 11:40 AM	#3
McClintock Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: The Bald Prairie of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 305	In my limited experience, you find compressed loads more in rifle cartridge reloading than handgun, but YMMV. I've personally never used a compressed load, either in the 9mm or .223 that I load for, that to me just seems like asking for trouble, but that's just me. +1 to PCJim, I'd go with the longer COL. If you're not over maximum COL (1.169) you won't hurt anything. My $0.02. Cheers! McClintock

September 4, 2009, 12:54 PM	#4
bozhoz Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Posts: 82	I use IMR SR4756. I have gone as high as 6.2 grains on a max of 6.3, and they were compressed. The manual clearly stated, however, that this was a compressed load. If you are getting a compressed load when you are not anticipating, I would stop and re-evaluate the situation... Is the scale accurate? Are you using brass with a lower volume than the norm? Etc. Basically, if you are getting something other than what the reloading manuals tell you you should be getting, stop and determine why before firing.

September 4, 2009, 04:33 PM	#5
brando77 Member Join Date: April 26, 2009 Posts: 31	when i load for 9mm i use 4.5gr red dot & 124gr win fmj bullets and the load is compressed just a tad, since i don't use blue dot i can't say anything about it,but the red dot loads shoot just fine compressed.

September 4, 2009, 05:19 PM	#6
wrangler yj Member Join Date: July 21, 2009 Location: Southeastern Ohio Posts: 67	I figured that since I was using Hornady bullets, just go by their manual. Will look in my Lyman & also Lee book to see what they give. I do have Red Dot powder, once I shoot these ones up will give the Red Dot a try. Then see which one shoots better out of this pistol. Thank you all that replied.