Starting to load 9mm -

[lturford]

I have a SR9 coming in a couple weeks. I do not own a 9mm at this time but I have the reloading disease so I have already purchased some Berry 124 RN and Lee dies. I plan on picking up at least 100 rounds of store bought ammo to run through it first. What are your thoughts on this? Is running factory ammo through a new weapon the right thing to do? With this being my first 9mm I don’t what to run untested reloads through a brand new gun. I’ve been loading .40 and .38 specials but for less then a year so I am new to this hobby.

As far as the recipes are concerned this is what I’ve found - Lyman 49th has 125gr. Jacketed HP at 3.9 to 4.5 of Bullseye. Alliant’s reloaders guide has 124gr. Speer GDHP with Bullseye at 4.4 as the max – I’ve checked other sources IE Reloadammo.com has 125gr Lead RN at 4.7 max with Bullseye – Lee’s chart that came with the dies lists 125gr Lead at 4.7 to 4.9 which seems high to me with the other data I can find?? I have the most of Bullseye and that’s why I’m looking in that direction but I also have AA#2 and HP-38 on hand – My thoughts are 4.0 to 4.1 of bullseye to start and work up from there but these are just plinking rounds so I have no need or intention to push it to the max.

OAL should be 1.150 although I’ve getting some conflicting numbers from 1.075 to 1.165 –

Advice is requested and appreciated.

 

[1SOW]

What are your thoughts on this? Is running factory ammo through a new weapon the right thing to do? With this being my first 9mm I don’t what to run untested reloads through a brand new gun. I’ve been loading .40 and .38 specials but for less then a year so I am new to this hobby.

Yes. Test the gun first. Later, test your reloads in the gun.

I would try more than one commercial brand of the type ammo you intend to use most often in the pistol.

OAL should be 1.150 although I’ve getting some conflicting numbers from 1.075 to 1.165 –

The short oal is appropriate for some 124gr JHP or conical FP bullet nose shapes. For 124RN plated, 1.130-1.150 is fine. I have good results with Berry's 124gr HBRN @1.132-ish loaded for light range loads

 

[the count]

I went through the whole learning curve... working up loads (many way to weak to cycle a Glock , high primers, you name it...

Here my advice, free of charge too. I use 4.2 grains of Bullseye for both 115 and 124 grain bullets. Lead, jacketed, copper plated, whatever.

PS tested this load and works AOK in Glocks, Springfield, CZ, Sig. Just right for most tasks.

As long as you stay under the max OAL you are fine. If you measure a couple rounds of factory ammo you will find that they are usually pretty well under the max.

 

[Fisherdave10]

Last month I bought a new SR9c (consider the compact before buying the full size). I shot 50 rounds of Federal red box and that was flawless so I shot over 100 of my reloads, also flawlessly. As of now, I've shot about 150 additional reloads without a problem. If possible, you should break-in your weapon using factory ammunition. Since most manufacturer's warranties only cover your firearm if you're shooting factory ammunition, it's a good idea to make sure there aren't any issues before you switch to your reloads.

My recipe is a 124gr bullet and 5gr of Alliant Power Pistol (a wonderful powder for many calibers). I used to seat bullets towards the maximum length but I've gone more towards a mid length lately (1.12-1.14") with HP/FP designs. I have used Berry's RN, Berry's HBFP, Montana Gold HPs, Ranier HPs and they have all worked nicely. This load with any of the bullet designs cycle through my SR9c and my dad's Browning Hi-Power perfectly. I have never tried Bullseye powder.

 

[Tom609]

I just tried some light loads using 124 and125 grain bullets with Bullseye and was very pleased. I shot both of these in a S&W 5906 and a Beretta 92fs...

124 grain FMJ and 3.8 grains of Bullseye with oal of 1.15, and,

125 grain LRN from MBC and 3.8 grains of Bullseye. I had to seat them at 1.10 to work in the 5906, but they functioned fine.

BTW, I also find load data for the 9mm to be all over the board.

 

[1SOW]

BTW, I also find load data for the 9mm to be all over the board.

True. Even being careful to match the same type and weight bullet and oal, different manufacturers and loading manuals vary with the data.

The start low and work up slowly adage works. A chrono gives the facts.

 

[cfullgraf]

...but I have the reloading disease so I have already purchased some Berry 124 RN and Lee dies.

Yes it is a disease curable only by buying more reloading equipment and components.

Good advice so far. I like True Blue in 9x19 at present. Other powders are good as well.

Enjoy your pistol.