I need a recipe (for 9mm)

[Wildyams]

I'm going to be reloading Hornady 9mm 115 gr Rn and 115 gr HP/XTP

I'll be using unique.

In the hornady manual, they do not list Unique as a powder for these two bullets.

My speer manual for 115 gr RN and HP lists it at 5.6-6.3 gr

Lyman's 49th lists it at 4.4-5.8 gr (and one of the test bullets for this data was the hornady XTP.)

Where should I start? I was thinking in the 5.2 to 5.5 range, but since I'm newish to reloading I figured I would ask before I started letting the powder flow.

(not really looking for a recipe, just wanted someone to tell me that my planned start weights aren't too far off base)

Thanks

 

[hydraulicman]

speer # 14 startload for unique is 5.6 grains to 6.3 115 FMJ

A week ago I shot 5.8 grains unique
115 precision delta FMJ
CCI500
Random non military case.

I don't remember what factory ammo feels like but i'd guess it's close or a little hotter than WWB

use load at your own risk.

 

[faire bien de...!]

The Alliant Web Site lists 6.3 gr of Unique with a 115 gr Gold Dot HP. Minimum OAL of 1.125", CCI 500, for a velocity of 1244 fps. Im sure thats the MAX! I'd listen to hydraulicman and start at 5.6 grains with your bullets and go from there.

 

[hydraulicman]

1.135 oal

 

[rg1]

Just for some more info:
Midways LoadMap series for 9MM
Cases- RP / Primers Win SP
__________
Hornady 115 fmj/RN oal 1.140"
Unique powder 5.0 grains-1082 fps--27800 psi
5.1------- 1099-----28500
5.2--------1115-----29300
5.3--------1131-----30000
5.4--------1148-----30800psi the maximum they listed
___________________-
Hornady 115 HP/XTP oal tested 1.100"
Unique powder 5.0-------1120fps---31100psi
5.1-------1138------32100
5.2-------1157------33000
5.3-------1175------34000
5.4-------1194------35000 the maximum load listed
Seating deeper raises pressure. This is just for your info to help you with your start load level. Your results may vary in your pistol with your components.

 

[ARTinCT]

I personally have been doing quite a lot of load development for 9mm with 3 specific pistols. Springfield Armory XDM, Smith & Wesson 952 long slide and Beretta Steel-1.

The bullet I am using is the Laser Cast 124g RN which comes pre lubed from Laser Cast...
http://www.laser-cast.com/9mm.html

I am using Hogdon's HP-38 as I was able to get my hands on 8 pounds of it recently.
This powder is fast and fairly clean burning. It does not lead up barrels as far as I can see.

The load is a meager 4.5g of HP-38.
I started up and down the low to high scale and all three pistols indicated a distinct preference tot he 4.5g load.

All cases are full length sized, slightly belled, primed with WW small pistol primers.
However CCI primers have been tried and they work with no major differences.
Bullet is seated at 1.10" OAL
Crimped at .3795" which is a very light crimp.
Cases are Starline 9mm Luger.

Results...

Using a Ransom Rest with 5 groups of 10 shots at 25 yards.....

S&W 952 Long Slide = .956" group size average best = .512"

Beretta Steel-1 = 1.028" group size average best = .673"

Springfield Armory XDM = 1.569" group size average best = 1.059"

So as you can see, this load has produced excellent results. It is a mild load.

Equipment used...

CH4D dies
CH4D Pistol Champ 4 station press
Harrell's Schutzen/Pistol powder measure
RCBS Digital Scale

Oftentimes on the ransom rest the first round shot will go out of the following group.
To this behavior I attribute the fact that the round appears to be headspaced on the extractor and then all subsequent rounds have the full power of the slide to fully seat them. As such, I have not taken the first round shot in the above groups into account in the averages of results.

Cheers...

 

[Casefull]

Is not unique a great powder? You can just about dump it in anything with great results.
I like it in the small 9mm case as it fills it up and you have to pack it in to get anything approaching dangerous. 6 plus works great for me.

 

[schmeky]

ARTinCT,

That's some awesome data. This is the reloading range I like to shoot 9mm in and I use a lot of WW231/HP38. That's outstanding accuracy as well from a 9mm.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[rbernie]

My standard 9mm load uses 4gr Unique under a 125gr cast RN. It's economical, I get no leading, and it cycles every 9mm semiauto that I own.