9mm reloading; using what I have.

pathdoc · August 22, 2015, 06:27 PM

My shotshell reloading hobby means I have red dot, 700X and even a jar of American Select at hand. My immediate availability projectiles (not yet bought) are Hornady 115 gn and Winchester 124gn jacketed (FMJ in both cases IIRC). I do not as yet have brass (can scavenge) or primers.

Does anyone out there know of suitable recipes?

MarkGlazer · August 22, 2015, 07:20 PM

https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

I would strongly suggest you procure a loading manual as well and read through it before you create rounds.

Please be careful out there.

jetinteriorguy · August 22, 2015, 07:33 PM

I've had good success with 700-X and 124gr copper coated bullets from Extreme Bullets. Makes a nice, reliable, inexpensive plinking/target round.

pathdoc · August 23, 2015, 12:05 PM

Mark Glazer, I have substantial experience with bottle neck rifle cartridges, but this will be my first straight walled pistol cartridge. I have several loading manuals, and you can be sure I will be reading them carefully before I load the first round.

T. O'Heir · August 23, 2015, 01:25 PM

The 700X will do nicely for both cast and jacketed. So with the Select. Oddly, Alliant doesn't give any 9mm data with Red Dot. Might be just the site though.
Only ever use Bullseye for the same reason you're using those powders. S'what I have. My Inglis BHP is not up to great accuracy either.

Average Joe · August 23, 2015, 06:10 PM

I load 9mm 124 jacketed bullets with 4.0 - 4.5 grains of Red Dot.

jetinteriorguy · August 24, 2015, 04:42 AM

I forgot to mention one thing with the 700-X, it doesn't meter the best so I tap the powder measure with my finger three times on the up stroke and on the down stroke and get good consistent loads. This is with the Lee Pro Auto Disc, the cavity I use is just small enough that occasionally the powder will bridge a bit without tapping it.

Metal god · August 25, 2015, 03:05 AM

Quote:

I have substantial experience with bottle neck rifle cartridges, but this will be my first straight walled pistol cartridge.

That's me in a nut shell but I have started loading pistol rounds . I only have a few hundred loaded so far not including load development . I've heard it's easier to load pistol but I'm not convinced .

I just had what I consider a big issue trying to stop bullet set back in a 1911 . I could not and when I say I couldn't I mean it . I crimped the hell out of the bullet and still got set back .005 each time tested using a bullet comparator to measure .

I started a few threads on some forums and pretty much what I got was "deal with it " . I'd be freaking out if my 308 , 270 , 223 , 30-30 , 5.56 loads were getting .005 of bullet set back and still am a little about these pistol rounds .

But wait there's more . So I start to load lead bullets and they are a whole different ball game it seems . Need a good charge to not lead barrel , to much crimp /to little crimp , Flare is not enough shaving lead off bullet , oh no now to much flare .

Mix brass it does not matter , no no never mix brass

Calgon take me away

Anyways I don't remember so many things to think about when I started loading for my rifles . So yes read up and test some dummy rounds before you start charging the cases .

pathdoc · October 18, 2015, 10:11 AM

Okay, long time no see, but update: got in touch with Hodgdon after Winchester and Hornady were both less than helpful, and I now have load data they gave me based on "bullets of similar construction". All is good there. I intend to load five at minimum then five each 0.2 and 0.4gn above that, so long as I am still 0.2gn below maximum. That should keep me safe-ish, but any hints on pressure signs in the 9mm would be helpful. Needless to say, I will be firing for function at first, so close I can't miss, to ensure that the bullets have left the barrel. Once that is established, I can start accuracy testing.

The Hornady bullets have a published oAL but the Winchesters don't, so I'll be trying max listed OAL first unless that seats the bullet out too far to hold in the case well or causes feed issues, then I'll seat halfway to putting the parallel part of the projectile all in and adjust from there.

Nick_C_S · October 18, 2015, 01:45 PM

What gun will be shooting these?

Quote:

any hints on pressure signs in the 9mm would be helpful.

There is no quick n easy way to answer this. From my experience - which isn't as much as some other calibers I shoot a lot more - about all you notice is slightly bulged brass (and it's a very subtle thing, as all brass is going to bulge to some degree), and sharp, snappy recoil - which is dependant on your recoil spring being healthy and of correct poundage. You're not going to see flattened primers like you would with hot 357 Mag loads. So yes, it's a little tough to tell with 9mm. That's the bad news.

The good news is, most modern 9mm's are built with a good deal of "headroom." I have never had a problem by following published data. Now I don't build hotrod ammo. But I have built some 9mm ammo with recipes that slightly exceed max published data, and have never had any problem. As long as you're following published data from a reliable source; and your loading techinque is good, you should be fine.

Doing load workups is always a leap of faith. The best you can do is make that leap distance as short as possible.

pathdoc · October 18, 2015, 01:56 PM

As far as I am aware, my gun is brand new, so if its recoil spring is not healthy or of correct poundage I should be very displeased. I've been shooting factory loads in it, at least until such time as I was sure I was happy with the accuracy and function, and I shall keep on using it for some time as a reference standard, but I'm never happier than when shooting my own ammo - and eventually I will move on to casting.

FITASC · October 18, 2015, 07:12 PM

You sound as if you are not up to speed when it comes to high pressure pistol rounds where a small difference in powder or OAL can mean a bug difference. IF that assumption is correct, read a lot before you proceed.

pathdoc · July 9, 2016, 06:27 PM

Final update: Lee's Modern Reloading (Second Edition) came to the rescue, with 700X loads for both 115gn and 124gn generic (no specific projectile/manufacturer named) jacketed bullets. For both it recommends just north of 4gn or 0.5cc of 700X, and the 0.5 scoop. These are recommended START loads.

