Reloading for XD 9 & 40

[Flip]

Hi All,

My buddy purchased some Berry's 124gr HP 9mm ammo for his XD9. Problem is that when you load it, the bullet doesn't work in the pistol. It works fine in a 9mm sizing die but it doesn't let his slide lock down unless you sink it pretty deep into the casing. It also works fine in other handguns but not in the XD. I found a couple mentions of this on the internet. It seems that the shoulder on the 9mm HP doesn't work well in the XD series.


What do you guys recommend for cheap bullets that'll load well into an XD?

Flip

[Seismic Sam]

That is very strange, and seeing as I have zero knowledge about the XD I'm afraid I can't comment on WTF is going on. NEVER heard of a 9mm chamber with the lands so close in that some bullets would not completely chamber.

Are you by any chance using the Lee factory crimp die to make sure the OD of the loaded round is correct??

Also, are you using new brass, or once fired? If it's new, the inside of the case mouth has to be chamfered to remove the small lip on the inside of the case mouth. If you don't do this, it could increase the OD of the loaded round and make it hard to chamber.

Now: Seating bullets deeper to make them work in a 9mm may or may not get you in trouble, but it will raise the pressure of the round for SURE.

Since you mentioned the 40, I can tell you that seating the bullets deeper WILL get you in trouble and probably cause a kaboom, and you really need to cover your azz with this caliber. The OAL listed in the manual must be religiously adhered to, and you need a good, solid taper crimp of at least 3 mils to hold the bullet in place. many 40 Glocks have gone to the Happy Tupperware Grounds when a bullet got set back into the case when it slammed into the feed ramp.

Frankly, I would call up Springfield and ask them what is going on, just to see if the internet gossip is right or wrong. The only other thing I can think of is that maybe your seating die is set down to far in the press, so that you are applying a taper crimp to the case WHILE you are trying to seat the bullet. THAT would definitely cause a bulged bullet which might not chamber. Can you run an empty 9mm case all the way up into your seating die without encountering ANY resistance whatsoever?? If not, then there's your problem.

[1911fan]

Actually I have shot a crap load of Berry's when they were cheap in an XD 40, I think what is happening is you are crimping too hard and its causing a "muffin top" affect which is actually interferring with the lands in the barrel. back off on the sizing die, and try that, I would also try using a lee factory crimp die which sorta resizes everything at the end again.

[EJSG19]

Actually I have shot a crap load of Berry's when they were cheap in an XD 40, I think what is happening is you are crimping too hard and its causing a "muffin top" affect which is actually interferring with the lands in the barrel. back off on the sizing die, and try that, I would also try using a lee factory crimp die which sorta resizes everything at the end again.

sounds like the most likely cause to me. Crimp. Too much or too little. Too much, does what 1911fan said. Too little, might not be knocking down the flare from the expander die. Both could prevent going into battery I would think.

Isn't much else that can cause it. This is Caliper work. Check your cartridge dimensions. If they are within the Manual's specs, it isn't the round's fault. Then look at your chamber. Do you have lead build up or fouling which effectively reduces the size of your chamber? If so, clean that sucker out with some Chore Boy copper pad wrapped around a bore brush, lubricated with some Hoppes or gun oil.

[Flip]

Are you by any chance using the Lee factory crimp die to make sure the OD of the loaded round is correct??

Also, are you using new brass, or once fired? If it's new, the inside of the case mouth has to be chamfered to remove the small lip on the inside of the case mouth. If you don't do this, it could increase the OD of the loaded round and make it hard to chamber.

Thanks for the response Sam ... He is using a Lee crimp die. The OD is same as factory loads. The load works fine in a Sig but won't chamber in his XD, it also works fine in a sizing die that the guy at Wolf's den sold to me (he was super helpful with some other questions BTW). This is once fired brass. I worked with the crimp a little. I've gone from backing off 1/2 turn to turning it in 1/4 turn ---> No difference in chambering. The only thing that works is to seat the bullet down to 1.055" (my book is recommending 1.095" if I remember correctly) and I'm not willing to play with stuff like that until I have more experience.


Here's a post with a XDm (I understand this is not an XD) ...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=419741

So, what do you guys use for bullets if you don't use Berry's anymore? I'm looking for reasonable quality but inexpensive to suggest as a replacement.

Thanks again for your help

Flip

[DeanC]

So, what do you guys use for bullets if you don't use Berry's anymore?

I think the consensus is Montana Gold around here.

I haven't used them yet, but am anxious to try.

[EJSG19]

So, what do you guys use for bullets if you don't use Berry's anymore?

I think the consensus is Montana Gold around here.

I haven't used them yet, but am anxious to try.

Also I got 1000 Precision Delta fmj's through MNnavy's group buy. They look every bit as good as Montana Golds to the naked eye and to my calipers. Lot cheaper too. But I'd never kick a Montana Gold out of my reloading room either.

