FN in MT
03-20-2013, 06:10 PM
I used to have good access to reasonably priced 115 and 124 gr FMJ bullets from a local source. That has gone away.
So I decided to start casting for the only pistols I still use jacketed in....my SIG/BHP 9mms. I have a pair of 5" X-5's, an older 226, a Bar-Sto barreled 229 and a lone BHP.
After reading MtnGun 44's sticky on how he approached reloading for his 9mm......I Cleaned my barrels thoroughly to get rid of any Jacket fouling. Then I Slugged my barrels and found that the four SIG's run .3565" to .357". So my .358" sizer die should work fine.
Needed a mold as my #356402 gave me basically .357" or .005" less as cast. So last week I ordered a NOE 135 gr RF, five cavity mold. Arrived in a few days and it's a thing of beauty.
Cast a hundred plus yesterday with some WW's and 2% tin that I had in the furnace. Sized those to .358" last night. they averaged 133 grs w/lube.
Also loaded a few dummy rds to check if the chambers on the SIG's would tolerate the slight bulge of a larger slug versus jacketed. All OK, no issues.
Pulled the slugs on the dummies and despite a mild taper crimp I can't note any reduction in diameter from .358" All good so far.
My Dillon is set up for 9's and had some Winchester Super Field in the measure.
So I loaded six rds with 3.8 WSF and averaged 946 fps with good accuracy.
Next I tried 4.0 grs and averaged 1002 with VERY nice accuracy and a mere 16 fps ES. (though 6 rds is far from a thorough test sample)
Lastly I did 4.2 grs WSF and was surprised to see an avg of only 1019 fps. Would have expected a bit more with the extra .2 gr.
Next I tried WW 231......... 3.6 grs gave me an average of 982 fps.
3.8 grs gave me an average of 1026 fps
Both of these were in the same 2" group size at 20 yds that the others gave me. Probably not a true test as the wind was gusting 15-25 mph maybe more.
So I felt these were ALL potentially accurate enough for what I want.
I then loaded another 20 with the 3.8 of 231 load, simply to shoot some steel and to put some rds down the barrel.
Now the issue....... I am getting some leading, not horrific, but still after fifty or so rds it concerns me. I can shoot my three 1911's with my cast loads all day long and leading isn't an issue.
Should I try a harder alloy? I checked 2 slugs and got a bnh of 14 or so.
Try a different lube? I was using White Label Carnuba Red. I have their "Special blend" and their "X-Lox 2500 plus" available as well as some old Lyman ALOX.
I have Bullseye, AAC #5, WW 231, WST, WSF, Clays, Univ Clays , Red Dot and pprobably a few other pistol powders available....different powder...faster...slower?
I'm trying to save myself time and energy here by trying to NOT reinvent the wheel so to speak.
Any learned input appreciated.
FN in MT
So I decided to start casting for the only pistols I still use jacketed in....my SIG/BHP 9mms. I have a pair of 5" X-5's, an older 226, a Bar-Sto barreled 229 and a lone BHP.
After reading MtnGun 44's sticky on how he approached reloading for his 9mm......I Cleaned my barrels thoroughly to get rid of any Jacket fouling. Then I Slugged my barrels and found that the four SIG's run .3565" to .357". So my .358" sizer die should work fine.
Needed a mold as my #356402 gave me basically .357" or .005" less as cast. So last week I ordered a NOE 135 gr RF, five cavity mold. Arrived in a few days and it's a thing of beauty.
Cast a hundred plus yesterday with some WW's and 2% tin that I had in the furnace. Sized those to .358" last night. they averaged 133 grs w/lube.
Also loaded a few dummy rds to check if the chambers on the SIG's would tolerate the slight bulge of a larger slug versus jacketed. All OK, no issues.
Pulled the slugs on the dummies and despite a mild taper crimp I can't note any reduction in diameter from .358" All good so far.
My Dillon is set up for 9's and had some Winchester Super Field in the measure.
So I loaded six rds with 3.8 WSF and averaged 946 fps with good accuracy.
Next I tried 4.0 grs and averaged 1002 with VERY nice accuracy and a mere 16 fps ES. (though 6 rds is far from a thorough test sample)
Lastly I did 4.2 grs WSF and was surprised to see an avg of only 1019 fps. Would have expected a bit more with the extra .2 gr.
Next I tried WW 231......... 3.6 grs gave me an average of 982 fps.
3.8 grs gave me an average of 1026 fps
Both of these were in the same 2" group size at 20 yds that the others gave me. Probably not a true test as the wind was gusting 15-25 mph maybe more.
So I felt these were ALL potentially accurate enough for what I want.
I then loaded another 20 with the 3.8 of 231 load, simply to shoot some steel and to put some rds down the barrel.
Now the issue....... I am getting some leading, not horrific, but still after fifty or so rds it concerns me. I can shoot my three 1911's with my cast loads all day long and leading isn't an issue.
Should I try a harder alloy? I checked 2 slugs and got a bnh of 14 or so.
Try a different lube? I was using White Label Carnuba Red. I have their "Special blend" and their "X-Lox 2500 plus" available as well as some old Lyman ALOX.
I have Bullseye, AAC #5, WW 231, WST, WSF, Clays, Univ Clays , Red Dot and pprobably a few other pistol powders available....different powder...faster...slower?
I'm trying to save myself time and energy here by trying to NOT reinvent the wheel so to speak.
Any learned input appreciated.
FN in MT