Questions on reloading 9mm...

[Shiloh13]

I have been reloading for a while. All revolver straight wall cases. I would like to start reloading some 9mm practice loads. I have been reading, but I thought I would throw the question to you guys for input.

What do I need to know before I start? What are the differences from revolver loads? What is the little stuff that nobody told you?

Mainly I am concerned about making sure I can get the proper head spacing, etc. Multiple pistols including Colt 1911, S&W 439, and Glock 17.

I am currently running RCBS dies, Redding Big Boss II single stage press with Hornady LnL bushings for quick die changes. FMJ bullets will be used.

Any input, warnings, advice?

[bohoki]

cant think of anything off hand

check the rim to make sure there is no excessive extractror pull marks

if you use millitary brass it will be crimped so you got to deal with that (i found a pile of wcc and it was a bit of a hassle to ream them)

also you need to be more careful with seating depth than say a 38 too long they wont fit in the magazine too short they may jam before the feed ramp and or cause excessive pressures

[Bug Splat]

I'm a huge glock fan but you might want to consider not reloading for a OEM barrel. The unsupported chambers can be a problem with brass the has been fired a number of times. Where a supported chamber can fire the same brass 20-30 times I would not trust running it more than 3-4 times. If you wanted to reload for you glock I would pick up a cheap Lone wolf barrel for it.

[Shiloh13]

Bug Splat...
Yeah, I had figured on getting an aftermarket barrel for just that reason. Also, I may chose to reload lead for cost, so another advantage to an aftermarket barrel for the Glock.

Thanks for reminding me.

[Shiloh13]

Bohoki,
What OAL measurements should I be looking at? I was thinking about the OAL case length, but I forgot about the OAL for the cartridge and the problems with magazines, not to mention avoiding running the bullet into the rifling on the barrel.

Any suggestions on how to determine that magic number other than trial and error? Or just duplicate factory ammo OAL case length?

[Mstnpete]

Are you using once fired 9mm brass or brand new?

On once fired assortment of brass, I have noticed when de-priming, most primer pockets have to be re shaped so new primers would fit.
A suggestion as well, is to use a Lee carbide de -priming and re-shaping die. Regular dies will not go all the way down to take of the belling.
For over all length I would suggest to try different lengths for the 3 pistols you have. 1911's that are ramped barrels like longer overall lengths. Glocks are a little shorter on over all length.

[Sig357]

I'm a huge glock fan but you might want to consider not reloading for a OEM barrel. The unsupported chambers can be a problem with brass the has been fired a number of times. Where a supported chamber can fire the same brass 20-30 times I would not trust running it more than 3-4 times. If you wanted to reload for you glock I would pick up a cheap Lone wolf barrel for it.

How about reloading 9mm for a Bobcat MP5 clone, Springfield EMP, and a Springfield XD9? So I should only load the same brass 3-4 times with an OEM barrel?

Would the same rule apply to the 40 S&W on my Sig?

I'm a little confused, and will be starting to reload next weekend.

[Shiloh13]

At this point, I am open. I have quite a bit of once fired - by me from non-Glock pistols. This is only because I am sitting on a thousand rounds or so of factory ammo. New brass is what I traditionally use for my revolvers, because I don't usually have any factory stuff.

I am only extending out to 9mm (and potentially 45acp) because of the potential issues in getting cost effective factory ammo starting next year.

[Shiloh13]

How about reloading 9mm for a Bobcat MP5 clone, Springfield EMP, and a Springfield XD9? So I should only load the same brass 3-4 times with an OEM barrel?

Would the same rule apply to the 40 S&W on my Sig?

I'm a little confused, and will be starting to reload next weekend.

Caution should be used when reloading brass from any firearm that uses unsupported chambers. The Glock barrels unsupported chambers "can" lead to weakening of the brass near the rim. I don't know if the guns you mention use unsupported chambers, so I can't answer the question for those specific firearms, but I am aware of the Glock issues. This is why I have waited so long to start reloading the 9mm.

[Mstnpete]

I am also preparing. I just got done reloading 1050 of 45 acp today and did 2000 of 9mm yesterday.

[AJD]

How about reloading 9mm for a Bobcat MP5 clone, Springfield EMP, and a Springfield XD9? So I should only load the same brass 3-4 times with an OEM barrel?

Would the same rule apply to the 40 S&W on my Sig?

I'm a little confused, and will be starting to reload next weekend.

I wouldn't worry about it one bit. The old don't shoot reloads in Glocks because of the unsupported chamber is a theory based on speculation. The # of people who have reloaded ammo for Glocks without having any issues is extremely high. 9mm KBs in Glocks are almost unheard of, and if you think about it just about every rental range Glock is shot with reloaded ammo. Also, brass weakens at the case mouth much faster than at the case head where the unsupported chamber is.

[Shiloh13]

Are you using once fired 9mm brass or brand new?

On once fired assortment of brass, I have noticed when de-priming, most primer pockets have to be re shaped so new primers would fit.
A suggestion as well, is to use a Lee carbide de -priming and re-shaping die. Regular dies will not go all the way down to take of the belling.
For over all length I would suggest to try different lengths for the 3 pistols you have. 1911's that are ramped barrels like longer overall lengths. Glocks are a little shorter on over all length.

I will probably follow the specs on the factory ammo I have here. It shoots reliably in all of the pistols, so it is probably a good place to start. I wasn't aware of the primer pocket issues. I will inspect my brass carefully and if necessary, just go to all new brass.

[Shiloh13]

I really appreciate all the input here guys.
Thank you.

I will be bookmarking this thread for future reference. Feel free to keep the input coming....

[Sideline Shooter]

Definetly get a 9mm case gauge. Also what is your powder of choice and can you get it reliably? It used to be reloading 9mm was a waste of time, you could buy factory for the same price. Not so now, especially for us in California. Decide right now if you can afford to buy 1k or more of factory ammo, then later down the road buying 9mm components in bulk. You can reuse the brass you shoot from factory rounds and build your brass pile.

sideline shooter

[bohoki]

you can reload your 9mm till you get split mouth (but if you want to retire your brass at 4 reloads gimme me a pm)
9mm in a glock is as fully supported as you can get(its the 40 that has problems)

i also cast my own lead bullets