Loading 9mm
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kbm6893
Member
I load 124 grain plated fmj from Xtreme Bullets using 4.2 grains HP38. Meters like sand and is dead on every time. That’s a mid level load. Data says 3.9 to 4.4 grains.
I have a 986.
The coated bullet loads that that shoot fine in my four other 9mm guns lead and are not accurate in the 986.
The problem is that the chamber throats on my 986 are not true 9mm but are .357+. 9mm is .355.
I have not slugged the barrel, but I would bet it is .357 not .355. Smith & Wesson took the cheap way out.
If I load 358 coated bullets for the 986, accuracy improves and leading disappears.
This adds some loading complexity in seating the bullet without shaving lead.
The chamber throats are easy to check. Just drop a .355 or .356 bullet in the chamber throat and see if it falls through. If it does, you need the larger bullet. The chamber throats on my 986 and 686 seem identical.
I read of similar issues with the 929.
The coated bullet loads that that shoot fine in my four other 9mm guns lead and are not accurate in the 986.
The problem is that the chamber throats on my 986 are not true 9mm but are .357+. 9mm is .355.
I have not slugged the barrel, but I would bet it is .357 not .355. Smith & Wesson took the cheap way out.
If I load 358 coated bullets for the 986, accuracy improves and leading disappears.
This adds some loading complexity in seating the bullet without shaving lead.
The chamber throats are easy to check. Just drop a .355 or .356 bullet in the chamber throat and see if it falls through. If it does, you need the larger bullet. The chamber throats on my 986 and 686 seem identical.
I read of similar issues with the 929.
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If you need to check your barrel dia.
Look around.
Some coated 9mm bullet makers will send you a sample three pack of 150 bullets.......
.356, .357 and .358 dia, 125gr bullets (example) for you to test in your weapon, before making a 500 count deal. (Eggleston)
Good luck.
Look around.
Some coated 9mm bullet makers will send you a sample three pack of 150 bullets.......
.356, .357 and .358 dia, 125gr bullets (example) for you to test in your weapon, before making a 500 count deal. (Eggleston)
Good luck.
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Good info above so just a thought or two; I normally recommend a newer reloader (or one new to a specific cartridge) to start with a tried and true (popular) load right out their reloading manual. In case of the 9mm, I'd say a 124/125 gr FMJ with a medium pistol powder for approx 1,000 fps. After a few hundred rounds getting the hang of the 9mm (chambering, plunk test for OAL etc.) then move on to lighter or heavier bullets, faster powders and maybe cast or PCed bullets. The 9mm can be a "troublesome" round as noted above but K.I.S.S. will get you good accurate ammo every time...
FWIW, my 9mm reloading came along after 30 years of revolver and 45 ACP reloading and with my experience I didn't have a lot of problems, but there were certainly differences I had to get used to...
FWIW, my 9mm reloading came along after 30 years of revolver and 45 ACP reloading and with my experience I didn't have a lot of problems, but there were certainly differences I had to get used to...
Like you, I am just starting with 9mm. After googling and reading lots of discussions, I noticed that a number of people have suggested that separating your brass by headstamp is a good idea for 9mm, because it is a small volume high pressure case and case volume varies between brands (which will affect your pressure level). So sticking with one brand of brass will remove a variable from the equation.
austintexas
Member
The only problem I ran into was 380 brass, I used to pick up a lot of 9mm range brass. Even after cleaning and checking head stamps, twice I loaded 380 brass that slipped in. Never noticed until I picked up the brass at the range after shooting. I use a Dillon Square Deal and the overall length was the same as 9 mm. I shot it, it functioned fine but I look closer before and double check after reloading.
SWCA 892
SWCA 892
I don’t use range brass for 9mm.
9mm chambers are all over the place. Some chambers are way oversize, and some guns have unsupported chambers. This makes it difficult to size the brass down far enough to get it to chamber in all guns. Generically, this is referred to as the Glock bulge.
Brass is also all over the place in terms of quality. Some is plain junk.
All my guns have standard and supported chambers. Too many range brass rounds fail the plunk test.
I buy one brass brand (Federal) and only use it in my guns. I buy factory ammo (it’s cheap), mark the brass with a marker and only pick up that brass for reloading. Very few rounds fail the plunk test and I know the brass quality is good. I can also track how many times the brass has been fired.
In all my guns, other than the 986, I load 125 .356 SNS RN coated bullets over 4.1 grains of 231. This is like the load used by kbm6893.
Bayou .358 124 RN coated bullets are used for the 986 with the same load. Loading for the 986 is somewhat more complex due the increased bullet diameter.
I was hoping to use one bullet for all my guns. The .358 bullets shoot fine in all my 9 mm guns expect one. .358 bullets will occasional jam up on the feed ramp on my PM9. The round chambers it just hangs up. Rare but it happens. I never had a problem with .356 bullets (except leading and poor accuracy in my 986). Therefore, one load two bullets.
Even factory FMJ ammo in my 986 isn’t that accurate. I think the factory .355 bullets bounce around in the 986.
The 986 is a reloader’s gun, as I think is the 929.
9mm chambers are all over the place. Some chambers are way oversize, and some guns have unsupported chambers. This makes it difficult to size the brass down far enough to get it to chamber in all guns. Generically, this is referred to as the Glock bulge.
Brass is also all over the place in terms of quality. Some is plain junk.
All my guns have standard and supported chambers. Too many range brass rounds fail the plunk test.
