9mm reloading - test gun versus others

[B!ngoFuelUSN]

Folks,
I've been reloading for a while but still consider myself a rookie with regard to having an end-to-end understand of the effects certain processes will induce, and some of the more subtle tricks that some people are aware of.
For now, I have a simple but odd question.
I principally shoot black semi-autos. All 9x19 and all of those are H&K. The models include a P7M13 (mostly a safe queen), 2 P7M8 (one is unfired and thus a safe queen), then a USP9F, P30, 2xVP9, P2000SK, USP9C. I also have a S&W Shield in 9x19. I may have left one or two off the list, but this is most of 'em.
When I am testing a new load, I rely on the USPF (full size) as the test gun. Other than the P7M13 it is likely the most robust, has lots of replacement parts available to it, and it is the least valuable of the H&K's I own.
So when I nail down a charge I like in the USP, do I need to spend time re-tuning it again for it's brothers and sisters? That would be a lot of tuning, different specs to manage and different cartridges to keep track of.
What do you folks do?
Thx,
B

 

[gamestalker]

Well, you really don't need to per say, it kind of depends on what you use them for, competition, self defense, or plinking target stuff.

What I do, and bear in mind I exclusively load full tilt, or full pressure jacketed loads as it were. I absolutely do work all my loads up, and once I've established a safe, yet full throttle, I load up big piles of that load to be fired through all my firearms chambered in that cartridge.

One very important particular to address though, make sure that the OAL will fit all the chambers and magazines. Currently, concerning 9mm and .40 cal., my loads are fired through a pretty large number of firearms, at least 3 different XD's, I honestly don't remember how many different Taurus's, Beretta 92FS, G17, good Lord, I don't want to try and figure this number, so lets just say, the loads have never failed to function 100% through any firearm. Kind of like a factory ammo application, I load them to fit all my firearms, so they're at least standardized to that degree, and I would imagine they would fit / function in most firearms.

This is how I have done it since I started reloading more than 30 yrs. ago, and I have never had a single mishap or issue, ever.

The above relates specifically and only to handgun loads, and in no way, shape, or form applies to bottle neck cartridges.

GS

 

[Mostly Lead]

"do I need to .."

Depends quite a bit on your goals. Are you reloading for: cost, reliability, functionality, accuracy?

The reason you worked up the perfect load that gun was that it is unique and has unique characteristics. The odds of all the variables and factors combining equally in another manufactures gun are somewhat slim.

If your loads are within published specs, 9mm ammo should work in 9mm guns. However, you may be looking for something more than just basic functionality.

I used to develop my handgun loads off sandbags and at test at some distance. Now I'm mostly poking holes in paper at 25' and don't notice as many subtleties between my loads. (as my eyes change, my goals have changed...)

And yes, it is a lot to keep track of.

(I see I've duplicated most of what gamestalker posted above. Must learn to post faster..)

 

[Master Blaster]

If you really want to know what is going on with your "full throttle" loads, you need a chronograph.

I reload for accuracy for practice and target shooting so I tend to stay away from full power loads, as they are seldom the most accurate loads. The target, and reliable functioning will tell me what the gun likes. Small groups and reliable function determine the load for me.

 

[moxie]

The dominant test gun "should" be the one you intend to use most in a given application, i.e., carry/self defense, accuracy, etc. Then use the loads you've worked up for those in all the others. But, you might get poor results in one or more of the other guns. So, you really need to tailor loads for specific applications for each specific gun. A really accurate load in one gun might be downright lousy in another.

 

[higgite]

I can't help you out with your across the board loads, but FWIW, my P2000SK has a shorter leade than my P30, tested with 6 different styles/brands of bullets. My CZ's leade is even shorter. I load each style/brand of bullet to an OAL that will fit all of them.

 

[Toprudder]

So when I nail down a charge I like in the USP, do I need to spend time re-tuning it again for it's brothers and sisters? That would be a lot of tuning, different specs to manage and different cartridges to keep track of.
What do you folks do?

Depends on what you want. It is possible to tune loads for individual guns, but is sounds like you might not be interested in doing that.

If you don't want custom loads for each gun, then for a given bullet I would do the plunk test for all the guns in question and figure what is the longest COL that will work for all your guns. Make 10 dummy rounds (no powder or primers) and manually cycle them through all the guns to check for proper feed, adjusting shorter as needed for feed and/or fit in the magazine.

Then start your ladder loads for the given test gun to find a load that is acceptably accurate and cycles well. Once you find that, then test that load in the other guns. If you find one gun that does not work at that load, then you might want to experiment with that gun to find a load that works, and repeat testing in the other guns with the new load.

Eventually you will find the least common denominator.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I had all those different semi-autos I would figure out which is the most fussy and load the ammo to that pistol and then check the ammo in the other pistols. Usually if you make it work in the most fussy gun it will work fine in the others.

 

[Sunray]

"...will work fine in the others..." Cycling and giving the best accuracy are two different things. You really should work up a load for each pistol, just like you would a rifle.
No published 9mm load is likely to fail to cycle any pistol that's safe to shoot though.
"...one is unfired and thus a safe queen..." Highly unlikely a P7M8 is ever going to be a collector piece. Unless CA's civil servants have another whim.

 

[Dudedog]

I have 4 different 9s. (just got the 4th, don't know what it likes yet) My other 3 each seem to have their favorite. I try to find a load that all are happy with. There is a trade off here but I don't shoot competition so I can accept the accuracy trade off. I usually work up the load for the one I shoot the most and see how the othere like it.
The load must chamber and function all of the pistols.
Shooting unsupported with the compromise load the difference is usually me not the ammo anyway.

I have found thought that what works well in one usually works well in the others.

 

[B!ngoFuelUSN]

Thanks for the responses and the insight.
I'm not shooting for competition, so absolute accuracy is not required. I also should confess that I'm not a particularly accurate pistol shooter. With (even) more time, I might improve but it is definitely an innate skill, while rifles are much more natural. But I also am a bit of a Type-A and I don't particularly like the notion that the lack of accuracy (repeatability) is being caused by anything other than myself. Just a personal thing.
It's a good point about finding the COAL that will work in all of the handguns. I also have a PCC but I think it would eat anything so not a big worry.
I am tempted to say that no H&K is 'fussy', but then I'd sound like a fanboy and that would just be wrong. But I will say that I've never had any of them misbehave, except for the time that I had a kaboom in my M13 (of all things) due to a bad commercial reload. Looked like a bad shell casing that also was not properly resized. It left quite an impression on my fingers, hand and arm but no sirens and nothing permanent. It definitely got my attention though.
I guess the question, particularly in the context of a maximum load is being sure that all of the handguns will be able to be safe with that load. Given that they are (almost all) H&K's which likely have a lot of safety headroom I guess that so long as I stay within published guidelines it will be safe. Perhaps not the best accuracy but safety is my highest priority.
Does anyone, particularly the very experienced reloaders use a chono in their process. Does it add significant value?
Thx,
B

 

[jamesinalaska]

9mm reload

I reload the 9mm too, but like the poster above, all mine are for target practice and nice afternoons at the range so I keep all my reloads at a moderate level. My philosophy has been that if I need a 9mm +P loading I should probably move up to a .40 s&w.

Will one "tuned" load perform differently in different guns? My experience has been that they do.