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Sent: July 31, 2011
Subject: Reloading 9mm Luger with Unique Powder Doesn't Look
Right
I'm just starting off reloading. I'm working on
115gr 9mm luger with a 5.6gr charge of unique on a lee classic turret
with lee auto disc measure. When I charge my case with the proper 5.6gr
"starting" charge, as per my speer reloading manual, my case looks
really full, pretty similar to the way yours looks in the double charge
picture...I've loaded and reloaded cases many times and my weight and
powder level is consistent, it just looks unnaturally high...I've yet to
test fire a round for this very reason, I like my face too much and I
like my gun even more.. My question is, is there something wrong I'm not
catching? Maybe my scale (hornaday dig.) Isn't reading correctly or is
it just the brand powder making it appear double charged?
David
Response - David,
Out of curiosity I measured and took pictures of a
9mm Luger case filled with 5.6 gr of Hodgdon Titegroup and 5.6 gr
Winchester Autocomp smokeless powders. I took the pictures to see if the
little bit of extra charge weight (I normally load to 4.6gr of
Titegroup) would show a difference in casing volume. They didn't. Both
show cases that are approximately half full.
Comparison of 5.6 gr of Smokeless Powders
 |
 |
| 5.6 gr Hodgdon Titegroup |
5.6 gr Winchester Autocomp |
If the Unique powder is "fluffier" and has a
different density than my Titegroup, it would account for more volume
taken up in the casing. I found the densities of both powders. They are
as follows.
Titegroup 11.799(gr/cc)
Unique 9.158(gr/cc)
source:
http://www.tacticoolproducts.com/powder.pdf
Unique appears to be less dense than Titegroup, so
the same weight of powder should take up more volume (about 22% more
volume). That doesn't seem like it would account for what you see when
you load a case.
I also looked up load data for Unique and 115 grain
jacketed bullets. Unless I'm reading it wrong, my Lee reloading book
indicates a starting powder load of 5.1gr and a not to exceed load of
5.5gr. You are loading to 5.6gr (which I understand is what some sources
suggest).
To get confidence in the load, the first thing I
would do is to check the scale. It must have come with some calibration
weights. After I was satisfied that the scale showed accurate results I
would also do some more internet research on Unique and 9mm Luger
reloading. It does seem that Unique is a "fluffier" powder so there may
not be a problem at all. Also I would start off with the lowest of
possible suggested charges (5.1 gr).
Here is a couple of links that I found about Unique
and 9mm Luger. I'm sure there are many more.
-
"I like this powder because it has a wide range
between min and max loads. It is also a "fluffy" powder, making it
almost impossible to significantly overcharge 9mm loads."
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=418923#productTabReviews
-
http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?10924-Unique-load-for-9mm-115-gr
If you think of it later on, I would be interested
to know what you did and how it turned out for you.
Best regards,
Tanner
Follow-up
Thanks for the quick respose. I ran the calib. Test
with the calb. Weight and the scale passes. The only inconsistant
weights ill get with the powder measure is if I leave powder sit in it
all night then the first couple charges are heavy, I'm assuming just
because its settled tightly throught the night, once I clear the first
few charges I get pretty consistant charges..no more than +/-0.1.
Secondly, speer said due to the speer xtps bullet co-eff. They recomend
a slightly higher charge (compaired to the unique charge chart) of 5.6gr
and a max of 6:3.
Also, I did finallly test fire quite the combination of rounds this week
with very positive results. I ran about 30 rounds @ 5.6gr (even though
ithe case looks full), with a COAL of 1.125" and no signs of over
pressure, my second batch was another 30 of the same charge only with a
slightly deeper seated bullet with a coal of 1.115" still with no signs
of over pressure, however I did have one slightly flattened primer I
believe is due to me not seating it all the way rather than over
pressure (the firing pin strike was really really deep compaired to
every other casing). Finally I loaded a batch of 5.9gr loads @ 1.115"
and still no signs of over pressure..in fact I'm pretty sure they were a
little more accurate!
I've since loaded and shot over 100 rounds of that
same batch with consistant charge of 5.9gr and they shoot great with no
visible signs of over pressure and no jams, ftf malfunctions, case
jams/fte mals, or anything else even in my wolf glock barrel so I'm
guessing that's a good recipe for my ammo/gun combo?
Response - David,
Thanks for the feedback. That's good to hear.
Tanner
-------------------------
Sent: June 12, 2011
Subject: 9MM Bullet Seating
Very well done. Do you have photo's of proper 9mm bullet seating? I have
a couple of books and very little is shown and discussed when it comes
to seating the bullet. I don't want to seat too short and increase the
pressure and cause damage to myself or my pistol. Thank you. Robert
Response - Robert,
As far as I am concerned, there isn’t that much to know about bullet
seating.
Bullet seating takes care of itself when you establish the overall
length (OAL) of your cartridge.
Your minimum OAL is defined in your reloading book and will vary with
the type of bullet and powder.
Your maximum OAL is 1.169" (according to my Lee Reloading Manual).
I try to keep my OAL at about 1.15” (give or take a little).
If you follow the recipe in your reloading manual you won't have to
worry about seating the bullet too short.
I do have some pictures showing the depth that some bullets were seated,
but they only show the “crimp mark”.
http://www.reviewsofthings.com/guns/crimping_9mm_luger_%20cases_for_reloading.html
http://www.reviewsofthings.com/guns/plated_or_fmj_full_metal_jacket_bullets_9mm_luger.html
Hope that helps. Best regards,
Tanner
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