Different approch to a light 9mm range load?

[Nevada Ed]

As a rifle shooter, light loads with a bullet just off the lands
was usually two things that was needed for accuracy, out of a load.

Pistol loads are quite a bit different, when it comes to accuracy and a
"Lot of worms" crawl out of the can, when one starts on this prodject.

One is load pressure, as well as your pistol chamber spec's, plus
some worry about bullet jump to the rifling, etc, etc.

I am thinking of doing a 180 and try from the other end of the boat, to get a target load for my 9mm pistols.

What would happen if I tried loading a 115 & 124 plated FMJ (Ball) bullet, with different, fast to medium powders
with a OAL of just 1.10" ?

My 115 target is at 1.14" and my 124 target is at 1.14-1.165".

Has anyone developed a light target load with either of these bullet weights
with a short OAL of 1.10"
that has a PF of 118, or lighter, out of a 5" barrel?

Any info on powders or bullet weights used, if you got this idea
to work, would be fantastic.
Just a pipe dream, for now.
Otherwise I might just have to buy some lighter recoil springs,
so my light target loads will eject 100%.

 

[Fishinfool]

Ed, I never tried deep seating 9mm. You would have to adjust your powder charge down slightly, and you might experience feeding issues? And I don't know the extra bullet jump to the lands would help anything accuracy wise. In the end, you would still need the minimum "oomph" to cycle your action.

If accuracy has been acceptable with your usual target loads, I would probably look to a lighter recoil spring for "soft" load reliability.

Larry

 

[rockquarry]

I found a cast load some years ago that's mild (about like standard pressure .38 Special), is accurate and doesn't lead the bore using an alloy that approximates wheelweights in hardness, and recoil isn't much.

I use the obsolete Lyman #358212 .38 Special round nose design (about 150 grains) with 3 grs. Bullseye powder. Muzzle velocity is around 850-875 fps and functions perfectly in my Walther P4, Beretta 92F, and a Sig P226. I don't change out springs; factory springs are fine in all three guns. This load shoots very close to point of aim at 25 yards in all guns, much closer than 125 grain factory loads do.

 

[venomballistics]

Autos kinda paint you into a corner on this.
The system is designed expecting a certain range of impulse to operate with. Going too far down may require retuning the system in some way.
A lighter spring might make objectives, but some limit will always remain.
I've been working with this in the AR platform where I need to make quota on gas volume.
I'm ballistically down to a 22 hornet using a light buffer.
It seems an accurate and reliable load suitable for small game, though I'd like it to be a little lighter still. Unfortunately I have the system tuned to it's extreme and have little or no room to go lower.
Yeah, I should just spring for a 22lr and be done with it, but where's the sport in that?

 

[2wheels]

I load a 147g FMJ RN with 3.3 gr of W231 @ COAL of 1.30. I’m not a champion shooter by any means, but it’s soft shooting and works well out of my Springfield 1911. My M&P’s prefer a 124g with 4.2 gr of W231.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I load a 147g FMJ RN with 3.3 gr of W231 @ COAL of 1.30. I’m not a champion shooter by any means, but it’s soft shooting and works well out of my Springfield 1911. My M&P’s prefer a 124g with 4.2 gr of W231.

+1;
I have a 147 plated RN with 3.3 grs of w231 and 3.8 grs of CFE
loaded and waiting to see if they work in my 5" with a 13 lb spring,
plus a hole in the target !!

 

[raljr1]

I loaded some 115 grain FMY bullets behind 3.9 grains of WW231. The load worked fine for several guns, but a friend's glock with a compensator would get a few failures to eject.

 

[scooter123]

Another thing to consider when fussing with the OAL is Will it Feed properly? Most center fire pistols to today are Controlled Feed and dropping a round in the chamber and slamming the slide on top of the bullet will probably result in damage to the case and possibly a broken extractor. As a result any bullet you load really does need to feed well from magazine to chamber. If you have a length that feeds well then make sure to test any new lengths before committing to that length. I will also point out that with the 9mm changing the overall length will also have a real effect on the initial chamber pressure due to the loss in volume. While in a modern pistol I doubt you'll blow up your gun with a well worn case it could result in a case head separation which is not pleasant. Point is that going into uncharted territory has risks, so is that risk worthwhile?

 

[Rogeronimo]

GreenDot might do it.

 

[rockquarry]

Another thing to consider when fussing with the OAL is Will it Feed properly? Most center fire pistols to today are Controlled Feed and dropping a round in the chamber and slamming the slide on top of the bullet will probably result in damage to the case and possibly a broken extractor. As a result any bullet you load really does need to feed well from magazine to chamber. If you have a length that feeds well then make sure to test any new lengths before committing to that length. I will also point out that with the 9mm changing the overall length will also have a real effect on the initial chamber pressure due to the loss in volume. While in a modern pistol I doubt you'll blow up your gun with a well worn case it could result in a case head separation which is not pleasant. Point is that going into uncharted territory has risks, so is that risk worthwhile?

An experienced, competent handloader should have no difficulty working with different OALs. He knows about pressure differences caused by seating depth changes in handgun chamberings.

 

[venomballistics]

An experienced, competent handloader should have no difficulty working with different OALs. He knows about pressure differences caused by seating depth changes in handgun chamberings.

Competent would be the primary trait.
Essentially, we are building this one in reverse.
reduce the charge to the edge of reliable function, seat deeper to regain function. repeat until we've reinvented the 380.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

As a rifle shooter ...

Otherwise I might just have to buy some lighter recoil springs,
so my light target loads will eject 100%.

You over thinking it. (probably because you are a rifle shooter)

With lighter autoloader loads usually with a .45 ACP you change the Recoil Spring weight.

With 9mm most adults do well with standard pressure loads.