Problems with 9mm loads in my P226

[1911fan]

I have loaded a 147 Grn LFP bullet on top of 4.2 Grns of Titegroup powder (max according to Hogdons is 4.4). I have a OAL at 1.17. I am getting terrible Keyholing. Is my round to long?? To much powder? The only entry I can find on the Hogdon's data site for a 147 grn 9mm is for a FMJ or XTP bullet. Is there a difference between Lead and Plated when it comes to reloading data, or can I just use the weight of 147????
I am going to try switching to Universal Clays, anyone load using this powder? any good load recipes for a 147 with it???
This P226 is 26 years old and the barrel has some pitting in it, but still looks good so I don't think I am having issues due to that.

Update....

I was using a recipe out of the Hogdon's reloading magazine. It gave a 9mm 147 grn bullet min. charge of 3.9 and a max. of 4.4. I got huge Keyholing with this round. I look up Hogdon website and use their data page there and it gives a max. charge of 3.2 grns and a max. of 3.6!!!!! My load of 4.2 grns was way over max. according to the website, could this cause my Keyholing????
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[A J]

Lyman says 2.8 max with 147 gr lead. I shoot 2.7 titegroup with an OAL of 1.30 in my 226 and 229 with good accuracy. I'm impressed that your gun didn't blow!

[1911fan]

ok, i am going senile!!! page in my data got turned, I was loading for a 147 grn bullet in 38 super!!!! manual and website match!!!!

hogdon says 3.0 to 3.3 for Universal, going 3.1 and see how that goes.

[Windy City Kid]

I have loaded a lot of 9mm with the 147gr. cast boolit.

This is the best load I have ever found for the 9mm 147gr. boolit. It is soft shooting, it is very accurate and it makes power factor for IPSC & IPDA. I also use this load for PPC.

Lead alloy: WW water quenched.
Lube: Carnauba Red
Size to .357"
WSF 3.8gr.
OAL 1.135"
Don't crimp, just remove the bell.

[1911fan]

thanks windy.

[MtGun44]

Likely need .357 diam. My P225 likes 124TC at .357, many 9mms will not work at all
at .355 or .356.

Bill

[wiljen]

If you fired very many of that overload, you might be wise to have a smith check the gun. They are likely to crack either the barrel linkage or the area around the slide stop in the frame.

[1911fan]

no, I stopped firing. did check the points you mentioned when i got home and all was good

[GabbyM]

Agree the keyhole is almost certainly undersized bullet. About all the European pistols will have bores over .356” when brand new. Commonly a barrel will wear .0005” within the first several thousand rounds to break in then stabilize at that dimension for 20 to 40 K rounds.

If you have a .358” size die around for revolver loads just use that. It's most likely what you'll need since .356” is failing another .001” isn't going to get you very far. You could also try pan lubing a few then loading as cast diameter to see what works. Or did you purchase these boolits? Next question would be how big the mould drops bullets.

[1911fan]

I got very lucky and I didn't blow up my gun or injure myself. This just goes to show, NEVER get complacent when reloading. Double check everything before you start and don't get distracted.