OAL/data for 9mm cast bullets.....

[Fastsc92]

I did a simple search and didn't really find what I was looking for...

I'm in the process of ordering another 1k bullets or so for 9mm reloading. I just started, and already used up 1k of Magtec 115gr FMJ rounds that performed flawlessly. Since the price jack-up after the new year the price for bullets is around $90+ for the same product when I WAS paying $65. It's just not cost effective so I'm switching to lead.

I've looked at these two place and will prob. buy from one of them. Here is my issue. I'm using a Speer manual and they dont have load data for 115gr LRN, just jacketed. Can I assume to use the same load data and OAL? With the magtecs I was loading them at 5.6gr(Unique) @ 1.140". This was the most accurate round and I'd like to stick to this recipe. Is this a safe assumption? Here is a pic. 115gr LRN $57/1000 shipped.



Also, this other vendor sells 125gr truncated round nose. Again, the speer manual lists 124gr RN, FN, and HP, but nothing really close to what this is, and again, this is lead, not jacketed. Should I use the same data as the 124gr flat nose for these 125gr truncated round nose? Pic $52/1000 shipped.

[fredj338]

Fast, you can use the same data as long as you are not pushing max. Load them to the longest OAL your pistol allows to start & still have enough bullet into th ecase (particularly on the 115gr).

[Fastsc92]

Thanks fred, I've been trying all sorts of loads for these 9mm and I think the 5.6grain load works the best. I found that I was less accurate when I was pushing a max load regardless of the OAL. With 5.6gr and 1.140" OAL, I seem to be the most accurate. I've give these lead bullets a try and load them to the same specs as I was using for the FMJ. Thanks!

Oh as a side question....will a 125gr or a 147 grain bullet have less recoil since there is less powder in the case? But it will have more energy?

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Fastsc92

Thanks fred, I've been trying all sorts of loads for these 9mm and I think the 5.6grain load works the best. I found that I was less accurate when I was pushing a max load regardless of the OAL. With 5.6gr and 1.140" OAL, I seem to be the most accurate. I've give these lead bullets a try and load them to the same specs as I was using for the FMJ. Thanks!

Oh as a side question....will a 125gr or a 147 grain bullet have less recoil since there is less powder in the case? But it will have more energy?

Recoil has little to do w/ muzzle energy of the round. It's possible to drive very light bullets very fast & have a high ME but light recoil. If your bullets are traveling at the same vel. the heavier bullet always has more recoil. If you raise the 124gr bullet vel. enough, recoil will be higher & maybe ME too.