Redaye

OK Bench, I chrono'd a couple loads this weekend. Bayou 147 with 3.7 CFE and 3.2 Titegroup with 1.14 OAL from an M&P Pro, 5" barrel. (CCI / 500 primers) BB 147 / 3.7gr CFE / 1.14 / CCI-500 = 5 shot average 884 fps = 129 PF BB 147 / 3.2gr TG / 1.14 / CCI -500 = 5 shot average 921 fps = 135 PF As I said before, I'll eventually go to Titegroup but, I inherited 8 lbs of CFE and I'm not gonna let it go to waste. Especially, since it looks like I'm hitting minor PF plus about 3%. I'd like a little more cushion so I'm probably going to step it up a grain at a time until I'm at 5-6% over min. Accuracy is good and the recoil is certainly manageable for somebody of my skill level. The recoil seems consistent with a slight rise, up and right but, very manageable and allows me to place a second shot quickly on target. Looks like I'll be able to step that TG load down a grain or two when I'm ready but, for now I'm happy with my CFE load and the Bayou 147. ie; It's a start, and my confidence level went up a bunch.

Based on the variety of responses to my OP, it appears I'm on an acceptable track. Albeit, it's a little more time consuming and maybe a little OCD to go for clean and shinny. I'm retired so, my time is mine and since I'm new to reloading, I'll probably get less picky about the brass as i become more confident. My current process is decapping with a Frankford decapping tool, wet tumble in ss pins and dry under a fan for at least 8 hours. Allows an additional opportunity to inspect and sort out unwanted casings. I acquired a lot of prep equipment in a trade. Rotary and vibrating tumblers and various media. I'll try all of it eventually. One thing I will say about decapping off of the progressive press first is it seems to operate much smoother and I don't run into hard stops due to small flash holes. I'm able to cull those casings before I get on the press. The tiny flash holes are rare but annoying. (See Tiny Flash Port topic in this category) Thanks for all your comments. It's great to have all this experience to draw from.

Not sure where this load falls in max/min for Bayou w/ CFE. The starting point was based off of a round I was getting from a fellow shooter. Same bullet with Tite Group at 3.2gr. I acquired a large amount of CFE in a trade and felt compelled to use it up. Used the Hodgen data for lead and crossed my fingers and toes. I can tell you it works well for me. No problems and good accuracy, so far. So good. Regarding crimp? A much debated topic for 9mm. I don't bell much. Just enough to accept the bullet and measure .377 at the case mouth. Eventually, I'll go to Tite Group at 3.2gr as they seem to be very similar in performance, at least for my experience level. I haven't chrono'd these CFE rounds so, none of the above should be chiseled in stone. The Titegroup rounds were around 130 PF. I'm pretty new to this and shoot local, level 1 matches. Hope to chrono the CFE's soon and I'll post my results.

I followed a similar path. I use Bayou 147gr with 3.7gr CFE, cci #500, 1.14 OAL. Provides a relatively soft recoil with good accuracy. This recipe was suggested by a fellow shooter using the same bullet. I haven't chrono'd this so I can't comment on PF for this load. I've range compared it with 3.2gr of Tite Group and I couldn't detect a difference.

Yep, it's a very small percentage in comparison and other than the "hard stop" and remove and discard it's not a big deal. Thanks to all for your input. As a newb I run across these little anomalies that aren't really a hindrance but, more of a puzzle. I'm learning there's an almost overwhelming amount to learn and understand about this. Between manuals, YouTube, books and trial and error, etc. They're all good sources but, even better to know i can get your experience to add to that.

Hmmm. That's news for me. I've been using it for years to convert jpg to url address. Not something I do a lot of but, it's always worked before. Is this something new from p-bucket? I'm no computer guru and p-bucket is the only way I know to send an image in url format.

There are several PITA's then, imho. Firstly, posting an image size of less than .5mb, as this requires a lot of putzing around with a picture editor. I tried to download from photobucket in url format but, that wouldn't fly either. Secondly, one of the searched posts I saw indicated that it may require some number of posts on my part before I have "permission" but, I can't find anything in rules or guidelines that specifies what that number is. I've not run across a forum like this before. It certainly discourages posting pics and that may be the intent. Although, I'm not sure why that would be. I'll keep trying as I am stubborn and refuse to be outdone by a silly forum app. Plus, pics are essential in some cases and add a lot of value to some posts.

Smaller pin size, maybe? Probably? IDK. I'm pretty new to this game and if smaller pin sizes are available for my press. I'll look into that.

Yes sir! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Except mine aren't necessarily oddball casings. I have Win and A USA headstamps with the same tiny holes. It's not a big deal but, they do slow things down. I don't try and force the pin through, in fact when I feel that kind of resistance, I'll back off, remove and discard the casing.

I'm a newb to this forum but, not so new to forums in general. I've read Guidelines and done several searches for information pertaining to posting images but, it doesn't exist or is well hidden. I have picked up a few things. Like image size and url attachments. Most was extrapolated from trial and error and fragments from searches. In an effort to reply to a post I was wanting to use a few pics to document headstamps but, apparently my newb status doesn't allow that. Is there an explanation of the requirements before posting a pic is permitted?

In my case, I have a variety of headstamps with tiny holes. (I've been trying to post a few pics to document but apparently I'm not allowed to do that,,,, yet.) For example: Win, A USA and R-P. Not EU casings, I don't think.

OK, I'm calling it a flash port because I don't know what else to call it. It's the hole in base of the casing between the primer and the powder. I'm a newb and don't have all the terminology down yet. Anyhow, when decapping I'll occasionally (like 1 per 100) run across a casing that has a very small hole. So small that the decapping pin can't get through it. I don't force it and remove the casing and discard it. What's up with these tiny "flash ports".

Relatively new to reloading. Most of what I think I know has come from watching YouTube vids and some direction from fellow shooters/reloaders. I jumped all-in about 4 months ago and bought out another shooters, almost new Dillon xl650 with a lot of extras like, case feeder, alarms, brass in various stages of prep, tumblers, media, gauges, etc., etc. What's the recommended procedure for decapping 9mm, range gathered brass? I like my brass clean and shinny. Especially the inside and most 'specially the primer pockets. I've found (mostly through trial and error) that ss pins, dawn and lemishine give me an acceptable casing and requires decapping prior to tumbling. The question is: if you decap before you clean/tumble, do you run them through the press or use a Frankford Arsenal decapping tool,,,,,, or what?

I'll agree with all the others and say this is a great post and should stay on top for,,,,,ever! I'm a newb to competition shooting. Started about a year ago and can't say enough about how accommodating and helpful the other guys were in getting me involved in practical shooting. Something I had been wanting to do for years. I showed up at a range one day just to observe and was warmly accepted and encouraged to shoot. I had enough ammo with me but, had nothing else in the way of competitve equipment like gun, belt, mags, etc. Just my carry weapon. Having recently completed a range safety course they were comfortable with my capability and literally, set me up to shoot that day. I was off and running and to say the least,,,, hooked. It's the most fun I've had in a long time. I'm not a top shooter but, I'm getting better all the time and the guys & gals are extremely helpful and encouraging. Just a note from the little experience I've had. Attend safety training when ever it's offered. It is primary and a refresher course from time to time will keep you focused. Take RO training as soon as you can. You may not want to officiate or be a match RO but, you'll learn a lot about the sport and how to do it right. Shooting well is a process. Practice makes perfect, so plan to shoot a lot and often. Drill, drill, drill and ask questions, watch videos and read. You don't have to be the top shooter to have fun. Work on technique and accuracy and working through stages smoothly. Plan your work and work your plan. Speed will come with proficiency, in time. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute.