Power Pistol users.

[djmike]

Sorry if this is a newb question but I have only been reloading for 8 months. I am trying Power Pistol for the first time so I loaded up some 9mm 115gr berry's RN with CCI 500 primers. The lyman 49th book said 1.09 OAL with 5.9 grains for a starting point. My question is that after measuring some of my finished loads a few came in around 1.086 and 1.088. The only thing I can think is that the brass was different length and I didn't catch it. I am asking if these are too dangerous to shoot because they are shorter than the 1.09 OAL or am I worrying too much? I did notice that the Power Pistol uses more grains than Titegroup I usually use and I am concerned about too much pressure. Ive only loaded 15 rounds so If they are no good I can break them down and re do them or if they are ok I will shoot them. I am sure recoil will be more but safety is key!! I am shooting a Glock 19.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

that's not enough variation to matter. there's probably that much variation in the bullet noses themselves. keep loading them and go shoot!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The only thing I can think is that the brass was different length and I didn't catch it

Brass length has nothing to do with the OAL of a finished round. The seating die will seat the bullets at the same depth, give or take a few thousands, regardless of the length of the case.

1.086- 1.090 is only .004" and is nothing to worry about. You or the gun will never know the difference.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Your rounds should be fine because you are at the start load level.

The situation is slightly worse than you state. Normally you are quite safe substituting one bullet of the same weight for another of the same weight. You would be o.k. to use either your Berry's 115 gr RN or a Remington, for example, 115 gr RN. Here however you've substituted a 115 gr RN for a 115 gr HP which is called for in the Lyman 49 data. The RN is longer than the HP (probably) and therefore are pushing the RN even further into the case than you think.

Even so these should be safe to shoot and I will be very surprised if you can detect any difference in the feel of the recoil.

I'll let others chime in but I don't think .004" too short is going to cause any problem at a start, or any other, load.

Power Pistol does indeed use more powder per charge than Titegroup. Don't let this bother you. Follow the published data, watch for any pressure signs, and you should be fine. Look at your Lyman data again. It gives the pressure at starting and max loads. You will notice that Power Pistol's listed pressures are right in the middle at both extremes.

By the way, I've had good luck with Power Pistol and Berry's 115 gr in 9mm. Good luck.

Dan

 

[longhill]

You're good on the OAL.
Just know that Power Pistol has a fairly big flash when shooting.
Put on some dark glasses and have fun!

 

[4895]

Shooting a Glock 19, I recommend 6.4 grains of PowerPistol with 115 grain FMJ at a 1.125" oal. Adjust the crimp until they just slip into the barrel (plunk test) and then maybe 1/8 turn more. 6.6 grains is considered max and you could start at 6.0 grains and then try 6.2 grains, followed by 6.4 grains. Anywho, don't seat the 9mm too short as you might have pressure spikes. I consider 1.125" a standard length in any 9mm. I believe 1.100" is minimum oal so I would not go under that. Double check that you don't have any 380acp brass, sometimes labeled 9mmBr (9mm browning or browning short, i.e. 380). Them little buggers can slip in the bucket and it always keeps me on my toes.

 

[Walkalong]

1.086- 1.090 is only .004" and is nothing to worry about. You or the gun will never know the difference.

Yep, a .004 spread is just fine, pretty good actually. I load various 9MM RN bullets at 1.130 to 1.135 OAL, except for the Berrys 124 Gr HBRN-TP which I load at 1.140 to 1.145 OAL. Notice I am allowing myself a .005 spread.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

Personally, I'd start with 5.7 grains of Power Pistol with a 115 grain bullet.

Based on my personal experience, 5.7 grains with a 115 grain FMJ is an almost perfect match for factory ammo. I've compared it to both Remington and Federal in multiple firearms, and it's within about 10 fps or so of factory velocity. Here's some chronograph data from a Glock 19:

Federal 115 gr. FMJ RN (WM5199)
Max: 1114
Min: 1094
Ave: 1104
ES: 20.0
SD: 6.0

Remington UMC 115 gr. MC (L9MM3)
Max: 1112
Min: 1079
Ave: 1097
ES: 33.0
SD: 11.2

5.7 gr. Power Pistol, 115 gr. Winchester FMJ (Flat Base)
Max: 1112
Min: 1082
Ave: 1096
ES: 30.0
SD: 10.1

Power Pistol is one of my favorite powders, and is pretty much all I use in 9mm these days. I've gone much hotter than this, but prefer to keep it as close to factory velocity as possible for practice ammo.