I have a S&W 5903 that I have only ever fired with factory 115gr FMJ ammunition (alot of Federal, Winchester and some S&B) and just a few self defense +p rounds.

Recently I picked up a 9mm die set for my Dillon RL550B and wanted to handload some LRN 115gr rounds at the low end of the spectrum.

Has anyone had problems with light loads in their 5903's? Should I be loading in the middle of the range, or is it fine to do as I intended and load these up at the low end?

I have been told that the S&W 3rd generation autos are not real finicky about ammo, but I sure would hate to spend my time loading ammo that wont cycle my 5903 properly.

Thanks in advance and take someone new out to enjoy some high velocity lead therapy,

Bflobill69

I have reloaded 115 Gr. LRN with AA#5, Unique, and W231 with good results in my 5906. I followed the data, including OAL, from my Lee reloading manual. I started at the low end and worked up to mid-range loads with no feeding issues.

Regards,

Just a thought....Load a few and try them before you load a big batch. Those 550s will spit them out fast.

TY for the responses - I will load a couple dozen and see how they work.

Bflobill69

So I started with a 3.5gr (bullseye) which lyman says is the starting range... Had a lot of stovepipes/failures to feed. Bumped up to 3.8gr and all was good! No failures to feed.