My Very First Time!

[jvberryjr]

I am ready to do my first reloads ever. I have my cases cleaned, de-primed and primed and am ready to charge and seat bullets.

I am using Lee Press and Dies. My data is below with questions after.

Data from Lee Die instruction for 115 grain 9mm using “Alliant Unique” powder. I am using a .5 Lee Powder Dipper.

• Start Grains: 5.1 grains
• Volume: 0.56 cc
• Lee Dipper: 0.50 cc (this is 4.6 grains according to Lee data)
• Never Exceed: 5.5 grains
• Velocity: 1,168

Data from Alliant Unique, they have three recipes for 115 grain 9mm

• 6.3 grains 1,244 fps
• 5.8 grains 1,180 fps
• 4.3 grains 954 fps

I am using Hornady 115 grain full metal jacket bullets

The gun I am running it through is Kahr MK9 (9mm, 3” barrel)

Am I OK using the 0.5 “Lee Dipper” with “Alliant Unique” Power?

Do I need to crimp my bullets?

 

[winchester1886]

I don't really know about the dipper I use a scale and wouldn't reload with out one. You can never go by their data as far as velocity.I use a chony to check my fps and it has never been the same as the data.I think I would start with the middle 5.1gr. You must crimp the bullet using a taper crimp.If you don't crimp the recoil or the slide going foreword will set the bullet back in the case.That can cause a spike in pressure and maybe damage your weapon or you.

 

[jvberryjr]

Can I get the taper crimp using the standard bullet seating die that came with my Lee Die set?

 

[winchester1886]

Yes I make up dummy rounds until I get the depth and crimp like I want.To check to see if the crimp is enough after the crimp is applied hold the bullet between your thumb and fore finger put the tip against the edge of the table shove in on the cartridge if it moves it needs more crimp.This is one of those rule of thumb things.You can pull the bullets and reload them later.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

x2 on making dummy rounds...They are great for setting up your dies later.

 

[Hondo 60]

Those dippers, while close, are NOT accurate enough to use with out a scale to verify.
I absolutely would NOT trust using the dippers only.

As far as crimping goes, you need to take out the bell created when you charged them.
So yes, you can crimp with the seating die.

It sounds like you don't have a reloading manual.
This is not a luxury.
A reloading manual or two or three are needed.


Please stay safe!

 

[climbnjump]

Those dippers, while close, are NOT accurate enough to use with out a scale to verify.
I absolutely would NOT trust using the dippers only.

...

Please stay safe!

Agreed - especially for small capacity cases such as the 9mm where even small variations in powder weight can result in large variations in pressure.

 

[rfwobbly]

Those dippers, while close, are NOT accurate enough to use with out a scale to verify. I absolutely would NOT trust using the dippers only.

+1

• Make your "test cartridges" first (no powder; no primer) and make sure they drop into your barrel under their own weight.

• Get the load from the Alliant Powder Co web page:

1.125 4 CCI 500 Unique 6.3 1,244

That means your starting is 90% of 6.3, or 5.7gr

• Then you want to load 10 rounds at 5.7gr, 10 at 5.8gr, 10 at 5.9gr, 10 at 6.0gr, etc.

• Fire them starting with the lowest loads at new targets. Read the cases for pressure signs after each group. Somewhere around 6.1gr you want to hold up.

• You're going to need to weigh each load. The dippers can help approximate the main dump, but then you need to trickle to finalize each load. These first incremental loads are a science experiment that will be ruined without precise measurements. Knowing is everything. The key to "knowing" is using precision loads.

• Your last die will apply a superb taper crimp. All you have to do is adjust that die to the right diameter at the crimp when you make your "test cartridges".


The first loads go slow and be accurate because you're trying to find out what works in your gun. THEN, when you finish all this experimenting and you know "X.Xgr is the load for me!", then you can find a dipper that dumps weights almost exactly right. Then you can load faster. If you don't have the exact dipper size, you can fill a larger dipper's bottom with epoxy or glue to get it right on.

Hope this helps!

 

[jvberryjr]

Thank you all for your help. The information is much appreciated. One last question though.

I assume that (from the data on my original post) I am OK to start my loading at 4.6 grains and work up from there?

