9mm diagnosis please

[treedoc1]

First 50+/- loads with lee challenger kit for 9 mm. Shot from 10 yards 5 rounds at a time concentrating on minute of paper plate...probably 5-10 seconds per 5 rounds.
3.7 gr titegroup, 124 gr rn hitek coated from MBC, 1.10 oal. plunked ok,CCI small pistol primer, light 1/2 turn on lee factory crimp die.
Felt smooth with both mp fs and shield pistols, better than aluminum federal loads, brass ejected 3' to same spot.
Lucked out? Any reason to chase something different? Start cranking out a thousand?
Thanks for any feedback on this practice load.

 

[rwsmith]

That sounds good but....

....you are welcome to experiment with different loads. Generally I find a heavy lead bullet at low velocity with a fast to medium burning powder to be most accurate. From the buckshot pattern I'd say, that, like me, work on shooting technique would produce results faster than tweaking loads. I do notice that hot loads reduce my accuracy and spread the pattern a good bit.

PS Who has the chart that says what pulling to the left means?

PPS taper crimp only for 9mm. Some of us are starting to call it 'debelling' in semi auto cartridges rather than 'crimping'

PPPS That load of Titegroup sounds a little heavy to me.

 

[fredj338]

If you are happy w/ pie plate accuracy @ 30ft, go for it.

 

[treedoc1]

+1

Correct, was rushing to close range and over to trap field for Thursday night shoot.
Chart says too much trigger finger and squeezing grip while firing, True.
Did the taper according to Lee 4 die instructions... Want to use them all!
3.6 to 4.0 was load data...couldn't get a consistent throw at 3.6...3.7 was consistent. Felt smoother than the Federal aluminum today.
Thanks for the input.

 

[32flyingk9]

Low left is often trigger jerk, right at the break point. Focus on smooth, consistent squeeze of the trigger.

 

[scooter123]

Looks like the Low and Lefts to me. Nothing to be ashamed of, it happens to me anytime I spend too much time with my rifles and neglect my handgun practice. The solution is more quality time with the handguns. Note, in terms of Self Defense accuracy that's just fine, so no need to get too worked up over it unless you plan on taking up squirrel hunting with a 9mm.

 

[Rule3]

With a SW Shield that is pretty good shooting.

I personally do not care for TG in the 9mm but folks use it, Something a little slower, like HP 38, Power Pistol, Unique, Some of the Dot powders. But these days you gotta shoot what ever you have.

I wouldn't load a 1,000 yet of anything. Take your time and try different loads. Maybe 100 each of different loads.

 

[venomballistics]

Can't miss fast enough to win a gunfight.
Slow down dude. Savor the craft.
See how far you can go while keeping them on the plate.

I like seeing mirage rising from the slide as much as anyone, but load evaluation is best fired with zen, and distance.

 

[MichiganScott]

You can't evaluate handloads properly unless you bench them with some sort of rest. The plates show that the handloads function and you have a low left issue with your shooting and nothing more.

 

[ChiefStealth]

(snip)PPPS That load of Titegroup sounds a little heavy to me.

3.7 TG with a 124gn bullet... heavy?? The Hodgdon on-line loading data shows 3.6gn as the starting point. Up to 4.1gn max.

Anyway, TG has worked well for me, at lower charge weights. Accuracy has been good, at lower charge weights. Group size tends to open up at higher charge weights.

 

[Magload]

Bench rest for checking loads and a good two point supporting of the gun (fore and aft) squeeze off the shoots so you don't when they are going off. First dry fire using the rest to see that you point of aim does not move at all. Mark the target with what load it was and save it to compare with other loads. Shoot at least 15 or 20 yds.

 

[treedoc1]

thanks to all for the courtesy of replying

Understood.
Fire next small batch from rest.
Walk before running.

 

[ontargetagain]

Reloading data given on Hodgdon site is for Berry's Hollow Base Thick Plated bullets not lead/coated bullets.
BERB- Berry's Bullets
HB- hollow base
RN- round nose
TP- thick plated

Look for a some more data based on lead 124gr. I would tend to agree you may be a little hot on these for the type of bullet you are shooting.
Karl

 

[Rule3]

Understood.
Fire next small batch from rest.
Walk before running.

crawl, walk, baby steps, run.

 

[rwsmith]

Hmmmmmm

3.7 TG with a 124gn bullet... heavy?? The Hodgdon on-line loading data shows 3.6gn as the starting point. Up to 4.1gn max.

Anyway, TG has worked well for me, at lower charge weights. Accuracy has been good, at lower charge weights. Group size tends to open up at higher charge weights.

I don't have my books in front of me but I'd try moving toward the lower end of velocity. It looks more in the high range to me. What is your source of data? I have Speer 14, Lyman 49, Speer 9 and the Lyman standard and cast bullet handbook.

 

[Rule3]

He is looking at Hodgdon online but that is a totally different bullet.

A 125 LCN shows 3.5 to 4.0 of TG