A couple 9mm load questions

[Jumping Frog]

Well, I've been loading .45 ACP and .40 S&W so far since I started with this new (to me) hobby last spring. Now I want to try loading 9mm.

Two questions.

1. I picked up some 148 gr lead round nose bullets. All the loading manuals I've seen list a maximum of 147 gr lead bullets.

Is the 1 grain difference worth sweating over? I know that you normally would choose a published load for the next heavier size than the bullet you are loading, but there are no heavier loads. Should I just use the 147 gr load unchanged?

2. I already own three powders, Hodgdon's Clays, Accurate #7, and Ramshot Zip. Now, Clays maximum published load is for 125 gr bullet, so it is out of consideration.

AA #7 publishes 6.5-7.2 gr for a 145 grain RNBB(L) bullet. Ramshot Zip publishes 3.3-3.7 gr for a 147 grain Laser Cast 9mm FlatPoint.

Although I can go out and buy "yet another favorite 9mm powder", it seems like I should at least try some loads with #7 and Zip. Any input on either?

 

[zxcvbob]

One grain difference in the bullet mass is not significant compared to slight differences in the seating depth that you can't even know about without having the exact bullets used for their load developement. That's why you don't start out with the max data.

Use the 147 load data, but back off from the max about 5% or more, and work up the loads.

 

[bluetopper]

I wouldn't worry about the extra 1gr of bullet weight.

2.9gr of Clays is what I have worked up in my 9mm 1911. A 147gr cast lead bullet launches out at 900fps. Very good target load.

 

[Walkalong]

Agreed. No practical difference in 147 & 148 Grs.