Noobie with Bullseye and 9mm 115 gr bullets

[Bosn Ski]

Hey Gang,

Merry Christmas!!

I’ve been lurking in the forum for a few days as a member and lurking as guest for awhile. I am active duty Navy and a brand new reloader.

Lots of great info here!! Based on the info I learned here, I asked Santa for a Lee Classic Turret Press Kit with 9mm and .40 S&W dies (and a bullet puller). Seeing how I was on the Nice list most of the year, I purchased most of the consumables early along with calipers and few other goodies that were recommended.

I don’t plan on jumping into the reloading process blind. I will read the instructions and manuals.

My consumables are:
9mm 115 gr Precision Delta FMJ RN (Holiday sale $86 for 1000)
Mixed range brass
Bullseye Powder
Winchester Primers

Pistols: Sig P320 9mm Carry and XDSC .40. Reloads will be for paper target practice. (SD ammo is from the factory.).

Issue:
I am running into a wall (and by the looks of my search results so are other new loaders) finding reliable data for Bullseye powder. For example:

- The Lee Manual does not list any data for 9mm 115 gr jacketed/lead/plated bullets and Bullseye. Only Bullseye data given for 115 gr bullets is for XTP.

- alliantpowder.com lists a charge weight of 4.7 for 9mm 115gr Speer GDHP, 1.125 OAL. I’m not sure if a Speer GDHP is the same as a FMJ RN.

- handloads.com lists 9mm 115 gr, 5.0 gr Powder Weight (I assume this is the max??) and Suggested Starting Load of 4.5 gr, 1.12 OAL

- reloadersnest.com lists data for Hornady 115 gr 9mm FMJ, 4.6 gr, 1.155 OAL
(I’ve read and understood the warning(s) in the sticky thread for online data sources)

I understand the basic concept of working up loads based on the weapons performance and not exceeding maximum loads. However, the warnings of using data found on the web and then the (sometimes) conflicting data in forums are giving me pause. Plus, I can’t seem to find a consistent information. I thought the Lee manual was supposed to be good, so I didn't branch out to other manuals.

Sifting through all the data that I found in the forums et al, I realize that I still don’t have a solid answer. One forum said to take the info, and find a medium.

My best educated guess for 9mm (albeit a small education) is to start at:
4.3 and work my way up. But the OAL is all over the place. I have read about using the barrel for a plunk test.

Questions (with regards to 115 gr 9mm FMJ):
What source is the end all/beat all for data? Favorite manual? Or the best place for Bullseye powder data?… The Lee manual doesn't list the more popular powders. Or at least the powders that are discussed most here.

Is the ‘charge weight’ listed on alliantpowder.com the maximum? Or minimum? I’m not sure if a Speer GDHP is the same as a FMJ RN. Can I use that data?

Is 4.3 gr of Bullseye, under a 115 gr FMJ bullet a good place to start?
Just to be sure - is increasing by .1 a good rule of thumb?

OAL - What is the recommended length to start at? 1.125?

Should I make 15 rounds (mag capacity) for each load to test? If no, how many rounds does it take to test a load?

What is a the maximum / never exceed weight for Bullseye?

How do I know my load is right? …besides the obvious indicators of a FTF or FTE?

Finally - Any info or locations for information, on the same general questions listed but for .40S&W, would be appreciated.


Thank you for your time! I know this is a lot. For the most part, some of my questions are answered in earlier threads dating back to 2012. I am reluctant to use info over two years old.

Any reloader’s in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia??

-Cheers!
Ski

[jdscholer]

It's advisable to have several hard copy reloading manuals, or check on-line sources against each other to come up with a base line recipe. If you use any of the reliable bulk pac bullets that many of us do, you won't find them specifically mentioned in any of the common books. In that case, use same weight/type bullets that you find listed, along with those OAL dimensions. Don't use jacket bullets with lead bullet data.

Much fuss is made these days about OAL, but I remember the days when much of the data didn't even list OAL except for the picture of the cartridge dimensions. We pretty much used the best length to fit the magazine, crimp the canelure, or complete the "plunk test" that you mention. I don't get out much, but I've never heard of anyone busting their pistol because their OAL was .010 too short, and certainly not because it was too long.

