Help creating 9mm recipe.

[sdw1990]

I just started reloading and I am trying to figure out the best combination to use. I bought the Lyman 49th but it doesn't have all the info I need.

These are my components:
Once fired brass, mixed stamps.
Unique gunpowder.
CCI SPP
xtreme bullets 115gr RN Copper plated (not fmj)

I tried a few loads all at 1.162 OAL
4.4gr
4.8gr
5.0gr

The 4.4gr failed to cycle my gun once and felt really weak.
The 4.8gr also felt weaker than factory, which I was shooting at the same time to get a comparison.
The 5.0gr loads felt the best but still not as strong.

I looked online and people seem to go a lot higher (6.9)with unique but there doesn't seem to be much room left in the case.

I was thinking or lowering my OAL to increase pressure but I am not sure what I should go to. I don't want to create too much of a pressure spike. Also, maybe lower my grs AND lower my OAL. This will reduce my load but still obtain higher pressure and velocity.

I know that with copper plated you don't want to go past 1200fps.

Perhaps someone who knows how pressure, velocity and energy change as COL decreases could post info about that.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanx

[rcschummers]

Help creating 9mm recipe.

I use 5.5 grains of unique behind a 115 grain xtreme @ 1.100". Accurate and cycles reliably.

Dont get overly concerned with the fps/copper plating, I have personally loaded to max and did not see any signs of them breaking apart and plenty of people on calguns have too.

[gemoose23]

I don't have lyman manual, but from alliants load data:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=3&cartridge=23

Try Starting 10% from max published loads. Even at 10% from published max is 5.6 gr (.6 more gr than you tried) and COAL a littler shorter than you tried at 1.125.

Best advice is to use published loads if you do not have a chronograph to use. I use the following priority in finding a load on bullets Lead > Jacketed > HP > FMJ. The further right you go the more I would avoid Max loads.

What does the lyman manual say?

[XVIga_Rob]

I use 5.5 grains of unique behind a 115 grain xtreme @ 1.100"(ill double check the oal after breakfast). Accurate and cycles reliably.

4.9gr of Unique with 115gr RN Berry's (copper plated). With mixed head stamps, my OAL fluctuates a little (1.162 ~ 1.164). Accurate and cycles reliably.

[MarkInFolsom]

Also 5.5 Unique using Berrys or Xtreme 115 RN. 1.120 OAL.

Shot from M&P 9c and Browning HP no problems.

[rcschummers]

Best advice is to use published loads if you do not have a chronograph to use. I use the following priority in finding a load on bullets Lead > Jacketed > HP > FMJ. The further right you go the more I would avoid Max loads.

This^^^is always the best route, reloading will alway have a certain margin of risk, choose your adventures carefully.

[sdw1990]

rcschummers: 5.5 Grains @ 1.100"

MarkInFolsom: 5.5 Grains @ 1.120"

You guys both have pretty much the same recipe. Any idea what your muzzle velocities are? Energy? Obviously the smaller space should create higher pressures and velocities.

How full are the cases when you load this amount?

XVIga_Rob: 4.9 Grains @ 1.162-1.164" (Pretty much the same as i did)

Have you compared this to the way factory ammo feels? Tried shooting it at steel plates and how well it knocks it over?

I only shot at paper to see accuracy and felt recoil. Will be shooting at steel on Saturday coming up.

Since these are the recipes you guys use they must be accurate enough for what you are doing.

gemoose23: The Lymans only has 115gr HP listed at 4.4-5.8grs. OAL at 1.090. Kinda lame that they don't list one of the most commonly used bullets; The 115gr FMJ.

[rcschummers]

Help creating 9mm recipe.

I haven't chronographed my stuff, and don't have any technical data to add. Case is pretty full and compresses a bit under the projectile, no signs of over pressure. The load is snappy but nothing to write home about. I wouldn't be worried about this load knocking over small steel targets. My load was tested in a steyr m9 and a G17, accurate from both at 25 yards.

I have loaded thousands of rounds with unique, in my experience this particular powder likes to be ran on close to max, which is a double edged sword because it does not measure consistently, so you will be hand measuring a lot. If you want I can throw it away for you Ill pm you my address.

[MarkInFolsom]

Likewise, I don't chrono my load so I can't tell you velocity. I can tell you it feels similar to factory Remington 115 fmj. Accuracy is fine and shots are not very snappy on firing. I don't shoot steel so no help there. Cases are not too full for me but I'm loading on Dillon so the vibration of the press may settling the powder before I seat the bullet. Also, I don't get much variation on powder loads on the Dillon. I get 5.5 gr +- .1.

Now having said all that, I have recently started reloading 9mm with VV N320. I wanted to see how I liked it. So far I do, burns cleaner than Unique but of course it is a little more expensive.

[sdw1990]

I haven't chronographed my stuff, and don't have any technical data to add. Case is pretty full and compresses a bit under the projectile, no signs of over pressure. The load is snappy but nothing to write home about. I wouldn't be worried about this load knocking over small steel targets. My load was tested in a steyr m9 and a G17, accurate from both at 25 yards.

I have loaded thousands of rounds with unique, in my experience this particular powder likes to be ran on close to max, which is a double edged sword because it does not measure consistently, so you will be hand measuring a lot. If you want I can throw it away for you Ill pm you my address.

I meant would it knock over the targets in idpa and uspsa which it is suppose to.

What do you mean throw it away?

I live in San Diego so could be difficult

[sdw1990]

One more piece of info. My projectiles are 0.5515". This affect OAL so is a useful piece of info.

[rcschummers]

Im not sure about knocking over really heavy plates with 115 grainers, i dont doubt they would, try them. You may want to pop into the competition threads see what those guys have to say. I have shot knockdown steel targets with factory 115, just not with my recipe.

[sdw1990]

What is the length of your projectiles?

[wild_weasel]

I recently did a lot of reloading for my LC9, P95, and Blackhawk Convertible using Berry's and Xtreme bullets. Using Unique it took 5.0gr before my reloads functioned reliably in both my automatics pistols.

- Mixed range brass
- 5.0gr Unique
- Winchester small pistol primer WSP
- Berry's or Xtreme 115gr copper plated bullet
- OAL 1.11"

[Lovesick Warrior]

I am using the same 115g xtreme plated, and charging with 5.3grains Unique. Shoots fine through my 92fs, xdm 5.25 and glock 17. Not sure about velocity, just using for plinking.