Lee has no load data for 115gn jacketed bullets? I find that hard to believe. You can use lead or plated data for jacketed bullets, but not necessarily the other way around.
All load data for a given weight of jacketed bullet of a given diameter can be used for any other jacketed bullet of the same weight and diameter-only the COL may vary. If you can't find data for your weight of bullet, use data for next heavier bullet.
Next, no data is necessarily correct for your gun and your components. Different chamber dimensions, different lots of powder, and changes to bullets, cases, and primers can have effects. Thus, start low and work up.
Data for 115gn jacketed bullets and HS6:
Start loads in my manuals range from 5.2-6.7gn and MAX loads range from 5.8-7.5gn, so you can see that the mentioned variables have an effect. I would start at 5.2 and work up.
COL:
COL is important, but not to the extent so many fear. The current fear of COL in 9x19 started when one company warned that a load that produced 33ksi at about 1.100" increased in pressure to >60ksi when the COL was reduced by ¼" (0.25") due to bullet set-back. Point was not to scare folks about COL but to emphasis that one should test bullets for set-back by using thumb/finger pressure on the seated bullet to be sure bullet won't move. Normal COL variation is not a worry and you should have the COL established before you ever add powder to a case.
Per Ramshot:
"SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must be seen as a guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as
1) magazine length (space),
2) freebore-lead dimensions of
the barrel,
3) ogive or profile of the projectile and
4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.
• Always begin loading at the minimum "Start Load".
• Increase in 2% increments towards the Maximum Load.
• Watch for signs of excessive pressure.
• Never exceed the Maximum Load."
Your COL (OAL) is determined by your barrel (chamber and throat dimensions) and your gun (feed ramp) and your magazine (COL that fits magazine and when the magazine lips release the round for feeding) and the PARTICULAR bullet you are using. What worked in a pressure barrel or the lab's gun or in my gun has very little to do with what will work best in your gun.
Take the barrel out of the gun. Create two inert dummy rounds (no powder or primer) at max COL and remove enough case mouth flare for rounds to chamber (you can achieve this by using a sized case—expand-and-flare it, and remove the flare just until the case "plunks" in the barrel and you have all the "crimp" you need for the test).
Drop the inert rounds in and decrease the COL until they chamber completely. This will be your "max" effective COL. I prefer to have the case head flush with the barrel hood. After this, place the inert rounds in the magazine and be sure they fit the magazine and feed and chamber. Adjust COL as needed so inert rounds work in your gun.
You can also do this for any chambering problems you have. Remove the barrel and drop rounds in until you find one that won't chamber. Take that round and "paint" the bullet and case black with Magic Marker or other marker. Drop round in barrel (or gage) and rotate it back-and-forth.
Remove and inspect the round:
1) scratches on bullet--COL is too long
2) scratches on edge of the case mouth--insufficient crimp
3) scratches just below the case mouth--too much crimp, you're crushing the case
4) scratches on case at base of bullet--bullet seated crooked due to insufficient case expansion (not case mouth flare) or improper seating stem fit
5) scratches on case just above extractor groove--case bulge not removed during sizing. May need a bulge buster.
I hope this helps.
And follow the post above for using YOUR barrel to determine the COL.
