Is this 9mm load safe?

[something vague]

First off, I know this is kinda a dumb question. I have been reloading for a year now and had some issues with my first batch of 100 reloads. I learned to never reload that many without doing some testing right off the bat. Anyways, I bought some 124gr. Rainer plated bullets and some Unique powder when I first started. I thought the whole time reloading these bullets that they were 115gr. (I don't assume anymore either). I found a load in my Speer manual for 5.5gr of Unique for 124gr. FMJ. So I loaded these up with 5.5gr Unique under what actually turned out to be a 124gr. Plated Bullet. Now after checking my Hornady manual they list 5.0gr. of Unique to be max for 124gr FMJ but the Speer lists a charge of 5.2gr-5.8gr. for FMJ. Now being that these are plated, are these loads considered safe to shoot in a Springfield XD9? If they are safe, is it hard on the barrel or other parts of the gun? I learned quit a few lessons from my first session of loading but have these bullets sitting around going unused. Should I pawn them off on someone else...just kiddin. Don't hate on the question too bad.

 

[rcmodel]

Plated bullets are not the same thing as jacketed bullets.
They are softer for one thing.

According to Lyman #49, you are a half grain over max with a 125 grain jacketed bullet.
And a half grain over MAX with a 120 grain lead bullet.

An old Midway/Rainier.PDF I have says 5.2 is max with the 124 FP and 5.4 is max with the 124 RN.

I doubt 5.5 grains will blow you up, but it is going to be a very hot load with a plated bullet I would think.

rc

 

[FredT]

My Lyman manual says that they are to hot. Why risk it? Take the hammer to them, it's only 100, could be worse.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

maybe you should chamber and fire just one and check for pressure signs. seems to be pushing things though.

 

[Walkalong]

the Speer lists a charge of 5.2gr-5.8gr. for FMJ

Yes they do, and Alliants 05 PDF gives 4.9 Grs. Alliants 08 online pdf goes to 5.8 with a 124 gr Gold Dot. Go figure.

5.5 may not have been a good place to start, but I believe you will be OK. Try one or two and check for recoil/pressure signs/velocity (if you have a chrono)

Here is a link to some plated bullet data. It may prove helpful.

I run 9MM plated bullets pretty hard and have had no problems. Start low and work up, as always.

 

[RustyFN]

I run 9MM plated bullets pretty hard and have had no problems. Start low and work up, as always.

I have always loaded Rainier and Berry's plated with FMJ data. Like walkalong said always start low and work the load up. I have worked up a 124 Berry's plated with Titegroup from start load to max with no problems, but that is a whole different ball game than just starting at max. The Speer manual also calls for 5.2 grains start and 5.8 max. I would shoot one or two and see how they look. The next time I sat down to reload I would start at the beginning and work up.
Rusty

 

[something vague]

I currently do start at the beginning, or close to it, and work up all my loads. This was about a year ago. Just had a few dumb rookie moves and have since learned a lot.

 

[Eb1]

I shoot a flat 5.0 grains in my XD9 with a 125 grain lead bullet. Works good, no problems, and very accurate. Actually I cut a case to act as a dipper, but it is anywhere from 4.9 to 5.1 grains always.

 

[oneounceload]

The plated folks will tell you on their site to use LEAD data, NOT FMJ - what you do in your gun is your business

you can load them to the hot side of lead loads, not the hot side of FMJ loads, per them.....

 

[rcmodel]

Actually Ranier tells you to use lead data.

Berry tells you to use mid-level jacketed data.

But the fact is, neither one tells you to use over-max data.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

But the fact is, neither one tells you to use over-max data.

Ditto

 

[Casefull]

Send them to me I will gladly shoot them up for you.

 

[rfwobbly]

+1 on RC's answer

Sometimes I use Unique on 147gr bullets, but it's too dirty for me with mid-level 124/125gr bullets.

 

[Slick Pilot]

Don't use them

Err on the side of caution. Do not shoot these if the manuals say you are over max. Pull the bullets and reload them with the right charge.

I don't know where you are but, if you don't have a bullet puller and you are near me, I will pull them for you.

If you are near SE Alabama, PM me.

Just don't shoot them. Better a little extra work than a regret.

 

[VegasOPM]

All I can say is that the XD is rated for unlimited 9mm +P usage. I shoot Berry's 115gr plated at 1170fps, to the tune of 15,000 rounds per year out of my G17. YMMV.