Reloads accuracy

[TxSoldier]

What factors can effect the accuracy of your reloads? I mean I know there's a plethora of things, but what are some of the major things you'd check first?

I reloaded some 115gr RN Rainier bullets in mixed brass with some W231. Without checking my notes that aren't with me at this moment I'm not sure of the charge weight. It wasn't anything hot, I don't load anything hot, but wasn't bare minimum either. Everything cycled just fine.

Anyways, I had a target printed out that had 9 equal size circles on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper. When I aimed at one circle, it was punching the one directly underneath the one I was aiming at. The distance was probably 15ft or so, not terribly far.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Generally, the lighter/faster the slug, the lower it will print/hit.

 

[TxSoldier]

Well I guess what I don't understand is that I've shot all kinds of different stuff (even junk) out of my M&P9 and it's always generally put holes where I've aimed. Give or take of course lol.

 

[kingmt]

At 15' it should be low. Your barrel. Is a inch below your sight.

115gn isn't the best thing to use in a 9mm ether. Try 125/124gn.

 

[gamestalker]

Try some HS6 or Longshot under some 124's for more realistic 9mm action. Since the 9mm cartridge is a high pressure cartridge, using slower burning powder makes for less pressure sensitive or spiking work ups. Fast burning powders and, or, pressure sensitive cartridges are a bad mix in my opinion, especially for new reloaders.


GS

 

[steve4102]

What factors can effect the accuracy of your reloads?

Quality bullet #1 and Rainier ain't it.

 

[TxSoldier]

Thanks for all of the input so far. Also, I'd never heard anything bad about Rainier before. Why do you not like them? Berrys better?

 

[joneb]

115gr RN Rainier bullets in mixed brass

Mixed brass could affect accuracy, do to variations in case wall thickness, case volume and composition of the brass. New brass will be softer than the same brass reloaded a number of times, as brass is worked it gets harder which will effect case neck tension.

 

[LiveLife]

With lighter 115 gr bullets, I need to push them at near max load data to get optimal accuracy and reliable slide cycling, especially with stiffer recoil spring pistols. For my reference 115 gr Winchester FMJ load, I use 4.8 gr of W231/HP-38 at 1.125"-1.135" OAL that shoots POA/POI at 7-10 yards (21-30 feet) out of various pistols.

For me, heavier 124/125 gr bullets produce accuracy even with mid-to-high range load data and reliably cycle the slides even with lighter target loads.

I'd never heard anything bad about Rainier before. Why do you not like them? Berrys better?

Rainier plated bullets are sized same as jacketed bullet diameter (.355") and will leak more high pressure gas around the plated bullet base, requiring even more powder charge (The exposed lead base of FMJ will expand to seal the high pressure gas for more consistent chamber pressures which leads to greater accuracy) and consistency of chamber pressures may decrease which will affect your accuracy.

Berry's plated bullets are sized slightly larger than jacketed bullet diameter (.3555"-.356") and provide better bullet-to-barrel seal. I have shot a lot of Rainier and Berry's plated bullets and find myself using less powder with Berry's bullets to produce comparable accuracy loads.

If you want utmost accuracy, consider Berry's Hollow Base Thick Plated bullets (HB-TP). They have thicker plating (rated to 1450 fps) with hollow base that extends the bearing surface of the bullet and expands better to seal with the barrel. For me, the 124 gr HBRN-TP loads have shot more accurate than my reference 115 gr FMJ loads.

 

[TxSoldier]

Awesome info, thanks!

So since I've got about 450 more of these Rainiers, what charge of w231 would u suggest? It'll be fired from a full size M&P 9.

 

[LiveLife]

Rainier Ballistics recommends we use lead load data when specific load data for Rainier plated bullets can't be found. I would start with 4.5 gr and work up towards 4.8 gr.

Here's Hodgdon load data for 115 gr lead RN:

115 gr LRN W231/HP-38 .356" OAL 1.100" Start 4.3 gr (1079 fps) 28,400 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1135 fps) 32,000 CUP

 

[1SOW]

Re Berry's bullets: I second 'bds''s liking the Berry's 124gr HBRN TP. I also want to try some 124 HBFN. They aren't as long as the 124 HBRN TP, but many seem to get good results with these too.

Loaded a little on the hot side, a lot of folks are finding the "new" Berry's 115gr HBRN "TP" bullet to be very accurate as well.

JMO: All this tadoo about the HB bullets generally means the bullets are LONGER. The 124 HBRN TP is approx. .62" long--a very long 124gr 9mm bullet. The lead that was in the flat base is moved to the bullet body and lengthens the bullet. This gives a lot of rifling contact, stabilizes the bullet well and seals better.

Wad/Semi-wad cutters and Hollowpoints were liked for accuracy by some bullseye shooters. They also were longer in the bullet body sidewall.

The ZERO 125gr JHP was my #1 bullet overall, but the Berry's 124 HBRN TP is as good and maybe more accurate.
I don't load for precision accuracy. I want a blend that gives good (enough) accuracy, soft recoil/speed and reliablity for light-load gun games.

 

[TxSoldier]

I may have to give those hollow base Berry's a try after my Rainiers are used up.

 

[Fishslayer]

OAL with a given charge can have an effect on accuracy. 9mm is sensitive to such changes since it's a small case to start with.

 

[James2]

When I aimed at one circle, it was punching the one directly underneath the one I was aiming at. The distance was probably 15ft or so, not terribly far.

Was this consistent? If so I would say they were accurate. Accuracy is the ability to repeat! So they were not hitting point of aim, that is another problem.

 

[nofishbob]

There is a lot of good information on improving accuracy here.

But the OP is shooting at only 5 yards....I don't think that this is far enough to resolve any but the largest reloading accuracy problems.

Perhaps checking the sights and then shooting from a supported position will eliminate some easy to correct issues before suspecting the accuracy of the OP's loads.

Anyway, good luck with this. I am interested to hear what you find out.

Bob

 

[dsb1829]

Good call Bob. At close distances with light bullets or fast loads you will print low on target. From what little info the OP provided I would say this phenomena is what he is noticing, not anything inherently wrong with his reloading process.