First Reload Attempt - Need some Advice

[Winchester 70]

Hey all,

I have been putting together the equipment to reload and I am about to take my first plunge and actually reload some 9mm.

These loads will be for indoor range plinking with my Ruger SR9.

This is what I plan to use for the Reload.

Dardas Cast Bullets 124 gr RNB
CCI Small Pistol Primers
Win. once fired cases
Win. 231 Ball Powder

My question is this..........

How much powder should I use for that combination and for the intended use?

Thanks for the help!
John

 

[noylj]

How would we know what will work in your gun?
Taking a couple of loading manuals, find the lowest starting charge and start there.
The following is a compilation of many manuals.
I would start at 3.0-3.3gn and work up 4.1-4.3gn. This will be all you need for "plinking" at the range.
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max Power Factor COL
L-CFP 121 231/HP38 2.9 963 Start 117
L-RN 121 231/HP38 3.0 1010 Start 122
L-RN 124 231/HP38 3.3 910 Start 113
Lead 124 231/HP38 3.6 Start
Speer L-RN 125 231/HP38 3.8 911 Start 114 1.130
Speer L-RN 125 231/HP38 3.9 917 Start 115 1.130
L-CN 125 231/HP38 3.9 1009 Start 126 1.125
SAECO 377 123 231/HP38 4.0 999 poor accuracy 123 1.080
L-RN 124 231/HP38 4.0 1035 Max 128
Plated 124 231/HP38 4.0 Accurate
Speer L-RN 125 231/HP38 4.1 982 Max 123 1.130
L-RN 121 231/HP38 4.1 1148 Max 139
Speer L-RN 125 231/HP38 4.2 995 Max 124 1.130
L-CN 125 231/HP38 4.4 1086 Max 136 1.125
L-CFP 121 231/HP38 4.4 1264 Max 153
L-CFN 124 231/HP38 4.5 1015 Start 126
RCBS 9mm-125-RN 123 231/HP38 4.5 1034 127
Lee 356-125-2R 126 231/HP38 4.5 1052 poor accuracy 133 1.160
L-RN 125 231/HP38 4.6 1104 Start 138
L-RN 125 231/HP38 4.7 1094 Start 137
L-CFN 124 231/HP38 5.0 1135 MaX 141
L-RN 125 231/HP38 5.0 1130 Max 141
Lyman 356402 120 231/HP38 5.0 1195 143
L-RN 125 231/HP38 5.1 1122 Max 140
Lyman 356402 120 231/HP38 5.5 1250 150
L-FP 124 231/HP38 3.6-4.1 Accurate

 

[nambu1]

The Winchester booklet lists 4.4 gr. of 231.

 

[rfwobbly]

John -
Welcome to reloading!

Beginner's luck! IMHO, you made a classic boo-boo and started with lead bullets. Lead is cheap, but lead is not always straight forward to reload. Because lead bullets are larger than others, it can affect the fit in the chamber. So unless you can find some one with an SR9 shooting those exact bullets you'll simply have to do some experimenting.

This usually consists of removing the barrel from the gun and making about 25 "test cartridges" with no powder and no primer. Start at some moderate OAL then each successive cartridge will get shorter by .010", follow? Then drop these test cartridges into your chamber until one finally goes all the way in under its own weight. Then use an OAL at least .010" shorter than that.

You'll want to record that OAL information in a reloading notebook. Any time you use that bullet, then you can use that OAL and you'll know where the numbers came from.

Then you need to cast around and find a published load for 124gr lead, with W231 or HP-38, at (or shorter than) your new OAL. Remember, the load and the OAL work together. When you decrease the OAL you need to decrease the load. For any given powder, those 2 numbers are highly related. And since they are related, they are inseparable, just like a bat & ball, horse & buggy, husband & wife. One number alone don't mean diddly.


If all this sounds like too much work, then order some plated bullets from Ranier or Berry. You won't have nearly the exercise, have a much wider choice of OALs, and thus a much broader choice of loads.

All your other components are first rate. When you get that load working, then you're in for some really great shooting.

All the best.

 

[Doug b]

Lyman 49 says 3.0 gr. start load and 4.1 grain max. load with W231 and a 120grain cast bullet.

 

[Winchester 70]

Thanks guys for the great info. I'll take the time and do it right. You are right, I was trying to cut cost with the cast bullets. I will order different ones next time. In the mean time, I have 1500 cast bullets to use up

rfwobbly: Thanks for that explination, it makes a lot of sense and I thank you for taking the time to answer!

Thanks all for the help!

 

[Flatbush Harry]

FWIW, I have the Lyman 49th ed., Hornady 7th ed., Sierra 5th ed., Nosler 6th ed and the latest Barnes manuals as well as the Hodgdon and Alliant guides. Whenever I start with a new powder or bullet, I cross reference at least 4 of them using both the bullet manufacturer and the powder manufacturer guides and always start at the lowest recommended minimum with sets of 5 rounds as I build up 0.5 gr at a time.

FH

 

[BADUNAME37]

I believe you could sell those bullets to someone who reloads for .380 auto or 9mm.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[rfwobbly]

rfwobbly: Thanks for that explanation, it makes a lot of sense and I thank you for taking the time to answer!

It's no problem. I just want to see you get off on the right foot and enjoy what you're doing. If you understand and enjoy, then safety will come along for the "ride".

You didn't say, but we all assumed you're loading 9x19 Luger. Check your crimp. The mouth of the case should be something around .378" in order to drop in.



Right where it says 9.65mm (.380") is the maximum. You need to be just under maximum.

 

[Walkalong]

Speer Cast Bullet Manual #1

09-124-CN

Start 4.5 for 1015 and Max 5.0 for 1135

9MM-124-RN

Start 4.7 for 1094 and Max 5.1 for 1122

No O.A.L. listed.

I would probably load them as long as the gun will allow (Minus .010 or so, but not over SAMMI max O.A.L.) and start with 4.5 Grs of W-231. At 16 BHN, it may not be enough to bump the bullet up to seal the bore and could lead some. It may take more powder, but may not.

Start at some moderate OAL then each successive cartridge will get shorter by .010", follow? Then drop these test cartridges into your chamber until one finally goes all the way in under its own weight. Then use an OAL at least .010" shorter than that.

With pics:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[kingmt]

This usually consists of removing the barrel from the gun and making about 25 "test cartridges" with no powder and no primer. Start at some moderate OAL then each successive cartridge will get shorter by .010", follow? Then drop these test cartridges into your chamber until one finally goes all the way in under its own weight. Then use an OAL at least .010" shorter than that.

Why make 25 of them? Wouldn't it be much better to take the barrel to the press with you & just keep setting the round a little deeper until you get it where you need it?

 

[rfwobbly]

Why make 25 of them? Wouldn't it be much better to take the barrel to the press with you & just keep setting the round a little deeper until you get it where you need it?

Of course you could. And when you finish you'll have made a total of up to 25 test cartridges, even if it's the same physical cartridge reworked 2 dozen times.

I try to tell people "what to do" not "how to do it".