Today's Load Data 9mm, 45, 38, 357, 223/556

[bigdawg86]

So I FINALLY got a chance to take out my chrony and shoot up a bunch of new loads that I wanted to try before going into "production". Overall I think the session really well. Attached is my Excel spreadsheet. There were a few "wild" loads from inconsistent throws and those were thrown out from the average. The most accurate data came from the loads that I used a powder trickler for every charge... that got very old very fast so the spread opened up on some of the listed rounds.

I loaded some full house 357 loads using No.9 powder and 6" King Cobra... I noticed that the velocities actually dropped off as the powder charge went up in one of the sets. Is that an indication that I am not getting a full burn and should be using a magnum primer? The load manual didn't suggest magnum primers but it made me wonder.

Load of the day... Sierra 125g JSP at average 1566FPS with 681 ftlbs of muzzle energy

[Bill Steele]

I have read others that have occasionally seen similar results with number 9 (velocity plateau and drop off as charge weights increase) although I have not. I load it with my 10mm and get really great results all the way up to nuke levels. I do use LPM primers when loading number 9 in my 10mm and 44 RM, but have found it less finicky than even number 7 burn consistency wise regardless of primers used.

[bigdawg86]

Maybe I'll pick up some magnum small pistol and give it a try... Nuke levels pretty much sums up what 357 did today. My hand and wrist agree.

[Bill Steele]

Maybe I'll pick up some magnum small pistol and give it a try... Nuke levels pretty much sums up what 357 did today. My hand and wrist agree.

For me and #9 with my 10's, I run out of space in the case before I start popping primers, etc., even with very light bullets. Hot stuff indeed, a real head turner at indoor ranges.

The thing I love about #9 is I can step on the gas and match just about anything out there or back things way down and get terrific results either way. I load it down to 1000fps with a 240gr bullet for my Model 29. Try that with W296.

Let us know how the Mag primers work out.

[Battlewagon]

When you noticed the velocity drop off with AA#9, were you using the same powder lot? I've seen differences when switching lots of the same powder.

[bigdawg86]

When you noticed the velocity drop off with AA#9, were you using the same powder lot? I've seen differences when switching lots of the same powder.

Yup, same bottle, all loaded same session. I only shot 5/10 trial rounds due to baking in the sun for 3 hours getting old... I am gonna shoot the rest and see what happens. If it occurs again I am gonna go the magnum primer route.

[noylj]

1) Beware of fooling yourself. Your data sets are small and throwing out data is not a good idea. Unless you knew before the shot that there was a problem, keep the data. Data set should be at least 10 rounds, but 4 will give you a general idea.
2) I know that in my guns, in .357mag and .44Mag, that when velocity stays the same or goes down with increased charge weight, I have reached max loads and going much higher will produce rather abrupt increases in recoil and cases sticking in chambers. Mag primers can give maybe 25 fps more velocity, but they also hit the pressure max sooner. Mag primers are absolutely needed for 296/H110, but I haven't needed any for AA9. If you get some, start back at starting load and work up.

[bigdawg86]

These loads were in no means to share some magic recipe, as everyone who reloads knows that they should always work up a load for themselves. I just was trying out loads for what powder and components I had on hand. Also I do have ten rounds of everything loaded up but I did 5 rounds total for the pistols on the first trip because I had a lot of stuff to chrono and it was hot outside. Trip two will add to the results. I tossed some of the super high/low reads for a closer to true average and I made the spread sheet to keep track of my results... mentioned "not throwing out data". Now I will assume you mean to throw out the extreme high/low readings? In hind sight I think that's a good idea because I won't be powder trickling every single round I make so I should know what a "heavy pour" or "light pour" will give me with my powder meter. I will "rework" the averages.

I regards to the 357 loads, I figured max was what I reached before the FPS dropped off... but had wondered if magnum primers would help.

For the 45ACP loads... I am second guessing using Clays. Yes the gun cycles and the bullets shoot, but @ max load I was at about 750FPS... this is a good target load, but practicing with mouse farts doesn't help when I start shooting full house loads.

EDIT (again): Initially I was going to keep 5 rounds to check accuracy, should I just chrono them all to get a more solid average?

[bigdawg86]

I updated the PDF to include averages of EVERYTHING shot...