Anyone here hand load 9mm Largo?

ciwsguy · May 23, 2022, 09:45 PM

Ordered some new 9mm Largo brass which will be here shortly. What dies work for you? I’ve got a Hornady 9x19 die set.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 23, 2022, 10:00 PM

I'm pretty certain 9x19 dies won't work. If you can't find 9mm Largo dies, 9x23 Winchester might work, but the dimensions for 9x23 are just slightly larger than 9mm Largo, so if your gun has a tight chamber brass sized for 9x23 Winchester may not fit.

rc · May 23, 2022, 11:23 PM

I used rcbs 9x19 dies for a destroyer carbine but they will result in a cartridge with some recess in the middle. 38 super dies will work as will 9x23 winchester which are probably the "best" to load the largo. You could also use a 38/357 sizing die and a 9mm flare and crimp die or possibly a 38/357 taper crimp set with a different expander plug. The 357 expander plug in a lot of 38/357 sets is .358 and way to long and big for .355 projectiles. You may be able to use 38 bullets depending on your chamber. 38 super comp dies would also work as the 9mm largo is basically a rimless 38 super with a case head identical to 9mm luger/30 luger. RCBS #13 has data and WAP is a good powder for the cartridge. I can't remember which powder is the same under a different label today. It might be True Blue. 231 will work as will unique.

74A95 · May 24, 2022, 06:45 AM

The 9mm Largo is a tapered case so a 9x19 (9mm Luger) size die will work well for that. You can use the 9X19 dies for the rest of the stages, or, because the Largo is similar in length to the 38 Super (the Largo is slightly longer, but just slightly at 0.010" longer), you can use 38 Super dies for flaring, seating and crimping.

It's kinda the same deal as 9X23 Winchester. And I use a 9mm sizer followed by 38 Super dies for that round.

Try your 9mm dies and see how that works for you.

@rc, The old WAP is now sold as Silhouette (NOT TRUE BLUE).

akinswi · May 24, 2022, 07:39 AM

What load data will you be using? If you are shooting this out of a star super b do not start towards max. Im assuming your using starline cases as I think they are the only ones that make 9mm largo.

I used Luger dies for years. You maybe able contact someone and they could make you a set of custom dies. Thats what im going to do when I get around to my Largo project

Never ever use 9x23 winchester load data ever. Just a friendly reminder.

If you have any of the spanish santa barbara ammo and a chronograph its a good load to copy.

If not PM me I can spare a box a have a 1000 or so.

Good luck.

**Unclenick** · May 24, 2022, 12:50 PM

A steel resizing die is available from CH4D (middle of this page), but at $82.87, it's not for the faint of wallet. As mentioned, other 9 mm dies can be backed out or adjusted to set them up to handle the other operations, so you wouldn't need the whole die set.

ciwsguy · May 24, 2022, 05:10 PM

What Load data? To start, a light 9x19 load with Bullseye powder. Yes, new Starline brass

74A95 · May 24, 2022, 05:26 PM

load data:

https://reloadingdata.speer.com/down...Bayard_124.pdf

akinswi · May 24, 2022, 07:03 PM

Here is load data using Bulleyes

https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD...pbell%20LR.pdf

again these are recommendations. Is bulleyes the only pistol powder you have?

akinswi · May 24, 2022, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

A steel resizing die is available from CH4D (middle of this page), but at $82.87, it's not for the faint of wallet. As mentioned, other 9 mm dies can be backed out or adjusted to set them up to handle the other operations, so you wouldn't need the whole die set.

True Unclenick, but on the flip side you only have to buy them once. This What I told myself when I paid $129.00 for Redding Competition Seating Die you recommended. lol

ciwsguy · May 24, 2022, 07:53 PM

No, I have plenty of other pistol powders, power pistol, w231, accurate #5, etc.
Since RCBS makes a die set that covers 9x19, 9x21 and 9x23, I thought I’d just get that set since it’s available at a local retailer. What do you guys think?

akinswi · May 24, 2022, 08:51 PM

It boils down to if you are going to be shooting alot of Largo get the Largo specific dies. Its entirely up too you. Btw, what firearm are you loading these for?

rc · May 24, 2022, 09:22 PM

My largo reloads will crack in kimber 38 super chamber but do fine in a destroyer. AA#5 would be a good one to start with. Don't be afraid of 147 grain bullets in the largo as the case isn't as thick as a 9x23 which is too thick near the base for the bullets to seat right as that does run at much higher pressures. You should be good with any 9mm luger data and might bump it a bit if you have a chronograph to guide you using 38 super data as a top reference.

ciwsguy · May 26, 2022, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akinswi

It boils down to if you are going to be shooting alot of Largo get the Largo specific dies. Its entirely up too you. Btw, what firearm are you loading these for?

