Fisrst 9MM reloads,"have a problem"

[Satch]

Tried first 9MM reloads today in my P89 Ruger and some failed to fire,eject,and move slide open after last round fired. I had some White Box along to compare to the reloads and they worked good and had more punch.
Used a Lee turret loader with Auto Disk Powder Measure. The instuctions with the Lee dies said for the Unique powder I'm using start grs. at 5.1 and use Auto Disk feed measure hole .53. The instuctions also say don't excede 5.5 grs.
I pulled one of the WB rounds bullets and the powder is real fine compared to Unique and the charge is about a half grain more than the unique charge I used. Also my crimp was more than the WB.
Should I try a different powder or go more grains with the Auto Disk measure. The next higher measure hole is .57.

 

[Satch]

First 9MM reloads correction

I didn't have any that failed to fire. They failed to eject after fireing and would not cycle the slide open after the last round fired.

 

[Fed168]

Sounds like a stovepipe failure? Try upping the powder charge abit, load a couple more a little hotter and try those.

Never have used a Lee press so I am not familiar with it, nor Unique powder. Universal Clays, Win 231, and Titegroup have all worked.

 

[stans]

Sounds like your reloads don't have enough energy to cycle the slide. Are you taper crimping your reloads? What brand, style and weight bullet are you using? What's the OAL of your rounds? What primer? What brand of case?

 

[Dave R]

Sounds to me like a light load, too. Not enough energy to cycle the slide.

For my 9mm loads, I use 5.6 gr. of Unique, which is a mid load in my Speer No. 13 book. Cycles my two 9mms fine.

 

[Frohickey]

Sounds like you have a very light load.

My standard 9mm (115gr) load is also 5.6grains of Unique. When I first started reloading, and I was using the Lee Auto-Disk, I noticed that the data included with the Lee Auto-Disk as to how much powder for the cavity was really on the light side.

I suggest double checking the charge weight and make your own table. You do have a powder scale (balance beam or electronic), don't you?

The Lee scoops, and the table included with it is also not quite right. Depending on your technique of scooping, the charge could vary, and it doesn't take a lot of variation for pistol charges.

BTW, you can't really compare your handloads to commercial loads, as far as powder volume or weight goes. Always refer to data books for powder charges. Anything else is inviting trouble.

 

[antsi]

"Start loads" are calculated at the very light/low-power end of the spectrum. Loads that are too light will frequently cause malfunctions in semi-autos.

When I am working on a new load, I usually check two or three different sources and try to start at a "medium" load that is right in the middle between the highest and lowest quoted extremes. Then, I will experiment with lighter and heavier charges from there. Usually, I find that the best shooting load is somewhere near that middle zone.

If you really want to make super-light loads and shoot them, you can sometimes go to a lighter recoil spring on your gun to compensate for the weak recoil impulse and allow the gun to function. Then, of course, the gun won't be set up for standard power loads.

 

[Jim Watson]

The Alliant maximum is 6.1 grains of Unique for a 115 grain FMJ. Strangely, their maximum is 6.2 grains of Unique for a 124 grain FMJ.

The 90% starting load would, therefore, be 5.5 grains. Weigh some at that and shoot them.

You do have a powder scale, don't you? You cannot trust mass produced fixed charge powder measures like Lee disks and dippers to deliver what the chart says.

 

[g56]

.One thing that is very clear, you need a powder scale, you need to know how much powder you are using, and not guess. You can still use the disk powder measure, but use the scale to set it to the charge that you want.

 

[salemons]

I had a similar problem the first time with 9mm also. None would kick the spent casing out. I had put the measuring disk in reversed. I thought I was getting one load but it was the load from the opposite cup of the disk. I was lucky to get a reduced load and not an over load. Be sure to check your load with a scale, even a cheap Lee beam scale. They are pretty inexpensive.
I like the Lee powder dispenser, but the load the books say you will get with a certain # cup might not be what you will end up with. Try it with your powder, weigh the load with a scale and then try another cup # until you get what you want.

 

[Frohickey]

One thing you could do if the Lee AutoDisk doesn't give you the load you want is to dremel the holes larger. Of course, that makes the disk, nonstandard.

 

[mack69]

Re:

Satch...I'm with the rest of the gang on the lite load thought. Also you may want to switch to an adjustable charge bar instead of using the autodisk. The ACB charges seem to be much more accurate charges than from the auto disk. Just a thought as I do not reload for my 9mm since I can get Win White box 9mm 100 round bulk packs for $10 here. I reload primarily for my .38/.357. Good luck....mack