9mm Cast Bullet - Looking for recipe

[tullyamo]

Recently, my brother-in-law who is also on these forums has peaked my interest in casting boolits. I have been doing very well in my 40 S&W M&P full frame and compact. I didn't have a need for any other size boolit until my wife decided to get her cwp. She bought a 9mm as did many of our friends. For plinking rounds, I figured I would cast up so boolits for them so they wouldn't have to waste a ton of money on lead down range. With 6 different 9mms, I came to the conclusion that I couldn't slug each barrel and make a variety of 9mm sized from 356-358 as its just not worth all the time to keep track of what is sized to what.

My casts are coming out at 102gr and they are powder coated. I have hs-6, unique, and red dot on my bench. I am not finding a recipe very easily with these powders. Have any of you guys had experience with these powders and this grain of 9mm?

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to THR.

I shoot Missouri/Dardas/Z-Cast 9mm 124/125 gr lead RN (stepped and not stepped) with 4.0 gr of Red Dot/Promo. 2004 Alliant load data lists 4.5 gr as max for 125 gr lead bullet at 1.150" OAL and same 4.5 gr as max for 115 gr FMJ at 1.120" OAL.

Red Dot/Promo meters with .1-.2 gr variance from my Pro Auto Disk but still produces good accuracy. You can start with 3.8 gr but chances are you may get charges from 3.6-4.0 gr. I aim for 4.0 gr and about 60% of my drops are 4.0 gr and rest varies from 3.8 gr to 4.2 gr, still below 4.5 gr max, especially for your lighter 102 gr bullet.

My range test for 125 gr lead RN with Promo - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6480163#post6480163

Others should come along and help you out with Unique/HS-6 loads.

 

[tullyamo]

thanks a bunch, I've been reading constantly on different experiences with these particular loads. Im finding it easier to ditch the 102gr bullet and switch to the 124gr bullet as there is much more information available for it.

 

[Schwing]

I would go to the 124/125 grain bullet. There is more load data since it is a more common weight. I have recently started powder coating mine as well and have had great results. My best load is a 124 grain LRN with 4.8 grains of Unique.

My experience has been that I have to work up different loads for my guns to get the best performance. Since this isn't something you want to mess with, i would recommend that you go with the largest diameter bullet and longest OAL that will chamber and pass the plunk test in all 6 guns. There are probably those behind me who can offer more wisdom but that is where I would start.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

With 6 different 9mms, I came to the conclusion that I couldn't slug each barrel and make a variety of 9mm sized from 356-358 as its just not worth all the time to keep track of what is sized to what.

You don't have to.
Pick the biggest one and go with it. If it passes the plunk test on the rest of them, you're good to go.
It really is that easy...................most of the time.

 

[oldreloader]

I load a variety of 125 gr bullets from MBC, ZCast, and Friendswood. I've had good luck with HP38, Bullseye, and AA#5.

 

[chris in va]

I think that 100gr bullet is intended for the 380, not 9mm. Switch to a 358 124 gr.