9mm Reloading Question

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MakeIt4U

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I am new to metallic reloading and looking for a starting load for Speer 115gr CPRN (#4712) with VV N320 powder. (all I could get my hands on during the shortage!)
I am not able to find any load data on that exact combination.

Any advice on where to look, or any recommendations on a starting load and OAL? Do any of the reloading guides publish this combination?

FYI, I have looked for internet load data including on Speer's site and in the Vihtavuori Reloading Guide 2021. The closest bullet I can find list in the VV guide for 9mm 115gr using N320 is Extreme RN HPCB which recommends starting at 3.9gr and 1.142" OAL. Is this bullet close enough to the Speer 4712?
 
I think I am going to load a batch of 9mm ammo. I have mainly 115gr bullets on hand. I have Remington FMJ and Remington 115gr hollow points and some RMR 115gr hollow points.

My normal 115gr load is 5grs of Bullseye powder and a standard primer either a CCI 500 or Winchester WSP primer. All in mixed cases. I have on hand these powders. Accurate #2, Bullseye, Unique, 231 and Titegroup.

Anyone have a favorite load for any of those powders you would care to share? I'm not looking for maximum loads just a good cycle anything load in the 1100-1150fps range.
My favorite loads right now for 115gr. FMJ load are both kind of heavy: 6.4gr. of Unique, which makes about 1200fps, and 8.1gr. of Blue Dot making about 1200fps, both out of my FEG Hi-Power clone with pulled soft steel-core Russian bullets. The mid-range load for that gun is HS-6 (7.0gr.) which you didn't say you had.

I have a load documented in some of my older notes (thank you iCloud! ;) ) which says to use 5.5gr. of Unique with a Speer 115gr. TMJ making 1100fps (from my old Star M-30) for a plinking load. Same note says to use 4.7gr. Bullseye with 115gr. LRN (Ballistic Laboratories surplus) at 1150fps (also the Star M-30). That load cycled all of my 9mm except the Star BM; it short-cycles on all of my lighter loads for some reason.

I really like Unique, HS-6 and Bullseye for 9mm. That 5.0gr. Bullseye load sounds like a good one. I'd use that. :)
 
I am new to metallic reloading and looking for a starting load for Speer 115gr CPRN (#4712) with VV N320 powder. (all I could get my hands on during the shortage!)
I am not able to find any load data on that exact combination.

Any advice on where to look, or any recommendations on a starting load and OAL? Do any of the reloading guides publish this combination?

FYI, I have looked for internet load data including on Speer's site and in the Vihtavuori Reloading Guide 2021. The closest bullet I can find list in the VV guide for 9mm 115gr using N320 is Extreme RN HPCB which recommends starting at 3.9gr and 1.142" OAL. Is this bullet close enough to the Speer 4712?
If there's not data, reconsider using that combination of powders and projectiles. I understand using the Speer bullets - they're cheap, available and well made - but unless you have a real reason for using VV-N320, I would choose something else. If you look in the "Where are reloading components available" topic, you will see powders are becoming available, including AA#5 and AA#7, which are both very versatile and recommended for most 9mm weights. There's plenty of data for Accurate No.5 and No.7 for various 115gr. CPRN bullets, even if not specifically that Speer bullet, Speer does list both for their 115gr. TMJ, which is very close to the CPRN.

VV N350 burns significantly slower than VV N320 and that may be why it isn't recommended for that plated lead bullet. I'm not sure about the reason but, if there's no data, I'd recommend avoiding wandering through unpublished combinations as a new reloader.
 
If there's not data, reconsider using that combination of powders and projectiles. I understand using the Speer bullets - they're cheap, available and well made - but unless you have a real reason for using VV-N320, I would choose something else. If you look in the "Where are reloading components available" topic, you will see powders are becoming available, including AA#5 and AA#7, which are both very versatile and recommended for most 9mm weights. There's plenty of data for Accurate No.5 and No.7 for various 115gr. CPRN bullets, even if not specifically that Speer bullet, Speer does list both for their 115gr. TMJ, which is very close to the CPRN.

VV N350 burns significantly slower than VV N320 and that may be why it isn't recommended for that plated lead bullet. I'm not sure about the reason but, if there's no data, I'd recommend avoiding wandering through unpublished combinations as a new reloader.

