9mm Reloading Range Report

[rfwobbly]

Magtech 115gr FMJs and Rainier 124gr HPs, both to an OAL of 1.15X.

The Magtech is a jacketed bullet. You should be able to use most any reasonable 115gr jacketed data.

The Rainier is a plated bullet. Rainier's web site says to use the same loading data as 124gr lead bullets.

Going to have to mess with the OALs a bit to find what works best in the future.

I'd bet money that the maximum OAL for both these bullets is going to be different. That is not to say you couldn't shorten the longer OAL to be the same as the shorter. However, due to the difference in bullet construction and weights, you're still going to end up with different loads for each.

 

[TH3180]

This is an intresting thread. I was told start at min load, work my way up by .2g, when I found what's right go .1g on either side and that will decide my load. All of that not going over max load data. With HP38 I am at 4.7g, 115 Montana Gold FMJ R/N, at 1.151 OAL and Winchester Primers. I have to go .1g each side of 4.7g and then load away.

 

[rfwobbly]

This is an interesting thread. I was told start at min load, work my way up by .2g....

And I would tell you the same again today. I did the same for myself just yesterday.

This thread reminds me, "There are are old reloaders and there are bold reloaders. But there are no old bold reloaders."

 

[TH3180]

And I would tell you the same again today. I did the same for myself just yesterday.

This thread reminds me, "There are are old reloaders and there are bold reloaders. But there are no old bold reloaders."

What's the bench mark to becoming an old reloader? I think I am going to hit the 1000 load mark this weekend.

 

[918v]

It's more like 100000

 

[mallc]

Are you sure you are on the right website?

According to Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading manual, I'm actually above the starting load. Is Lyman wrong or Hodgdon? Can both be right?

Mr McLeod,

Are you sure you are on the right website? Most of us pay a lot of attention to folks with 8000 plus posts. - especially when it's for your own safety.

Scott

 

[J_McLeod]

Mr McLeod,

Are you sure you are on the right website? Most of us pay a lot of attention to folks with 8000 plus posts. - especially when it's for your own safety.

Scott

I'm not sure about the website, but I'm sure about the data I used. Here's Hodgdon's site.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Lists 4.7 - 5.1 gr of Win 231 for a 115 SPGDHP.

Sitting in front of me is a copy of Lyman's 49th Edition reloading manual. It's been recommended by several reloaders I've talked to as well as a few on this board. It lists a starting load of 3.5 gr Win 231 for a 115 gr JHP with a max load of 4.9. Also according to this data, 4.7 is only .2 from max. I could scan it or post a picture if needed.

I meant no disrespect to anyone, including ArchAngel. I came here to learn, but I was a bit surprised by some reaction to this post.

 

[onebigelf]

Remember that different sources are going to set different "safety" limits for themselves.
I generally try to use data from the powder manufacturer if possible.

Also - The SAAMI limit for 9mm standard pressure is 35,000psi
The SAAMI limit for 9mm +P pressure is 38,500psi

The Universal load of 5.0gr that I like with 115gr GDHP is listed at 31,200psi. That is listed as max with that load by Hodgdon. A nice, safe, comfortable standard pressure margin of 3,800psi. Maybe the pressure spikes unexpectedly at 5.1gr and above.

I don't think anybody publishes +P data, at least for 9mm. None of my books or sources list a single load above 35,000psi. Anyone have anything different? Note that several of my sources list the 38 Special +p. I always wondered about that difference.

John

 

[Peter_S]

J_MCLEOD ... I looked at the same data as you and YES, you are right about the Lyman data. But in my previous post I explained that the bullet in the Lyman data is most probably set LOWER in the casing (both Hodgdon and Lyman tested hollow points and the Lyman test round has a SHORTER OAL.) Assuming both hollow points are the same or nearly the same length then Lyman will have to use less powder to get similar velocities as Hodgdon because the smaller case volume in the Lyman test round creates a higher pressure than the Hodgdon round.

 

[J_McLeod]

Peter, Thanks for the explanation of the different loads between Hodgdon and Lyman. I started another thread a few weeks ago asking about OALs and found that they could be varied a bit, but deeper seating would mean more pressure. After that I seated a bullet at the OAL listed in the data I was using at the time, and it looked disturbingly short. I opted to make my rounds longer for more safety and to match the OAL on loads I'd been shooting previously. The rounds I loaded and the Wolf, BVAC and S&B I had been shooting are all at around 1.15X OAL.

 

[1SOW]

I'm 'borrowing' this back from seedtick:

{Regarding Reloading} It's best to stay with published data until you've got the experience to screw up knowingly. 1SOW