Reloading 9mm is confusing...
Picked up my new Glock G19 Gen 5 MOS and have been trying out various loads for it.
The OALs listed for various loads and bullets are all over the place. Then throw in the fact that the Gen 5 Glocks have shorter throats, and it really is the wild west as far as actual OAL and loads.
I began by loading some 147gr XTPs and 124gr RMR JHPs to spec, I believe it was 1.169" and 1.110". Used the same recipes I had used for my Gen 4 G19. Went to the range and had some feeding issues; slide wouldn't go into battery. Took it apart and plunked some rounds and found the problem; too long.
I started experimenting with the barrel and some new loads using 124gr RMR JHPs and 124gr Winchester FMJs tonight. The Winchesters plunked fine with an OAL of 1.169, but the JHPs had to be down to 1.080 to plunk.
I'm not loading to max levels, so I'm not too concerned, but it's frustrating that there are at least four different OALs listed for the same weight and type of bullet depending on the powder.
Then I tried searching for the most accurate powder, bullet weights, and loads people have used and it is all over the place. So far, I've used TiteGroup, Ramshot Silhouette, and Unique with no real discernible pattern other than all TiteGroup loads were the worst.
Tonight I loaded up two loads using 5.0 gr of WSF. Both 124gr and one with RMR 124gr JHPs at 1.080 OAL and the other with the Winchesters FMJs.
It seemed with .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 Colt, there was much more consistency as far as what powders and bullets were working with far fewer OALs thrown in the mix.
From what I've seen, the most important thing is to make sure the rounds will plunk, then adjust the powder levels accordingly.
My first range session was disappointing with factory ammo being more accurate than my reloads. I always have gotten the opposite result in all other calibers.
I did loosen up my crimp a bit as I discovered it was a bit too tight.
But, I love how the pistol feels and will keep playing with different combinations until I find one that works.
Reloading 9mm is confusing...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Petrol & Powder
The 9mm does its best work with the 115-125 grain bullets and my preference may be slightly tilted towards the 125 grain end of that range.
This is entirely gun dependent. None of mine shoot the best w/ 115. Some are best w/ 135. Others prefer 147 and up. I let the gun determine what works best.
As far OALs go. Your barrel is your case gauge. If it has a nonexistent throat send it out to be reamed or do it yourself. It’s an easy process. Well it might not be if the Glock barrel is hardened. If it is, sending it out is money well spent.
Any of the fast pistol powders will work. Like anything some will work better than others. I’ve been using Green Dot lately even though you need an old manual to find loads. What you will find is heavier bullets prefer slightly slower powders. Universal is my choice for 147 and up.
W/ the cost of jacketed bullets I don’t bother much w/ cast. Outside of a Mihec mold that casts a 135 grain FP and the 155 grain TC-ELCO I don’t cast any other bullets. And I have over twenty molds just for 9mm. Maybe one day I will buy BT’s 9mm dies and not worry about ever casting a 9mm bullet again.