I buy one brass brand (Federal) and only use it in my guns. I buy factory ammo (it’s cheap), mark the brass with a marker and only pick up that brass for reloading. Very few rounds fail the plunk test and I know the brass quality is good. I can also track how many times the brass has been fired.
In all my guns, other than the 986, I load 125 .356 SNS RN coated bullets over 4.1 grains of 231. This is like the load used by kbm6893.
Bayou .358 124 RN coated bullets are used for the 986 with the same load. Loading for the 986 is somewhat more complex due the increased bullet diameter.
I was hoping to use one bullet for all my guns. The .358 bullets shoot fine in all my 9 mm guns expect one. .358 bullets will occasional jam up on the feed ramp on my PM9. The round chambers it just hangs up. Rare but it happens. I never had a problem with .356 bullets (except leading and poor accuracy in my 986). Therefore, one load two bullets.
Even factory FMJ ammo in my 986 isn’t that accurate. I think the factory .355 bullets bounce around in the 986.
The 986 is a reloader’s gun, as I think is the 929.
I load and shoot thousands of 9mm.
From my chrono notes:
CZ Shadow 2
Precision Delta 124 grain FMJ
4.0 of Tite Group : 1069 FPS average
4.2 of Tite Group : 1118 FPS average
Precision Delta 147 grain FMJ
3.6 grains of Tite Group : 945 FPS average
The 124 FMJ are $88.00 per 1k shipped .
From my chrono notes:
CZ Shadow 2
Precision Delta 124 grain FMJ
4.0 of Tite Group : 1069 FPS average
4.2 of Tite Group : 1118 FPS average
Precision Delta 147 grain FMJ
3.6 grains of Tite Group : 945 FPS average
The 124 FMJ are $88.00 per 1k shipped .
Moe Mentum
Member
They are 89.00 per 1k if you buy 2k
boatbum101
Member
9mm + cast = PITA . If you shoot at limited range it'll give usable loads . If you're looking to cut the X ring out of a 50yd SF target not so much . If one wants the later it requires new or 1X fired cases , jacketed bullets , mag primer & use of 4 - 5 powders that'll give that type of accuracy .
One more plug for not using range brass especially in a 986 or 929.
I had problems with some brands of brass not playing well with my moon clips. The brass was either hard to load or remove from the moon clips.
Find a brand of brass that works and stay with it. Life is too short for needless problems.
I had problems with some brands of brass not playing well with my moon clips. The brass was either hard to load or remove from the moon clips.
Find a brand of brass that works and stay with it. Life is too short for needless problems.
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mmb617
Member
Interesting. I've just switched to Titegroup for my 9mm loads and chronoed a few test rounds the other day I was using 4.3 gr with 115 gr FMJ bullets and averaged 1150 FPS which is on the hot side of things so I intend to try another batch with 4.1 gr.
Is that $88/k price recent? The best I've found on 115's is $95/k shipped now. Those same bullets were $79/k pre-panic.
Precision Delta’s current prices :
115 FMJ is $83.00 per 1k shipped for 2k or more .
124 FMJ is $88.00 per 1k shipped for 2k or more .
Their prices are cheaper when you order 2k or more at a time . These are true jacketed bullets and not just plated .
Shipping included . I’ve found that the 124 grain seems to be a little more accurate but your results may vary .
I just finished loading my first 50 9mm yesterday... and in the mail came a RCBS case gauge I had ordered! Ran all 50 thru it, 5 stuck a little and on closer inspection had a slight bulge at the bottom that sizing didn't take out. They'll probably work, but now it won't be a surprise. I had already plunk-tested a random sampling, mostly to be sure my dimensions were workable.
I'm sold... get a case gauge!
I'm sold... get a case gauge!
max503
Member
I load 9mm cast. It's very doable but there are things to be aware of.
Think experiment.
Don't buy a boatload of bullets at first. Buy small lots till you find what works.
Then try different combinations till you find what works.
I've settled on a 95 grain flatnose bullet designed for the 380. I cast my own. I use a light charge of Unique. I also use range brass. I have to seat everything deeply or it won't chamber in my gun.
Its very satisfying when you develop a combination that works. Lately I've been reloading more 9mm than anything else. I encourage you to experiment with your project.
edit: I just realized you're loading for a revolver.
Think experiment.
Don't buy a boatload of bullets at first. Buy small lots till you find what works.
Then try different combinations till you find what works.
I've settled on a 95 grain flatnose bullet designed for the 380. I cast my own. I use a light charge of Unique. I also use range brass. I have to seat everything deeply or it won't chamber in my gun.
Its very satisfying when you develop a combination that works. Lately I've been reloading more 9mm than anything else. I encourage you to experiment with your project.
edit: I just realized you're loading for a revolver.
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I've found that jacketed hollowpoint bullets shoot accurately when driven very fast. Coated lead bullets can produce good accuracy with fairly light charges. Jacketed bullets can be taper crimped, while coated bullets shoot most accurately with little or no crimp (as long as the bullet stays in the case). I do my accuracy testing at 25 yards. If you don't plan on testing at that range or greater, just about any load, as long as it will function reliably, will work.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I have reloaded a few thousand 9mm, all on the Lee Classic Turret.
I don't sort hulls, except smashed or really dirty ones from the range. Take your time, load a small batch to begin with.
When you are completely though with the reloading, plunk test every round before you put them away.
Be safe and shoot straight.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
I don't sort hulls, except smashed or really dirty ones from the range. Take your time, load a small batch to begin with.
When you are completely though with the reloading, plunk test every round before you put them away.
Be safe and shoot straight.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
