Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-24-2012, 06:04 PM
harrison_creek's Avatar
harrison_creek harrison_creek is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 45
Likes: 23
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Question Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's

I am new to reloading for semi-auto's. Right now I am working up some loads for 9mm (Glocks and M&P's) for plinking. I have looked up all the recommended starting loads but am wondering how much lower can I go and still have a functional load. For example, I have loaded 5.1 grains of Unique under a 115 gr FMJ bullet and it runs just fine. Can I load down to 10% of the recommended starting load and still expect the slide to function? Or should I just experiment going down in .2 grain increments? There seems to be a lot of recommendations for going to max, but never going softer to a Minimum. I hope this makes sense!

Last edited by harrison_creek; 01-24-2012 at 06:07 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-24-2012, 06:18 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,581
Likes: 1,788
Liked 5,342 Times in 2,685 Posts
Default

Starting loads are listed as such because that's the established minimum load necessary for the cartridge, with that case, primer, bullet & powder. DO NOT REDUCE STARTING LOADS.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-24-2012, 06:29 PM
arjay's Avatar
arjay arjay is online now
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 15,083
Likes: 91,554
Liked 26,249 Times in 8,377 Posts
Default

You do run a risk of a bullet stuck in the bore if you drop below minimum and if you fire another round, you'll be shopping for a new barrel!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-24-2012, 06:33 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

Just to mirror the above, there's no need to go lower than minimum, especially for a semi-auto. The slide operates by using energy from the fired cartridge. Loading very light is a fast way to cause malfunctions.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-24-2012, 07:00 PM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

You can go pretty low with and still cycle the action. It take a pretty weak round to get stuck in a bore, more of a danger with a revolver than an auto loader because a load that weak probably won't cycle the action to chamber another, with a revolver all you have to do is pull the trigger again and you have a serious problem. I've loaded a lot of light loads for competitive shooting and have hands on experience. Don't play around until you have lots of experience first, stick to min. loads.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-24-2012, 07:50 PM
papajohn428's Avatar
papajohn428 papajohn428 is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Coastal Missouri
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 899
Liked 977 Times in 467 Posts
Default

I guess my first question would be............Why do you want to load it down?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-25-2012, 12:50 AM
harrison_creek's Avatar
harrison_creek harrison_creek is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 45
Likes: 23
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Thanks for the replies.

I am not really wanting to load down but wondering if I stick with the starting charge and my equipment throws a lighter charge then would I have as much of a problem as when a heavier charge might be thrown.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-25-2012, 01:04 AM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,065
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,467 Times in 6,788 Posts
Default

The recoil springs are designed for standard factory loads.

In 1911's (for example, you can do the same in other guns) you can play with lower charges and lighter bullets by replacing the recoil spring to a lighter one, or a heavy one for max loads.

Generally starting loads are pretty light and anemic. I load mostly right in the mid range. Best of both worlds.

If you want to load light, then load just a tad over Min to allow for possible fluctuation.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-25-2012, 07:37 PM
handgunner356 handgunner356 is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Iowa on the Mississipp
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Liked 352 Times in 230 Posts
Default

Alliants' charts show a max of 6.3grs Unique for a 115gr GDHP, so your 5.1 is awfully low to begin with. Sounds more like a hardcast lead loading, which you shouldn't be using in a Glock barrel. Either way I don't vary more than .2grs at a time to find my limits.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-25-2012, 08:07 PM
hawgleg's Avatar
hawgleg hawgleg is offline
Member
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: arkansas
Posts: 236
Likes: 4
Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison_creek View Post
Thanks for the replies.

I am not really wanting to load down but wondering if I stick with the starting charge and my equipment throws a lighter charge then would I have as much of a problem as when a heavier charge might be thrown.
As others said if the gun don't cycle stop and check for a stuck bullet. A normal variation of +/- .2 grains should be ok. If there's enough powder to cycle your gun then there was enough powder for the bullet to clear the barrel.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-25-2012, 08:13 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
Banned
Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's Minimum Load Percentage for Semi-Auto's  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hoosier Land!
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 587
Liked 576 Times in 307 Posts
Default

Do not go below minimum. Powders need pressure to work right. Going below a listed load MAY, cause a certain powder to not work at all. I have had this happen. AA#5, AA#7 for instance, will not work if you go below their minimums. They fall off drastically. You do not get a weaker load, you get one that doesn't work at all.

The premise is that you want lighter loads, nothing wrong with that, choose a different powder. There are TONS of them available and @ $20 something a pound, it isn't going to break the bank. Cut loose of some of that mouldy cash and help the economy! Haven't you heard that we need it?

Seriously, though. Just find a different powder.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, cartridge, glock, primer

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Any opinions on the Auto Ordnance semi-auto Tommy Gun? Beemerguy53 Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics 77 10-04-2018 09:49 PM
Minimum load of 2400 powder for my 629 smokemeister25 Reloading 11 02-23-2013 05:40 AM
Minimum load of 2400 powder for my 629 smokemeister25 Reloading 2 02-09-2013 09:03 PM
.32 semi auto wcd S&W Antiques 0 08-14-2010 10:21 PM
ref 10 mm semi auto jimbo48 Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 2 10-22-2008 06:33 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:40 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)