9mm Reloading: Too light a load?

[PaddyDugan]

I've been loading with the Xtreme 124 grain RN for about a year and have had no problems with a tad less than 4.0 grains of Unique. For the Lee Press, that is the .49 disc. My COL is 1.15. I shoot CZ pistols and a Shield. I was always told to use the lightest loads for target shooting and experimented down to this level, starting at about 5.0 grains of Unique.
After reading older posts on this subject, I started to have doubts about my reality.
My question to you guys is whether you think I'm sacrificing anything (accuracy?) by using these light loads. I've shot thousands of rounds without any misfeeds or other issues. The casings often land in my vest pockets or on the bench, which I think is a plus.
I have noticed lately that I shoot more accurately with my 1911 .45 than with any of my 9mm pistols. I should mention that I started with the 1911 .45s and base my reloading on those experiences. Am I sacrificing accuracy by using these light loads? Are there other issues I am unaware of?

[RiskyBusiness]

Use a rest and work up the loads again. Let the gun decide which load is more accurate.

[PaddyDugan]

Thanks, Risky. Excellent advice. I get involved and forget practical solutions.

[rg1]

Surprised your light load of Unique even cycles your gun much less accurate. My experience with 124 gr. loads is 4.5 is the least for cycling and may not be reliable in all pistols. At 4.8 grains it's supposed to be reliable in all pistols and is considered a mild mid range level. Don't know but my guess is that you could get more accuracy with higher levels?

[jericho89]

If you are consistent with your load then you are accurate with your load. I have loaded 7.62x25 to the point that it cycles and drops brass right next to me,factory stuff launches 40 feet away. My loads hit the paper at the same place every time.

The only real issue you would have with accuracy is if you plan on shooting factory loads, then your sights will be off. If you plan on only shooting your reloads and you are happy with its accuracy then stick with what you have. If you plan on shooting both factory and reloads then you need to work your way up to something that is equivalent to the factory rounds.

[PaddyDugan]

That's an excellent point, Jericho. I use Critical Defense for my carry load, which is a 115 gr FTX. The box lists the fps at muzzle at 1140 fps. If I stay with the same powder and use a 115 FTX bullet, I should be able to load something pretty close. But I would jump from 4 grains to close to 6 to get that. Might be easier to just shoot up a couple of boxes of the factory stuff to answer the question you raise. Thanks.

[someoneeasy]

You might want to weigh your powder, I'll double check when I get home, but I think I'm using the .61 disc even though the chart might show .41.

My experience has been the table supplied in with the auto disc has always given me lighter than the chart.

I load 124gn projectiles with unique.

[rsrocket1]

If you are running light loads with a powder that is burning well below it's optimum pressure (which you are with that little Unique), you are also going to get inconsistent burn and big variations in your muzzle velocity. That will cause big differences in recoil and throw your target shooting rhythm out of whack. Are you chronographing these loads with tilt up and tilt down before shooting tests? I have a feeling the MV's will be all over the place. It might not be as drastic as randomly mixing Buffalo Bore bullets with WWB range fodder but inconsistent recoil could be the cause for inconsistent groups.

[PaddyDugan]

Thanks, Rocket. That is helpful and the kind of thought provoking response I was hoping for. I've been shooting this formula for quite a long time and telling myself I was doing fine with it. It has been surprising to me that I can shoot pretty accurately with such a light load compared to what others are posting. But maybe I can improve by using more of the shared wisdom. I am going to load up a variety of different rounds and keep track of the difference, with a rest and without.

[Revoman]

PaddyDugan -
If your brass is dirty with outside black 'soot', that might be an indicator of too little powder for a good burn. I had done similar with 9mm, only using 124gr bullets and had the black soot syndrome. Bumped the charge up just a tad and the soot in large, went away.
A buddy was doing some development loads using a Ransom Rest and the low powder loads were nothing compared to an increased charge with stellar results (I think that he was using CFE Pistol at the time). If I recall, he was in the 5.2 - 5.3 range with the 124gr bullet. Left small clover leafs on paper.

[tonyjr]

Load build up is for the gun . If you have a tighter barrel - whatever - if the load works for you , use it .
I shoot better with all 3 45 acp 1911s than with the 2 9 mm .
I work up loads for each gun .

[Carcassonne]

I have never had a full power load be more precise than a lighter load, but that doesn't mean the lightest load will be the most precise.



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[scotty99]

In a bunch of 9mm testing, I've often had max loads prove to be more accurate. The trick is finding the right bullet and powder combination that gives you sufficient accuracy at a level of recoil you are happy with.

Step one in that process may be changing powders. Unique is at the slow end for 9mm target loads. And maybe try several different brands of bullets. When you really test this, it is pretty surprising what a difference small changes can make, even how differently 124gr FMJ bullets from different manufacturers can shoot with all other variables being the same.

I've had a 0.2gr difference in powder reduce group sizes by 50%. If you really want to dial this in, test, test, test.


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[noylj]

First, are you getting the accuracy you want? If so, don't sweat it.
Second, it is hard to find a 9x19 that can out-shoot a .45 Auto, period.
It takes money to get a really accurate 9x19, and even then often over-the-counter .45s will be more accurate.
Usually, slower powders at near max loads are most accurate in 9x19.
Usually, Power Pistol is quite accurate in 9x19.
Usually, 115gn JHP bullets are most accurate in 9x19, followed by 121-125gn JHPs.
Usually, 0.356-0.357" jacketed bullets are more accurate than 0.355".
Usually, jacketed or cast are quite a bit more accurate at distance (25-50 yards) than almost any plated bullet.
Usually, if you shoot inside 10 yards, all the group tells you is how YOU are shooting.

[Che762x39]

I've been loading with the Xtreme 124 grain RN for about a year and have had no problems with a tad less than 4.0 grains of Unique ...

I would be starting at 5.2 grains of Unique for a 124 FMJ. My Browning High Power really shot extremely well with 115 grain FMJ over 6.0 grains of Unique.