Astra 400

May 23, 2022, 10:00 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I'm pretty certain 9x19 dies won't work. If you can't find 9mm Largo dies, 9x23 Winchester might work, but the dimensions for 9x23 are just slightly larger than 9mm Largo, so if your gun has a tight chamber brass sized for 9x23 Winchester may not fit. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

May 24, 2022, 12:50 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	A steel resizing die is available from CH4D (middle of this page), but at $82.87, it's not for the faint of wallet. As mentioned, other 9 mm dies can be backed out or adjusted to set them up to handle the other operations, so you wouldn't need the whole die set. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

May 23, 2022, 09:45 PM	#1
ciwsguy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: KY Posts: 302	Anyone here hand load 9mm Largo? Ordered some new 9mm Largo brass which will be here shortly. What dies work for you? I’ve got a Hornady 9x19 die set.

May 23, 2022, 11:23 PM	#3
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,767	I used rcbs 9x19 dies for a destroyer carbine but they will result in a cartridge with some recess in the middle. 38 super dies will work as will 9x23 winchester which are probably the "best" to load the largo. You could also use a 38/357 sizing die and a 9mm flare and crimp die or possibly a 38/357 taper crimp set with a different expander plug. The 357 expander plug in a lot of 38/357 sets is .358 and way to long and big for .355 projectiles. You may be able to use 38 bullets depending on your chamber. 38 super comp dies would also work as the 9mm largo is basically a rimless 38 super with a case head identical to 9mm luger/30 luger. RCBS #13 has data and WAP is a good powder for the cartridge. I can't remember which powder is the same under a different label today. It might be True Blue. 231 will work as will unique.

May 24, 2022, 06:45 AM	#4
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,568	The 9mm Largo is a tapered case so a 9x19 (9mm Luger) size die will work well for that. You can use the 9X19 dies for the rest of the stages, or, because the Largo is similar in length to the 38 Super (the Largo is slightly longer, but just slightly at 0.010" longer), you can use 38 Super dies for flaring, seating and crimping. It's kinda the same deal as 9X23 Winchester. And I use a 9mm sizer followed by 38 Super dies for that round. Try your 9mm dies and see how that works for you. @rc, The old WAP is now sold as Silhouette (NOT TRUE BLUE).

May 24, 2022, 07:39 AM	#5
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 706	What load data will you be using? If you are shooting this out of a star super b do not start towards max. Im assuming your using starline cases as I think they are the only ones that make 9mm largo. I used Luger dies for years. You maybe able contact someone and they could make you a set of custom dies. Thats what im going to do when I get around to my Largo project Never ever use 9x23 winchester load data ever. Just a friendly reminder. If you have any of the spanish santa barbara ammo and a chronograph its a good load to copy. If not PM me I can spare a box a have a 1000 or so. Good luck. Last edited by akinswi; May 24, 2022 at 09:29 AM.

May 24, 2022, 05:10 PM	#7
ciwsguy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: KY Posts: 302	What Load data? To start, a light 9x19 load with Bullseye powder. Yes, new Starline brass

May 24, 2022, 05:26 PM	#8
74A95 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Posts: 1,568	load data: https://reloadingdata.speer.com/down...Bayard_124.pdf

May 24, 2022, 07:03 PM	#9
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 706	Here is load data using Bulleyes https://loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD...pbell%20LR.pdf again these are recommendations. Is bulleyes the only pistol powder you have?

May 24, 2022, 07:53 PM	#11
ciwsguy Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2008 Location: KY Posts: 302	No, I have plenty of other pistol powders, power pistol, w231, accurate #5, etc. Since RCBS makes a die set that covers 9x19, 9x21 and 9x23, I thought I’d just get that set since it’s available at a local retailer. What do you guys think?

May 24, 2022, 08:51 PM	#12
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 706	It boils down to if you are going to be shooting alot of Largo get the Largo specific dies. Its entirely up too you. Btw, what firearm are you loading these for?

May 24, 2022, 09:22 PM	#13
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,767	My largo reloads will crack in kimber 38 super chamber but do fine in a destroyer. AA#5 would be a good one to start with. Don't be afraid of 147 grain bullets in the largo as the case isn't as thick as a 9x23 which is too thick near the base for the bullets to seat right as that does run at much higher pressures. You should be good with any 9mm luger data and might bump it a bit if you have a chronograph to guide you using 38 super data as a top reference.