How to improve my load

[biscot]

I've started with a 9mm load of 4.2 grn W231, CCI 500 primer, 124 FMJ Precision Delta, OAL of 1.154.

I'm getting some soot-staining around the case mouth, and although the gun cycles fine (Browning Hi Power) the cases don't eject as forcibly as they do with factory loads. They chrono at 1030.

I'm guessing the loads may be a little light, but don't want to go any higher than I have to to make minor.

If I'm not mistaken, I could either up the powder a bit, or shorten the OAL a bit, either of which would give me a hotter load. Am I correct in my thinking?

I'm new to reloading, so I'm looking for any advice.

[DWFAN]

231 is dirty, you will have some soot on the case mouth. Thats normal.

You can either lighten your recoil spring, or up the powder charge to get more positive ejection. I would suggest upping the powder charge, as 127pf isnt enough cushion to not go sub minor. 132 is the minimum I would go, and I personally run my USPSA loads at 135 or better. You cant tell the difference between 130, and 135pf loads anyways.

[CocoBolo]

231 is dirty, you will have some soot on the case mouth. Thats normal.

You can either lighten your recoil spring, or up the powder charge to get more positive ejection. I would suggest upping the powder charge, as 127pf isnt enough cushion to not go sub minor. 132 is the minimum I would go, and I personally run my USPSA loads at 135 or better. You cant tell the difference between 130, and 135pf loads anyways.

+1 on all the above and add that 231 is Temp Sensative and as the weather gets warm it will requrie a bit more powder anyway.

[DWFAN]

Yup, but I think you're backwards on 231.. doesnt it speed up with higher temps, and slow down in cooler ?

[biscot]

OK, thanks. I'll try a bit more powder - maybe try 4.4 and see how it chronos.

I'm still curious about the effect of shortening the OAL - would that give me more velocity with the same powder? I don't have any problem with them chambering, but I see people using shorter OAL for their loads - is that just for ease of chambering?

[DWFAN]

Personal preference. Some guns wont run them that long. I usually load as long as possible determined by magazine, or chamber. Some people say a longer round feeds more reliably.

Shortening your load will do the same, but probably not as big of an effect as if you bumped the charge.

[biscot]

Got it, thanks for the help.

[G-ManBart]

OK, thanks. I'll try a bit more powder - maybe try 4.4 and see how it chronos.

I'm still curious about the effect of shortening the OAL - would that give me more velocity with the same powder? I don't have any problem with them chambering, but I see people using shorter OAL for their loads - is that just for ease of chambering?

Set the OAL for what works best in your gun. Change the powder charge to increase or decrease velocity. Trying to adjust velocity by changing OAL is the wrong way to go about it, and it's not always a linear increase in pressure (meaning it could bite you in certain situations). R,

[biscot]

OK, that makes sense. I'll stick with my OAL, since it seems to cycle well.