I'm a new reloader loading for a 3.9 inch barrel 9mm (CZ 75B compact). I'm using Winchester cases and primers and a 125 grain Rainier bullet. I've used 2 loads: 4.5 and 4.9 grains of Unique powder. I apply a light taper crimp using a Lee factory crimp die. With both of these loads, at 25 meter range my shots average a couple of inches left of where I am aiming. I'm sure it is caused by my reloads because I've also fired factory ammo in between firing my reloads and these shots are fine. Any ideas about what might be causing the shots to go left?
why are my shots going left?
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Pappy John
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That's too true. Any time you change any component in re-loading, its an adventure. How was your group size compared to the factory stuff? That's more what matters, as long as you can make sight adjustments if neccessary.
I tried the Rainiers, but was not real happy with the group sizes compared to cast, but I didn't try them in 9mm.
I tried the Rainiers, but was not real happy with the group sizes compared to cast, but I didn't try them in 9mm.
I had the same thing happen while loading for my .338 Lapua. I dialed in some 200 gr Hornady SPs to be 1.5 inches high and dead center at 100 yards to get started out. I wasn't happy with the groups that they were giving me (and I really wanted a 250 gr bullet) so I tried a box of 250 gr Sierra Game Kings. The vertical change was next to nil (I kept the muzzle velocities fairly close) but the POI shifted 1 inch to the left. I still had a bunch of the 200 gr Hornadys with me so I tried them figuring the scope was off of some other weirdness. Nope the Hornadys printed dead center. *Scratched my head* Then tried the Sierras again and 1 inch to the left.
Then I adjusted the scope so the Sierras would print dead center and tried the Hornadys again. Yep 1 inch to the right. I couldn't believe it either. I talked with the Nosler distributor that was at my local Cabela's for a promotional weekend and he said that it wasn't uncommon to see that. I thanked him and grabbed a couple boxes of Nosler Partitions in 250 gr and loaded up some of those. They printed 1 inch to the right in the same place as the Hornadys. (I still scratched my head)
So now I don't know if I want to load only Nosler Partitions and Hornady SPs or only Sierras and find some other bullets that print in the same spot. Either that or get used to adjusting my scope for each different load.
So in summary I have no idea what causes this phenomenon to happen, but it is common and normal I guess. (Still strange to me though)
Then I adjusted the scope so the Sierras would print dead center and tried the Hornadys again. Yep 1 inch to the right. I couldn't believe it either. I talked with the Nosler distributor that was at my local Cabela's for a promotional weekend and he said that it wasn't uncommon to see that. I thanked him and grabbed a couple boxes of Nosler Partitions in 250 gr and loaded up some of those. They printed 1 inch to the right in the same place as the Hornadys. (I still scratched my head)
So now I don't know if I want to load only Nosler Partitions and Hornady SPs or only Sierras and find some other bullets that print in the same spot. Either that or get used to adjusting my scope for each different load.
So in summary I have no idea what causes this phenomenon to happen, but it is common and normal I guess. (Still strange to me though)
Remember that as a bullet travels down a barrel, the barrel is going through some whipping motions, vibration, and general acrobatics. It's not just moving up and down. The recoil-created up and down motion is more visible, but there's a lot more subtle movement going on. A gunsmith, to describe it so I could understand it, likened it to (on a small scale) the old cartoons where an animated, cartoon rifle would rear back and spit a bullet. Similar motions on a microscopic scale. They all effect where the bullet strikes. And changes in ammo change the movement.
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