Is there any tips for loading 9mm?
Due to smaller case volume compared to 45ACP/40S&W, small changes in OAL/COL, bullet seating depth, neck tension, taper crimp (especially for plated bullets) can result in significant change in chamber pressure/accuracy.
LEE makes a 3 die and 4 die set. I have seen some things saying don't use the FC die and use the one in the 3 die set and some say use the FC die.
While I like Lee dies for 9mm, I don't use the Factory Crimp Die (essentially a taper crimp die with larger SAAMI spec carbide sizer ring insert than sizing die carbide ring insert). With jacketed/plated bullets, using the combination seat/crimp die has worked well for me over 20 years and all of my rounds freely drop in the chamber with a "plonk" in various factory and KKM/Lone Wolf barrels.
Some say they like to use the FCD to ensure all the finished rounds will work and I do not see a problem when using .355" diameter bullets with FCD as a "finishing" die which I believe FCD for semi auto pistol calibers was made for. I do have concerns with post sizing when using larger than .356" diameter bullets (especially with thicker walled cases) as bullet diameter will be reduced while brass spring back may decrease neck tension and result in bullet setback when the bullet nose slams on the feeding ramp which can significantly increase chamber pressure.
If there is any concern, you could measure bullet diameter after FCD use and if there is no reduction in bullet diameter, you are good to go. But if FCD reduces bullet diameter and OAL is reduced when fed from the magazine, I would suggest not using the FCD.
I see some post on here about flaring case mouth, etc that I haven't seen in the books. just looking for some advice before I jump in head first into this.
While I prefer to use minimal amount of flare, not using enough flare with softer core bullets can result in bullet diameter reduction which will decrease accuracy. I use enough flare to allow me to set the bullet base just inside the flared case mouth. I have found using plated bullets with harder core (like RMR's 11-12 BHN Hardcore Match bullets) help maintain neck tension which reduces bullet setback.
Amount of flare is dependent on resized case lengths. Longer cases will flare more so measure some cases to determine shorter-to-longer case length range and use flare amount that will work with all of your cases.
I'm looking to load berry's or extreme plated bullets because of the price.
I have used Berry's, HSM, Power Bond, Rainier, RMR, Speer TMJ/Gold Dot, X-Treme plated bullets over the years and found there are two main types: Regular vs thicker plated.
Regular plated bullets have about .004" thickness copper plating and often come with 1200 fps rating. While most pistol loads do not exceed 1200 fps, it means plating won't fail until 1200 fps but your accuracy could fall way before that. I have found when I load beyond mid-range jacketed load data with regular plated bullets, my accuracy starts to fall and shot groups open up.
Thicker plated bullets have .010"-.015" thickness copper plating and often come with 1300-1500 fps rating depending on the thickness of plating. I have found I could use jacketed load data and still maintain accuracy with thicker plated bullets.
If you are looking to load plated bullets for lower price, I would suggest you check out RMR's Hardcore Match bullets. With harder core (11-12 BHN) and thicker plating (.012"-.014"), they maintain neck tension better and I often do not experience bullet setback/reduction in OAL after rounds are chambered. Reloaders are often OCD about OAL but to me, what matters more is "chambered" OAL and bullet setback, especially for small case volume 9mm. I have so far tested RMR HM bullets to mid 1400 fps and they have maintained excellent accuracy -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10228100#post10228100
RMR also offers 5% THR discount with
thehighroad5 code (must also enter THR ID in order comment box) with free shipping on all orders which should help reduce your reloading cost.
Any advice on loading plated vs non plated?
Plated bullets with rounded base leak more high pressure gas which reduces chamber pressure consistency and accuracy. I think for this reason why some plated bullets have concave base and Berry's MFG came out with hollow base bullets to better expand bullet base to seal with the barrel. RMR HM bullets have bullet base rim for this reason.
To improve bullet to barrel fit and better sealing of high pressure gas, some manufacturers like Berry's increased the diameter of the plated bullets and 9mm bullets measure around .3555" instead of .355". RMR HM 100 and 115 gr 9mm bullets are sized even larger at .356" and I believe it helps with gas seal and produces more consistent chamber pressures for greater accuracy.
I often add .020"-.022" to the jacketed bullet diameter to determine the amount of taper crimp but with plated bullets, I will add .022" so as to not cut through the copper plating (.011" being average case wall thickness).
So for .355" diameter bullets:
.355" + .011" + .011" = .377" taper crimp
And for .356" diameter bullets:
.356" + .011" + .011" = .378" taper crimp
Using too much taper crimp with plated bullets can reduce bullet diameter which will cause more gas leakage and inconsistent chamber pressure with poor accuracy.
Also, while we often use longer OAL with 124 gr FMJ/RN (like 1.160") to reduce bullet jump from chamber to start of rifling time to decrease gas leak, with 115 gr 9mm bullets with shorter bullet base, I prefer to use shorter OAL (1.135") to seat the bullet base deeper to increase neck tension. In my carbine load testing, shorter 1.130" OAL improved muzzle velocity consistency and accuracy over 1.160"/1.135" OAL and I am planning to test even shorter 1.125".
I hope this helped.