need help / load data for 9mm 115gr LRN

[skyfire1]

Hi,
I'm new here and was hoping you all could help me out; although I have been lucking for a while. I a relatively new reloader and picked up some cast 115 gr LRN bullet but I'm having a time finding a good load for them in any of my reloading books. I was thinking of using the recipe I have for 115 gr plated which I have used in the past with good results. I currently use Bullseye 4 to 4.2 grain with OAL 1.123 and CCI or WSP primers. I'm not sure if this is too hot for the Missouri parabellum bullets I just got. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sig2009]

Win 231
4.3 gns
oal 1.100

 

[MichaelK]

One of my standard 9mm loads is Lee's 120 grain lead TC with 8.0 grains of Blue Dot, loaded to an OAL of 1.07". The max load for your 115 grain lead bullet would be very slightly higher.

 

[rfwobbly]

The Alliant Powder data base is showing 4.7gr max (starting load 4.2gr) for Bullseye with a Gold Dot with an OAL of 1.125". The Speer Gold Dot is a plated bullet, but most people load it as a jacketed.

Therefore starting around 3.9gr to 4.1gr should be OK. You'll want to go very slow and load only 5 rounds for testing. Five at 3.9gr. Five at 4.1gr. Five at 4.3gr. Starting at the lowest load, bench shoot them at a target and inspect all the spent brass for pressure signs. Write down all your findings.

There is meaningless difference between your OAL of 1.123" and the Alliant OAL of 1.125". Ultimately the bullet-to-barrel fit determine your OAL. If you need to shorten up, say to the suggested 1.100" then you might need to back down to possibly starting at 3.8gr or so. If you go longer, then simply stay at the 3.9 and work up. I will make a pure guess that you'll end up around 4.2-4.3gr, but that is something for you to prove.

Your MOST DEFINITIVE answers are always going to be found by calling the Alliant Powder help line.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

Hope this helps.

 

[Steve C]

Your current load of 4.0 to 4.2 should be fine. As long as you are accurate and not getting excessive leading there's no reason to change it. Checking my compiled "ONE BOOK" data the loads listed for 115 gr bullets and Bullseye Powder are 3.8gr to 4.9gr (Lyman) and 4.0 to 4.5gr (RCBS). The bullets listed are not RN design but of the same weight and your load is not at the top end of either data so you will be OK.

 

[skyfire1]

Well the good news is that they shot very nice. Good two inch groups at 7 yards. Took out the barrel after 50 rounds and I really can't find any leading. Will check it again later when I clean the gun. I used 4 grains of bullseye at oal of 1.123 and a 115 gr lrn.

 

[skyfire1]

One other note. The person next to me at the range commented that my loads were extremely smokey. I didn't notice it at all until I let my wife shoot some of them. Is there anything I can do to minimize the smoke?

 

[MrOldLude]

One other note. The person next to me at the range commented that my loads were extremely smokey. I didn't notice it at all until I let my wife shoot some of them. Is there anything I can do to minimize the smoke?

Use a powder that's cleaner than Bullseye.

 

[skyfire1]

Any suggestions? I currently have bullseye, unique and universal clays.

 

[Steve C]

When loading lead bullets the main cause of the smoke comes from the bullet lube and minimally from the powder. Different lubes will smoke more or less but unless you cast and lube your own bullets the only thing you can do is try other brands of commercial cast with different lubes. The Red wax type lube seems to smoke less but I've never tried them side by side with bullets lubed with the blue lube.

A light coating of Lee's liquid Alox over a commercial lubed bullet seems to reduce the smoke somewhat but nothing will eliminate it I will double lube bullets that give me leading.

If you use cast lead bullets you just have to live with some smoke.

 

[zxcvbob]

I currently use Bullseye 4 to 4.2 grain with OAL 1.123 and CCI or WSP primers. I'm not sure if this is too hot

I use more Bullseye than that with 135 grain cast bullets, so you're definitely not too hot.

That smoke comes from the bullet lube more than the powder. But some powders are worse about burning the lube than others (Titegroup really smokes with cast bullets.) Bullseye is about average; maybe a little dirtier than most.

If you increase the powder, it will burn cleaner. But if you otherwise like the load, and your gun likes it, don't worry about it.

 

[popper]

9mm MBC

4-4.5 W231 is good, but watch the OAL, they have a rounder ogive. had to go to 1.070 for XD.

 

[beatledog7]

Resurrecting year-old thread, but it's relevant

Recently I tried and liked .400" Hunters Supply PHP lead bullets from Midway, so I decided to try the 9mm version.

Based on what I read here and Lyman 49th, I'm trying the following:

115gr lead PHP, .356"
Remington 1-1/2 primer
PMC brass
3.9gr Bullseye
OAL 1.078"

Should cycle my CZ75 just fine and be midrange in power terms.

Thoughts?