9mm LRN load confirmation

jetjedi · February 1, 2010, 01:30 AM

Newbie here. I'm just looking for confirmation or advise on the process I plan on using. I have a Lee turrent and below are the specs I plan to load.

-115 Laser Cast LRN
-4.2 grains of Clay universal using the 4.6 Auto disk feeder/measure from Lee
-CCI 500 small pistol
-C.O.L is 1.100

The specs I'm implementing seem allot less than what the Clay Universal label states but since I'm using Lead bullets I went ahead with the Hodgon specs online. I'm just looking for a second set of eyes or any advise to keep this safe. particularly confirmation on the C.O.L and the Lee Auto Disk. Any help is greatly appreciated.

sourdough44 · February 1, 2010, 07:47 AM

That data sounds good. I don't have any load info here but I have loaded H Universal in the 4.7to 4.8 grn range with a 124 JHP. I did load some 115 grn plated lead bullets to 1.10 col with another powder. After sizing 'bell' the mouth just enough, no more to accept the bullet. I don't add any additional crimp after bullet seating. Double check your powder charge is at the level you desire, weigh often. I'd only load up a working amount until you see that they cycle fine in your gun. You can take the barrel out of your gun & check that the loaded ammo slides into your chamber easily. The Hodgdon site has good info.

RidgwayCO · February 1, 2010, 11:57 AM

Your starting load seems to be good.

I just wanted to confirm that you'll be weighing the powder charge thrown by your Lee powder measure (using the .46cc cavity) and not just assuming that it weighs 4.2gr as Lee's chart predicts. Since no one knows the density of YOUR powder, you must weigh your charges to KNOW what they are. You might even have to go up a cavity size or two in order to get close to the weight you want.

Also, when using the Lee cavities, let the powder settle down a bit before checking the throw weight. Whenever I put a new powder in the hopper, I always do the following (this assumes a Lee turret press with the autodisk powder measure):

1) Throw five charges immediately (putting the powder back into the container after each throw),
2) Fully cycle the handle enough times to get the shell back under the sizing die
3) Resize the case by fully cycling the handle
4) Throw a powder charge into the case
5) Weigh the powder charge

Some people don't realize that the autodisk powder measure uses the press's natural reloading action to help settle the powder and get reliable throws. By using this technique, I rarely get more than about a tenth of a grain difference between the first and last powder throw (assuming I keep the hopper at least half-filled).

Hope this helps, and welcome to TFL!

jetjedi · February 2, 2010, 04:50 PM

Thanks for the replies. I did use the Lee safety scale to verify what the Auto disk was throwing. I kept getting conflicting reads from load to load but I think the scale was to blame as it wouldn't always reset to zero when empty.

I went out and shot the 9 test rounds I made with the above input, wow. I can definitely feel the difference between my reloads and factory Magtech loads. It just had an extra kick when I pulled the trigger on the first round (nerve racking as hell too). I inspected the first case after firing and checked for any expansion or stress and it looked fine. I had a reloading veteran next to me at the range check it out and he gave the ok. I fired two more single shot rounds and inspected those as well and all seemed fine.

I then loaded up the mag with the last six rounds and fired away. The gun cycled perfect after every shot and the grouping wasn't bad. I checked out the barrel and found no noticeable lead deposits.

I plan on picking up a different scale to help confirm the Auto disk loads. I'm eager to start mass producing now. Thanks again for the replies.

jetjedi · February 5, 2010, 12:29 AM

(Thought I would share)
So I went out and bought a Dillon D-Terminator digital scale to help confirm the amount of powder the Lee auto disks are throwing and to my surprise the auto disks are pretty accurate and consistent. I averaged about 4.1 grains out of a dozen tests. i compared the digital scale to my Lee safety scale and it was pretty much in the same range. i feel better now knowing I'm pretty close to the recipe and I'm not over or under loading. I will try to play with the recipe a bit to see if I can get better performance. As is I'm happy with the results I'm getting but I got into this hobby to be able to play around a bit. I'll still keep it under the max recommended load as to not ruin my gun. Thanks again for the replies.

warningshot · February 5, 2010, 03:20 AM

For 9X19, 4.4 Universal with 115 0r 125 cast works great. Plenty accurate, not sensetive to OAL as long as you keep withing min & max lengths, works well in Sigs & Berettas just fine. Factory go-locks require FMJs.

