9mm failure to eject

[Montman]

I recently decided to begin reloading my own 9mm ammo.
My first attempts have been frustrating.

I purchased Accurate #7 powder and plated 115 grain round nose bullets.
According to Accurate's own load data guide:
Start load = 5.7 gr
Max load = 6.7 gr
COL = 1.140 in

I loaded 20 rounds each at 5.7, 5.9, 6.1 and 6.3 grains of powder.
None of these loads would cycle the slide - on 2 different guns.

So I loaded at 6.5, 6.7 and a couple at 6.9 grains.
6.5 gr - same failure to eject.
6.7 gr - cycled the action every time but slide failed to lock open on last round.
6.9 gr - cycled the action and the slide lock on last round.

BUT 6.9 gr is .2 gr above the max load.

The scale appears to be accurate.
Reading various threads on this site and others, I wonder if part of the problem is going with a 115 grain bullet in the first place - or if the COL should be reduced.

Any suggestions?

 

[moxie]

You could go down to 1.12 or so, but I really think your problem is with your scale. Double check its setup, and how you set it. Check weights are a good investment.

 

[rcmodel]

IMO: AA #7 is too slow burning to work well with lighter bullets in the 9mm.

Lyman #49 shows a 125 grain Sierra JHP as the lightest bullet using it..
AA #7 powder.

125 Sierra JHP
OAL = 1.075".
Start load = 7.0.
Max load = 7.8.

147 Speer grain bullet.
OAL = 1.115".
Start 6.0.
Max 7.2.

I believe you can safely use 6.9 or even 7.0+ if that's what it takes.

You would be better served with a slightly faster powder though.

rc

 

[jstein650]

What brand of plated bullets are you using? The current Accurate online manual lists a max load of 8.2 for Berry's 115gr RN and an OAL of 1.13", and 6.7 for Rainer. I think A#7 is on the slow side for 115's in the 9mm. A#5 is snappier for the 115's and works well for me.

 

[Potatohead]

Hey Montman,
Welcome to THR...I'm a noob so I'm just watching your thread, but lemme tell you, these dudes will have your problem figured out pretty quick if they haven't already...I've seen 'em do it before

 

[Montman]

I don't know the manufacturer of the bullets.
They were "repackaged" by the local supplier into 100 count bags with no brand information.
I was using the load data for Rainer round nose.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Sometimes with lighter bullets that happens. I tried some 100 grain bullets and they didn't eject properly, causing 3-4 stovepipes per mag.
Some guns don't like the lighter bullets. Try some 124s or 147s. Or a faster powder like AA#2 or Bullseye.

 

[1KPerDay]

The scale appears to be accurate.

Do you have a check weight?

 

[Montman]

I see the 8.2 gr max load for the Berrys round nose on the chart - but it is for a RNDS (round nose double struck).
I thought this was a different type of bullet - but I just looked it up, and apparently "double struck" only means the bullet is sized again after being platted.
So - I wonder why the Rainer and Berrys 115 grain RN bullets have such a different load.
By the Berrys data, my 6.9 gr load is slightly less than the 7.0 gr start load.

Well, if I buy 115 gr bullets again, I'll have to make sure of the brand.
But, I'm thinking I should go with 124 gr bullets with the AA#7.

Maybe I'll pick up some AA#5 too.

Thanks to everyone who responded.
I think I have a better understanding now.

 

[Potatohead]

I don't know the manufacturer of the bullets.
They were "repackaged" by the local supplier into 100 count bags with no brand information.
I was using the load data for Rainer round nose.

Are these ok to use if they look ok? I've wondered about this-saw some ziploc bags full of just bullets with 115 gr written in marker on the ziploc. Are these type deals ok? Or is that a reloading no-no? Hopefully this isnt a hijack since it's on topic....

 

[Arkansas Paul]

As long as you have a set of calipers and a scale, I don't see a problem with it.

 

[Montman]

I do have a check weight.

