9mm Reloading...

Rodentman · September 20, 2009, 11:50 AM

I am puzzled by the following data:

Lyman Third Edition recipe...

115g JHP
Power Pistol start 5.9g
Power Pistol max 6.5g
CCI 500 SP
Federal Case

Sierra 5th Edition recipe...

115g JHP
Power Pistol start 5.1g
Power Pistol max 6.0g
WSP Primer
Starline Case

Speer 14 recipe...

115g TMJ
Power Pistol start 6.2g
Power Pistol max 6.7g
CCI 500 SP
Speer brass

I ASSUME, hopefully correctly, that SP primers are BASICALLY the same and brand is not a significant part of the equation. Same with 115g jacketed bullets. The brand shouldn't affect the load. Same with the brass. Especially since I tend to load toward the low end, not the high end.

I settled on 6.0g Power Pistol, but have yet to fire them. I have had good luck with 5.3g of PP with a 124g bullet.

Why is there such a difference in the powder charges? Am I missing something, and is 6.0g PP appropriate for a 115g jacketed bullet?

croc4 · September 20, 2009, 12:06 PM

powder charges listed in the various manuals will vary depending on the lot # of powder used, while powder mfgs try to keep things consistent from batch to batch, there is some difference.

Also it will depend on the pistol used, chambers are not always 100% the same, some are tighter, some less so, this will add some changes in pressure.

primers also can be hotter than other brands, so that will add some difference plus or minus.

And also projectiles vary in their hardness somewhat, I think XTP are claimed to be slightly harder than brand x. So this will also add some difference

So the bottom line is to consult a few manuals just as you have done, try to match the manuals with the age of the powder you are using, and choose a load below max and work your way up if desired.

Croc4

Sevens · September 20, 2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

I settled on 6.0g Power Pistol, but have yet to fire them. I have had good luck with 5.3g of PP with a 124g bullet.

Why is there such a difference in the powder charges? Am I missing something, and is 6.0g PP appropriate for a 115g jacketed bullet?

Yep, published loads vary a little bit across the board due to differences in bullets, brass and most likely-- differences in the testing protocols each uses to find their safe range.

You'll find that some manuals tend to run a little warmer than others across the board, and you often find that older manuals tend to run a little warmer. (when I say older, I don't mean 7 years older, I mean 20+ years older)

I don't load 115gr bullets in 9, but I've had fine luck with 6.3gr of Power Pistol pushing 124gr LRN bullets. This is a load I worked toward, starting at 5.5gr. I'd say your load is fine, and nowhere near max.

Jim243 · September 20, 2009, 03:58 PM

To answer your question - 6.0 gr of Power Pistol is OK, I load 124 gr FMJ and 124 JHP with it and they work fine. Alliant lists 6.4 gr as the max for 124 grain bullets. They list 6.7 grains as the max for 115 grain bullets.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...23&bulletid=25

Where things get fuzzy is in the OAL listed for each load. You did not say what the OALs were. The volume of powder to total available space in the case (after bullet has been seated) will determine the pressure.

If I had to guess I would say the OALs were different on each loads you listed. Also the length of each bullet is different and that too will come in play with how much space is left in the case for the powder to burn after the bullet is seated (pressure again).

Speer and Sreria gave you loads for THEIR bullets, Lyman is a little more general since I am unaware of any bullets they manufacture.

I generally seat my bullets to 1.120" for JHP and 1.140 for FMJ thats with a 124 grain bullet. It will depend on the bullets length and as I said each may be different.

When all else fails, use the bullet mfg's load data exactly and don't subsitute from their components. When that doesn't work I try to get as close to the POWDER mfg's recommendations.

Stay safe and shoot straight
Jim

Rodentman · September 20, 2009, 05:15 PM

Yes, I have noted that the OAL is tricky and I know it will affect pressure. I seated the 115g bullets to 1.135 with the 6.0g of PP.

Jim243 · September 20, 2009, 05:29 PM

Should be a good load, you could load 5 more at 6.4 grains and see which ones you like.

September 20, 2009, 11:50 AM	#1
Rodentman Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 38	9mm Reloading... I am puzzled by the following data: Lyman Third Edition recipe... 115g JHP Power Pistol start 5.9g Power Pistol max 6.5g CCI 500 SP Federal Case Sierra 5th Edition recipe... 115g JHP Power Pistol start 5.1g Power Pistol max 6.0g WSP Primer Starline Case Speer 14 recipe... 115g TMJ Power Pistol start 6.2g Power Pistol max 6.7g CCI 500 SP Speer brass I ASSUME, hopefully correctly, that SP primers are BASICALLY the same and brand is not a significant part of the equation. Same with 115g jacketed bullets. The brand shouldn't affect the load. Same with the brass. Especially since I tend to load toward the low end, not the high end. I settled on 6.0g Power Pistol, but have yet to fire them. I have had good luck with 5.3g of PP with a 124g bullet. Why is there such a difference in the powder charges? Am I missing something, and is 6.0g PP appropriate for a 115g jacketed bullet?

September 20, 2009, 12:06 PM	#2
croc4 Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 191	powder charges listed in the various manuals will vary depending on the lot # of powder used, while powder mfgs try to keep things consistent from batch to batch, there is some difference. Also it will depend on the pistol used, chambers are not always 100% the same, some are tighter, some less so, this will add some changes in pressure. primers also can be hotter than other brands, so that will add some difference plus or minus. And also projectiles vary in their hardness somewhat, I think XTP are claimed to be slightly harder than brand x. So this will also add some difference So the bottom line is to consult a few manuals just as you have done, try to match the manuals with the age of the powder you are using, and choose a load below max and work your way up if desired. Croc4

September 20, 2009, 03:58 PM	#4
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	To answer your question - 6.0 gr of Power Pistol is OK, I load 124 gr FMJ and 124 JHP with it and they work fine. Alliant lists 6.4 gr as the max for 124 grain bullets. They list 6.7 grains as the max for 115 grain bullets. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...23&bulletid=25 Where things get fuzzy is in the OAL listed for each load. You did not say what the OALs were. The volume of powder to total available space in the case (after bullet has been seated) will determine the pressure. If I had to guess I would say the OALs were different on each loads you listed. Also the length of each bullet is different and that too will come in play with how much space is left in the case for the powder to burn after the bullet is seated (pressure again). Speer and Sreria gave you loads for THEIR bullets, Lyman is a little more general since I am unaware of any bullets they manufacture. I generally seat my bullets to 1.120" for JHP and 1.140 for FMJ thats with a 124 grain bullet. It will depend on the bullets length and as I said each may be different. When all else fails, use the bullet mfg's load data exactly and don't subsitute from their components. When that doesn't work I try to get as close to the POWDER mfg's recommendations. Stay safe and shoot straight Jim

September 20, 2009, 05:15 PM	#5
Rodentman Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 38	Yes, I have noted that the OAL is tricky and I know it will affect pressure. I seated the 115g bullets to 1.135 with the 6.0g of PP.

September 20, 2009, 05:29 PM	#6
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Should be a good load, you could load 5 more at 6.4 grains and see which ones you like.