Hi-Power Jack

I use 3.8 gr W231 with MG 147 gr, and 3.6 gr W231 with Zero 147 grain bullets - the 3.8 gr/MG chrono'd out at 132 (900 fps) at Area 8 a few weeks ago, and the 3.6 gr W231 with the Zero 147 is about the same velocity/PF. This is out of my Browning Hi=Power. Using WW brass, WW magnum primers, OAL of 1.13".

I've been using 115 gr with 8.8 gr HS6 for three years, and like it - very accurate in my gun (STI TruBor). Based on reading this forum, I'm going to (as soon as I get a chance) load some 124/125 gr bullets with 7.8 - 8.0 gr HS6 and try them - see which I prefer.

It's individual to Your Gun and Your Mags and the bullet shape/style. You have to experiment a little with your particular situation.

I bought a TruBor from Brazos almost two years ago, and haven't had a bit of trouble with it:)

I load 3.8 grains WW231 with the MG 147 grain bullets, and had the same velocity with 3.6 grains WW231 when I tried Zero 147 grain bullets. So, I'd be cautious, and back off a couple grains when switching bullets. You can always come back up.

I LOVE shooting with people who shoot even worse than I do ) When I shoot with people who are really good shooters, it's harder for me to concentrate on shooting at MY LEVEL, and I tend to shoot TOO FAST - and miss:(( Give me some C & D shooters, any day.

Alex, Please purchase both a chrony and especially a set of calipers - they're really inexpensive, and essential. You're fairly safe with minor loads in a .40, and your technique sounds like a good start, but there's no sense in saving a hundred dollars without those two essential pieces of the equation. I believe the Chrony is $70 and the calipers are less than $30 - hie thee to a shooting supplier. Sorry, I don't load .40, so I don't know about the powder charges - how did you measure them - hope you have a scale? Very easy to think you're throwing 3.7 grains, and actually be throwing a little more or less, without the proper tools. You're risking too much for too little. And, if you're looking for a certain PF, you have to know your velocity. More competent minds will follow with better info. Good luck. Hope to catch you on the beach one day:) Jack

Two quick questions: 1. how long do you tumble to get the lube off? 2. after you've lubed the brass, how long can you wait and still have the brasss lubed? That is, if I lube up a 1,000 cases today, will they still be lubed tomorrow? Thanks, just starting to lube for the first time Jack

Thanks, Jman, I never was any good at using the search function. By the way, for what it's worth, I wasn't complaining (reading my own beginning note, it looks to ME like I WAS complaining about how hard it is to make a search, or how much time it took me to find the info). BUT, I wasn't complaining at all, and am delighted that this wealth of info is available to me (and us) so I don't have to start from a reloading book:(( The info here is FANTASTIC - extremely helpful - as a matter of fact, if it weren't for all this info, I wouldn't be brave enough/smart enough to even attempt to load 9mm major. My hats off to all those brave souls who went before, and were kind enough to publish their results for us. BUT, it's frustrating looking for 9mm major info, and keep finding 3.6 gr TG over a 147 grain bullet:(( But, from now on, I'll try this new approach to browsing... So, again, thanks for the info. Jack

Thanks, Brian, appreciate it. I think there are two good reasons for this, as some people have pointed out: 1. makes searches easier 2. differentiates between 9mm minor and major (many posts don't mention which they mean, and you have to know by experience which is being discussed) - this is a safety issue for new reloaders. I think this will help a bit. Jack

I agree. Sounds like a good approach. Jack

Yes, about 7.8 - 8.0 grains - thought I'd start with 7.8. Jack

I just waded thru two years of old postings to find an answer to a question ( how many grains of HS6 do you need to get a 125 gr MG to Major?) - found the answer, BUT, Wish I didn't have to wade thru all the 9mm minor questions to find it - would have made the search a LOT SHORTER. Is it tough to split the two - totally different animals, really. Just a thought for the moderators. Jack

Might be a good idea to look into buying a .22, and practicing with 2,000 rounds/month?

Gabe, I'd be happy to start with 3" groups - start shooting competitively, and when you have time, work on more accurate loads - you don't mention what gun you have, or caliber, or what type ammo - but I found that my gun shoots better with a particular weight of bullet (147 gr's vs. 115's or 125's). And, different OAL's ;different powders, etc can make a difference. Same with different brands of bullets. Get shooting, and work on different loads as you get the time. But, as most people here agree - 3" for a 10-shot group at 25 yards is plenty good for IPSC.

Another option is the EAA - I've never fired one, but have read great things about them, and seen some excellent shooters who loved them in Limited. I think? they're cheaper than an STI?

shoot steel at Old Bridge great club they put togather a great show...ringwood is where Iam at joe If you're up to the ride, they have some great matches near Allentown, Pa, as well - Topton and Chester. And, Old Bridge also has IPSC matches. They're great!

Charlies aren't that bad, especially if you're shooting major. It will become addictive - be careful:)

They have some great matches in Old Bridge ... Where, in northern NJ, are you from? I used to live in Hillsdale & Clifton & Kinnelon. Jack

That's a good price, if there's not too many unreloadable brass in there - crimped, wrong caliber, S & B's, etc.

Sounds like a good start, but some ideas for "batch #2", and even batch #1. 1. don't load all 500 Rainiers at once - try a dozen or two, and make sure they feed and fire properly without too much primer flattening, and are reasonably accurate. 2. triple check your powder charge - actually set it for your desired load and then throw about five or so and dump them back into the hopper, and then throw ten loads into the pan and weigh all ten (and divide by ten) to get your actual powder charge 3. Same with the OAL - triple check that you are really where you want to be - a high primer will make it seem longer than it is - and OAL will change a little bit after you load a few - calipers can go wrong, or easy to read 1.114 as 1.14, and there's a big difference. 4. Buy larger quantities at a time - get 8 lbs powder (you've selected a good powder - you won't go wrong with it); buy a case of MG bullets - go back to your idea of the heavier bullets (124's are "better" than 115's (and 147's are even better than 124"s). You got some very good primers - buy 5,000 of them next time = you'll save a lot of money. Good luck.

You should be able to knock down steel with that load - I use 3.8 gr W231 behind a 115 gr MG loaded to 1.13", and it chrono'd at Area 7 at 132. Your load must be pf 140 or 145?

Great idea but I'm shooting Sunday a.m.(

I took a course with Max & Travis three years ago in PA, and it was incredible - they tough on Everything You Need to Know about shooting IPSC. Super course.