I didn't spend much time testing with the check weight. The scale (Franklin Digital) acted like it was almost too heavy for it so I gave up.

I'll try it again.

 

[TfflHndn]

You say you had the same problem in 2 different guns, but don't say which ones. If they are compacts (4-inch barrel?) you have to keep in mind that slower powders have less time to operate the slide before the bullet is gone. Look at the gun used for the results in your manual (they are often full-size guns/barrels) and consider whether yours are the same, shorter or longer barrel, etc. You are going to get different performance in your gun if the test gun used has a 5-inch barrel and yours is 3-4 inches. You don't want to load hotter and exceed max pressures, but you may need to change to a faster powder if your results are poorer than the manual data. Your manual may have a powder burn rate chart; pick one at the faster end of the scale and you should be able to make 115 grain bullets work fine. Stay safe, have fun.

 

[Montman]

The 2 guns are a Beretta 92F (4.9" barrel) and a Ruger SR9c (3.4" barrel).

After reading some of the responses above I loaded several rounds at 7.0 grains (AA#7, 115gr plated RN, 1.13 COL).
Test fired these in both guns and they fed and ejected perfectly.

Then loaded Berrys 124gr plated flat nose, 6.7gr AA#7, 1.11 COL. These fired fine in the Ruger. Haven't tried in the Beretta yet.

 

[moxie]

Good news!

Did you recheck your scale?

 

[gamestalker]

I load with slow burners using light weight bullets, and with various firearms with no issues. It can be done, you can either tweak seating depth, or increase the powder charge.

GS

 

[au_prospector]

a brand new dime

is supposed to weigh 35.00 grains.

 

[Potatohead]

Someone here the other day said a cci small pistol primer weighs 3.3 gr I think...might have been Gamestalker-I'm not sure though so don't quote me on that-

 

[RussellC]

I keep an el-cheapo digital scale when I reload, not for powder but I weigh every bullet. It can be done very quickly, and sometimes I'm told, there will be a few odd weights mixed in i.e., 124 in with 115 and so forth.

Russellc

 

[Potatohead]

Have you encountered that yet, since you've been weighing the bullets?

 

[gamestalker]

No, it wasn't me I don't think. I think I weighed a dime based on someone else claim.

GS

 

[Montman]

I found the check weight that came with the scale. It's a 50 gram weight. My scale says it weights 50.03 grams.
So if it's off by .03 grams it's off by .46 grains - at 50 grams.
I don't think this would translate to being off by much when measuring out 6.5 or 7.0 grains.
Someone suggested that a cci small pistol primer weighs 3.3 grains. I use Federal primers and they weigh 3.5 grains.
Sounds like a set of light check weights would come in handy.

Anyway, I did solve the original problem - using a different load "recipe" solved the problem.
Thanks for everyone input.

 

[Sunray]

"...using the load data for Rainer round nose..." Hi. I think I'd use the Berry's data. Mind you, I suspect it has nothing to do with the load. Any load in a manual should cycle the pistol. However, like Arkansas Paul says, some pistols don't like light bullets without changing springs.
What pistol you shooting?

 

[LiveLife]

OP is shooting a Beretta 92F and a Ruger SR9c.

The 2 guns are a Beretta 92F (4.9" barrel) and a Ruger SR9c (3.4" barrel).

I love happy endings.

Anyway, I did solve the original problem - using a different load "recipe" solved the problem.

You'll have easier time cycling the slide and extracting/ejecting spent cases with 124 gr bullets over 115 gr bullets as I usually need to push the lighter 115 gr bullets harder at high-to-near max load data to reliably cycle the slides of my compact/subcompact pistols.

I'm thinking I should go with 124 gr bullets

 

[armoredman]

With 115 grain plated bullets and AA#7, (which is all I use in 9mm, really), I find 7.5 grains gives the best performance. This load works with Berrys and the plated bullets that RMR sells. I highly recommend the Berrys Hollow Base Round Nose Thick Plate, great bullets.