IMI 95gr JSP 9mm load

[BemidjiDweller]

Alright, so I have some IMI 95gr JSP 9mm bullets and I was wondering if I could use the same load data on with them as I do the MG 95gr JHP's I've been loading. Which is 5.1grs of W231 and an OAL of 1.02". I loaded 15 with the exact same press and die setup as I do the MG, and measured the new OAL at 1.06' on average. I think the variance comes from a bit of extra lead sticking out the top. Anyways, does this sound like a good place to start? Should I change the OAL to match that of the MG?

Here is a link to the IMI bullets: http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=6787
And thank you Sigfan220 for the MG recipe, they shoot great!

[Seismic Sam]

Well, there is the question why you're thanking somebody for a "recipe" if you have a reloading manual yourself and could just look up the data, but 95 grain 9mm bullets are a little odd in weight, and besides I don't feel like having a cow right now. Shippy left two full bottles of Night Train here when he passed out last night!! Yay!! Hic!! Lyman Pistol reloading manual, 3rd edition, lists 5.1 grains of 231 as the MAX for 95 grain bullets, while Hornady #9 lists 5.6 max for 90 grain bullets and 5.3 max for 100 grain bullets with 231. So one manual says it's max and one doesn't. It's your life, you can make up your own mind. As far as seating depth/OAL measurement, the general rule of thumb is that bullets with a round nose have longer OAL's than bullets with a hollow or flat point, and the reason is that if you hold one bullet up against the other and try to match the outlines of the noses, the bullet with the round nose will stick up farther than the flat nose if you try and match the curve of the nose. So you do NOT want to seat a HP out as far as an RN, because you are making a round where the round will have a larger diameter closer to the front, and may cause a feeding problem in the gun.

The other complicating factor is that the bullets you bought have a concave base in them, which means that relative to a flat based bullet, you can seat the concave base bullet sligtly deeper to get the save effective volume in the case.

So to sum up, I got no freaking idea with these very different bullet types and different load data where you're going to be with the bullets you just bought. The best you can do without a chrono is take a very close look at the primer flatness of the loads you previously shot, along with any factory ammo you shot, and see what they all look like. If they look like this, you're one step away from blowing your head off.



That. along with perceived recoil, and how far back the ejected cases go are the other things you should be paying attention to. And if you don't have a FM, then buy a FM, and RTFM!!!

[crbutler]

When I can't find an exact load in the manual, I will take the lowest charge weight for the same weight of bullet and slowly work up. Load 5 shoot them and check for function and any pressure signs. I really doubt you will find a load in a book for 95gr IMI bullets specifically.

Depending on the ogive of your bullet the OAL will differ for best function in your gun. Since no one has done the work for you this has to be found experimentally.

I would find another JSP bullet load (probably a different weight bullet- same manufacturer if possible- the more the bullets look alike, the more likely it will work) and use that OAL (as this is likely the OAL for reliable feeding), and then after seeing how that load worked, try 5 or so rounds changing only one thing - OAL or charge weight and see what happens. Don't change both at once, as then you can't tell which is the issue. Meticulous record keeping and labeling is your friend here.

If you load the JSP to the same OAL as a JHP, you will likely get higher pressures (dunno how much exactly) because the bullets tend to be longer, and you will be reducing powder space. Fortunately with a light bullet, you have more margin for safety than with a heavy bullet. I also tend to crimp light bullets a little more heavily because they don't have as much case contact and tend to move easier than the heavier bullets during feeding.