My first loads with my Dillon RL550

[bubbacrabb]

Well, after a rough start with my Dillon, Dillon helped me out sense I had a small problem with my press. Got me up and running, even with an extra conversion kit for my troubles Today after watching hours of videos, and reading til my eyes bleed, I finally made my first batch of rounds. I did not have any data for the 9mm 115gr fmj Winchester bullets in my Hornady book, but Lee did include some with my die set. Said 5.2 starter grains and 5.6 max. I loaded 5.2 grains used Remington small pistol primers. I think they came out well. I finished the first in 2 hours. Long time to load 100 rounds, but I stopped every 5 rounds re weighing powder charge, and measuring OAL. Sense Im new at this, I figured this was a learning experience and not a race. After the first hundred I was addicted! I ran down to Sportsmans warehouse before they closed and picked up 100 more bullets. The only ones they had was Speer, they were expensive, but the only ones they had (very poor selection and inventory at the Sportsmans in North Phoenix). I loaded approx 80 more rounds and went to refil my primer tube and somehow got one stuck. So I am going to Dillon anyways tomorrow for my conversion kit, I'll just exchange that while im there.
What I learned. I'll probably buy a dedicated crimp die. Like a Lee LFC die. Nobody has one in stock so I have to order one. I used just enough crimp to get rid of the bell. This was advice of a friend. I'll learn my own I guess as I go. I need to get another book for reference. Visually inspecting every case as i move it from the powder die is not that time consuming, and insures I dont double charge the case. I'll see tomorrow if they all go bang. Most importantly I had a lot of fun. Cant wait to load more

 

[Valkman]

Good for you - slow is OK. We don't want any squibs or doubles! A while after I started on a 550 I decided I needed another so now I have 2 of 'em and love 'em!

 

[bubbacrabb]

Ive been reading a lot about OAL, after I posted this I read another new guys post, and immediatly think I dont fully understand OAL. I thought you would want to be closest to the max OAL this being 1.169. Most of mine read out at 1.55-1.62, I am going to step back from this again and start re reading again. Also someone mentioned in another thread that you should have a book with your exact brand of fmj bullet. Well my Hornady book doesnt give exact brands, it gives a description which is what I was going off of. So does that mean this book is no good?

 

[Win1892]

You'll learn that there is some leeway in using same weight but different manufacturer load data with various projectiles, especially in handguns. Just don't load max charges. Do not mix data from lead to jacketed and vice versa.

OAL can be adjusted for cycling and reliability in autos, and to stop binding in your magazine.

The crimp may be required to prevent the projectile from getting pushed deeper into the case, unintentionally. That will result in pressure spikes that can be dangerous.

I've loaded 100,000 rounds with my Dillon 650 and it will still teach me something every now and then.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

 

[rfwobbly]

Ive been reading a lot about OAL, after I posted this I read another new guys post, and immediately think I don't fully understand OAL.

Don't worry, you're not alone!

• The recipe determines the minimum OAL

• Your reloading manual should have a drawing that gives the SAAMI maximum OAL dimension

• On pistols, the SAAMI dimension may be further restricted by the interaction between the bullet and barrel

• You want a short enough OAL so that the bullet is fully supported by the case

• You want a long enough OAL so that there is proper room inside the case for powder

• You want the cartridge to feed correctly

Some of this you research from books, some of this is measured, and some of this is simply learned from your pistol. There is not a single magical OAL that is perfect for any caliber.

 

[bubbacrabb]

Well I worked today, and didnt get to read this before I got home. I did fire 75 of the bullets I loaded. They fired as good or better than factory ammo I have fired. I swear that my data sheet shows to start with 5.2 grains of Unique for 115 round nose fmj. Thats why I loaded it that way. It said 5.6 for max and not to exceed that. So sense they all fired well, and actually shot a group very well, can I stick with it? I am just loading plinking bullets. The way I read overall length was that the longer the less pressure you would have, and I thought that as long as you were greater than the minimum OAL, and not over the SAMMI max OAL you'd be fine? I guess thats not the case. That is just what I thought. Well I guess atleast the first batch shot, and I didnt hurt myself, my gun, or anything. I think they are ok to shoot. I thought for sure they were before i got on here. I appreciate all the help everyone gives me. thanks.

 

[bubbacrabb]

also, i wrote 1.169, and mine were 1.55, I meant 1.155 not 1.5, that woulda been a huge difference. Sorry for my typo. When I was done reloading, i had a few Busch lights before bed. I need a brethaliser for my computer, anything over .08 I cant make posts on THR, lol

 

[rfwobbly]

Ive been reading a lot about OAL, after I posted this I read another new guys post, and immediately think I dont fully understand OAL. I thought you would want to be closest to the max OAL this being 1.169".

No, not always. There are several things you want to watch and measure, but probably 90% of all 9x19 is being loaded between 1.100 and 1.160".

I thought you would want to be closest to the max OAL this being 1.169. Most of mine read out at 1.55-1.62, I am going to step back from this again and start re reading again.

Your average OAL of 1.160" IS close to 1.169". Only 0.009", or 3 human hairs. In fact, when you take into account the need to work through a magazine and manufacturing tolerances, 1.160" is about as close as I ever get. So you're doing just fine.

Also someone mentioned in another thread that you should have a book with your exact brand of fmj bullet. Well my Hornady book doesnt give exact brands, it gives a description which is what I was going off of. So does that mean this book is no good?

Well that's more true for rifle because you got all sorts of different bullet materials and specialty styles available, but it's not so much for pistol. If ALL you shoot is Hornady, then the best data is in the Hornady book. (Which only covers Hornady bullets.) If ALL you shoot is Speer bullets then the best data is in the Speer book. (Which only covers Speer bullets.) But those aren't the only books.

I believe what we're trying to tell you is that you got so much going on as a novice, that the safest thing to do is try to use a load so that you don't have to change anything. That would be the safest, but it's not always possible.

So if you just got Unique powder and a generic 115gr FMJ, then you can still use the load data for the 115gr jacketed XTP and Unique right from the Hornady book. But if there is NO load used 115gr showing Unique... then you have a big problem. That's when you have to ditch the Hornady book and go to the Alliant Powder Co web site and see what they have.

All the best.

 

[bubbacrabb]

There was no load data on the Hornady book for unique using a 115 grain RN FMJ. I did go to the Alliant website and they only had info for jhp ammo that I seen. So I was searching around, then looked down at my die set and right on the page was a bunch of load data. The sheet says it from the Lee Loading Manual. So thats where I got the 5.2-5.6 grains. It was in the die instructions. I guess they probably put them in there hoping you'll buy their book.