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Old November 23, 2002, 01:04 PM   #1
vulcan
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unique 9mm load question

Hi, I noticed the loads for unique in 9mm are all different for a 115gr bullet.

Hornady 4.7gr to 5.1gr

Nosler 5.1gr to 6.1gr

Sierra for rifle 4.2gr to 5.4gr

Sierra for pistol 5gr to 6.4gr

speer 5.6gr to 6.3gr

Alliant Max load 6.1gr

Modern reloading(Lee) 5.8 to 6.1gr

Metallic Cartridge reloading(McPherson) 5gr to 5.4gr

My questions are:
1)which one is more realistic?
2)I thought Lee data was very conservative, In this case Their start point exceeds the max of others. Why is this?
3)Would the Sierra pistol load be safe to fire in a 9mm carbine? Their pistol loading is greater than their rifle load in the same bullet.

Thanks in advance!

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Old November 23, 2002, 01:47 PM   #2
rg1
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most reliable?

Just checking my Midway 9mm LoadMap on your question. They used Remington brass and Win SP primers. With Alliant Unique powder the Hornady data you gave is the one to use with most all bullets in the 115 gr. plated or jacketed style. With Midways test they recommend starting at about 4.6 with 5.1 gr of Unique as being "near" maximum. This is their test on 17 different 115 gr bullets. According to their test, anything over 5.3-5.4 could be dangerous. Changing components or seating depths could vary the results and pressure. I'm not a 9mm loader but just reading from Midways LoadMap books which I highly recommend. They have them on sale now. 4 books, .357,9mm,45acp, and 44mag. They are a good source of loading data.
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Old November 23, 2002, 02:01 PM   #3
sricciardelli
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You simply stated "115 grain bullet", each and every bullet will react differently.

Then you have to take into consideration the brass used, the primer used, the lot number of the brass/powder/primer, the atmospheric conditions under which the testing was done, and the firearm used.

To add more clutter to the formula, what reloading dies were used.

The data in books is good for that particular load for that day and time only.

Reloading manuals are basic recipe books...they give you a place to start...no data, not even my own, is bible.
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Old November 23, 2002, 10:01 PM   #4
Stephen A. Camp
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Hello. I've had good luck using Sierra PJHPs over 5.8 to 6.2 grains of Unique. One can go a bit hotter, but I personally think 6.2 gr is plenty "hot" enough.

Best.
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Old November 23, 2002, 11:21 PM   #5
vulcan
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I'll give it a shot

Thanks for the info. I just loaded 10 rds of each, starting from 4.8grs to 6grs of unique(in .2gr increments). The bullets are a generic 115gr FMJ from Northern lights, WSP primers, FC cases COL 1.140. Each charge weighted & heavy crimp with Lee factory crimp die. I'll try them out at the range tomorrow in a marlin camp 9 carbine & BHP. Sure wished I have that chrony now, I kinda found out thats my Christmas present from the wife .
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Old November 24, 2002, 10:27 AM   #6
sricciardelli
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"HEAVY CRIMP"?

The 9mm headspaces on the case mouth, and it is highly suggested that you taper crimp them only.
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Old November 24, 2002, 10:41 AM   #7
vulcan
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I'm using the Lee factory crimp die, It taper crimps & post sizes. I also checked the rounds with a cartridge gauge for headspacing. Thanks for thinking of my safety tho
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Old November 24, 2002, 03:10 PM   #8
vulcan
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range report

Heres the range report if anyone is interested. From 4.8gr - 5.6gr unique, Everything normal. At 5.8 gr The primer showed the slightest hint of cratering. At 6gr the cratering is pronounced,I stopped at that point & standardized load at 5.8gr. The load consist of 115gr(northern light) fmj,WSP primers,FC cases, & COL of 1.140. Fired out of a Marlin Camp carbine, at 25yds the groups were silver dollar sized. No muzzle flash & moderate recoil. This load is Lee's starting point & .7 gr over Hornady's Max. Yes the unique was dirty!
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Old November 27, 2002, 01:05 PM   #9
rg1
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thanks for the update!

Glad you gave the results of your range test. It reconfirms the work up slowly and watch for pressure signs. I thought that Hornady was a little light but I knew some of the others were too high. Watch all loads in hot weather if you work them up in cool temps. Good post!
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Old November 30, 2002, 08:12 PM   #10
fnbrowning
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I don't think that 5.1gr of Unique is near maximum.
To find out why, let's look at my numbers, using my Browning Hi-Power. Standard Barrel

First, I Chrony'ed two factory loadings:

Cartridge Hornady Custom
Bullet/Weight 115 gr JHP XTP

Number of Shots 10
Avg Velocity 1252.4
Avg Deviation 6.719
High Velocity 1261
Low Velocity 1238
Extreme Spread 23
Std Deviation 8.23

Cartridge Remington +P+
Bullet/Weight 115 JHP

Number of Shots 10
Avg Velocity 1318.9
Avg Deviation 51.359
High Velocity 1375
Low Velocity 1102
Extreme Spread 273
Std Deviation 80.22

Now, my loading:

Cartridge Ron's load
Primer Smith & Wesson
Bullet/Weight Hornady 115 XTP
Powder/Weight Unique 6.1
Cases Mixed, once fired

Number of Shots 10
Avg Velocity 1251.2
Avg Deviation 40.92

High Velocity 1318
Low Velocity 1051
Extreme Spread 267
Std Deviation 73.82

First, we see that 6.1 grains Unique does not generate numbers as high as the +P+ Remington.
My cases and primers show no abnormalities. Personally, I think that I accomplished what I set out to, and this is, to duplicate the accuracy and punch of the Hornady Custom factory loading.

My load data is for information only. Do not take it as a "safe" load for your particular firearm.
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