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Working up a new 9mm Open load


quiller

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Finally got down to the range today to try out some reloads for my Open 9mm. I'm using Percision Delta 124gr JHP bullets. I started at 7.0 and worked up to 7.6 of HS-6 with an OL of 1.150. Seems like the sweet spot is somewhere between 7.2 and 7.4. Overall I was happy with how the gun shot and this was also an opportunity to test out my MagnetoSpeed base on a 1911 style gun. I have an excel spread sheet that does the math for me so I just need to input the shots. Anyone see anything out of the ordinary (other than my velocities are all over the place within each string) in my reloading notes?

 

Percision Delta 9mm (.355) 124 gr JHP  - HS-6 OL 1.150" Open 9mm    
         
Powder Grains 7.0 Grains 7.2 Grains 7.4 Grains 7.6 Grains
Note 1 Outdoor Range Outdoor Range Outdoor Range Outdoor Range
Note 2 WSC WSC WSC WSC
  All cycled and brass ejected. Recoil was managable. All cycled and brass ejected. Recoil was managable. All cycled and brass ejected. Recoil noticable but managable. All cycled and brass ejected. Recoil noticable but managable.
Shots: 10 10 10 10
Max: 1312 1339 1380 1399
Min: 1225 1303 1320 1365
ES:        
Avg: 1266.2 1320.4 1356.8 1384.5
SD:        
Bullet weight: 124 124 124 124
Shots Shots Shots Shots Shots
1 1225 1307 1339 1388
2 1251 1332 1374 1398
3 1266 1336 1361 1380
4 1286 1311 1361 1379
5 1300 1303 1380 1365
6 1236 1318 1320 1399
7 1266 1339 1348 1384
8 1312 1317 1355 1399
9 1234 1332 1373 1375
10 1286 1309 1357 1378
         
Major Power Factor: 165 165 165 165
Minor Power Factor: 125 125 125 125
Achived 157.0088 163.7296 168.2432 171.678
Open (Minor): 26% 31% 35% 37%
Limited (Minor): 26% 31% 35% 37%
Limited 10 (Minor): 26% 31% 35% 37%
Revolver Standard (Minor): 26% 31% 35% 37%
Production (Minor): 26% 31% 35% 37%
Open (Major): -5% -1% 2% 4%
Limited (Major): -5% -1% 2% 4%
Limited 10 (Major): -5% -1% 2% 4%
Revolver Standard (Major): -5% -1% 2% 4%
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On 6/10/2018 at 7:34 PM, Hi-Power Jack said:

If they Plunk, you might want to try a longer OAL  (1.165") ….

 

 

They plunked and I got them up to 1.555”. This was also a good test for some new Redding compitition dies. The dies work well as you can fine tune, but if you miss your mark....as I did....you end up chasing your tail for a bit. In any event I’ll test out this latest batch at practice on Wednesday evening.

FA661B12-0589-44BD-B169-35E1FCD784BD.jpeg

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After you're comfortable with 7.5 grains HS6, you might try to

bump that up to 7.8 and even 8.0 and see if you prefer the

way the powder "works the comp".

 

No PF reason to go that high, but it might "improve" the gun's

handling    :) 

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46 minutes ago, Hi-Power Jack said:

After you're comfortable with 7.5 grains HS6, you might try to

bump that up to 7.8 and even 8.0 and see if you prefer the

way the powder "works the comp".

 

No PF reason to go that high, but it might "improve" the gun's

handling    :) 

Jack, I bought the gun used, well 1000 rounds through it, so almost new. The previous owner worked up the following: 124 grain Precision Delta's, over 7.8 grains of HS-6 at 1.145 OAL. I'm new at reloading for an Open gun and like you said "after I feel comfortable" I will work up to 7.8, but will most likely leave the OAL at 1.555. Baby steps are a good thing for now. I have a Dillon 650 that tosses more powder at me than in the cases....well not that bad, but I get inconsistencies when checking the powder, not huge swings but enough to notice. Also, at 7.5 it's a little like getting 10 lbs of you know what in a 5lb bag so I'm a tad hesitant of jumping up to 7.8 and certainly 8.0. Anyhow, thanks for your input and I'll keep you updated on the progress. Cheers, Alan  

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4 minutes ago, SDL said:

My Trubor ran the comp well at 8.4 HS6 and 124 MG JHP. 1.170

That's smokin hot! Since I'm limited on the Plunk test where I cannot rotate a round with OAL much beyond 1.555" I'm guessing I need to be also thinking about the higher pressures as I increase the powder. I'm guessing I can squeak out a thousand or so more in OAL so I can comfortable get in more powder, but 1.158" failed last night and there's not a lot of meat between 1.555" and 1.158". Also, even with the Redding Precision dies my OAL varies a bit, again, not wildly, but noticeable. However, I'm suing all range brass as I simply refuse to buy it. I go on the "it's free and I can still bend over and pick it up".

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35 minutes ago, Hi-Power Jack said:

 

You cannot load longer than your chamber will allow.

 

BUT, you can get your chamber reamed a bit ….   ?

Was thinking the same thing when I hit the Submit Reply button on last response. I think for now I will stick with what I have and see how things pan out. Down the road it might be something to look into or perhaps picking up a different barrel, but I suspect it will be cheaper to ream the current barrel. Having said that, cheap is not a word I would typically associate with this hobby! 

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4 minutes ago, SDL said:

I still had .04" to the lands of the rifling at 1.170 OAL.

I did a little reading and came across this link on determining bullet seating depth. This is more or less what I did last night to end up with the depth I got, except I cranked on my dies micro to determine OAL. Do you have a different method or more scientific. It all seems a little hit and miss. 

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What does your dot movement look like? No need to load longer or increase powder if the dot tracking is good. I have been running 8.2gr. HS6 with a MG 121 at 1.160", I like this COAL because I can use it in mags with or without spacers. When I watch close I see the dot make a small circle, I think last time I tested this load was about 168-169PF in my gun.

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22 minutes ago, SWprotected said:

What does your dot movement look like? No need to load longer or increase powder if the dot tracking is good. I have been running 8.2gr. HS6 with a MG 121 at 1.160", I like this COAL because I can use it in mags with or without spacers. When I watch close I see the dot make a small circle, I think last time I tested this load was about 168-169PF in my gun.

Honestly up to this point I was paying more attention to the gun and how it preformed, not what the dot was doing. However, the recoil is definitely flat compared to my other pistols. I have a practice tomorrow evening and I will report back on my latest loads and what the dot is doing. I fully expect to make major as I'm already at 168 and change with 7.4, so 7.5 and a longer OAL  should be fine, but this test is going to be more about the feel of the gun and what the dot is doing. 

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On 6/10/2018 at 6:34 PM, Hi-Power Jack said:

If they Plunk, you might want to try a longer OAL  (1.165") ….

 

 

 

Why? If it is functioning and he is making PF at the load & OAL there is no need to change.  Unless the accuracy isn't there.

 

Get a load that runs the gun, is accurate "enough" and FREAKING PRACTICE. Don't chase the "perfect load" fairies.  Well, unless you don't want to get better and tinkering is your thing.

Edited by SCTaylor
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1 hour ago, SCTaylor said:

 

  Don't chase the "perfect load" fairies.  Well, unless you don't want to get better and tinkering is your thing.

 

True Dat !!!

 

You have a nice load that works, but you might be able to find a better one    :cheers:

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