Rainier/Unique/9mm

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jetech

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I have been looking at the archives and other places on the net for data using Rainier 115 gr HP bullets and Unique powder. I found the info that Midway put out but I don't like their trim to length of .774". I intend to try other bullets and don't want to trim the cases that short for one bullet. Isn't .774 the SAAMI min length?

My Lyman 48th doesn't list a 115 gr lead HP to use in comparison, only a 120 gr LRN with a OAL of 1.065 with case trimmed to .751, and a 115 gr
JHP case trimmed to .751 with an OAL of 1.090".

I read that a good starting point for load would be -10% from max load of the JHP but I am not sure.

This is probably simpler than it seems but I think I confused myself.

I would like to trim to .751" and be able to try the other bullets listed in the manual.

Can anyone help me figure out how to properly load these Rainier bullets?

I also have WST but haven't found any published data for using it with 9mm.
 
I would use the 115grJHP oal and 120LRN data only with the Rainier plated you can go a little higher charge than the lead data. to about 1/3 up from the starting charge for 115gr jacketed.And don't worry about the case length,as long as your cases are under max length you'll be fine.Unless your loading bullets just off the lands,like many do with rifle,you wouldn't notice the few thou difference that the case length would put the bullet closer to the lands.
Test the rounds in your barrel to get what oal fits in your gun,that is what would be max length,then your oal can be anywhere between the listed and your measured oal. I personally don't pay much attention to listed lengths,I use my barrel to find max and then try that length in the gun to see if it feeds ok.If it doesn't, I shorten by .01 and retry until I get the length that feeds reliable.That is the final length I load to.Just remember that as the bullet goes farther in the case pressure goes up so you have to adjust charge accordingly.
 
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I would not worry about trimming the cases period. I have never trimmed an auto case, and doubt I ever will.

Start at 60% jacketed data and stop at 75% and you will be fine, assuming you do not load at an unusually short OAL.

I have run the Ranier 115 Gr RN bullets at 100% of jacketed data with no problems. The Hornady jacketed 115 Gr RN gave virtually the same velocities using the same OAL and powder charge.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11
 
Thanks Walkalong.
Your link is where I initially found the Midway data.
thanks for your help
 
I was going to say just use jacketed data,but I errored on the caution side.I have run many Berrys up to full jacketed data without no issues,just have to watch the work-up closely for signs of plating seperation.
 
I agree, these will be shot out of a Glock so I have that element to keep a close watch on. This is the first Glock that I have owned so as I understand I need to really keep a watch on fps.
 
^ Yeah, a Glock frame can frag. But 9mm Glocks are pretty robust. Just FYI, I usually run my 9mm Rainiers HP with full jacketed /unique data from the 90's. = just a tad more than full data from today. I consider it a +P load.

I've never had a jam in my 3rd gen G19 with 75-100% loads. Only 2 jams were from low to mid level data.
 
I suspect he's more concerned with the polygonalish rifling in the Glock rather than concerns about the strength or chamber support of the pistol.
 
That's also not a problem with Rainiers. I bet dollars to donuts that any widely distributed and successful line of 9mm plated bullets has been tested to work in a Glock. Probably with proof level loads, too. :)
 
For my rainiers 115 gr rn, with win 231 powder, I use 4.3 grains (starting load)

Sent from my EVO 3 D using Tapatalk
 
I suspect he's more concerned with the polygonalish rifling in the Glock rather than concerns about the strength or chamber support of the pistol
That is one of my main concerns.

That's also not a problem with Rainiers. I bet dollars to donuts that any widely distributed and successful line of 9mm plated bullets has been tested to work in a Glock. Probably with proof level loads, too.
I am glad to hear that. Some of the info I read made me think that there is a fine line in load charges that would work with Glock rifling.
 
Here is a PDF of some Ranier data that was from Midway. There's data for Unique in the 9mm. Hope this helps a bit.
 

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I would not worry about trimming the cases period. I have never trimmed an auto case, and doubt I ever will.

Start at 60% jacketed data and stop at 75% and you will be fine, assuming you do not load at an unusually short OAL.

I have run the Ranier 115 Gr RN bullets at 100% of jacketed data with no problems. The Hornady jacketed 115 Gr RN gave virtually the same velocities using the same OAL and powder charge.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11
"I would not worry about trimming the cases period. I have never trimmed an auto case, and doubt I ever will.

Start at 60% jacketed data and stop at 75% and you will be fine, assuming you do not load at an unusually short OAL.

I have run the Ranier 115 Gr RN bullets at 100% of jacketed data with no problems. The Hornady jacketed 115 Gr RN gave virtually the same velocities using the same OAL and powder charge.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost....0&postcount=11
__________________"

old thread, but I'm loading up some Rainier and this came up in a search..

start at 60% jacketed data?

for a 115 gr fmj load using UNique, the Hornady manual calls for 4.7 grains of unique.

60% of this is 2.82 grains

75% is 3.5 grains.

something does not sound right...am I am missing something???
 
4.7 Grs does not sound like a max figure. Sounds like a starting figure. Use 60% & 75% of the MAX.


Speer #13 gives a max of 6.3 Grs of Unique with a 115 Gr jacketed bullet. (Min 5.6)

60%=3.78 (Lets say 4.0)

75%=4.725 (Lets say 5.0)

This will definitely keep you out of trouble. As always, when using a starting load (4.), make sure bullets exit the barrel. Do so especially when we make up data.

Ranier says to use lead data on their website these days. My RCBS Cast Bullet manual gives 5.2 to 5.7 Grs Unique, so 4.0 to 5.0 is a bit light for sure.

In hindsight, 60% may be a bit light, but should be safe.

I also posted that I have shot the 115 Gr Ranier with max data in more than one powder. Using Hornady 115 Gr RN bullets, the velocities I was getting with the Raniers was statistically indifferent than those of the Hornadys. In other words, the velocities were very close using the same powder charge with each bullet (Plated Ranier & jacketed Hornaday), telling me the pressures were very similar.

This is only a few powders with two bullets. Other combinations could be much different.

Ranier used to post much hotter than lead data for their bullets on their website.

Here are some links to Ranier website data and PDF's.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11

I would use data from the links/PDFs before I settled for the 60/75 formula designed just to keep one out of trouble.

Hope this helps. AC
 
Most plated are good to 1100 fps so any load below max pressure should be good. Jacketed max fps is ~1200 - so, start at mid jacket and work up till accuracy goes away. Forget trimming, the case will split or you'll lose them well before you would ever need to trim. Make sure any range pickup you get is the proper 9mm. If it is guppy'd, toss it out.
 
5.5 Unique with a 115 Berry plated RN bullet seated 1.120" works just peachy keen in the SIG's, S&W's, and XD's I have shot them in.

The Ranier's should do as well.

And I agree trimming 9mm cases is wasted time that could be better used reloading and shooting them.

rc
 
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