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01-24-2012, 06:04 PM
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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.
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01-24-2012, 06:18 PM
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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.
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01-24-2012, 06:29 PM
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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!
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01-24-2012, 06:33 PM
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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.
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01-24-2012, 07:00 PM
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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.
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01-24-2012, 07:50 PM
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I guess my first question would be............Why do you want to load it down?
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01-25-2012, 12:50 AM
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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.
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01-25-2012, 01:04 AM
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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.
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01-25-2012, 07:37 PM
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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.
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01-25-2012, 08:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison_creek
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.
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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.
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01-25-2012, 08:13 PM
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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.
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