9mm Reload data

[MarkL]

Now that I have this XDs 9mm that I love, I want to get my 9mm dies on the 550B setup and start reloading some rounds.
Problem is trying to find a starting point because it's seems everything I buy is never the standard for which any data is available..

So I want to reload with the following supplies:
Winchester 115gr Hollow Base FMJ bullet
Once fired cases ( S&B )
Winchester Small Pistol Primers
W231 powder

Not finding an exact match on the bullet to feel confident about my starting point and the OAL. I have factory ammo; Remington with a OAL of 1.105 and Lellier & Bellot with a OAL of 1.16 as a comparison.

I've only come up with the following so far, as the bulk of my reloads for quite awhile will only be .45 acp and 9mm, still trying to find another load data source and hopefully switch to bullets etc that I can find data for. Anybody help with some data or starting point and/or the book to get? Would the Speer book be best, or ? On Midway's website, reviews on the Lyman pistol revolver book were pretty poor, so not sure I should get that.

Cartridge: 9mm Luger
Load Type: Pistol
Starting Loads

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Maximum Loads

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Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

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115 GR. LRN Winchester 231 .356" 1.100" 4.3 1079 28,400 CUP 4.8 1135 32,000 CUP
115 GR. SPR GDHP Winchester 231 .355" 1.125" 4.7 1075 25,300 CUP 5.1 1167 28,100 CUP

[tabberski]

I have several of these books, tons of information.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/185458 ... ing-manual

They cover major bullet weights, styles, lead/jacketed, ect.

[MarkL]

Thanks, I'll get those on order. Just frustrating trying to find the starting point and as a noob, it's that much harder trying to determine, what is similar enough for a baseline reference.

[rugersol]

Screenshot_2013-06-29-16-24-23-1.jpg (125.63 KB) Viewed 4036 times

[BigDog58]

Mark, check your PM. I believe I can help you with data from LoadData.com It gives me access to nearly all published recipes and I can save as pdf files and directly email them to you, so you can print it out and have a hard copy for your records. You basically load them with FMJ loads setup with w231 powder. I didn't see any with specific mention of the hollow base, but if it concerns you, you can always reduce the load and work your way up, until you find the combination that works best for your weapon.

I included my home number but forgot to give you my email address. It is BigDog58@gmail.com

Happy Loading,

Jim

[MarkL]

Thanks to all, didn't know about LoadData.com, can check that out as well. Yes, the hollow base does have me wondering what the OAL should be when it isn't supplied and for this particular bullet. OAL as I understand what I'm reading is a significant part of the puzzle. Rugersol, the info you provided is a good example, as a newcomer to this, how would I know?

Gotta believe there should be some data somewhere for Winchester brass, 231 and this particular bullet. Seems odd to me, not like they just started making it, I guess I'm surprised to have not found anything on this configuration. Not like I'm looking for 'here use this and you'll be fine', but to find some baseline seems to be way harder than I thought it would be.

So per the chart provided by rugersol, I can start at 4.4 and max out at 4.9, just need a OAL. So do you guys load and test of 10 rounds first before loading another 10 at the next level?

[snlit3]

Why don't you just buy a reloading book? Sigh.

[BigDog58]

Why don't you just buy a reloading book? Sigh.

Don't be a wise ass! I spoke with him tonight and he DOES have reloading books. However, not having your wealth of "experience" he was unsure about the particular bullet he had and how the tecipes translated to his situation. I believe we managed to get him pointed in the right direction.

With comments like yours, it is No Frigging wonder, why new reloaders are scared to ask a question here! While you may have ALL the answers, and be a reloading God, you didn't bother to take a moment to try and help out, just enough time to belittle him. This forum is here to help reloaders and hopefully prevent anyone from causing a serious, possibly life threatening error. I'm sure you NEVER depended on anyone for advice, and became the reloading king, the day you bought your first press. Not everyone is as gifted as you. If you are willing to help, then I suggest you STFU and crawl back under your shell holder!

Sorry all, but it galls me to know that anyone, is afraid to ask a question, because they don't care to be embarrased or belittled. All of us were new to reloading at one time or another, and I know I was very thankful that someone with experience, was ready, willing and able to help me, when I got started not long ago. OldmanFCSA stepped forward and answered my Noob questions, with patience and understanding. That's what makes this forum great. I learned long ago that there is NEVER a Stupid question, except the one you fail to ask, and you or someone close to you suffers from a castrophic failure. All because some idiot would criticize or belittle you for asking a simple question. I believe in SS's and Oldman's standard "Did you RTFM", but before anyone jumps in with a smartass comment, they should know more about what they are talking about. Otherwise, it leaves them being the FOOL!

[rugersol]

Rugersol, the info you provided is a good example, as a newcomer to this, how would I know?

