Some info / help for a newbee please

[Racer-X321]

I reloaded some 9mm and some 40 cal. for the first time. I tested them and they all shot but on a MINIMUM load they have a way stronger kick then the target ammo you buy off the shelf. Is this normal. I followed all the loading directions to a T. I don't want to damage any of my guns. When I shot the 40 I noticed that there was a big flash coming out of the barrel that was not there with target ammo. IS THIS NORMAL?

[kmca]

What are you loadis? Recoil depends on the powder/bullet combination. Usually minimum powder reloads have less recoil than factory loads. I would check my scale with a set of check weighs.

[XDRoX]

Depending on the powder, this is normal.
What powder are you using?

[XDRoX]

Could you also give me the specifics of the 9mm load?

[Racer-X321]

Specs

9mm. Bullet = 115gr. X-Treme plated RN. Powder = Power Pistol 6.2rg Minimum load according to Speer Manual #14.

40 cal. Bullet 165gr. X-Treme plated RN. Powder = Power Pistol 7.0gr. Minimum also.

Thanks for you time and help.

[buffybuster]

9mm. Bullet = 115gr. X-Treme plated RN. Powder = Power Pistol 6.2rg Minimum load according to Speer Manual #14.

40 cal. Bullet 165gr. X-Treme plated RN. Powder = Power Pistol 7.0gr. Minimum also.

Thanks for you time and help.

Power Pistol is a sharp powder and is known for a nice flame.......

BTW I'm certain your PowerPistol loads are quite a bit hotter than your target reloads.... Not dangerous, just what the 9x19 and 40SW are actually suppose to feel like. You've shooting softball loads until now.

[XDRoX]

Power Pistol is a sharp powder and is known for a nice flame.......

BTW I'm certain your PowerPistol loads are quite a bit hotter than your target reloads.... Not dangerous, just what the 9x19 and 40SW are actually suppose to feel like. You've shooting softball loads until now.

Good post. I agree, PP is known for some fire balls.
If you want my best reloading secret here it is: WST. It's the bomb. Low recoil, low flash, clean burning, and meters like water. There is no better powder for 9mm or 45. Please don't blow off this suggestion. WST is the best powder for light to medium loads.

[XDRoX]

Also if you want lighter recoil loads then switch to 124gr or 147gr bullets. With the heavier bullets you can use even less powder and really load some low recoil rounds. I load with 124gr FWIW.

[Racer-X321]

ok thanks

so I can assume my scale is ok and all is well right? Also what do you think about bullseye powder?

[buffybuster]

so I can assume my scale is ok and all is well right? Also what do you think about bullseye powder?

Bullseye is an old standby. But it's a bit too fast for my taste and there are better powders, like WST (as previously suggested) or W231.

[XDRoX]

Bullseye is an old standby. But it's a bit too fast for my taste and there are better powders, like WST (as previously suggested) or W231.

I agree again
BE sucks. It actually fires really nice and the recoil is low, but it burns dirty as hell and scorches the cases. 231 is a great powder and very similar to WST, however WST beats it in cleanliness and recoil. BE would be an improvement over PP, but there are better powders out there, WST being the best

[Racer-X321]

I agree again
BE sucks. It actually fires really nice and the recoil is low, but it burns dirty as hell and scorches the cases. 231 is a great powder and very similar to WST, however WST beats it in cleanliness and recoil. BE would be an improvement over PP, but there are better powders out there, WST being the best

My reloading book does not have the data for WTS but it does have it for WSF is this about the same...

[XDRoX]

My reloading book does not have the data for WTS but it does have it for WSF is this about the same...

WSF excels for medium to hot loads. WST excels in light to medium loads. If you only feel comfortable loading rounds which you have data for (which is fine), then W231 is very similar to WST. It will be very hard to find data for WST for 9mm in any modern manuals.

This is data I have in an old manual:
115gr FMJ RN with WST with an OAL of 1.105"
5.2gr = 1050 fps
5.4gr = 1100 fps
5.6gr = 1150 fps

124gr FMJ RN with WST with an OAL of 1.150"
4.8gr = 1025 fps
5.0gr = 1050 fps
5.2gr = 1075 fps
5.4gr = 1100 fps

I have personally loaded 5.0gr under 124gr plated round nose bullet and chrono'd the velocity at 1060 fps, which makes prefect sense beacuse you'd figure that plated would go a little faster than jacketed. This was out of a 4" XD9. So this load data is probably pretty good data, at least it matches my results.

My favorite plinking round with WST is 4.8gr under 124gr plated RN bullet loaded to 1.140". This is a very soft load, very clean, and shoots great. 4.5gr will also cycle my guns, but the cases don't eject very far. With my glocks they eject toward my face.

I "redded" the higher loads because they are a little hot and I don't think you should be loading these without a chrono. In the olden days manuals were much more liberal with their load data. Today the company's lawyers make sure that they keep them within very safe ranges.