Back in the Saddle or Why I started to Reload 9mm Again

[max503]

I've only owned and reloaded for a 9mm for the past couple years. Being a diehard reloader, I reloaded even when ammo prices were low.
Back then you could have all the free brass you cared to pick up so that made it even cheaper.
That, and I cast my own boolits. Made shooting the 9 dirt cheap.

 

[max503]

I mean, we reload to save money, right?

.

Wanna hear something funny? Other than 22 rimfire, I find shooting centerfire factory ammo to be quite boring.
I've always been that way.
If all I had was factory ammo I would probably find another hobby.

I started reloading for the 22 Hornet back in the late 70's. Soon after I started reloading my older brother gave me a box of factory Hornet ammo for Christmas. I took it out and blasted it all up just so I could have the brass.

And I reload very little ammo in advance. I reload what I need for the next trip to the range or for the next hunting season. I have a few boxes of reloads sitting around but not many.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;

I have a few Standar boxs of ammo loaded but most of my ammo is loaded when I want a special bullet or fps for a job.

My family has several 38 and 9mm weapons and they let me know what type and caliber they will need for their next shooting trip.

Most of the time it is light target loads but they do like a full load every now and then, just to keep in practice.

 

[BARgunner]

Unlike the OP, I like 9mm and reloaded it regularly for my Browning Hi-Power during the 70's and early 80's. Some time in the late 80's, I started buying factory ammo and quit reloading 9's. Fast forward to now and there is no way I'm paying the going price on factory 9. I should mention that 9mm is the only factory pistol or revolver ammo I've ever bought in any quantity, I reload everything else because I couldn't afford to shoot most of my stuff if I bought factory stuff such as .233, 45ACP, 45Colt, etc.
So I finally break down and do some inventory on what I have to reload 9mm. I found I had stashed away 4K 124gr FMJs and 875 115gr FMJs. I have several 5 gallon buckets of once fired brass and plenty of primers and powder. I loaded up some of each weight bullet and developed some loads that work and shoot great and even tested some using small rifle primers. Once I had my load data, I cranked up the 550 and got busy. I loaded every bullet I had and I'm wondering why I didn't load 9 for the last 30 years. I can't see myself buying factory 9 again even if the prices get back to some semblance of reasonable.
Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[kbm6893]

I load 9MM. There’s no reason to just factory ammo if you can make your own. Stocking up 5000 rounds of factory is not only more expensive than loading it (less of a savings during the good times but still a savings), but factory ammo takes up more space. If and when the primer and powder situation stabilizes I will be stocking up far more on those.

 

[kbm6893]

Unlike the OP, I like 9mm and reloaded it regularly for my Browning Hi-Power during the 70's and early 80's. Some time in the late 80's, I started buying factory ammo and quit reloading 9's. Fast forward to now and there is no way I'm paying the going price on factory 9. I should mention that 9mm is the only factory pistol or revolver ammo I've ever bought in any quantity, I reload everything else because I couldn't afford to shoot most of my stuff if I bought factory stuff such as .233, 45ACP, 45Colt, etc.
So I finally break down and do some inventory on what I have to reload 9mm. I found I had stashed away 4K 124gr FMJs and 875 115gr FMJs. I have several 5 gallon buckets of once fired brass and plenty of primers and powder. I loaded up some of each weight bullet and developed some loads that work and shoot great and even tested some using small rifle primers. Once I had my load data, I cranked up the 550 and got busy. I loaded every bullet I had and I'm wondering why I didn't load 9 for the last 30 years. I can't see myself buying factory 9 again even if the prices get back to some semblance of reasonable.
Pics or it didn't happen.

I gotta admit, one of the more satisfying aspects of reloading is dumping them into a military ammo can and filling it up. Knowing I made what's in there is just a good feeling. Knowing I can make many more is an even better feeling. I have a few thousand pieces of brass primed, and maybe 1500 primers left to use. If things get back to somewhat normal again, I will be stocking up on components over everything else. Of course, I have several thousand rounds loaded and ready to hit the range.

 

[shocker]

Based on a recent purchase at a non gouging LGS the new normal for SPP is 6 cents each. Add a bullet and powder and it's looking like $10/box.

