Reloading 9mm Winchester FMJ HB - What OAL?

[Gatofeo]

I have 1,000 Winchester 115 gr. 9mm bullets, full metal jacket and with a hollow base.
I've loaded the 9mm for years, but this is my first experience loading a hollow-based 9mm bullet.
I've read on the net that a quick-burning powder like Bullseye or W231 may cause the skirt on the bullet's hollow base to swell a bit, shearing off a bit of it as it leaves the chamber.
Supposedly, when this happens, accuracy is affected and pressures rise.
The author suggested using Blue Dot instead, which isn't quite as quick burning and will not "bump up" the skirt like quicker powders.
I realize that the hollowbase is not there for obturation; it was added to give the 115 gr. bullet the same length as its 124 gr. counterpart.
But try as I might, I cannot find an Overall Cartridge Length (OAL) for the 124 gr. Winchester full metal jacket bullet.
If found, I could use this OAL for my 115 gr. Winchester FMJ, since its designed to emulate the 124 gr.
Any ideas of OAL? I have nearly 1,000 empty cases itching to jump into my Dillon 550B progressive press.
Incidentally, these will be fired in a recently manufactured Browning Hi-Power, and a wartime Walther P-38 in excellent condition.
I don't need a +P load, as these are just for practice.

Any comment on the need for Blue Dot with hollowbased 9mm jacketed bullets? This is the first I've heard of this and I've been reloading for more than 35 years.

Any favorite loads for the Winchester 9mm 115 gr. FMJ HB bullet?
I have the following powders:
Unique
Bullseye
SR7625
Red Dot
W231
HP-38
Titegroup
Blue Dot

 

[Gatofeo]

I have 1,000 Winchester 115 gr. 9mm bullets, full metal jacket and with a hollow base.
I've loaded the 9mm for years, but this is my first experience loading a hollow-based 9mm bullet.
I've read on the net that a quick-burning powder like Bullseye or W231 may cause the skirt on the bullet's hollow base to swell a bit, shearing off a bit of it as it leaves the chamber.
Supposedly, when this happens, accuracy is affected and pressures rise.
The author suggested using Blue Dot instead, which isn't quite as quick burning and will not "bump up" the skirt like quicker powders.
I realize that the hollowbase is not there for obturation; it was added to give the 115 gr. bullet the same length as its 124 gr. counterpart.
But try as I might, I cannot find an Overall Cartridge Length (OAL) for the 124 gr. Winchester full metal jacket bullet.
If found, I could use this OAL for my 115 gr. Winchester FMJ, since its designed to emulate the 124 gr.
Any ideas of OAL? I have nearly 1,000 empty cases itching to jump into my Dillon 550B progressive press.
Incidentally, these will be fired in a recently manufactured Browning Hi-Power, and a wartime Walther P-38 in excellent condition.
I don't need a +P load, as these are just for practice.

Any comment on the need for Blue Dot with hollowbased 9mm jacketed bullets? This is the first I've heard of this and I've been reloading for more than 35 years.

Any favorite loads for the Winchester 9mm 115 gr. FMJ HB bullet?
I have the following powders:
Unique
Bullseye
SR7625
Red Dot
W231
HP-38
Titegroup
Blue Dot

 

[OKFC05]

I've loaded both those bullets for years, and BS to all of the advice you got.

For minor power competition:
115 fmj over 4.8gr HP 38/231
124 FMJ over 4.5gr HP 38/231

OAL about 1.15 for both (not critical)

Power factors about 135 in 5" barrel.
Enough power to work the Browning HP without being harsh.

 

[max]

231 will do you fine.

 

[Gatofeo]

Thanks guys.
Never reloaded 9mm hollowbased bullets before, so wasn't sure.
Figure I'll make up 100 rounds each of HP38, W231 and Blue Dot, just to see if there's a difference.
This gives me a good start. Thanks!

 

[OKFC05]

HP38 and W231 are the same powder.

If you want to use an Alliant Powder, Unique and Power Pistol are better suited to 115gr and 124gr bullets than is Blue Dot. Blue Dot is for max vel with 147gr 9mm. Trying to use reduced loads of Blue Dot to get moderate velocity usually results in incomplete combustion and high SD.

 

[jjones33]

Never trust what you see on the internet. Heck, don't even trust this advise. What you read was bovine excrement. As Ronald Reagan said, "Trust, but verify." If you know the bullet manufacturer then call them. They have people standing by to answer those type questions.

Relax.

 

[Gatofeo]

Yep, I never trust what's on the internet off the bat. I check it against loading manuals and manufacturer websites.
However, Winchester (the maker of this particular bullet) doesn't list OAL for it. That's why I asked.
Blue Dot is in some reloading books but sounds like it's redundant to my purpose. I'll try Unique, Bullseye, W231 and HP-38.
I'd heard and read that W231 and HP-38 were one in the same, but don't recall that either Winchester or Hodgdon have admitted it. Perhaps I've missed this announcement.

Yep, internet is full of wild claims and dangerous loads. Don't think so? Just look at the "suggested loads" for the .45-70 in the Marlin 1895 lever action. I've seen loads suggested for it that would strain a Ruger No. 1!
Why people think they have to "Magnumize" the .45-70, or any .45 for that matter, is beyond me.
I figure they're fugitives from the Law of Averages, with the bloodhounds of Disaster at their heels.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Titegroup is a nice powder to work with, in my limited experience. For a 115 grain jacketed bullet, 4.5 grain start load-4.8 max load for c.o.l. of 1.125, with velocity's said to be 1130-1150's. I find with Titegroup you can work below start loads, but it gets smokey.

 

[BE Mike]

Power Pistol is a good powder for the 9mm. I like it in combination with Hornady 115 gr. FMJ bullets.