Whats wrong with my 9mm load?

[levsmith]

Well I went to shoot my 9mm loads that I reloaded and they are not cycling the slide on my FNP-9. It is all mixed headstamp range brass with berry's 115 grain bullets and 5.4 grains of accurate #5 (which is between start and max load).

They all shoot fine but I just have to shoot it, rack the slide, shoot, rack, etc etc etc. I am new to reloading which is why I am not sure of what is wrong. I imagine that they need to be loaded a little hotter if they aren't racking the slide but I just want to make sure there isn't something else that I am missing.

The is also some black stuff on the case after shooting which rubs off with a fingernail scrape if that helps any. I've never noticed any of that with factory loads. Thanks for any help

 

[greyling22]

the starting load for #5 and 115 grn bullet in my manual is 6.3 grains moving at 1050 fps. (5.7 grns on a lead bullet) my guess is you are too light to cycle the action. working on that theory, if your load is so light it won't properly expand the brass to seal the chamber you could be getting powder residue coating the chamber and outside of your case just like the inside of the barrel. I"d first try some different ammo and make sure the gun is working fine, then try your light loads in a different gun. and probably use more powder.

also, your gun is lubed right? I watched a beretta choke on factory ammo when run bone dry. cleared right up with some oil on the rails.

 

[bluetopper]

Add more powder.

 

[armoredman]

Up the load in .5 increments. Load 10 of each, find the sweet spot.

 

[Walkalong]

Speer #13 gives 6.1 to 6.8 Grs AA #5 with a 115 Gr jacketed bullet.

Accurate's PDF gives 6.3 to 7.0 Grs with 115 Gr jacketed bullets.

The old Accurate data for a plated 115 Gr RN gives 5.2 to 5.8 Grs AA #5.

I would think 5.4 Grs would cycle the gun, but you say it isn't. I wonder what O.A.L., but it should be OK even loaded long.

I have run Ranier 115 Gr RN at up to full jacketed data with good results. I have not loaded them that light with AA #5, so I don't know for sure. I would think it would cycle though. Check your scale etc, then go up a bit on the charge.

 

[1SOW]

Light loads can cause a 'sooty' residue in your gun and on the cases. It will mostly wipe off with a rag.

Some powders are more tolerant of light loads.

Double check your powder scale.

I agree with Armoredman, but would go up about .3/.4grs for 10 rds, and an additional .3/.4 grs for another 10 rounds. Load maybe 10 of each and see if the gun will run with it.

Good luck.

 

[levsmith]

well according to Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, for a copper plated bullet, the range is 5.2 to 5.8 grains. It has been a while since I've lubed the gun so I'll try that and then try upping the grains a little at a time. thanks guys

 

[greyling22]

aha, I missed that part where you are using a plated bullet rather than a jacketed bullet. you are using the right data then. I'd still use more powder. do you have a friend that can watch and see if it's moving the slide at all?

 

[levsmith]

ok thanks greyling. I shoot at my parents house so I'm sure I could get one of them or my sister to watch it. Thanks again

 

[Mal H]

My copy of the Accurate Loading Guide says the start load for #5 with a 115 gr. lead bullet (plated uses the same data as lead) is 5.7 grains, and the max is 6.3 grains. You are .3 grains below the minimum.

I've found that "Modern Reloading" is often far too conservative.

 

[ninja45]

Try using a different powder when you run out of your present stash. W231 works magic for me ... 9mm, .45 ACP, 40 S&W, .38 Spec, .357 Mag, .45 Colt, .44 Spec, most of all your handgun bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree you will get better results with W231/HP-38 when loading a plated bullet in the 9mm. The current data is 4.3gr-4.8gr W231. I would suggest starting with 4.4gr and working up until the slide racks reliable and you find an accurate load. (I have a feeling you will like 4.6gr W231 )

If you want to stick with AA#5 (which isn't a bad powder) then go with a charge of between 5.7gr to 6.3gr like said above. The slide on your PNP-9 is fairly heavy and won't be pushed around by a charge of only 5.4gr AA#5. (as you already found out)

Good luck finding a load you like. Keep us posted...

 

[RustyFN]

well according to Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, for a copper plated bullet, the range is 5.2 to 5.8 grains. It has been a while since I've lubed the gun so I'll try that and then try upping the grains a little at a time. thanks guys

aha, I missed that part where you are using a plated bullet rather than a jacketed bullet. you are using the right data then. I'd still use more powder. do you have a friend that can watch and see if it's moving the slide at all?

According to Berry's web site they recommend that you use jacketed data with their plated bullets.

Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads.

Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1200 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps. Our bullets are not recommended for magnum velocities.

 

[HighExpert]

You will also find that some guns reallly prefer heavier bullets. If you want something different, my load is 4.2 of Bullseye under a 115gr Rainer. Works very well and is accurate in my gun.

 

[LiveLife]

levsmith, many newer semi-auto pistols have stiffer recoil spring, especially the compacts and subcompacts. You probably need to use higher range powder charges to reliably cycle your slide.

For 115 gr FMJ 9mm, 4.6 gr of W231 will cycle the slide on my full size Glock, but not the subcompact (I need to use 4.8).

As others posted, I found I have easier time with the heavier 125 gr bullet reliably cycling the slides of my Glocks even with starting load charges.