158 gr SWC in 9mm Luger

[smith52]

I aquired some .356" diameter 158gr SWC and want to load them up to shoot in a 1911A1, 9mm. Anyone have a good starting piont? All the load data I have looked at stops at 147gr boolits. The load I was thinking to start with was 2.4gr of IMR 700X, any suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[SierraWhiskeyMC]

I think 700x might be a bit fast for that heavy a boolit in 9mm Luger. I feel that your SD will not be very good, and you may have a tough time metering it accurately enough.

On Hodgdon's site in their load data, they only give 147 gr info for a Hornaday XTP; 2.6gr start, 2.9gr max; only 0.3gr difference. But, trying to extrapolate to a heavier bullet that's lead using a powder that's faster than Bullseye is probably not a good idea.

I would call or write Hodgdon directly about using 700x with those boolits in 9mm Luger, which is the best advice I can give you.

In the meantime, I suggest that you consider slower powders, like maybe Unique, Universal, 800x and Herco.

[smith52]

Any suggestion on a starting load with Unique, I have plenty of Unique. 700X came to my mind because I have it and I seen several 9mm loads with it. I'm not set on any one type of powder.

[Wally]

I have used a 155 Grain RN bullet with 3.5 grains of Bullseye

[StarMetal]

I shot loads of them. I'll have to dig up my data, I know it was with Unique.

Lead has less friction then jackets, especially at the initial engraving.

You may have feeding problems wit that SWC in the 1911. I have a tuned 1911 in 9mm and depending on what magazine I use the RCBS 124 grain cone nose gives me fits. The number one offending magazine is Wilson's new high dollar special magazine with special follower. Megar one beats the pants of that mag.

Joe

[SierraWhiskeyMC]

OK, this is from Lyman #45 reloading handbook, vintage 1970.

158gr Cast, Bullet #358311, #2 alloy
         Sug
         Start Vel  Max     Vel
Powder   Gr    FPS  Grains  FPS
Red Dot  3.0   858  3.6     963
Unique   3.5   883  4.5    1039
Herco    3.6   840  4.6    1010

Note that 358311 is a round-nose boolit.
Cases: Remington. Primer: Rem 1-1/2. Barrel length: 4", twist 1:10", groove diam .3535"

Max OAL is 1.169", but you will need to adjust your OAL so that your meplat's rim diameter matches the height of that diameter on the nose of a standard ball round so that it'll have a decent chance to load reliably from the magazine.

Watch your seating depth carefully. There was no seating depth given for this load, and I do not know the dimensions of the boolit used in this load. Changes in seating depth can greatly affect peak chamber pressures.

Bullseye was also listed; 3.0 start @ 869, 3.5 max @ 961 - but I think Bullseye is also a bit too fast for this boolit. It's economical, but it's really quite dirty. Having less than 0.6gr between starting and max loads makes me pretty nervous; I really don't like using a powder throw for loads that close, and I sure don't want to have to weigh every load.

[smith52]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and SierraWhiskeyMC thanks for the load data.
After some reading over the weekend and talking with other handloaders I think I'm goin to stick with the Unique behind these 158gr SWC since I have that on the shelf. Thanks again.

[Randall]

I did that years ago,don't remember exact loads but I started with 147 grain starting loads and reduced 10%,worked up to where the gun would cycle.I was using an Argentine Hi Power.

[jdgabbard]

I've used the Lee .358 TL SWC over 4.0g Unique. I didn't really like it. It was shot out of a Ruger PC-9 Carbine. It wasn't really accurate. Maybe you'll have better luck with your 1911, but I can think of better choices for the pistol then this round. Just my .02