New reloader here. I've spent weeks researching reloading and have made my first batch of rounds! But there are problems.
I am reloading 9mm 124gr bullets from Xtreme Bullets. These are total metal jacket (completely plated in copper and rated for 1500fps), round nose, heavy plate concave base.
I am using Titegroup powder since that is all I could get.
I am experiencing many a failure to eject (stovepipe but not facing outward) once every 10 rounds or so it seems. Really if shooting more than 10 rounds at a time it's less.
I've checked 3 published sources for load data as well as some forum postings.
Information varies so I tried several different loads.
Powder loads vary from 3.8 to 4.0 for min and 4.2-4.4 for max.
C.O.A.L varies from 1.115 to 1.150 (with my first manual stating 1.135)
I have tried 4 different combinations and here are the accompanying errors.
4.0gr, 1.140" (Gecco case) = 3/20 failure to ejects followed by 4/30 FTE.
4.0gr, 1.140" (Federal case) = 1/20 FTE followed by 1/30 FTE
4.1gr, 1.135" (Federal case) = 2/20 FTE followed by 3/30 FTE
4.2gr, 1.135" (Federal case) = 1/20 FTE followed by 1/30 FTE
I shot first 5 shots twice, then 10 shots 3 times of each load.
The 4.2gr load was an accident (powder throw was set just a little bit off)
Powder throws were very consistent (I check every 10-30 rounds), which might account for the amazing accuracy I am getting with these rounds
Sometimes a failure to eject was accompanied by a failure to feed. And each batch suffered a bullet being loaded with a failure to eject and another bullet trying to feed into the chamber, all at once. But this only happened once per group.
So what could be the issue? I'm going to do further testing as I made 200 rounds of each so far (yes I know people say small batches but 10-50 rounds of testing a good load is not statistically valid for me).
The FTE are annoyances at best. Accuracy is way better than new ammo bought, which never had a failure.
I am shooting out of an HK P30L. I hear this brand has a good repuation, I'm curious how these loads would do out of another 9mm gun, but it's my only pistol.
Any ideas? I know this all boils down to pressure.
I've checked the seating, it's consistent (check every 20 rounds)
I've checked the crimp, any tighter and the round nose bullets become flat nose bullets haha. It's not too tight and not too loose.
I'm using an RCBS press and carbide dies. RCBS dial calipers and their 505 scale to check everything. Each bullet goes into my barrel before loading into a box for the range. I've been as careful as I can with this. Brass is re-sized, de-primed and belled 600 at a time. Powder and bullets are added 50 at a time. Powder checked every 10-30 rounds. C.O.A.L is checked every 20 rounds.
I can see one type of load having this problem, but ALL of them? I've read good results from folks loading 4.0gr titegroup and 1.135-1.140" C.O.A.L for 9mm, including this specific brand of bullets. So what are some other things I can try out? I'm not going to pull all these rounds. I figure they will be great for a combat training course where clearing malfunctions will be good practice.
I am reloading 9mm 124gr bullets from Xtreme Bullets. These are total metal jacket (completely plated in copper and rated for 1500fps), round nose, heavy plate concave base.
I am using Titegroup powder since that is all I could get.
I am experiencing many a failure to eject (stovepipe but not facing outward) once every 10 rounds or so it seems. Really if shooting more than 10 rounds at a time it's less.
I've checked 3 published sources for load data as well as some forum postings.
Information varies so I tried several different loads.
Powder loads vary from 3.8 to 4.0 for min and 4.2-4.4 for max.
C.O.A.L varies from 1.115 to 1.150 (with my first manual stating 1.135)
I have tried 4 different combinations and here are the accompanying errors.
4.0gr, 1.140" (Gecco case) = 3/20 failure to ejects followed by 4/30 FTE.
4.0gr, 1.140" (Federal case) = 1/20 FTE followed by 1/30 FTE
4.1gr, 1.135" (Federal case) = 2/20 FTE followed by 3/30 FTE
4.2gr, 1.135" (Federal case) = 1/20 FTE followed by 1/30 FTE
I shot first 5 shots twice, then 10 shots 3 times of each load.
The 4.2gr load was an accident (powder throw was set just a little bit off)
Powder throws were very consistent (I check every 10-30 rounds), which might account for the amazing accuracy I am getting with these rounds
Sometimes a failure to eject was accompanied by a failure to feed. And each batch suffered a bullet being loaded with a failure to eject and another bullet trying to feed into the chamber, all at once. But this only happened once per group.
So what could be the issue? I'm going to do further testing as I made 200 rounds of each so far (yes I know people say small batches but 10-50 rounds of testing a good load is not statistically valid for me).
The FTE are annoyances at best. Accuracy is way better than new ammo bought, which never had a failure.
I am shooting out of an HK P30L. I hear this brand has a good repuation, I'm curious how these loads would do out of another 9mm gun, but it's my only pistol.
Any ideas? I know this all boils down to pressure.
I've checked the seating, it's consistent (check every 20 rounds)
I've checked the crimp, any tighter and the round nose bullets become flat nose bullets haha. It's not too tight and not too loose.
I'm using an RCBS press and carbide dies. RCBS dial calipers and their 505 scale to check everything. Each bullet goes into my barrel before loading into a box for the range. I've been as careful as I can with this. Brass is re-sized, de-primed and belled 600 at a time. Powder and bullets are added 50 at a time. Powder checked every 10-30 rounds. C.O.A.L is checked every 20 rounds.
I can see one type of load having this problem, but ALL of them? I've read good results from folks loading 4.0gr titegroup and 1.135-1.140" C.O.A.L for 9mm, including this specific brand of bullets. So what are some other things I can try out? I'm not going to pull all these rounds. I figure they will be great for a combat training course where clearing malfunctions will be good practice.
