Zero 115 grain HP and True Blue

[gcfos]

I loaded some 9x19 ammo with Zero 115 grain HP and 6.5 grains of True Blue at 1.10 OAL. Lyman's 49th Ed. stated max is 6.7 grains with Hornady 115 grain XTP. Western Powders manual states that 6.0 to 6.2 is max. Did I over do it and need to pull bullets and start over or am I good to go?

 

[Blue68f100]

You should always workup your loads. Load some (3-5) starting at min and workup to your current. Use these to confirm that your not over pressure.

 

[higgite]

Personally, since the powder manufacturer says 6.2gr is max, I’d think 6.5 might be a tad too much, but that’s just a hunch. How does your bullet length compare with the one that Western used? How does your case capacity compare with the one that Western used? Did you work up to 6.5gr or did you just pluck it out of the air? From the sound of your post, you didn’t work it up. That might be a good next step before you decide whether to pull them or shoot them.

 

[gcfos]

Personally, since the powder manufacturer says 6.2gr is max, I’d think 6.5 might be a tad too much, but that’s just a hunch. How does your bullet length compare with the one that Western used? How does your case capacity compare with the one that Western used? Did you work up to 6.5gr or did you just pluck it out of the air? From the sound of your post, you didn’t work it up. That might be a good next step before you decide whether to pull them or shoot them.

depends on the bullet, OAL in their data runs from 1.070 to 1.160" for 115 grain projectiles.

 

[gcfos]

I'm scratching my head about the descrepancy in the two sources for reloading data. I'm just going to pull the bullets for safety's sake.

 

[fxvr5]

What are you shooting them in?

And how many did you load?

 

[gcfos]

What are you shooting them in?

And how many did you load?

I only load 200 and was going to shoot them in a Glock 17 and 19.

 

[fxvr5]

Don't pull them yet. Which 115 grain Zero bullet profile are you using? The 115 Round Nose JHP, or the 115 Conical Nose JHP?

 

[gcfos]

Don't pull them yet. Which 115 grain Zero bullet profile are you using? The 115 Round Nose JHP, or the 115 Conical Nose JHP?

Round nose JHP

 

[fxvr5]

Okay, thanks. I think your loads are probably fine. They're within Lyman's data, though at the max pressure of 32,500 CUP (SAAMI max CUP is 33,000 for 9mm).

The Zero RN JHP measures 0.525" long, and the data was for a Hornady bullet that measures 0.545" long (my samples), and you're loading them a little longer than the Lyman's load at 1.090", which should help to reduce pressure, all else being equal. As long as they fit okay in your Glock barrels, you should be fine.

But here's what I'd do. Load about 10 rounds with 6.0 grains of True Blue, and about 10 rounds with 6.4 grains.

Try those and watch for pressure signs. In this case, what you're most interested in is excessive bulge in the unsupported region of the chamber. Are you familiar with this? If there is no excess bulging with those loads, try your 6.7 grain loads, watching for the same thing. If they look okay, you're good to go. The bulge is usually an issue with the gun, and not the ammo, when working within the normal pressure range. If you get excess bulging, they are too hot for your gun. They might be fine for the 17, but not the 19, for example, or vice versa.

But, next time work your loads up with a few samples, and check for pressure signs, before loading a bunch of them.

 

[gcfos]

Okay, thanks. I think your loads are probably fine. They're within Lyman's data, though at the max pressure of 32,500 CUP (SAAMI max CUP is 33,000 for 9mm).

The Zero RN JHP measures 0.525" long, and the data was for a Hornady bullet that measures 0.545" long (my samples), and you're loading them a little longer than the Lyman's load at 1.090", which should help to reduce pressure, all else being equal. As long as they fit okay in your Glock barrels, you should be fine.

But here's what I'd do. Load about 10 rounds with 6.0 grains of True Blue, and about 10 rounds with 6.4 grains.

Try those and watch for pressure signs. In this case, what you're most interested in is excessive bulge in the unsupported region of the chamber. Are you familiar with this? If there is no excess bulging with those loads, try your 6.7 grain loads, watching for the same thing. If they look okay, you're good to go. The bulge is usually an issue with the gun, and not the ammo, when working within the normal pressure range. If you get excess bulging, they are too hot for your gun. They might be fine for the 17, but not the 19, for example, or vice versa.

But, next time work your loads up with a few samples, and check for pressure signs, before loading a bunch of them.

Thanks for the information. I’ll load a few with 6.0 gr of True Blue and go from there. I’ve been using Unique and CFE Pistol with no issues. I have had this powder for awhile and wanted to try it again. Again thanks for the info.

 

[Walkalong]

I went up to 6.2 Grs of True Blue with a 115 Gr Hornady "encapsulated" FMJ-RN (FMJ with a disc of copper to cover the base.)

On a 60 degree day Jan 2010 it gave me 1035 FPS in a 3" EMP, 1111 FPS in a 4 1/2" TZ, & 1301 from a 16" AR.

At 78 degrees March 2010 it gave very similar numbers, just slightly higher.

On an 80 degree day Aug 2010 it gave me 1183 FPS from a 5" 1911.

 

[fxvr5]

Thanks for the information. I’ll load a few with 6.0 gr of True Blue and go from there. I’ve been using Unique and CFE Pistol with no issues. I have had this powder for awhile and wanted to try it again. Again thanks for the info.

Sounds like you have it all under control.

True Blue tends to produce good accuracy in the 9mm. It's also known for having a narrow extreme spread of velocity. It's good stuff. And it's little ball granules make metering a dream!