Going Below the Starting Loads

[What Just Happened?]

So I've been reloading for a little bit now and my current load is

9mm 125grn CN
3.7 grn of W231
1.125" OAL with half a turn of roll crimp

I was looking at the Hodgdon / Winchester site and noticed that the starting load is 3.9 grn of W231. My CZ SP-01 cycles these fine, I've not seen any keyhole-ing, and I've not seen any leading between my 200 - 300 round range trips. I've not had any access to a chronograph, so I don't know how fast I'm pushing the bullets. Should I be worried?

[sargenv]

Nope, I wouldn't be. In most cases if it cycles your gun and you've been shooting them for a while, It's not much concern. .2 gr really isn't that much of a difference even at that low charge weight. I'd be more concerned beng .2 over the max than .2 under the min.

[What Just Happened?]

Alright. I've been shooting around 1k of these loads and just want to make sure I'm not screwing up my CZ somehow.

[f4tweet]

I use 3.8 of Titewad and my XD-9 Service just eats 'em up. The Energizer Bunny..........

[Someguy925]

I would usually think it good to start low before working your way up.

[sorensen440]

just dont go too far below

[Beelzy]

No problem so much with pistol ammo, however some heavy magnum loads
with slow burning powder it is NOT advisable.

Different load data can have some deviation, especially any of the newer
reloading books. I have a 20yr. old Hornady book that has quite a few Max
loads that exceed the Max loadings listed in the new book.

I am sure if the gun could talk it would thank you.

[rksimple]

With most pistol powders its OK. I think its with H110, 296, etc. they specifically say not to go under starting.

[EOD3]

For the most part, it's not a good idea to go below the starting load with slow burning powders.

The major concern with reduced loads is the possibility of sticking a bullet in the bore.

[mike100]

If the bullet doesn't get stuck in the bbl and the slide cycles rounds without jamming, I'd say that you are fine. I suppose it is possible to run into a specific bullet design with a hard, thick jacketing that might not push down some barrels at low charges, but properly sized lead bullets in your particular gun are obviously not a problem.

[ChessRatz]

WJH, your load is fine. I have used 3.5 grains of 231 with 125gr 9mm Zero's out of my XD9 tac, it cycles fine and they are accurate as well. I've hit me some of those 100 yard chickens at ASR with that load. The times I miss have to be user error

[rayra]

As long as your powder charge is sufficient to properly cycle the action of your semi-auto, there's no technical reason not to run low.

You may not get effective / realistic training with a low-recoiling pistol or rifle, but that's another matter.

[Turbinator]

I've always found that when I load too light, I often don't get the slide to lock back on an empty magazine. Most reloading manuals and advice I've seen says to start 10% under the max load. I've found that I can usually load almost right up to the published max load and get decent results. Going too far under yields frustration at the range.

Turby

[What Just Happened?]

Going too far under yields frustration at the range.

Turby

Yeah, I've gone down to 3.5 and 3.6 and had a few FTE's, so I bumped the recipe up some.

[fastlane225]

Well just make sure in your recipe is some powder that doesn't send up a smoke screen or I'm gonna have to call your CZ the little pistol that could!