Newbie reloader-9MM Rainier Load Info and advice Needed

[trigger753]

I received a Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit 4 Hole Turret w/ Auto Index for my birthday, along with 1 pound of accurate #5 and 1000 Rainier 124 gr bullets, Lee Deluxe 9mm die set and 1000 Winchester primers. I have a couple thousand once fired Winchester cases as well. I also have a manual-Modern Reloading Second Edition. I would appreciate any load info anyone has. Between the book and what I have found on the internet I have become a bit confused. The load info I have found varies from 4.8 gr to 6.1 gr. This seems like a large difference to me. I read that "Accurate #5 is a forgiving powder" but the last thing I want to do is make a bad mistake. Rainier's website says to load it the same as lead bullets but that info varies as well.
The guy at the gun store picked all this out for my wife so I did not have any choice in the selection. So I don't know if he was just clearing his shelves of unwanted goods or not. He filled a couple boxes up with other "needed" items as well. But all in all a great gift from the wife.
Thanks for helping a Newbie out.

 

[Nortonics]

From Accurate's site:

No.5 124 LC RN 5.4 1,018 6.0 1,157 33,000 1.095

That's a start load of 5.4 for 1,018 fps and a max load of 6.0 for 1.157 fps - both with a Cartridge Overall Length of 1.095". Based on that info only, I'd think 4.8 would give you a pretty light, fun plinking type load. When I think 9mm I think HP's, and what type of velocity it takes to get 'em to open up properly. If I were trying to mimic a HP load with your components for the sake of practicing with ammo that would recoil similarly I think I'd tend to at least seek 1,100 fps, which would be maybe 5.8 to 5.9 grains of No. 5.

I'd also go on to say be careful about contemplating exceeding max loads in the 9mm cartridge. There is a pressure spike point just above normal max load points that if your gun/barrel can't take that extra pressure you'll be getting yourself into a danger zone. Back when 9mm was pretty new I understand that many a folk tried hyper-maxing loads, thinking the cartridge would be as forgiving as some others, only to find out it wasn't. This kinda' happened a bit with the .40 cal's for a while too - especially with the non-fully supporting barrels like some of the Glocks as I understand.

Accurate's full/free reloading guide:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Accurate 3-1.pdf

 

[benedict1]

You have received a great gift. I have the Lee New Classic 4 turret press and am exceedingly happy with it--

I load Unique, not the powder you have so I can't comment on the specific powder. What you see in the manual is a range--the highest being the maximum, not to exceed charge. Start with the lower one and work your way up, if you wish, a little at a time. Richard Lee says in Modern Reloading that most powder companies recommend going from smallest to highest in five steps. Most often, the lower charge, lower velocity load will work best and put less strain on your cases and firearm.

If interested in Unique, which many shooters use, here is the Alliant Reloading Guide link--

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

No, I don't think the guy was emptying his shelves. Your wife presented you with a wonderful set of tools to have fun and make great ammo. I'm sure others will chime in on the specific powder you have and the bullet weights.

Good luck, good reloading and good shooting!

 

[P0832177]

Load development takes time. I would suggest that you load the ammo for testing in 10rd lots. I would suggest that you look at multiple sources for load information. You need to validate the info first, not cause some keyboard commando says so. Cross reference loading data, follow loading data to the nth degree! Once you have obtained a degree of comfort then you can branch out. Swapping out components, and of course reworking up a load. Loading for the 9mm suggests that you are shooting out of semi auto. I would look for reloading data on Accurate Arms web site. Here is a direct quote from the Rainier Web Site with regard to reloading data!

We, at Rainier Ballistics, recommend using lead bullet load data when loading our bullets. There is no need for adjustment when using lead bullet load data. Our bullets are jacketed using an electroplating process and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets; hence the recommendation to use lead bullet load data. If you only have access to traditionally jacketed load data, we recommend reducing maximum charge by 10%. A roll or taper crimp may be used with our bullets; do not over crimp.