"9mm Special"- New Load development

[sabrecross03]

I've been doing a lot of testing on this particular load and there is another thread where I discuss my test runs. This load works well in my M&P 9c and I will use it from now on for my target loads.

It is very accurate, no leading, little smoke, and good recoil feedback. I'm shooting with a S&W M&P 9c (3.5" barrel). My bore slugs at 356.5"

"9mm Special" load

Lee TL .358-158 SWC (Lee sizer sized to- .3575, the avg weight is 155.7 grains) Lyman #2 alloy cast in the garage
TL in Lee Liquid Alox
Power Pistol, 3.0-3.2 gr
CCI 500
OAL: 1.009 (yes, 1.009)
Cases: Speer
Case Length: .749-.754
Very minor taper crimp

I'm air drying and sizing the boolits. I heat the Lee Alox lube, pour it into a heavy duty zip-lock bag, and then add the bullets. I like to get a thick coat on the boolits and I let it dry overnight. This combination is working great for me.

(Use at your own Risk and your own discretion)

[thegreatdane]

I've never tried 158 in the 9. Where'd you get the load development data? I wouldn't know where to start with 158 since it's not listed in any load manuals.

[ku4hx]

When you say it works well do you mean an acceptable level of failures to chamber and extract or no functional failures of any kind?

I've never considered what I'd call a 38 special/357 Mag boolit in my 9s but might have to give it a try.

[Shiloh]

I can't get .38/.357 Boolits to cycle reliably in my 9's The would be the 105gr and 140gr SWC's
The LEE 125 gr RN works flawlessly.

Shiloh

[thegreatdane]

the lee 105 RN and 105 SWC are a lot of fun in 9mm. I didn't have much luck with the 140 though, I had a crimping issue. Maybe I'll try that one again someday.

[sabrecross03]

Yes, no jams, or failures to eject. Very accurate! My bore is a bit oversized and I needed to go to a larger diameter bullet- (38/ 357). The only mold I had for my 357 was the 158 gr, SWC bullet. I took the load data for a 9mm 149 gr bullet, and cut it in half. I worked up from 2.5 grains to my end result. The 2.5 gr was not enough powder to cycle the rounds.

[sabrecross03]

The thing about this particular round is that there is no room for error. Too much powder and the pressure curve becomes very dangerous. For my weapon to cycle, my OAL has to be between 1.01-1.09. If it is 1.10 the slide will not properly chamber the round. I check each round's OAL before going to the next.

Also, I'm using my 38/357 dies minus the powder-though-die. For that, I'm using my 9mm powder-through-die on my Turret Press.

[dbldblu]

The older Lyman manuals had data for 158 gr (358311) in 9mm but not with your powder.

[sabrecross03]

Yeah, it's a newer powder designed for semi-autos. I looked at most of the data for Power Pistol in my five reloading manuals and on-line. I compared them and then went with a good safe charge. I slowly upped it and looked for negative signs of pressure.


The older Lyman manuals had data for 158 gr (358311) in 9mm but not with your powder.

[Boolseye]

I use that boolit in 9mm with 2.5 grains Bullseye–shoots OK, decent accuracy. I leave 2 microgrooves exposed. I think the OAL is around 1.100. Cycles, feeds and ejects 100%, but my SIG's not picky. Sized to .358, lubed with 45-45-10.