Load data for 9mm:115 FMJ
 

Well I just got all the components for reloading 9mm. Picked up Berry's 115gr Plated RN, some primers, and am planning on loading with Unique. Much to my suprise & disappointment, my Lyman 49th Edition does NOT have load data for 115gr FMJ, just 115gr hollowpoint. I am already aware of not loading more than mid-range loads for Berry's plated, but am not sure if I can use the 115gr hollowpoint data to make up some start up loads for the 115gr. plated RN. If anyone else is loading these same boolits with Unique, would love to get a baseline load to get started at least. Thanks in advance!

Checked Alliant's page for data on 9mm Luger, and they are listing 115gr. GDHP's. Very concerned with the data they list as it says 6.3gr of Unique, and I am not loading that for 45acp, not quite sure that would even fit in the case.

Alliant's Website

Are you trying to make power factor for competition, or just get any reasonable load?
If you don't have to make power factor, just start in the middle of the lead data, or near the bottom of jacketed data, and work up until your gun cycles reliably.
By the way, Unique under 115gr plated is going to give you a low pressure, dirty load. HP 38 or Titegroup will use less powder and leave less residue, as the pressure will be higher. Your choice.

Added: DO NOT use any listed max loads for jacketed bullets when loading plated bullets, such as the Alliant load you show.

OKFC05: I am just looking for a "plinking" load, no major power factor. I have Unique currently, so was looking for data for that. Am planning on picking up a can of either W231, or HP-38 in the future in hopes of cleaning up the loads. As I have been shooting 6.1gr of Unique with 230gr Berry's RN, and although it is very close to factory loads--it is very dirty. At least my 5906 is easier to field-strip than my S&W 1911.

Any suggestions on another reloading manual would be great too.

Start at 4gr HP38/231 and work up if more power is needed to work the gun reliably. The load will work a Sigma, but not a Brn HP.
Hodgdon data is online, but no data are listed for plated bullets, and the upper end of jacketed data is too hot for plated.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

5.5 gr is a good place to start with the Berry's 115 gr RN bullet and Unique. Work up from there or you might find that load to be what you need. It works good for my stuff. Berry's plated should be loaded from low to mid FMJ ranges.

Speer #14 lists 5.6 to 6.3 grs Unique for their 115 gr FMJ
1166fps to 1244fps from a 4" SW M5906:)

As yours is plated, the low end is where you will want to be.

As stated there are probably better powders for the 9mm but as you have Unique by all means use it. They all get dirty sometime.;)

Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like a Speer#14 manual might be a good addition to my reloading bench. Am absolutely amazed at 5.5 gr. Unique for 9mm luger. Was half expecting to see numbers in the 3's, just didn't think the case would hold that much--definately won't be an issue with double charging. Will start with a small batch loaded at 5.5 gr. of Unique. I measured WWB 9mm fmj's I am using currently for crimp & OAL. Believe the crimp was .375 & the OAL was 1.161-1.164, which work fine in my 5906. So am planning on setting seating/crimp die to those specs.

You will get poor performance and a lot of soot going too low.
Stick with at least the min load of 5.6 or even a bit more. Believe it or not the Berrys Plated are not a whole lot different than FMJ in semi autos. When I used them, I used exactly half of the min/max FMJ data. Which in this case is almost 6.0 grs (5.95grs)

I have been using Winchester 115gr FMJ under 5gr of Unique in my M&P and have had no issues with it.The 3rd edition Lyman Pistol and Revolver handbook has the 115gr with Unique listed at 4.4 to 5.8 gr.

9mm 115gr RN Rainier Plated Bullet
Ctg Overall Length 1.165" Max OAL 1.169"

Starting Load Gr. FPS P.S.I.
Alliant Unique 4.3 934 19,300

Maximum Load Gr. FPS P.S.I.
Alliant Unique 5.3 1092 27,100

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These loads are from the original Rainier Loading Guide for their plated bullets. I'm guessing the Berry's plated bullets would be similar.