Lotsa interlinks searching ... hangin onto old .pdf's when ya find em

... as a general rule, when a new version of data is published, the old data should not be used ... as the formula, and how the powder burns, may change, over time

however, when yer choice is "somethin" vs "nothin", I'll generally take "somethin" into consideration!

ya want at least two sources of data ... preferably three ... if one is simply an older version of nother, that somewhat defeats the purpose ... unless it's different ... then, IMO, it's worth some consideration

when all else fails, ask for help (like ya did), guess, er sell yer components and replace em with ones yer otherwise comfortable with ... I don't recommend ya guess ... but to answer yer question, that is what some folks are doin ... at the very least, it shouldn't be yer first option, and after nuff research, hopefully if ya do guess, it's a damn good one!

IMO, the min is only relevant to the risk of a squib, or "flashover" ... with the cast data havin a lower min, I'd say it's safe to presume the min fer the jacketed is against a squib ... so, 4.4 s/b fine ... bring a squib rod ... check the bore ... check fer pressure signs ... use a chrono, if ya can ... work up to 4.7ish

this is a purdy small window ... so make sure ya got good readings on yer scale ... do 10 drops, and divide the total by 10 ... w/o at least a 0.005g (gram) scale, there's no way to know how consistent yer measure is ... but if 231 meters well, with the 10x method of setting it, ya s/b ok ... jest keep a close eye on it!

most any reasonable oal s/b fine ... but if ya ever shorten it, start over from 4.4 er less, and work back up, again ... same with a new brand/style of bullet!

[MarkL]

So with BigDog58's kind offer to help me out, I've got 10 rounds loaded up for testing.

To do the testing, I pulled the trigger on a CED Millenium 2 from Graf's and also purchased the Lymans Pistol Revolver handbook to add to the other books I have already and will most likely eventually pickup a couple more.

It's odd to me in this day of the internet and computing power that so much reloading data is scattered across so many sources. In my eyes if this was so straight forward, one book would be all you need, but this is not the case, so yes, I ask a lot of questions to validate or fill in the blanks of what I can't find or confidently come to a conclusion with my limited experience in this arena for now. I am not an idiot and do quite well in my profession and quite knowledgeable in several other areas, just as all of us do, however we all also enter from time to time a new field of interest where it takes some time to acquire the knowledge and experience that others have and went thru the same process. Thank you to those that have and continue to provide me with help and guidance to learn this process and fully enjoy this sport.

Mark

[Seismic Sam]

So with BigDog58's kind offer to help me out, I've got 10 rounds loaded up for testing.

To do the testing, I pulled the trigger on a CED Millenium 2 from Graf's and also purchased the Lymans Pistol Revolver handbook to add to the other books I have already and will most likely eventually pickup a couple more.

It's odd to me in this day of the internet and computing power that so much reloading data is scattered across so many sources. In my eyes if this was so straight forward, one book would be all you need, but this is not the case, so yes, I ask a lot of questions to validate or fill in the blanks of what I can't find or confidently come to a conclusion with my limited experience in this arena for now. I am not an idiot and do quite well in my profession and quite knowledgeable in several other areas, just as all of us do, however we all also enter from time to time a new field of interest where it takes some time to acquire the knowledge and experience that others have and went thru the same process. Thank you to those that have and continue to provide me with help and guidance to learn this process and fully enjoy this sport.

Mark

the data is scattered because of the fact that there are multiple bullet companies making money from reloading, and their manuals are an important source of revenue and advertising, which they are not going to share with other companies or publishers, because it will cost them money. The best you can do is to get the BIG Hodgdon loose leaf manual (not sure what the current edition is) which has MANY different bullets and Hodgdon powder, and to some degree ALSO has loads for Winchest, Alliant, and IMR powder too. It's the only book with that comprehensive a combination of bullets and powders.

[MaryB]

There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially with something that is explosive. I reloaded way back in the 80's when there was very little available beyond a few books. Just getting back into it and I run into stuff I am not sure on and have to research.

[BigDog58]

There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially with something that is explosive. I reloaded way back in the 80's when there was very little available beyond a few books. Just getting back into it and I run into stuff I am not sure on and have to research.

[OldmanFCSA]

Don't know why everyone makes reloading the 9 so difficult.
Don't load at max and you will enjoy your time shooting.
Pick a powder to start with, and work it up slowly from start loads, playing with COL and primers and powder charges until you find an accurate, SAFE, load you and your gun likes. Use of a chrono will assist in finding the plateau where accuracy starts and increases of powder does not result in increases of velocity until you reach dangerous load levels.
The COL of 1.169" is a maximum that magazines are designed for, not to be used as law for reloaded length. I typically load 115's at 1.060" for all of my 9mm's (Beretta's). 124's at 1.080"; 147's at 1.140; 158's at 1.160 (specialty load using a 38Spcl cast bullet resized-powder volume is an issue).
Unique or 231 are good powders to start with, as a newbee, or as an Oldman.

[Snowgun]

Word on the 1.169 col.

My die backed out from 1.140 to 1.153, and my 135g's started sticking in my chamber.