Thanks for the quick response! The main reason I wanted to use the N320 was availability at the time I bought it. I was fortunate enough to get some a few weeks ago when powder was scarce and it didn't seem to be improving. Glad it's getting better now. I do follow the thread "Where are reloading components available". It's been great!

My bullet choice was the same (availability at the time), but now that I have researched more, I think the bullet choice was a good one for low cost target shooting / plinking. I agree with your advice on "published" data as a new reloader and that's why I was hoping to find someone that could point me to some existing data or had first hand experience with that combination. That said, I called Speer and they had it! Just not on their website yet. I was impressed with their responsiveness and they were able to send me the data for that exact combination. If you don't see it on their site, just call them.

Thanks Again!
 
Thanks for the quick response! The main reason I wanted to use the N320 was availability at the time I bought it. I was fortunate enough to get some a few weeks ago when powder was scarce and it didn't seem to be improving. Glad it's getting better now. I do follow the thread "Where are reloading components available". It's been great!

My bullet choice was the same (availability at the time), but now that I have researched more, I think the bullet choice was a good one for low cost target shooting / plinking. I agree with your advice on "published" data as a new reloader and that's why I was hoping to find someone that could point me to some existing data or had first hand experience with that combination. That said, I called Speer and they had it! Just not on their website yet. I was impressed with their responsiveness and they were able to send me the data for that exact combination. If you don't see it on their site, just call them.

Thanks Again!
Excellent! Good news and glad you got a response from Speer. I've been reloading since I was 13 years old (more moons ago than I'd like to admit) and I still won't stray from published data. I may have to look for a manual published back when there were only six powders and "air mail" wasn't common but I'll find it. ;)

Best of luck and be careful.
 
Probably not much help. Been using CEFP and just started with WSF all around low to mid 5gr range. Shooting 115grrn berry's and 124gr HSM rn's I prefer the WSF as it seems to burn cleaner and meters about the same as CEFP. I have about 5 other pistol powders I haven't tried yet,.
 
That said, I called Speer and they had it!
Good deal! N320 is an excellent powder for 9mm target loads. There are better choices for mid to full power loads but you’ll be pleased with N320 results. It meters well, burns clean and produces good precision. I’ve also found it’s pretty linear if you have to shorten COL. VV typically specs 1.142” COL for a lot of their 9mm combinations, but I tend to load at 1.120”. While it’s desirable to have the exact combination of components of published data, rarely does that happen for me. I would have suggested going with the VV data for the 115gr Lapua FMJ-RN. Typically you can load plated with starting to mid level jacketed data. Do your plunk test first to determine your max and working COL. Good luck.
 
FYI, I have looked for internet load data including on Speer's site and in the Vihtavuori Reloading Guide 2021. The closest bullet I can find list in the VV guide for 9mm 115gr using N320 is Extreme RN HPCB which recommends starting at 3.9gr and 1.142" OAL. Is this bullet close enough to the Speer 4712?

Judging by the data on the Vihtavuori site, I would be comfortable with that data. I might stop a little short of 4.6 if it seemed stouter than factory or ejection was more dynamic. A couple of the 115 Gr bullets they list stop short of that.

Have a chrono?
 
Oh, I use 3.9/4.0 with a 124 Gr X-Treme HP @ 1.060 OAL and it is mild. 1050ish FPS from a 5" 1911 and brass drops almost at my feet.
 
The bullet doesn't have to match exactly. Just use the same type (CPRN), weight (115gn). Here's your data from Vihtavouri.com , assuming CPRN means Copper Plated Round Point;
115gn Berry's (which is copper plated) HB or RN over N320
min 4.1gn (1047 fps) max 4.7gn (1184 fps)
 
I load a lot of 115gr 9mm and VVN320, my go to load is a Berry's 115grRN bullet with 4.6grs. of N320 and I load to an OAL of 1.142. This is a very clean and accurate load.
 
Plated bullets that aren't listed in many manuals can be safe reloaded with cast bullet data. Use the VV data for a 115 gr cast bullet and the OAL for a 115 FMJ RN for starters...
 
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