[Seismic Sam]

In that original post over at THR I think the operational words concerning the XD are "Match barrel". That being said, I have still never heard of a 9mm gun that would accept the 9mm long ogive but not a cylindrical body JHP bullet. Is it possible that you are using Berry's 124 grain JHP bullets that are for the 357 SIG (still .355" diameter) instead of the 9mm?? The 357 SIG .355" bullets have a much longer cylinder length than 9mm bullets in a JHP because of the fact that they are seated far deeper in the case than 9mm bullets.

EDIT: BINGO!! Look at the difference between the 124 grain JHP and the 124 grain FP just to its left. See the substantial difference in the longer cylinder of the 124 JHP versus the 124 FP?? the 124 JHP is very much like the 357 SIG JHP, while true 9mm Parabellum JHP's generally have a shorter bearing surface and there is somewhat of an ogive to get to the JHP part of the bullet.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/products-c11-9MM_.356.aspx

[DeanC]

Adding pictures to the post

Look at the difference between the 124 grain JHP and the 124 grain FP just to its left. See the substantial difference in the longer cylinder of the 124 JHP versus the 124 FP?? the 124 JHP is very much like the 357 SIG JHP, while true 9mm Parabellum JHP's generally have a shorter bearing surface and there is somewhat of an ogive to get to the JHP part of the bullet.

9mm 124gr FP


9mm 124gr HP

[Flip]

EDIT: BINGO!! Look at the difference between the 124 grain JHP and the 124 grain FP just to its left. See the substantial difference in the longer cylinder of the 124 JHP versus the 124 FP?? the 124 JHP is very much like the 357 SIG JHP, while true 9mm Parabellum JHP's generally have a shorter bearing surface and there is somewhat of an ogive to get to the JHP part of the bullet.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/products-c11-9MM_.356.aspx

OK ... You're saying that the Berry's 124 gr HP plated bullet just has a longer cylinder than a typical 9 mm HP bullet and that's the problem ... right? Just trying to make sure I understand here.

Also, I'm looking at the Berry's pricing and it looks like they sell 124 gr plated HP for $83.47
Link: https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montanagoldbullet.com/pricelist.tpl

and Montana Gold sells their 124 gr HP bullets for $107
Link: https://secure3.mooseweb.com/montanagoldbullet.com/pricelist.tpl

so I'm confused why people say that Berry's is more expensive - especially with free shipping if you spend more than $50 ???

Thanks,
Flip

[livnlg55345]

Here is the deal:
Montana Gold ships right a way and usually that translates into 2 days after your order.
In case lots they run you about 0.07375 each delivered

Precision Delta only makes certain bullets at certian times in their production schedule. While cheaper you will not have "on demand" ordering so to speak. You may be waiting at times for a couple of months, or so. So unless you get ahead with your personal inventory level you will not be happy. They are great bullets, and when things were easier to get it was pretty much an on demand type of ordering. But, 11/5/08 changed all that.
In case lots they run you about 0.0700 each delivered


Berrys or Raniers are plate bullets and are to be treated like lead for loading purposes. So, for the most part you can not really drive that much above 1100 FPS with out risk of stripping the plating off. Plus, if you over crimp the crimp can cause the plating to be stripped, too.

Berrys run you about .08088 each delivered, and a better source then Berrys in TJ Convera

So the jacketed bullets are cheaper.

But you can get nice case lead from Missour Bullets for about 0.058 cents each delivered in 2K lots. Get Some N320 and you should be darn near smoke free.

If you look at traditional 9x19 bullets they have a long nose profile, and not very much bearing surface. Whereas, the 357 Sig bullets (those intended by design) have a much larger bearing surface. So, with the ogive of the bullet for 357 Sig used in 9x19 it probably is engaging the rifling of your bbl. A good idea is to use your bbl (taken out of the gun) as cartridge case gauge. They should drop in and when inverted drop out.

[1911fan]

now, its safe to shoot those Sig bullets in a 9x19 but you have drop your powder c harge a bit and work up, watching for pressure signs and probably not go any higher than .4 grains below max charge for any powder, thats just a WAG but its got some experience behind it. Also the 9mm XD is a VERY strong pistol, and has a well supported chamber, its meant as military sidearm and will eat SMG 9 mm with ease.

[Seismic Sam]

[Flip]

Sam,

Thanks for the replies. I guess I didn't realize that the design of the 9mm bullet was different than the design of the 357 Sig bullet. Does my buddy need to plan to get rid of the 40 cal HP's too or would you assume they'd be fine? I'm assuming they're good to at least try.

If I understand correctly, you'd load the 124 gr HP's to run for another 9mm pistol but you'd keep well below the max powder charge ... right?


Thanks,
Flip