My favorite book is probably the Lyman, but I've also got several others, and I use them all for comparing. Here is a sweet little site that I keep bookmarked on my home page as another reference.
http://www.reloadammo.com/reload.htm
It is very good for basic recipe data, and I've always found it to be conservative and in line with other manuals. Below is his data for the bullet and powder you're talking about. His loads are considered to be his suggested max.
jd
115 grain FMC
Bullseye 4.3 gr. 1,180 FPS
Unique 6.1 gr. 1,185
Universal 5.0 gr. 1,149
Clays 3.9 gr. 1,095
HP38 5.1 gr. 1,167
No. 2 4.4 gr. 1,092
No. 5 7.0 gr. 1,192
231 4.2 gr. 1,135
WSL 4.5 gr. 1,105
WSF 5.7 gr. 1,165
WAP 6.0 gr. 1,162
VV N350 6.0 gr. 1,130

[Marco Califo]

Start with a good reloading manual and follow its advice and techniques.

For the latest reference:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx

But the older pamphlets contain a lot of loads not shown on the Alliant site today. The reason is that Power Pistol, and others, are better (and newer) powder for 9mm and 40, and they "hid" a lot of older powder data. It is still valid and Alliant will confirm in writing if you email them. The older pamphlets are available here:
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre...M/Alliant.html

Referencing 1992: 9mm Bullseye 115 FMC max is 5.0 grains, so reduce by 10% for starting loads. Starting loads will be great for ALL purposes. No real need to load hot, especially until you have some experience. Note: That info is directly from the official Alliant pamphlet referenced. Please save a copy and read all relevant portions.

One final note: I do not trust ANYBODY'S website for anything. I always go to the manufacture's source. They are all available on line and there is a thread pinned at the top of this forum for all the official sites.

[Nick_C_S]

Welcome to the forum.

First, I want to start by saying that Bullseye under a 115g FMJ bullet is a natural - an excellent powder/bullet combination. So you're starting off on the right foot.

Is 4.3 gr of Bullseye, under a 115 gr FMJ bullet a good place to start?

I think it is. Speer #14 (the first place I look for load data - but there is no "ultimate" source for info) has it from 4.2g to 4.7g. So yeah, I'm liking your 4.3g as a starting point.

Just to be sure - is increasing by .1 a good rule of thumb?

In the case of 9mm with Bullseye; yes, definitely.

OAL - What is the recommended length to start at? 1.125?

Sounds about right. Ideally, you'll want to plunk test your gun, using that particular bullet you're using.

Should I make 15 rounds (mag capacity) for each load to test?

In this particular situation, I'd say yes. 15 is a good amount to start. I recommend when doing load work ups, individually weigh each charge.

What is a the maximum / never exceed weight for Bullseye?

There is no such thing. Just too many variables. I have personally shot some that where at 5.0g with no problem - but I do not recommend loading to that level; nor should it be considered load data. I only mention it to show that there is usually some safety margin built into most load data. For the record, it was not my ammo. I was chronographing them for a friend - using his gun.

Bullseye is great powder. It runs real consistent and is one of the most tried and true powders for target and general purpose shooting. Tough to beat. But. . . It is a fast powder and is more energetic than average. It is not the propellant to go "velocity chasing." It will bite. That said, and so not to discourage: it will serve you very well for your application. Just be safe.

[Shootest]

The reason we have start loads and maximum loads is because of all the variables involved. If you were to use the exact bullet, case, primer, powder lot, and gun that was tested, you would not need to work up loads, you could simply start at max.
If you find 9mm data for a 115g JHP you can substitute a Speer 115g GDHP or a Hornady 115g XTP or a 115 FMJ as long as you start low and work up.
These are all 115g jacketed 9mm bullets, so the same data can be used.
Bullseye is one of my favorite powders for target loads in 9mm, 38spl, and 45acp. Good choice there.

[Bosn Ski]

Thanks for the help!!