My first reloads...should i shoot them?

[jackson13132002]

First reloads here, any advice would be appreciated. Anything that will make my loads better, please tell me.

I'm using winchester 115gr fmj-rn
My own brass sorted by manufacturer
cci small pistol primers
unique powder

I loaded:
(10) 4.8gr 1.125
(10) 5.0gr 1.125
(10) 5.2gr 1.125

How do these look experienced loaders? Anything you would change?

[Cdog]

I don't use Unique, but if you followed the prescribed data and they chamber freely then go for it!

[blujax01]

Run 'em!

And don't forget to give us a full report.

[Janitor]

I don't load 9mm, but you're well under the max for Unique.

I think I would have started hotter than 4.8gr (like around 5.3-5.4gr) but as I said I don't load 9mm. Worst case is it may be dirty though, so I wouldn't fret over it.

I'm with blujax01 - shoot them and report back.

[jackson13132002]

Originally Posted by Janitor

I don't load 9mm, but you're well under the max for Unique.

I think I would have started hotter than 4.8gr (like around 5.3-5.4gr) but as I said I don't load 9mm. Worst case is it may be dirty though, so I wouldn't fret over it.

I'm with blujax01 - shoot them and report back.

I emailed unique and they came back with 4.5 - 5.5
This seemed low to me, but since it came from the powder company I wanted to give them some respect. I guess if I don't get the results i'm looking for i will try 5.4 and 5.6.

[POPPER]

I have reloaded for years and sure don't profess to know it all first off but this I will suggest. Get a good reloading publication like say Lyman and follow the load data closely. They will give you a start to max recommendation to go by and I would stick to that. DO NOT pay any attention to write in custom loads from gun articles by individuals. While they may be just fine don't gamble on it. A valid reloaders guide is your best bet. Pay real close attention to your scale also when measuring out your powder charge. Many a person has damaged their gun and or themselves by screwing up the powder charge. Just take the proper precautions when loading and do it when their won't be any distractions. That said reloading is for me relaxing and fun. Enjoy!

[jackson13132002]

Originally Posted by POPPER

I have reloaded for years and sure don't profess to know it all first off but this I will suggest. Get a good reloading publication like say Lyman and follow the load data closely. They will give you a start to max recommendation to go by and I would stick to that. DO NOT pay any attention to write in custom loads from gun articles by individuals. While they may be just fine don't gamble on it. A valid reloaders guide is your best bet. Pay real close attention to your scale also when measuring out your powder charge. Many a person has damaged their gun and or themselves by screwing up the powder charge. Just take the proper precautions when loading and do it when their won't be any distractions. That said reloading is for me relaxing and fun. Enjoy!

If i'm using a 115gr fmj-rn should i take the data in all my books for a fmj and average them to come up with a start and a max load?

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by jackson13132002

If i'm using a 115gr fmj-rn should i take the data in all my books for a fmj and average them to come up with a start and a max load?

Not too far off the mark! If I cannot find the exact bullet I look into several manuals and try to find a consensus for a starting load. Or to be safer (as you did), contact the powder manufacturer. While those Unique loads are conservative, they are serviceable and are a good jump off point.

Have fun at the range!

[jepp2]

How do these look experienced loaders? Anything you would change?

Without knowing the OAL of the published load you used as your starting point, I really can't answer for sure. The 9mm has a large range of OAL (from 1.010" to 1.169") and is very sensitive to minor changes in seating depth. You are on the longer side, but as I mentioned, not knowing your source, just can't be sure.

Do you know how to check for setback? If not ask. A safe round can become unsafe due to setback while being chambered. Just make sure yours are Ok.

My experience with Unique is that it works best at higher loadings. So if you experience lots of soot and some unburned powder, it can indicate you are on the lower end of the peak pressure range.

Good for you to pick a mid burn rate powder rather than using a fast burning powder. Just a bigger safety margin.

[jackson13132002]

Originally Posted by jepp2

Without knowing the OAL of the published load you used as your starting point, I really can't answer for sure. The 9mm has a large range of OAL (from 1.010" to 1.169") and is very sensitive to minor changes in seating depth. You are on the longer side, but as I mentioned, not knowing your source, just can't be sure.

Do you know how to check for setback? If not ask. A safe round can become unsafe due to setback while being chambered. Just make sure yours are Ok.

My experience with Unique is that it works best at higher loadings. So if you experience lots of soot and some unburned powder, it can indicate you are on the lower end of the peak pressure range.

Good for you to pick a mid burn rate powder rather than using a fast burning powder. Just a bigger safety margin.

