9mm / 38 Caliber Reloading

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by mulletmaster

I just tried some of the 2.9gr tite group behind 125 LRN bullet with an OAL of 1.100 and did not have very good luck with it. I had probably a 40% failure to cycle rate with this load, just a bit too light.

I doubt that load would make minor at all. I won't even use that with a 147.

[wbyrd]

Along with my first reloads of .45acp I made this weekend I also reloaded some 9mm for the first time. I used 4.4gr of Accurate No. 2 behind Oregon Trail Lead Safe 115gr plated round nose. Everything went pretty well but I did struggle a little with getting the bullet to line up with the brass. I even had a few come out that were not quite straight. I'm using a Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage.

Is it ok to shoot these bent ones?

Can anyone offer some advise on what I can do differently so this doesn't happen?

Also looking for feedback regarding the load data I used.

Thanks!

[Bearlaker]

wbyrd, don't shoot the ones which aren't straight. It sounds like you're not flaring the neck quite enough. You don't want too much flare, just enough so that the bullet easily starts to enter the case.
I've not used AA#2 but that 4.4gr should give you a nice target load.

[panther308]

I load 9mm with Titegroup @ 4.1gn with a OAL of 1.135" with just a plain ol' 124 FMJ RN and it's works fine

[Gramps]

I have been using 4.1 grains AA#2 under a 124 Grain ranier for the last couple of years. Makes minor out of my 4" XD. Little residue, moderate recoil and very accurate. I have used this in several other 4" to 6" autos with very good sucess.

For 115`s I use 4.5 grains of universal, usually for steel. Shot the PSA with it and had no problems with steel fall.

[onecoolpilot]

How does this sound?

I have 115gr round nose fmj, 4.4 - 4.9gr of Winchester 231, with winchester small primers.

This is my first attempt at reloading. I've made up 3 batches, 10 each, with 4.4, 4.6 and 4.9. Going to the range to test them later.

the OAL is between 1.135 and 1.145. Not sure of the length difference, but I think it's the cases I'm using, picked up from the range floor.

[Edubya]

Originally Posted by onecoolpilot

How does this sound?

the OAL is between 1.135 and 1.145. Not sure of the length difference, but I think it's the cases I'm using, picked up from the range floor.

This caused me a lot of worry too. I took my 550 and dies apart, just trying to figure out how the variations could happen. I cleaned the dies and parts, put it back together and got the same kind of results. I shimmed the tool head so that there was no play; same results. It wasn't until a friend was looking over my shoulder and asked, "Do you think that the make of brass would have anything to do with it?" I checked out the 50 already loaded bullets and sure enough, that's the way it measures out- .012 difference on the extreme. I now load by headstamp!

[The Knight Of Light]

The different OAL you are seeing is coming from the bullets not the dies or cases.

Depending on the bullets you can get some slight differences in OAL.

I would not worry about the differences in 1.135-1.145. I don't even think that is visible.

I would worry more about a difference in 1.035-1.135. This is a much more significant distance and can cause feeding and pressure problems. The pressure problems are not as common with lighter loads but they can happen with heavier loads. I personally can see a difference like this and can also pick them out of a batch of loaded ammo.

[Edubya]

Originally Posted by The Knight Of Light

The different OAL you are seeing is coming from the bullets not the dies or cases.

Knight, The "overall length" varies by headstamp!
I'm using a Dillon 550B, purchased in Feb.this year. For measuring, Brown and Sharpe Dial Calipers. I have used dial calipers during my entire career as a certified aircraft and power plant mechanic. The "WIN" brass loads up to a different OL than the "NPA", "CBC" or "*I*" brass. I have encountered this with the Montana Gold 124gr FMJ, 124gr JHP, 147gr Precision Bullets and Berries 124gr fp.
I disassembled the dies, cleaned and inspected them and thoroughly cleaned the press parts before I discovered that the OLs were dependent upon the headstamp!
I have not found one single load manual that gives a min/max COL. I do not have a means of testing CUP, I have to depend on this detail from the manufactures of the powders.
I don't know why this happens, it makes absolutely no sense. I have been searching for the answer for weeks.
Can you explain how this is happening?

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by Edubya

Knight, The "overall length" varies by headstamp!
I'm using a Dillon 550B, purchased in Feb.this year. For measuring, Brown and Sharpe Dial Calipers. I have used dial calipers during my entire career as a certified aircraft and power plant mechanic. The "WIN" brass loads up to a different OL than the "NPA", "CBC" or "*I*" brass. I have encountered this with the Montana Gold 124gr FMJ, 124gr JHP, 147gr Precision Bullets and Berries 124gr fp.
I disassembled the dies, cleaned and inspected them and thoroughly cleaned the press parts before I discovered that the OLs were dependent upon the headstamp!
I have not found one single load manual that gives a min/max COL. I do not have a means of testing CUP, I have to depend on this detail from the manufactures of the powders.
I don't know why this happens, it makes absolutely no sense. I have been searching for the answer for weeks.
Can you explain how this is happening?

The only fixed distance is between the dies. The case head and the bullet can only be pushed together to a fixed distance set by them.

The bullets will all have slight differences. The cases may be different lengths but they will all take the bullet to the same length. The amount of bullet inserted into the case will vary according to case length but the Over All Length will stay the same if the bullets are consistent. Therefore the Bullet determines the OAL of the cartridge.

The Skinnier the bullet, the more it will go into the die, the longer the OAL will be. the fatter the bullet the less it goes into the die the shorter the OAL will be.

Bullets are loaded based on the Datum ring which is a fixed point on the bullets body. This point is where the bullet is very close to its outside diameter and makes for a very accurate load measuring point.

It is not common on pistol ammo to use this measurement but you can if you want.

I have always loaded with mixed brass and if you see this photo of my MATCH ammo it is all different headstamps and is the same OAL.


I have worked in Aircraft Maintenance for the last 14 years and I also use precision measurement equipment in my job.

You don't have to have an A&P license to reload ammo.