OAL Conflict

[robhic]

I wanted to load a light, fast 9mm round. I got some lead round nose flat point (LRNFP) that manufacturer said OAL .960. Tried that and figured such a short bullet would be "snappy". Not really, so I went to a few sites/sources for alternative. I was loading at the low end of powder(s) scale.

I got 1.104", 1.140" and the first .960" I used. Tried 1.140" and the blue lube-groove is exposed. Went to 1.104" and still showing. .960 covers groove but is short.

I upped the load from lowest to a bit below max. I played with it until the lube groove is just covered. OAL is 1.050. Shorter than the longest OAL but longer than shortest. Using a bit more powder I figured I should at least cover the lube groove for length. Three OAL's given, none satisfactory to what I (think) I'm looking for.

Does that groove HAVE to be covered? Please advise, thanks for all input.

[Reloadron]

Yes, the lube groove should be in the case. Pictures would help.

If I wanted a light and fast 9mm bullet I would not be using lead but a FMJ along the lines of a 95 grain jacketed metal core or similar light 9mm bullet. Typically loaded to around 1.005" OAL. If you want fast then I would look to a powder like Blue Dot or similar (Unique and HS-6).

What load data are you working to and who made the bullet?

Ron

[jwrowland77]

I agree w/Reloadron. Generally fast and lead don't mix. If I was wanting a light fast load, it'd be with a light jacketed or at minimum, a plated bullet.


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[robhic]

Yes, the lube groove should be in the case. Pictures would help.

If I wanted a light and fast 9mm bullet I would not be using lead but a FMJ along the lines of a 95 grain jacketed metal core or similar light 9mm bullet. Typically loaded to around 1.005" OAL. If you want fast then I would look to a powder like Blue Dot or similar (Unique and HS-6).

What load data are you working to and who made the bullet?

I kinda thought the lube shouldn't show. I'll make some up and see if I can get pictures.

This is not a bullet for any real purpose, hence the (cheap) lead instead of a hollow point. I tried a 90 and 95gr bullet(s) before - using .380acp bullets in a 9mm case - 'cause I thought that would work. They weren't all that snappy, either. I'm just playing around (learning) and seeing if I can make a fast, light load with a bullet I have a bunch of on hand.

I am making 5 each using HS-6, Bullseye, Universal, TiteGroup and W231 to see differences. Stopped after first 3 or so because of length issue. Lo-end starting load(s) were unexciting. Going a couple of grains below max with such a short bullet is what gives me pause....

Load data from Lyman, 9mm Load Book and Hodgdon website plus (original OAL .960") from manufacturer HUNTER'S SUPPLY.

[T. O'Heir]

90 and 95 grain bullets made for the .380 don't work worth beans out of a 9mm.
OAL of .960" is for the .380 not a 90 or 95 grain bullet in 9mm. Hodgdon shows 1.010" for a 90 and 1.020" for a 95. Both jacketed.
If you're looking for a 9mm target load, a regular 124/5 grain cast bullet load will work. Been shooting 121 grain Truncated Cone (TC) with 3.5 of Bullseye for eons. The shape of the bullet doesn't really matter, so load for the weight.
As mentioned, cast bullets driven fast are bad. Causes leading.

[robhic]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the 100gr lead bullet will go back to the boring, lo-speed target niche. Here's picture in case anyone is still interested:

http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/ro...tml?sort=3&o=0

Sorry for poor quality but 1 - is the bullet used (100gr LRNFP), 3 - is 1.050" and 2 - is .960 (shortest one. You can barely see the top-most edge of lube groove of 1.050" bullet #3.

[robhic]

Just a quick question: I knew/know fast and lead don't mix too well. The Hodgdon site shows around 1200 fps max load using 100gr lead bullet. 1) I'm not using the max load(s) but a few grains lower. And 2) I thought I'd read somewhere that "FAST" in regard to lead bullets was 1300+ fps. Is less than 1200 fps still problematic? Just curious because I have a bunch of these 100gr bullets. Thanks.

[PA-Joe]

Did you try the short ones? Doesn't matter what they look like, it's how they cycle and shoot!

1200 is pushing soft lead.

[RC20]

What mfg and what is the lead rating?

Hard cast 1200 is fine, soft, not so much.

Pressure is an extremely serious issue with a bullet seated too deep in small pistol cases.

[ShootistPRS]

Cast bullets have to be at or a bit larger than the bore of your gun. If the cast bullet fits the barrel well then you can push a little more speed. In a pistol the hardness of the lead alloy makes less difference than the fit does.

All that is fine but what is a "snappy round"? Most of the manual quote 1250 to 1300 for the lighter weight bullets (up to 124 grain) and 1000 to 1050 for the 147 grain bullet. The 125 grain lead bullet in the Speer manual is listed at 1000 fps max.
If you are looking for more recoil go to the 40 cal S&W or the 10mm. The 9mm is about equal to a 38 special +P. If you want to feel recoil you can go to a lighter gun or a larger caliber. The 9mm is so popular because it has easily controlled recoil.

I don't know if your gun will handle +P but there are +P loads for those guns heavy enough to handle the higher pressures.

[robhic]

Did you try the short ones? Doesn't matter what they look like, it's how they cycle and shoot!

1200 is pushing soft lead.

The short ones cycled at the lower end (starting load) of the data. Mfg. is "Hunter's Supply" and the hardness is low, not "hard cast". I guess that could be relevant. Short ones (.960") were just meh , I wanted (as stated) something a bit more "snappy" and, surprisingly, these really weren't.

That's why I raised the load and tried different powders for comparative reasons. Bullet dia. was .355" FWIW, and I plan on using them for plinking/general target use.