My coal is 1.125. Can you expand on setback? I will be reloading for a beretta 92fs

[jackson13132002]

I took 5 recipes and averaged the starting point, this is how I came to my starting point. The lyman manual sais 1.100 but i heard its ok to extend coal on fmj-rn, is this the case? This is why I extended my coal.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by jackson13132002

I took 5 recipes and averaged the starting point, this is how I came to my starting point. The lyman manual sais 1.100 but i heard its ok to extend coal on fmj-rn, is this the case? This is why I extended my coal.

You could have shortened them but you are fine. 0.025 longer won't hurt a thing.

[Nevada Ed]

4.8 grains might be a minimum load to work your receiver, depending
on how new or tight the action is.
My old WWll 9mm shot loads hotter than your listed maximum loads
but I got my data from a Speer #8 book.
I would think those loads would be on the light recoil target side.
Would like to see some targets to see how that gun shoots.

Good shooting.

[scooter123]

Jackson, my general purpose reloading date is a bit of a mix of downloaded information and the Lee Manual. In the case of Unique, or any other powder, there are times when you won't find your specific combination listed anywhere. When that happens you have to use what you consider a reasonable substitute. For example the Lee manual shows a distinct preference for the Hornaday XTP hollowpoint and Alliant has a distinct preference for the Speer Gold Dot hollowpoint. In the case of Alliant, the Gold Dot is the ONLY jacketed bullet you'll find listed for most of the calibers published.

BTW, I recently picked up a spiral bound single caliber load manual that is a consensus of every published load for that caliber. They are published by Loadbooks USA and I would recommend you look into picking some up for your calibers, their web site is Loadbooks USA, Inc. and it is useful to have every single published load available on hand.

So, what does Lee say for the 115 grain XTP using Unique? It's a starting load of 5.5 grains and a never exceed of 6.3 grains. What does Alliant have to say about a 115 grain Gold Dot using Unique. It states a never exceed load of 6.3 grains. Both sources also indicate a MINIMUM over all length of 1.125 inches.

Please note, many new reloaders start out loading at the MINIMUM because that is the length listed in the load data tables in most cases. The SAAMI specification for length for a 9mm parabellum is 1.169 inches and I would recommend that you NOT load at the minimum length unless you are at or below the midpoint between starting and maximum load. In general I tend to add at least 0.010 inch to any minimum length listed in the load table and slowly work the length down ONLY if I see a distinct need to shorten the length.

The good news in the case of the rounds you have already loaded is that IMO you are distinctly on the light side in powder used, so I don't see any risk at all in trying them out. The only potential for issues I see with your current loads is that you may find the lower value loads may be slightly short of enough power to reliably provide a full slide stroke. I'll also note that in my experience that's rather unlikely and what you've loaded will probably function perfectly while feeling a bit lighter than factory.

BTW, I've recently started loading with plated bullets and the general recommendation for loading with plated bullets is to start with load data for lead bullets. As a result I'm only loading 5.4 grains or Unique behind a 230 grain bullet and in actual shooting it's a distinct Powder Puff or Ladies load. However, it's also very easy on the brass and a bit cheap on powder so I don't mind a 230 grain bullet running only 760 fps one little bit. Point is if all you are doing is plinking or target shooting there isn't any shame in loading a bit light, you save a penny or so per round and can greatly extend the life of your brass.

[retired_diver]

The Speer #12 loading manual states 115gr Jacketed with unique @ 6.3gr max and 5.6 min with 1244 and 1166fps. So, I would shoot them, my only concern is whether your recoil spring might be to stiff to cycle correctly with the light loads. try shooting 1 loaded if it cycles try 2/3 if they cycle then, shoot away. Since the OAL is in spec and you are on the light side of the power you should be fine. Just as aways, check the first and the next few ejected brass for any signs of trouble with a new load. then check your grouping size for accuracy and placement. I bought years ago a chrometer (sp) with sky screens. It would avg and provide std deviation for all round shot. It is the best way to tell if you are a consistent bench loader.

[jackson13132002]

Originally Posted by retired_diver

The Speer #12 loading manual states 115gr Jacketed with unique @ 6.3gr max and 5.6 min with 1244 and 1166fps. So, I would shoot them, my only concern is whether your recoil spring might be to stiff to cycle correctly with the light loads. try shooting 1 loaded if it cycles try 2/3 if they cycle then, shoot away.

They all cycled fine, I was nervous so the results were jacked. I'm going to load up some at 5.4, 5.6, and 5.8 to try this weekend.

[H Richard]

You have been given some good advice. I will only add that Unique is a good powder, but is bulky and slow to measure "consistent" loads. It is suited to loading one at a time. When you start wanting to load higher volume, or step up to a progressive loader I would recommend you switch to a ball powder such as 231, HS6, AA2, Tightgroup, etc.

[novalty]

5.8 grains of Unique has to be one stout load in 9mm. I was shooting 6.0 grains of Unique with 230gr. RN 45acp loads.