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Old July 18, 2008, 09:06 AM   #1
CoolHandLu
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9mm reloads - a few stovepipes, wondering what's the problem?

I'm new to reloading, have a Dillons Square Deal. Started with .38 caliber and so far so good. Two nights ago I worked up a batch of 9mm, using 124 gr. golden Sabre JHP with Unique. Started on the LOW end of the scale - 4.6 grains. OAL is 1.138 - seated just a bit ahead of the groove. Still, when I shot them, I got a FTE every 10 rounds or so.
Is a FTE a symptom of a low load? I'm shooting a Kimber Pro Carry II in 9mm. Aluminum frame - UGH, the frame has a few "dings" just below the feed ramp on the barrell b/c of the stove piping. Arg . . .
Any suggestions? Do you think if I up the load a bit, maybe go to 4.8 or 4.9 (max, per Lyman, is 5.0) that might help? I'm really clueless here.
Thanks!
Brian
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Old July 18, 2008, 09:33 AM   #2
CoolHandLu
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Oh, and just to clarify a few things - my Kimber has run flawlessly in the past on new FMJ 115 gr. Winchester White Box 9mm rounds, so I think the issue stems somewhere with my reloads. And during last night's shooting session, again the new white box Winchester 115 gr.s ran flawlessly - only the reloads had FTEs every now and then. Thanks again!
B
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Old July 18, 2008, 10:12 AM   #3
Mal H
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10 to 1 your supposition is correct. That's too light of a load for your particular pistol/spring combo. Increase the powder and I'll bet the problem magically disappears.
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Old July 18, 2008, 12:25 PM   #4
rg1
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With the 124 Golden Sabers seat them to 1.120-1.125" which is what the RP factory loads are. 4.6 grains of Unique is a little light. At 4.8 grains is the lightest I'd load but 5.0 grains is what I'd recommend. I load 5.0 grains with the GS at 1.125" and RP, Win, and Speer 124fmj's with the same 5.0 grains but fmj's seated to 1.160".
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Old July 18, 2008, 01:11 PM   #5
CoolHandLu
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EXCELLENT! So it seems the concensus is that with too light a load you risk experiencing FTEs? I'm gonna work up a batch tonight and shoot 'em on Saturday - I may not go as high as 5.0, but I'll go 4.9. I'll also increas the OAL to 1.120 - 1.125 (heck, if that's the factory length, it's gotta be there for a reason, right?)
Thanks so much for the advice folks! I'll let you know how this works out!
Brian
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Old July 18, 2008, 04:31 PM   #6
Alleykat
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CoolHand: None of us who've done a bunch of 9mm reloading would recommend anything dangerous to you. If you happen to load a few at 5.0gr., don't be concerned! 9mm +p brass is the same as 9mm "standard" brass, except for the headstamp. You have a reasonable margin for error. I'm using AA#5 for all my 9mm and .45ACP reloading, and I'm using just over 6gr. of AA#5 with 124gr. bullets, with good success.
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Old July 18, 2008, 04:40 PM   #7
CoolHandLu
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Roger that AlleyKat! My Dillon Square Deal isn't always "spot on" when throwing charges, so if I set it for 4.9 I'll get a few 4.8s and a few 5.0s here and there. Will try it out and report back. Thanks again!
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Old July 18, 2008, 11:29 PM   #8
Sidetracked
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Yea, sounds like a symptom of a light load.

When I work up a new load for 9mm, I load 10-15 rounds of a particular powder charge in 0.1 grain increments. At the range, I'll start at the bottom and run them through the pistol 10 at a time until I find what I'm looking for.

If a load is particularly light or hot, they are given to family members with pistols that may prefer that load, or I'll pull the bullets to re-throw the powder charge.
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Old July 22, 2008, 05:15 PM   #9
gunney 67
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sounds like too lite of loads. The slide velocity is too low to fully cycle, hence the stove pipe jams.
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Old July 22, 2008, 05:31 PM   #10
speedracer211
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Light loads as well. I started with 4.3g of 231 with a berrys 115 tmj and I would get stovepipes every once in a while. I bumped up to 4.6 grains of win 231 and no longer have the problem
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