newbie reloader seeking a little guidance...

[errorz]

I don't claim to know much, but I have read the ABC's of Reloading, watched many you tube videos, and test fired my ammo already..

Lee pro 1000 press
Test weapon: Sig P228.

Data i'm using to relaod 9mm:
115gr Remington FMJ
CCI primers
~5.8-6.0 grains of Power Pistol (very slight change, 95% 5.9 grains)


I chose this data from Lymans 49th. Upon asking my local reloading supplier, he said that the type of bullet is not as important as the grain (lymans only has a JHP data for 115gr no FMJ). In Lymans book, it says to seat the bullet for a 1.090" OAL.

I tested 10 rounds prior to making anymore... They worked/cycled fine. No signs of bulging/pushed primers on the spent shells. There was very minor soot around the case mouth. Shooting factory seems to do similar things as well... Is the Soot normal?

As I was punching out rounds (only did about 100 today) I noticed a discrepancy in the OAL. The OAL varied from 1.090-1.100. Is this satisfactory? The bench I am reloading on is, I admit, rather weak (I live in an apartment for now) thus there is slight flex in the table upon a strong pull down. Lymans states in 9mm specs 1.169" is the OAL though my particular load is 1.090". What type of consistency should I be looking for here? Also for FMJ, 1.090" seems a little pushed inward (i.e. less bullet sticking out like a factory 9mm).

Finally, when crimping the round (I have a Lee pro 1000 so crimping is part of seating) after crimp, the case mouth is .375". My first test rounds (no explosive) were catching a little and cycled rough until I brought it down to .375" (which is what my factory Federal are showing as well).

To summarize:
- Is soot around the spent casing a sign of anything?
- When following a reloading book, is it adequate to supplement bullet type for grain size (i.e. following a HP recipe and using it for a FMJ, same weight)
- Is a slight discrepancy ( 0.005") on OAL of finished rounds okay?



Lots of questions, I know, but I thank you for any help you can offer. Thanks for reading!

[J-cat]

Soot is normal.

Defer to the bullet manufacturer's data. With that said, Power Pistol will never ever blow-up your 9mm no matter how much you stuff into the case.

Your OAL is fine. These bullets are made on multiple machines and no two are alike. Measure a box with a caliper and a comparator. You'll see.

[joelogic]

Soot, normal. titegroup would leave the front on of slide covered in carbon.
Safety first, always work up to a load. But generally weight is primary but dont switch around, FMJ, plated, lead loads without working up.
Dial in .005" on your calipers and try and look through the gap. Its no big deal with pistol ammo. Butt/Bench rifle shooters may say different.

[Cowboy T]

You should be fine. Any of the semi-auto cartridges are going to be more sensitive to OAL than, say, revolver cartridges, but if you're not making max loads, OAL in a little bit shouldn't hurt. As others have said, always work up your load, but you probably already knew that.

[errorz]

Thank you guys for the heads up.... I hadn't realized ~6 grains filled up a 9mm quite full (thanks J-cat for the info of it being hard to overfill with my powder). So stay close to OAL as per recipe specs.

for 9mm do you simply crimp to reliability (aka no major hangups on cycling)?

Thanks a lot guys... this is really helping!

[XDRoX]

Thank you guys for the heads up.... I hadn't realized ~6 grains filled up a 9mm quite full (thanks J-cat for the info of it being hard to overfill with my powder). So stay close to OAL as per recipe specs.

for 9mm do you simply crimp to reliability (aka no major hangups on cycling)?

Thanks a lot guys... this is really helping!

You really only crimp to take out the bell. If you're denting the bullets you're crimping too much IMO.

[sequoia_nomad]

I have found that OAL for 9mm is all over the map. I use a factory loaded round of the same bullet weight and type I'm using to set up my seating die, when possible. As others have stated, unless you are loading hot, seating depth is not quite as critical with 9mm as with some other calibers.

Also bear in mind that while charge data for a different bullet of the same weight can be substituted, the OAL will vary with the profile of the bullet. A hollowpoint will have a flatter tip than a round nose FMJ, therefore making the bullet itself shorter as well as OAL. If it looks a little off, it probably is.