k9kev88
Member
OK, I am fairly new to reloading, but I have been researching the heck out of it, and have been very careful. My first trip to the range 2 weeks ago was focused on measuring the velocity (fps) and making sure there were no signs of high pressure, etc. I rented a professional-grade chrono at the range and all velocity measurements were as expected. So I made 100 more and decided to go back today to see how accurate they were - not good.
Granted, I am shooting these out of a S&W Sigma 9mm (which I am fairly accurate with from 15 yards using factory ammo), but the accuracy results shooting my reloads from a bench rest were all over the place, when compared to my use of Federal (FC) 9mm 115 gr in the same session today.
Here is what I am loading:
- once fired FC brass cases that have been cleaned (from my previous use of the Federal rounds)
- Berry's plated 115 grain RN
- Winchester SP primers
- OAL - 1.11
- Clays powder at 3.2 grains (Hodgdon range is 3.0 - 3.4)
- velocity average was right under 1000 fps, which is as expected
- using Lee 4-die set for 9mm w/ slight factory crimp
Accuracy results at 15 yards, using a bench rest:
- the shots appeared to be 6 inches lower at 15 yards (on average), when compared to shots with FC factory ammo. I had to change my POA to get the bullets on the paper.
- no consistency - shots were off to the left and to the right
- examining the target (dirty bird) indicated that most were clean hits, but I did find a couple where it appears the bullet could have gone in partially sideways.
I am really disappointed - these are not usable loads. I have some HP-38 which is a little hotter and I can try it next, but I was expecting these to perform well at a reasonable velocity for range/training use for my wife and they did not deliver.
Any suggestions or recommendations?
Granted, I am shooting these out of a S&W Sigma 9mm (which I am fairly accurate with from 15 yards using factory ammo), but the accuracy results shooting my reloads from a bench rest were all over the place, when compared to my use of Federal (FC) 9mm 115 gr in the same session today.
Here is what I am loading:
- once fired FC brass cases that have been cleaned (from my previous use of the Federal rounds)
- Berry's plated 115 grain RN
- Winchester SP primers
- OAL - 1.11
- Clays powder at 3.2 grains (Hodgdon range is 3.0 - 3.4)
- velocity average was right under 1000 fps, which is as expected
- using Lee 4-die set for 9mm w/ slight factory crimp
Accuracy results at 15 yards, using a bench rest:
- the shots appeared to be 6 inches lower at 15 yards (on average), when compared to shots with FC factory ammo. I had to change my POA to get the bullets on the paper.
- no consistency - shots were off to the left and to the right
- examining the target (dirty bird) indicated that most were clean hits, but I did find a couple where it appears the bullet could have gone in partially sideways.
I am really disappointed - these are not usable loads. I have some HP-38 which is a little hotter and I can try it next, but I was expecting these to perform well at a reasonable velocity for range/training use for my wife and they did not deliver.
Any suggestions or recommendations?