Good Luck, and double check the data.

Joe

Alliants data that you list is MAXIMUM as is all loads where only one charge weight is listed. The load should be reduced by 10% for a start load.

There is no practical difference between FMJ and JHP bullet load data so use of your Lymans 115 gr JHP data is fine if you are using jacketed bullets. With plated bullets by Rainier or Berrys you should not use a full jacketed bullet load, instead keep them at most to the start load level as maximum.

Loads I've chrono'd with 115 jacketed bullets using Unique shot from different guns at different times were:

5.2gr Unique @ 1,151 fps average Glock 19
5.7gr Unique @ 1,192 fps average Browning HP
6.0gr Unique @ 1,257 fps average Walther P1

Rainier 115gr are .355 dia. and use mid to max lead loads. Berrys 115 gr are .356 dia and use low to mid FMJ loads.

Don't shoot that Berrys with to low of a charge or you may get a squib.

I loaded up my first 10 rounds of 9mm tonight. My Lyman 49th edition reflected the same info HullTech posted 4.4gr to 5.8gr of Unique for 115gr JHP, so tried to pick a middle of the road load--which is pretty close to everyone's recommendations. Hoping to get out tomorrow to see how they shoot. Here are the specs:

Winchester brass
CCI 500 primers
Berry's 115gr. Plated RN
5.0gr of Unique
1.165" OAL
0.376" Crimp

Passed the "plunk" test ok, so hopefully they will feed, fire & eject ok. Don't know how the cases could handle much more Unique, as they were pretty darn full with 5.0 grains.

Berry's generally recommends using cast boolit data.

Watch that OAL. It's going to be different between JHP & a plated RN. Having such a small case, 9mm is kind of sensitive to changes in OAL.

The agreement is pretty general - you can use data for cast lead bullets just about the same for plated. Whether it is a RN or HP would make no difference

The last word of caution is that driving your plated bullets much over 1200 fps will increase the likelihood of their shedding plating material in the bore.

Obstructed bores are not a good thing.


Joe Hatleys suggested load:

Maximum Load Gr. FPS P.S.I.
Alliant Unique 5.3 1092 27,100

is a MAXIMUM load - start lower and work up carefully - but it should work alright.

I have found decent accuracy and pressures in 9mm with both Accurate #5 and Hodgdon's Titegroup.



Flash

Not really. They recommend mid range FMJ data but push to shove it's pretty much lead data. When I used them I loaded them as FMJ data as long as they did not exceed 1200 fps.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions *

"Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. "

The OAL I used was based on measurements I took from factory WWB 115gr FMJ--which ranged from 1.161 to 1.167. WWB functions well in my 5906.

adjusting loads
 

rookie here, trying the reloading hobby. had older man with his press show me how and now trying myself. loaded zero .355 115gr. fmj in brass once fired. remington primers and using lee 3 hole turret press. could not find accurate data on hs-6 powder for material stated, so started with 5.0 gr and coal at 1.150. shoot and was little stronger than factory which coal is 1.100. question is with seems to have extra smoke than factory ammo and more kick.do i need to minus weight of powder or/and shrink coal? new at this online questioning so hope these questions are understood correctly. thanks

You can go here for load data for HS 6 but note that it is the same weight bullet but not at all the same shape as FMJ RN so you OAL will be different. It is best to get some manuals that have a bullet similar to what you are using Based on the Zero web sight I believe your OAL is to short.
If it is this bullet.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Roze Distribution: 9MM (.355 DIAMETER)

How did you arrive at 5.0 grains?? That is very low which can be a dangerous as too much.

I am not going to give out load data but you are too low . Based on Speers similar shape and weight bullet.

Thanks Rule3. Some data from 3 different data chart is where I came up with 5.0gr of powder. No exact dimensions that I found for type of bullet and powder. So are you thinking my OAL should be closer to max at 1.169 then? like 1.160 or so? thanks for your response.