9mm Sanity Check

[bdub922]

Getting ready to run my very first test loads. I'm unable to find data for my exact components, but feel I have a close/safe starting point. Wanted to throw it out there and see if the collective wisdom would agree.

My proposed starting recipe...
115gr Berrys plated RN
4.5gr Bullseye
CCI 500 primer
COL = 1.147
S&B brass, trim to .753 (once fired from my gun)

Checking the Lyman 49th manual I see...
115gr JHP (Hornady HP/XTP)
3.5gr - 4.8gr Bullseye
CCI 500 primer
COL = 1.090
Federal Case, trim to .751

Sierra data...(from "One Book/One Caliber")
115gr FMJ RN
3.8gr - 4.8gr Bullseye
WSP primer
COL - 1.100
Starline Case, trim to .750

Lyman data...(from "One Book/One Caliber")
115gr #2 Alloy
3.8gr - 4.9gr Bullseye
CCI 500 primer
COL = 0.997
Federal Case, trim to .751

Alliant Power Guide...(from "One Book/One Caliber")
115gr FMJ
5.0gr Bullseye (1180 fps)
COL = 1.120

Alliant Powder Guide (online)...
115gr Speer GDHP
4.7gr Bullseye (1144 fps)
CCI 500 primer
COL = 1.125
Speer Case

I worked up a dummy round at 1.147 (no primer, no powder) and it fits my 9mm case gauge and barrel, also cycles thru the gun fine (Ruger SR9). My COL is kinda random, just based on being a bit shorter than some other factory rounds and also under the 1.169 max. From what I gather from other threads here, COL is more about my gun than a hard fast rule. But I also understand that charge weight/pressure is affected with differing COL.

Anyway, wanted to get some feedback on my starting point. Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

[esheato]

Sounds about right...

As far as trimming pistol brass goes, it's a complete waste of time. You'll lose it or split the neck before trimming ever becomes an issue. Tumble, load, shoot and repeat.

I've loaded tons of the Berry's 115s over BE for range use. IIRC we loaded 4.0 grains.

 

[bdub922]

Thanks esheato. I'll run a few and see how it goes. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't horribly off base. Ive heard the same on trimming for pistol, but I keep seeing in the data so I figured I add in what my brass is at. Thank again!

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, don't worry about trimming the cases. I load a serious mixture of range brass and it shoots just fine. Could it shoot better if I used only one make of cases? Probably so, but 99% of my shooting will never take advantage of it, so I don't bother. Not that I don't have a couple of K separated out. Primed too.


I would load it a hair shorter at about 1.135, and I would start with 4.3 or 4.4 Grs Bullseye, but I am sure you are fine where you are at.

 

[soloban]

+1 on skipping trimming. I've have good luck with 115 Gr Round Nose FMJ and Power Pistol, I like my 9mm reloads a little hot in my CZ-75B and I go a few 1/10ths of a grain under the max charge and get great accuracy.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr 922 -
IMHO your chosen OAL is simply making it hard on yourself. In place of 1.147" use 1.150". This is the diameter of a single human hair longer, but my number is so much easier to read on a caliper, and it also cuts down on any dyslexia. (That is to say, confusing 1.174 with 1.147)

Even then your cartridges will vary somewhat. So to answer your next question, your medium loads should be allowed +/-.007", or anything in the range of 1.143" to 1.157". So in reality, 1.150" is what you're aiming at, but you'll accept hits in the '9 ring' too.

Hope this helps.

 

[bdub922]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. I plan to run a few of the suggestions here and try them out this coming weekend. Thanks again!

 

[1SOW]

The S&B are 'all brass' right? Not brass plated steel?

A magnet is the only way the two types of S&B can be distinguished.

 

[bdub922]

Correct, all brass. Checked with a magnet.