My next purchase will be a scale and a powder measure!! I have heard very good things about the RCBS Powder Measure - any thoughts? Also should I get a digital scale or a conventional scale. I guess that was more than one question ;-).

 

[LiveLife]

My next purchase will be a scale

I recommend RCBS 5-0-5 scale as a first scale for reloading. Easy to use and accurate.

 

[Hondo 60]

The RCBS Uniflow is a GREAT one.
It's threaded so you can put it right on the press if you want.
I bought the stand accessory so it's bolted to my bench.

By the way, I forgot to say welcome to the forum (Mom would be ticked cuz I forgot my manners)

So WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

 

[rfwobbly]

Thank you all for your help. The information is much appreciated. One last question though.

You were maybe expecting something less on THR ??

I assume that (from the data on my original post) I am OK to start my loading at 4.6 grains and work up from there?

That is not a good habit to get into. Some powders behave strangely with lower-than-listed-loads. I don't believe Unique is one of those, but all the same. You'll probably end up with a bunch of ammo to dis-assemble. You'll need a "kinetic hammer" to do that. Yet another purchase.



Why not try 10 at 5.3gr and 10 at 5.5gr. If they do "great" then you can always load down from 5.3gr going toward 4.6gr.

My next purchase will be a scale and a powder measure!! I have heard very good things about the RCBS Powder Measure - any thoughts? Also should I get a digital scale or a conventional scale. I guess that was more than one question ;-).

The RCBS 505 ($74) is indeed the "gold standard" of reloading scales. This unit in made for them by Ohaus Scale Co who makes for numerous other reloading companies too. You might look at the Dillon Eliminator, which is the same scale by Ohaus, and sells for $54. I'll be glad to split the $20 savings with you "fair and square".

All the best.

 

[GLOOB]

Am I OK using the 0.5 “Lee Dipper” with “Alliant Unique” Power?

I say yes. If you were to heap that little .5 cc dipper till it's overflowing, it's barely a decent starting load. You won't even get close to a max load of Unique behind a 115 gr FMJ until the powder is so high it starts to get compressed during seating.

The only reason you NEED a scale is to verify that Lee didn't print the wrong info for this powder/dipper combo. But in this case, I've been there done that. From my recent experience, the .5 cc dipper is way too small to get into trouble with Unique in luger, using 115 or 124 grain bullets.

Going too light might be an issue, but in this case it won't be the dangerous kind. Worst case is it won't cycle your slide and might give poor accuracy. I've gone as light as 4 grains with a 124 grain bullet without any problems in 2 different handguns. But it wouldn't cycle a gen4 Glock.

Yes, you can use the seating die to crimp your bullets. You just need to remove any excess flare from the case mouth. Backing the die out 2 1/2 turns should get you in the right ball park.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree a scale is a must when reloading. Mistakes in print can and will happen. It's always better and good reloading practice to check everything twice and then once more...

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

When I was teaching myself how to reload 11 years ago, I was starting out with every 9mm bullet and powder I had and overloading them in a work up until something bad happened.


The most Unique that will fit in a 9mm cases filled to the top is 7.4 gr.
I just tried it and it is the same as when I last tested it in August 2000.

With 115 gr or 124 gr bullet, 7.4 gr Unique is still kind of wimpy by my 9mm standards.

But there are some powders with enough speed-density product to make trouble with 115 gr bullets in 9mm; AA#5, HS-6, and 3N37.
Much less eventful were; Bullseye, Unique, Blue Dot, Power Pistol, 2400, 800X, AA#9, and H110.

With AA#5 in 2000 and 115 gr in 9mm I worked up to case bulge, kept going and worked up to bulge blow out, kept going and worked up to case head failure with pistol part secondary failures; extractor, extractor pin, hold open, and magazine bottom plate.

What does it all mean?
While possible dipper mis calculations might not be a problem with Unique and 115 gr in 9mm, it is good practice to check with a weight scale... Things can to bad with some other bullet / powder combinations.

 

[murf]

the hornady manual shows 4.7 grains minimum and 5.1 grains maximum of unique for their 115 gn. fmj-rn bullet. fwiw.

welcome to handloading and the thr forum.

murf