Unless someone can come up with a good reason why I shouldn't, I am going to climb the ladder to this from where I am now and see what happens.

turtlehead · July 9, 2016, 06:47 PM

Whoa there! Don't be in such a rush!

jetinteriorguy · July 10, 2016, 06:30 AM

I've been shooting 700X in my 9mm for over two years and at least 2000 rounds with no problem. The only problem is that it doesn't meter well through some powder measures, but works fine in my Lee Auto Drum. Before I started using the Loadmaster with the Auto Drum I used to load on a single station and used the Lee Perfect Powder measure but I had to tap it on both the upstroke and downstroke to be consistent.

pathdoc · July 11, 2016, 04:42 AM

Thanks for that hint - I have the PPM, which I will be using when I'm not weighing each charge for load development. I've been in the habit of giving it a nice sharp tap against the stop at both ends with rifle powders anyway, but thanks for the reminder.

August 22, 2015, 06:27 PM	#1
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	9mm reloading; using what I have. My shotshell reloading hobby means I have red dot, 700X and even a jar of American Select at hand. My immediate availability projectiles (not yet bought) are Hornady 115 gn and Winchester 124gn jacketed (FMJ in both cases IIRC). I do not as yet have brass (can scavenge) or primers. Does anyone out there know of suitable recipes?

August 22, 2015, 07:20 PM	#2
MarkGlazer Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2013 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 329	https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html I would strongly suggest you procure a loading manual as well and read through it before you create rounds. Please be careful out there. __________________ non ministrari sed ministrare

August 23, 2015, 01:25 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The 700X will do nicely for both cast and jacketed. So with the Select. Oddly, Alliant doesn't give any 9mm data with Red Dot. Might be just the site though. Only ever use Bullseye for the same reason you're using those powders. S'what I have. My Inglis BHP is not up to great accuracy either. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 18, 2015, 07:12 PM	#12
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	You sound as if you are not up to speed when it comes to high pressure pistol rounds where a small difference in powder or OAL can mean a bug difference. IF that assumption is correct, read a lot before you proceed. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 22, 2015, 07:33 PM	#3
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	I've had good success with 700-X and 124gr copper coated bullets from Extreme Bullets. Makes a nice, reliable, inexpensive plinking/target round.

August 23, 2015, 12:05 PM	#4
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Mark Glazer, I have substantial experience with bottle neck rifle cartridges, but this will be my first straight walled pistol cartridge. I have several loading manuals, and you can be sure I will be reading them carefully before I load the first round.

August 23, 2015, 06:10 PM	#6
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,325	I load 9mm 124 jacketed bullets with 4.0 - 4.5 grains of Red Dot.

August 24, 2015, 04:42 AM	#7
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	I forgot to mention one thing with the 700-X, it doesn't meter the best so I tap the powder measure with my finger three times on the up stroke and on the down stroke and get good consistent loads. This is with the Lee Pro Auto Disc, the cavity I use is just small enough that occasionally the powder will bridge a bit without tapping it.

October 18, 2015, 10:11 AM	#9
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Okay, long time no see, but update: got in touch with Hodgdon after Winchester and Hornady were both less than helpful, and I now have load data they gave me based on "bullets of similar construction". All is good there. I intend to load five at minimum then five each 0.2 and 0.4gn above that, so long as I am still 0.2gn below maximum. That should keep me safe-ish, but any hints on pressure signs in the 9mm would be helpful. Needless to say, I will be firing for function at first, so close I can't miss, to ensure that the bullets have left the barrel. Once that is established, I can start accuracy testing. The Hornady bullets have a published oAL but the Winchesters don't, so I'll be trying max listed OAL first unless that seats the bullet out too far to hold in the case well or causes feed issues, then I'll seat halfway to putting the parallel part of the projectile all in and adjust from there.

October 18, 2015, 01:56 PM	#11
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	As far as I am aware, my gun is brand new, so if its recoil spring is not healthy or of correct poundage I should be very displeased. I've been shooting factory loads in it, at least until such time as I was sure I was happy with the accuracy and function, and I shall keep on using it for some time as a reference standard, but I'm never happier than when shooting my own ammo - and eventually I will move on to casting.

July 9, 2016, 06:27 PM	#13
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Final update: Lee's Modern Reloading (Second Edition) came to the rescue, with 700X loads for both 115gn and 124gn generic (no specific projectile/manufacturer named) jacketed bullets. For both it recommends just north of 4gn or 0.5cc of 700X, and the 0.5 scoop. These are recommended START loads. Unless someone can come up with a good reason why I shouldn't, I am going to climb the ladder to this from where I am now and see what happens.

July 9, 2016, 06:47 PM	#14
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	Whoa there! Don't be in such a rush!

July 10, 2016, 06:30 AM	#15
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	I've been shooting 700X in my 9mm for over two years and at least 2000 rounds with no problem. The only problem is that it doesn't meter well through some powder measures, but works fine in my Lee Auto Drum. Before I started using the Loadmaster with the Auto Drum I used to load on a single station and used the Lee Perfect Powder measure but I had to tap it on both the upstroke and downstroke to be consistent.

July 11, 2016, 04:42 AM	#16
pathdoc Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2013 Posts: 669	Thanks for that hint - I have the PPM, which I will be using when I'm not weighing each charge for load development. I've been in the habit of giving it a nice sharp tap against the stop at both ends with rifle powders anyway, but thanks for the reminder.