rhyrlik

What powder isn't temperature sensitive when the temperature drops 40 degrees?

How position sensitive is WST? Because I just discovered new Red Dot, and am overjoyed with it's accuracy, clenliness, and bulk density (position insensitive).

I do not recommend plain Clays for the 9mm with 147 grain bullets. The pressure curve generated by that combo is way too steep. Universal Clays is much more gradual. One of my favorite loads is Hodgdon's book max of 3.3 grains behind the XTP @ 1.1" OAL. Is is very accurate and kicks like a 22. But if forced to use one powder for both calibers, I would use Unique.

Yes. The conical portion seats the bullets by pressing on the sides of the bullet nose and not the tip. Bullets are made on multiple dies and not everyone is identical. Therefore the spot where the conical seater plug contacts the bullet nose varies from bullet to bullet, causing a variance in OAL. Not only that, because every case is different and exerts a different amount of tension on the bullet shank, the amount of pressure necessary to seat the bullet will likewise vary and cause the conical seater plug to dig into the bullet nose more or less, thereby causing OAL differences. I seat my bullets with a flatnosed plug, so I get no OAL variance whatsoever.

I tried 3.8 grains under a XTP loaded to 1.100". No pressure signs and good accuracy.

Do any of you load for this pistol? Could you share your favorite loads? Any help will be appreciated.

4.4 grains under the 147gr. Hornady FMJ loaded to 1.150" or the XTP loaded to 1.115" WSP primers are accurate. WSPM primers are more accurate, twice as accurate in fact. If I had a ransom rest, I would expect better than 2" at 50 yards with this load.

The most accurate 9mm loads I've experienced involve WSF and WSPM primers. I recently shot two quarter inch groups back to back off the bench with my Sig. If accuracy is your primary concern, go with WSF.

In my search for a favorite load, I read through my Pet Loads book and duplicated Ken Waters' work. 185gr. Sierras with 10.5 grains of Bluedot and FC primers shot one hole groups. So did 7.7 grains of Unique. 200gr. LSWC with 7 grains of Unique or 6-6.4 grains did the same. These loads really need FC primers, as others did not group as tight. These old articles are a wonderful resource.

Thank You all for your help. I loaded 3.5, 3.7, and 3.9 grains under a Hornady 230gr. LRN. The 3.9 grain load was similar to hardball. The 3.7 gr load was nice and groupped under a nickle at 15 yards. That's what I'll use.

Could you guys guide me to the perfect target load? I want to use Clays with 185, 200, and 230gr lead SWC bullets. I have a 5" 1911 with 16 and 18.5 lb. springs. I understand that lead shoots faster than jacketed with the same powder charge. At what charge weight will I need the 18.5 spring, or will I hit max pressures before the upgrade is warranted? I'm looking for a 7-800 FPS nice soft load. Thanks.

They are supposed to headspace on the case mouth, as do the 9mm and 357 Sig, but in reality they headspace on the extractor. In 9mm, for example, most factory cases measure around .747" and the chamber is .765" long. If you removed the extractor and tried to fire the gun, most rolunds would not fire. The 45 is the same way. The 357 headspaces on the shoulder, at least in my experience and definittely with all reloads.

Why don't you try 4-4.2grs of Unique w/ WSP? The load will amaze you.

I like Unique and WSF. The latter has a very pleasant report. Both shoot great with either 124s or 147s. WSF will give lower velocities, however. Accuracywise, both will shoot into 1" at 50 feet from a Sig P226.

I measure case head expansion with a dial caliper referencing where the extractor groove starts. In 9mm Luger, standard loads expand to .389-.390". +P+ loads expand to .392". Some of the 9mm major loads expand to .394-.396". They are probably pushing 50K PSI. Be Careful! I still have all 10 fingers.

George, Your AA#7 suggestion gave me the most accurate 9mm load of all time. I assembled 147gr. Gold Dots over 8grs. AA#7 at 1.150" OAL with FC brass and primers. I used a S&W 4566 recoil spring in my 5906, and shot a .535" group at 15 yards. Primers are flat but not cratered. Case heads expand .0005" more than factory, and the load appears slightly higher than SAAMI max. This is the best 147 grain load out there bar none. Thank You! Ralph

George, I think you just hit the jackpot! Look at your number of posts. And you made my day. Thanks a lot! Ralph

George, How was the pressue with AA7 and 147 grain bullets? I imagine that it is better suited for 147 grain bullets than 124s. Ralph

I never cracked a Glock, but I destroyed a slide by using a 357 barrel on an old 40 frame with the short frame block. As the barrel pivoted, the frame would flex, and the block and the slide impacted. This peened the crap out of the slide walls near the rails. Glock slides are surface hardened only. They are not designed to take metal-on-metal impact. Such impact will easily break through the hard part of the metal. Dry firing MAY be the culprit here.

That is why we should support the public employee unions and their quest for higher salaries. Higher salaries will attract more intelligent candidates for employment. Higher intelligence equals better information. I'll go and hide now

That is because handgun sales are always brisk. They keep the stores in business. They don't need to spend big bucks on primetime.

Thanx for the idea. I'll load all of them for a rainbow effect.

Or a 2" 357 snubbie with a full power 125 grain load. Better yet, a 2" 357 with the following handload: 110 gr. JHP, 16 grains of Blue Dot, Magnum primer. 12" by 36" flame, no kidding. But seriously, ammo makers add stuff to the powder to reduce flash. Anyone knows what that is?

Not Magnesium, ALUMINUM! It increases the velocity of the explosion's shock wave by 25%. Do not use in Colts, Colt replicas, or Ruger revolvers manufactured prior to 1972.

You should develop the load with different primers (4 major brands), and play with COAL and powder charges. You will then see if Clays is the right powder for that bullet in the 9mm.