Best Book for Reloading Hard Cast Bullets?

[mobiusnc]

I just got in some 9mm 125 gr. CN bullets from midstates. This is my first attempt at reloading so I'm a little hesitant to say the least
I'm planning on 3.8 gr. of Bullseye with CCI primers. Problem is I have no idea what the OAL should be. I have the Hornady 7th ed. book which gives an OAL for their 124 FMJ-RN of 1.150".

When I seat the bullets I have just past the lube ring I get 1.197". How can you determine the proper OAL with all the variables? Is there a good book for common hard cast bullets? I fear seating further back and causing a pressure increase.

As an aside, does the Lee maunual suggest hot loads? My father says his Lee gives 4.4 to 4.9 grains of bullseye for 125 gr. bullets. Hornady gives 3.9 to 4.6 for 115 gr. (no 125 gr bullseye data) . Seems like the the heavier bullet should use less powder....not more!

 

[rcmodel]

The Lee book is just reprints of all the powder manufactures data.
You can get the same thing free from the powder companies websites.

Lee, it seems to me is very conservative. Perhaps because of Lee dipper powder measures?

Hornady is also usually conservative compared to the Speer and Sierra manuals.

A very good source for cast bullet reloading data is the Lyman # 48 reloading manual for both cast & jacketed info.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=823498

Or the Lyman Cast Bullet guide is more specific to only cast bullets.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=796528

rcmodel

 

[NuJudge]

What pistol are you intending to shoot these in? Seating depth and OAL vary widely for me with different 9mm pistols.

CDD

 

[zxcvbob]

That's a really light load for 9mm. I use 4.5 grains Bullseye with 135 grain bullets. (this is an almost max load)

You'll need to seat the bullets deeper than that to get them to feed properly. About 1.15" should be pretty close. I think 1.169" is the absolute max length for 9mm.

Adjust your seating die to give a light taper crimp so the bullets don't set-back.

 

[mobiusnc]

Hmmm, the Hornady book says 3.9 gr min 4.6 gr max for 115 gr FMJ-RN. I guess it's conservative?

I'll be shooting them in a Sig p250. The bullet cycled through the gun manually.

I'll pick up Lyman guide for sure. Thanks.

So how do you guys figure out how seat a new hard cast bullet? Do you start with OAL from the closest thing you can find in a manual? Do you seat so the lube line is barley visible?

 

[zxcvbob]

I use a factory round with a similar profile bullet (and that I know feeds well in the gun) to set my seating die, then I record the length when my cast bullet is seated with it set that way, then I work up a load for that OAL. My gun came with a very stiff spring installed from the factory (FM Hi-Power model M90) and it likes hot ammo. So I start with maximum loads for standard pressure 9mm and work up towards +P. I'm thinking about a putting a lighter spring in it (because the trigger pull is so hard), then I'll have to work up some lighter loads.

 

[Kragman71]

I do believe that the Lyman manual is the best(that I Know)source for cast bullet information.
For hard cast,Marshal Stanton @Beartooth Bullets.com is a good source also.
Frank

 

[Quoheleth]

When starting with my MP9, the OAL given in Lee's manual (and double-checked via the Universal website) was too long. I had to go a little smaller to get it to feed.

Make a dummy round starting with the recommended OAL in your manual/website - no powder, no primer, just a properly seated & crimped bullet in the case - and see if it'll chamber & the action close. Adjust as needed.

Q