Sparks From 9mm Load

TheBigO · February 15, 2010, 03:47 PM

Just a quick question, I am getting quite a bit of un-burnt powder from my 9mm loads. This is producing some unwanted sparks. I am getting the same issue from both my Glock 19 and XDM 9mm. I am using Alliant unique with Montana Gold 115 grain bullets. Would a slightly tighter crimp help the problem? Any answers ?

Nomadicone · February 15, 2010, 04:40 PM

Tighter crimp may help but it depends on how tight your crimp already is. Don't over crimp. More likely it is the type of powder. Unique is not one of the fastest burning powders. You might try a faster burning powder. However, if it was me I wouldn't be concerned about it.

Shoney · February 15, 2010, 04:48 PM

Nomadicone gave a very good answer!

StrawDog · February 15, 2010, 05:31 PM

I had similar issues with loading bullseye in 9mm with 125 gr RMR. Sparks & and dirt galore. A friend recommended universal clays. I switched with good results. Also recommended WSF but I have not tried yet. In either case the bottom line is you probably need a faster burning powder.

As far as the crimp goes here is what I did to test mine. I took apart a couple of factory loads with my impact bullet puller to develop a feel for what it takes to losen a foctory crimp. Then I loaded a few without powder or primer and pounder them out. I achived similar results from the start. So in my experience my crimp was ok but the powder was burning slow.

Good luck

longranger · February 15, 2010, 05:59 PM

Set your crimp die by placing a Factory round in the shell holder raise into the seating/crimping die until it matches the factory setting(when the die stops screwing down).Then set your bullet depth by screwing down the seater plug until it stops on the bullet.You will match what the factory specs. are.

TheBigO · February 15, 2010, 06:46 PM

thanks for the input, I was trying to go with a powder that would both get me by on .45acp rounds and 9mm. I think that I will have to try a faster powder. I am already crimping to where I think I need to be.

Nomadicone · February 15, 2010, 07:16 PM

I like TightGroup in those two calibers but there are many others. Again however, unless I'm missing something there is no real problem with a few a few live coals coming out the business end.

Look at any still photos of USPSA/IPSIC shooters just as the bullet exits the muzzle and you will see a flame thrower.

the foot · February 15, 2010, 07:24 PM

No problem. I load Unique behind Remington 115gr JHP a lot, and the result is always some unburnt powder. When I use Bullseye and Win231, no unburnt powder.

Shoney · February 15, 2010, 07:51 PM

After many years, I settled on UNIVERSAL Clays for my 9X18, 9X19, 40SW, and 45ACP. It meters soooooo much better than Unique.

bullspotter · February 15, 2010, 08:01 PM

I use unique with all my handgun loads, 9, 40, 45, 38 and 357 with a wide range of bullets, Always get some unburnt powder, but it dosnt seem to build up in any of my guns. Meaning they dont seem to get overly dirty.

February 15, 2010, 03:47 PM	#1
TheBigO Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Location: Bellingham Posts: 122	Sparks From 9mm Load Just a quick question, I am getting quite a bit of un-burnt powder from my 9mm loads. This is producing some unwanted sparks. I am getting the same issue from both my Glock 19 and XDM 9mm. I am using Alliant unique with Montana Gold 115 grain bullets. Would a slightly tighter crimp help the problem? Any answers ?

February 15, 2010, 04:40 PM	#2
Nomadicone Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 214	Tighter crimp may help but it depends on how tight your crimp already is. Don't over crimp. More likely it is the type of powder. Unique is not one of the fastest burning powders. You might try a faster burning powder. However, if it was me I wouldn't be concerned about it. __________________ Outdoor Equipment Outfitter for your outdoor equipment needs www.outdoorequipmentoutfitter.org

February 15, 2010, 04:48 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Nomadicone gave a very good answer! __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 15, 2010, 07:16 PM	#7
Nomadicone Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 214	I like TightGroup in those two calibers but there are many others. Again however, unless I'm missing something there is no real problem with a few a few live coals coming out the business end. Look at any still photos of USPSA/IPSIC shooters just as the bullet exits the muzzle and you will see a flame thrower. __________________ Outdoor Equipment Outfitter for your outdoor equipment needs www.outdoorequipmentoutfitter.org

February 15, 2010, 07:51 PM	#9
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	After many years, I settled on UNIVERSAL Clays for my 9X18, 9X19, 40SW, and 45ACP. It meters soooooo much better than Unique. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 15, 2010, 05:31 PM	#4
StrawDog Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 168	I had similar issues with loading bullseye in 9mm with 125 gr RMR. Sparks & and dirt galore. A friend recommended universal clays. I switched with good results. Also recommended WSF but I have not tried yet. In either case the bottom line is you probably need a faster burning powder. As far as the crimp goes here is what I did to test mine. I took apart a couple of factory loads with my impact bullet puller to develop a feel for what it takes to losen a foctory crimp. Then I loaded a few without powder or primer and pounder them out. I achived similar results from the start. So in my experience my crimp was ok but the powder was burning slow. Good luck

February 15, 2010, 05:59 PM	#5
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	Set your crimp die by placing a Factory round in the shell holder raise into the seating/crimping die until it matches the factory setting(when the die stops screwing down).Then set your bullet depth by screwing down the seater plug until it stops on the bullet.You will match what the factory specs. are.

February 15, 2010, 06:46 PM	#6
TheBigO Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Location: Bellingham Posts: 122	thanks for the input, I was trying to go with a powder that would both get me by on .45acp rounds and 9mm. I think that I will have to try a faster powder. I am already crimping to where I think I need to be.

February 15, 2010, 07:24 PM	#8
the foot Member Join Date: October 31, 2008 Posts: 29	No problem. I load Unique behind Remington 115gr JHP a lot, and the result is always some unburnt powder. When I use Bullseye and Win231, no unburnt powder.

February 15, 2010, 08:01 PM	#10
bullspotter Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 308	I use unique with all my handgun loads, 9, 40, 45, 38 and 357 with a wide range of bullets, Always get some unburnt powder, but it dosnt seem to build up in any of my guns. Meaning they dont seem to get overly dirty.