 

[ChillyDog]

I load alot of 9mm, I like the caliber and shoot it a good bit. I've tried coated lead (not a big fan). I've settled on Xtreme Or Berry's, I've had great results with them. And use Unique powder with 147s. soft shooting and less powder then 115s or 124s. = more bang for the buck. And yes I'm a brass rat. I pick it up after every match I shoot. Been rolling my own ammo for about 16yrs and enjoy it.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I load alot of 9mm, I like the caliber and shoot it a good bit. I've tried coated lead (not a big fan). I've settled on Xtreme Or Berry's, I've had great results with them. And use Unique powder with 147s. soft shooting and less powder then 115s or 124s. = more bang for the buck. And yes I'm a brass rat. I pick it up after every match I shoot. Been rolling my own ammo for about 16yrs and enjoy it.

I shot a lot of lead 9mm way back when I got a Polish VIS35 (P35) FB Radom pistol that was super clean.
Then Speer lead bullets died off and I went to just copper bullets, no matter what the design.

I did try coated lead bullets and they did work with light target and full loads but like you was not a happy camper and now just shoot copper and plated bullets in all of my 9mm pistols.

Lead, coated, copper, plated......... they are all good if they work for you.
Just have fun putting them down range.

 

[ChillyDog]

Absolutely!!! Trying different loads and hitting the range is always a good time. No matter what were sending down range.

 

[Agt. Smith]

Jingle Bells !

Absolutely!!! Trying different loads and hitting the range is always a good time. No matter what were sending down range.

Bullseye !

I've been experimenting with all types of 44 mag loads, keep coming back to a relatively mild (800-850 fps) load with 240gn RN lead.

As hard as I try - I can't seem to miss 8" plates at 30' (with a snub). Sounds like Jingle Bells out there, which is fine by me.......!

 

[series guy]

Just like the OP i'm not a big fan of the 9mm cartridge. I only have one gun chambered for it, my Model 929 that I use for our club Texas star shoot. I quit loading 9mm when you could buy it for $8/box but went back to rolling my own due to recent prices. Just finished 1000 rounds on the Lyman All American so I'm good for a while. Just shot my personal best time of 2.71 seconds last week. Only 15 hundreds of a second slower than the quickest semi auto shooter.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Just like the OP i'm not a big fan of the 9mm cartridge. I only have one gun chambered for it, my Model 929 that I use for our club Texas star shoot. I quit loading 9mm when you could buy it for $8/box but went back to rolling my own due to recent prices. Just finished 1000 rounds on the Lyman All American so I'm good for a while. Just shot my personal best time of 2.71 seconds last week. Only 15 hundreds of a second slower than the quickest semi auto shooter.

Way to get er done .
That is some great shooting times.

Maybe .2 grs less powder to reduce muzzle jump and get on target quicker and whoop those auto pistols and send them home crying.

Good luck.

 

[Old Corp]

Sounds very familiar, with a few exceptions.
I own actually far too many 9mm's - no explanation really - just fits several needs such as Summer pocket carry, classic designs in Browning HP and a clone, an HK P7 I've always found interesting, a Taurus PT92 that's a bedside resident, a Glock 19 for a truck gun, wife has a M&P compact, then I felt I needed a S&W M39, 'cuz, well, they're not making them anymore, and it's a S&W, so....., etc, etc.

Now - am fortunate to have my own range and it's mown grass on property just a few minutes from my home. I have come to HATE chasing brass. Yes, I have a weighted bedsheet I can place that helps some, but that really limits movement if you still want it to catch brass.
9mm brass is a PITA the find in grass.

Some years ago, I stocked up on a LOT of cheap-at-the-time both steel case and aluminum cased 9mm. It could hit the ground and I couldn't care less!

Have several bucketfuls of good 9mm brass and many thousands of good cast and jacketed bullets to load and vowed I'd not do that again as long as I could get cheap steel and aluminum cased ammo for range time and drills.
Except, that supply of cheap range ammo i collected is shrinking.
I can foresee doing the 1+ hour setup to switch my old Dillon 450B back over to 9 and start makin'em again....

I just hate chasing those little brass cases in the grass!!

 

[Agt. Smith]

Brass !

I just hate chasing those little brass cases in the grass!!

In my dreams. The weekend warriors where I shoot just leave them all over the place. I sweep up the pistol house every time I go and end up with a dust pan full of brass - mostly 9mm.

We have a "brass recovery bucket" but it's always empty. Go figure.