tbrtt1

I use Bayou Bullets, with the same (I think) coating, exclusively of late with no issues.

IMR PB is good stuff. I have an old load data PDF from IMR and the loads are 4.9 for 124 Rem MC- it is a compressed load. The new data has it very low. No one seems to be able to get their guns to cycle at the current load data posted on the site. If you have a chrono it is worth working up to PF loads with this powder. I have bunch of load recipes for PB but I am out of town and won't get back home tip late in the week. FWIW I use 147gr Bayous at 3.2 of PB with 1.140 OAL. 132 PF. My #1 pet load.

I don't know how you managed such a short round with 4.3g of that in there. I just loaded some Bayou Bullets 125g RN and, with 4.1grains of powder, the round wouldn't go any shorter than 1.165" because there wasn't room for it to get shorter. I don't recall having that problem with 115s and 125s with up to 4.8gr at 1.145-1.160.

Here's a thread regarding lubing cases no matter what dies you use. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=188166&hl= General consensus is use lube and it seems the most popular is Hornady One Shot. Spray a little and forget about it. Danman, I don't quite follow you on slowing down the process. One Shot drys completely so no tumbling or cleaning off after. Takes 30 seconds to spray on. OP you may indeed have a bad die, but I think you will find that lubing no matter the die will make life easier. I use a redding Titanium Carbide sizing die and still lube. 9mm can be ornery when sizing.

Great to hear. 1000 rounds of Bayou and 1000 rounds of SNS to compare seems like a reasonable thing to do. If they use J&M Specialty Products P/L our of Australia for the coating, you're good to go. That's what Bayou and others are using. Looks like Bayou and SnS are priced similar. Probably can't go wrong either way. I am a big fan of the coated bullets. They just work and are the best bang for your buck.

Don't go below the load data recommended OAL, but longer you should be fine. Shorter OAL is seating the bullet deeper and will increase the pressure. I resisted a chrono for a while simply because I hadn't discovered a place to set it up. I was looking into getting one of the other shooters in the IDPA club(s) I shoot with to help me out and I discovered a place where they let me set one up. So I purchased one. I settled on a particular bullet, since I seem to be able to get these regularly, and this took one of the variables out of the equation. I then proceeded to work up loads with several different powders with that same bullet. I chronoed them and now have recipes with multiple powders with the same bullet. If I can't get the same bullets again, I'll have to chrono my loads again to be sure. Keep checking the LGSs. Powder is starting to become more available where I am. Should be able to get some where you are before too long. I worked up loads for 9mm (115,124/5 and 147s) with several powders: Along with the aforementioned 700X i have used: IMR PB (best kept secret in reloading!) Silhouette Bullseye AA#7 AutoComp WST If you find any of these lemme know and I can get you started.

3d, There is only one way to be sure you are making power factory and thats a chrono. I did a good bit of loading without one and always started low (most of my initial loads wouldn't cycle stock Gen4 G34 recoil spring) and watched incessantly for pressure signs. But, frankly, I got nervous and purchased one. Keep in mind also that the gun/barrel combo used in the load manual may be different. So if it is a shorter barrel in the test gun than your gun, you can expect a bit more velocity, all else being equal. I use a 1.140 oal for all my 9mm loads, though I only load one type of bullet at this time (Bayou 147s). I have loaded as long as 1.160 with my G34. Always good to load as long as you can to start with. My personal opinion would be to use a different power until you either get a chrono or a bit more loading time under your belt. 700X is a good powder but doesn't drop well and with 147gr bullets the margin for error is small regarding pressure spikes.

You are supposed to say the PB sucks. Do want everyone to figure this out!! Ha!

Many folks prefer the heavier (147gr) bullets since many agree that the perceived recoil is softer than with lighter bullets. Less powder is an added bonus. I have run FMJ, plated and the "new" coated bullets, particularly Bayou Bullets. There are several coated bullet manufacturers that use the J&M Specialty coating. It is a dry coating and very durable. They are lead bullets with this coating on them. I've shot a few thousand through my G34 stock barrel without issue. For powder, make regular calls and/or visits to your local shops. I have managed to finally get a quantity of a couple different powders this way and haven't had to pay hazmat charges. Ditto for Primers, though primers seem to be available for the most part now. Get a reloading manual and a reloading book like The ABCs of Reloading. A good manual and this forum will give you all you need to get you started.

