First 100

[Giant81]

I've recently just finished my first 100 rounds of 9mm off of my Hornady LnL AP. My load is as follows

115gr Magtech FMJ RN

4.7gr Unique (though the powder measure wasn't throwing as constantly as I'd like, I expect them between 4.5 and 4.9)

Federal Small Pistol Primer

Misc brass (mostly Federal and WWB)

OAL of 1.165 with variations between 1.160 and 1.170

So far they fit nice in the G26 barrel and cycle though the mags without any hitch. I'll get out and fire them as soon as I can, but I don't have a chrono so as long as the Glock doesn't explode and cycles fine, it should be a good plinking load. My next purchase will be a chronograph, I'm researching a good one. The local reloading shop has an RCBS with a remote head for $150, we'll see what I find online. Any suggestions?

A couple questions about reloading those. I'm using the 4 die Lee 9mm set. I think I have everything setup right but the crimp die. I noticed that the neck of the brass at the bullet after seating is .379 or .380 which is what I expect to get after the seat, not before. Do I really need a crimp die if the rounds are coming out of the seating die with the right diameter? If I don't need the crimp die, then I'll swap it out and add the powder cop die I got.

[Dangasaur]

The Lee FCD won't "hit" every round. Set up per the directions, mine only touches a case mouth every now and then. I assume this is due to slight variations in brass thickness.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Dangasaur

[TonyT]

The Lee FCD is an exciuse for improperly setting up a set of dies. Any set of dies properly adjusted will produce cartridges which will properly chamber. The only exception I have seen in more than 4 decades of reloading is brass with swollen bases.

Unique is not a very uniform metering powder. For more consistent metering use a ball powder such as WSF in 9mm.

[acekc]

Your load seems a little on the low side:

Alliant says 6.3gr max and reduce by 10% for a minimum load (5.7gr).

Nosler says 5.1gr min 6.1gr max.

Speer says 5.6gr min 6.3gr max.

Sierra says 4.9gr min 6.6gr max.

Hornady has no loads for Unique with a 115gr bullet.

The OAL's in the sources above are significantly shorter than yours as well, 1.1" to 1.135" depending on the bullet used. Assuming the same powder charge, the shorter OAL's in the above loads means they'll have higher pressures than you'll get at 1.165" OAL. I don't think you'll have to worry about bullets stuck in the barrel or anything but it might not cycle properly.

For a chrono I recommend the Pro Chrono Digital. It has an optional infrared system for chronographing loads indoors as well as an available USB interface and software so you can run the chrono from a laptop and download and save the results.

[Giant81]

The Lyman manual I have shows 4.4 - 5.8 of unique for a 115JHP, so I started it a bit of the bottom and went with 4.7.

The OAL I got from the WWB I had, but should probably look at the OAL of another RN in the manual and use that.

I wonder if my inconstancy in powder measures has to do with the cheap scale I got. I have a Frankford Arsenal DS-750 from Midway it's a $40 electronic. I'll see about maybe getting a better scale.

Maybe I'll also look into a ball powder to meter a bit better, I can always use the Unique for 12GA if I ever get that reloader back up and going (I need new hoppers, the plastic on the one got cracked and I haven't replace it yet.)

[Giant81]

I did get a chance to fire a handful of my reloads today. They cycled fine and I had no squibs. So far, so good. Next up is a chrono and I can see where my rounds are hitting in fps. And some slow fire grouping to see how they shoot. I figure I should get the chrono before I get into the rifle loading and since my brother has 3000 rounds of components for 5.56 in the mail coming my way, I should probably get on the ball.

[Giant81]

So I went back and did some math and here is what I came out with.

I had been loading my 115 fmjrn at just about max length because I had no data on how deep to set them with the powder I was using. The manual I had did have data for the Hornady XTP in 115gr and Unique.

I finally got some Hornady XTP's in 115gr (get loaded 2012 deal from Hornady) and I averaged 5 of them. Then did the same for my RN.

Hornady XTP 115gr = .5478

Magtech FMJRN 115gr = .571

so combining the data I have from two books I see that Hornady lists the same powder level for their XTP As with other jacketed RN. So I took the OAL for the XTP (1.090) and added the difference (.023) and came out that I should be pushing my magtech's down to 1.113.

does that all sound about right?

[sroe3]

COAL varies by firearm and bullet shape. Load one long and drop test in your chamber. Shorten it incrementally until it chambers without hitting the lands. Load some to that length and test for function. Then chrono and test for accuracy with various charges. It's the process every time you change guns or components.

[Hi-Power Jack]

COAL varies by firearm and bullet shape. Load one long and drop test in your chamber. Shorten it incrementally until it chambers without hitting the lands. Load some to that length and test for function. Then chrono and test for accuracy with various charges. It's the process every time you change guns or components.

+1. Only way to do it.