February 1, 2010, 01:30 AM	#1
jetjedi Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 3	9mm LRN load confirmation Newbie here. I'm just looking for confirmation or advise on the process I plan on using. I have a Lee turrent and below are the specs I plan to load. -115 Laser Cast LRN -4.2 grains of Clay universal using the 4.6 Auto disk feeder/measure from Lee -CCI 500 small pistol -C.O.L is 1.100 The specs I'm implementing seem allot less than what the Clay Universal label states but since I'm using Lead bullets I went ahead with the Hodgon specs online. I'm just looking for a second set of eyes or any advise to keep this safe. particularly confirmation on the C.O.L and the Lee Auto Disk. Any help is greatly appreciated.

February 1, 2010, 11:57 AM	#3
RidgwayCO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 244	Your starting load seems to be good. I just wanted to confirm that you'll be weighing the powder charge thrown by your Lee powder measure (using the .46cc cavity) and not just assuming that it weighs 4.2gr as Lee's chart predicts. Since no one knows the density of YOUR powder, you must weigh your charges to KNOW what they are. You might even have to go up a cavity size or two in order to get close to the weight you want. Also, when using the Lee cavities, let the powder settle down a bit before checking the throw weight. Whenever I put a new powder in the hopper, I always do the following (this assumes a Lee turret press with the autodisk powder measure): 1) Throw five charges immediately (putting the powder back into the container after each throw), 2) Fully cycle the handle enough times to get the shell back under the sizing die 3) Resize the case by fully cycling the handle 4) Throw a powder charge into the case 5) Weigh the powder charge Some people don't realize that the autodisk powder measure uses the press's natural reloading action to help settle the powder and get reliable throws. By using this technique, I rarely get more than about a tenth of a grain difference between the first and last powder throw (assuming I keep the hopper at least half-filled). Hope this helps, and welcome to TFL! Last edited by RidgwayCO; February 1, 2010 at 12:07 PM.

February 5, 2010, 03:20 AM	#6
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2009 Posts: 995	4.4 Universal For 9X19, 4.4 Universal with 115 0r 125 cast works great. Plenty accurate, not sensetive to OAL as long as you keep withing min & max lengths, works well in Sigs & Berettas just fine. Factory go-locks require FMJs.

February 1, 2010, 07:47 AM	#2
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 623	That data sounds good. I don't have any load info here but I have loaded H Universal in the 4.7to 4.8 grn range with a 124 JHP. I did load some 115 grn plated lead bullets to 1.10 col with another powder. After sizing 'bell' the mouth just enough, no more to accept the bullet. I don't add any additional crimp after bullet seating. Double check your powder charge is at the level you desire, weigh often. I'd only load up a working amount until you see that they cycle fine in your gun. You can take the barrel out of your gun & check that the loaded ammo slides into your chamber easily. The Hodgdon site has good info.

February 2, 2010, 04:50 PM	#4
jetjedi Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies. I did use the Lee safety scale to verify what the Auto disk was throwing. I kept getting conflicting reads from load to load but I think the scale was to blame as it wouldn't always reset to zero when empty. I went out and shot the 9 test rounds I made with the above input, wow. I can definitely feel the difference between my reloads and factory Magtech loads. It just had an extra kick when I pulled the trigger on the first round (nerve racking as hell too). I inspected the first case after firing and checked for any expansion or stress and it looked fine. I had a reloading veteran next to me at the range check it out and he gave the ok. I fired two more single shot rounds and inspected those as well and all seemed fine. I then loaded up the mag with the last six rounds and fired away. The gun cycled perfect after every shot and the grouping wasn't bad. I checked out the barrel and found no noticeable lead deposits. I plan on picking up a different scale to help confirm the Auto disk loads. I'm eager to start mass producing now. Thanks again for the replies.

February 5, 2010, 12:29 AM	#5
jetjedi Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2010 Posts: 3	(Thought I would share) So I went out and bought a Dillon D-Terminator digital scale to help confirm the amount of powder the Lee auto disks are throwing and to my surprise the auto disks are pretty accurate and consistent. I averaged about 4.1 grains out of a dozen tests. i compared the digital scale to my Lee safety scale and it was pretty much in the same range. i feel better now knowing I'm pretty close to the recipe and I'm not over or under loading. I will try to play with the recipe a bit to see if I can get better performance. As is I'm happy with the results I'm getting but I got into this hobby to be able to play around a bit. I'll still keep it under the max recommended load as to not ruin my gun. Thanks again for the replies.