​I am using the term a bit loosely and should probably have used a different adjective but the intent was to understand the point of the article mentioned in the post: Large powerful corporations, often colluding with government (local, state or federal) to subvert true capitalism and artificially alter the market value of something. Definition of 'Crony Capitalism' A description of capitalist society as being based on the close relationships between businessmen and the state. Instead of success being determined by a free market and the rule of law, the success of a business is dependent on the favoritism that is shown to it by the ruling government in the form of tax breaks, government grants and other incentives.

So basically, not only is the fox the landlord of the hen house, the fox is also owner of the landlord association which sets the market price for rent, which it in turn gets 1% off all the other rents paid to all the other landlords.Sweet work if you can get it! Interesting but we are still talking about 1/4 cent per can of soda or 12 bucks on an entire automobile. Tragic but not enough to snap the heads around of the consumers. Coke says it avoids buying from them. Maybe others will follow suit. But don't get me wrong, I am with you (or anyone else) on corporate cronyism. But we as consumers and citizens have to be more aware and put our money where our mouth is.

You could be getting some flyers in your reloads. Maybe buy a box or two of factory ammo and see what your groups look like. If your still getting oddballs then its you, if not them maybe its your loads. That is what I did with several factory loads. Groups looked the same with factory loads and my loads. Of course, you may have already done this or are referring to your groups with factory loads.

RTP - I will test with my chamber - (plunk test) - I was just looking for a starting point. Thanks. I agree tbrtt1 - IMR PB works very well in 45 ACP too in case anyone is interested - (4.7gr under a 230gr LRN - Very accurate - very clean) . I also agree that the load data on hodgden's site is way low. Their starting loads fire and cycle - but they are complete bunny farts - at least for the .40 cal anyway and I understand why of course. But anyway, thanks for your input and I look forward to seeing your data. Danman, Bayou 125 RN PB 4.3 gr OAL 1.145 Gave me 2 inch groups from a rest at 25 yards. (note, I am not a good group shooter even from a rest!) I have load data ranging from 4.1 to 4.8 gr for 115 Berry's and 3.8-4.6125 gr Bayou bullets with PB. I did not chrono these so proceed at your own risk. I decided to go with 147s exclusively and eventually got a chrono to develop all my 147 load data. I would start at just below 4.0 and see. PB+147gr=bliss.

I truly enjoy healthy debate and I hope no one mistakes my zeal for bad intent. But I find this whole thread particularly telling about our current state of affairs and culture. One dichotomy is rtp's post above that mentions "because they can" for retailer's price gouging. I see it as "because we let them". I popped in a LGS a few weeks ago to see about another mag for my G34 since I'm looking to do a bit more USPSA. The guy behind the counter roots around in a box if used mags and produces a Glock 9mm 17 round mag and says "$45 bucks". I promptly reply no thanks. Was I miffed at the LGS? Yep. But if there had been some bozo in there with me that said "I'll take it" I would have bit%$ slapped him. I am inclined to be more pissed at people who would give Cheaper Than Dirt $99 dollars for a box with a spring than at CTD themselves. The simple fact is we do largly control the market whether we realize it or not. I am not real happy about all the price increases, but quite frankly my current financial situation allows me to continue to reload and shoot at current prices. I may decide before too long that it is not worth it, particularly if prices continue to increase. I will be sad and disappointed but I will drastically reduce or eliminate shooting and go back to playing more guitar or golf. There are many activities that I would like to do or try but cannot afford. I hope beyond hope that this doesn't happen to the shooting sports for me, but the sad reality is that it may.

While there are many factors at play in the cost of making and supplying anything,ultimately the market sets the price. What is anything worth? What someone else is willing to pay.