Reloading the 9mm 124 gr HP rainier

[BuckeyeJoe]

Hello All,
I have started to reload the 9mm using the following data

Glock 19
124 gr Rainier hollow point
6.2 gr Accurate No. 7
CCI 500 primers
mixed brass

with an overall length of 1.125

The data that I have says the length should be 1.169 max with a fmj bullet. I can't find and data on overall length using hollow points.

I am having exact and feed problems any help would be appreciated

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Joe -
Where did you get that load? The Accurate on-line load data (http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/) shows 7.2gr to 8.0gr for a jacketed 124gr with No7, and 7.4gr to 8.2gr for a lead 124gr. So first off the load seems to be too low on the powder.

Secondly, the OAL is derived from the way that particular bullet fits your particular barrel. I would imagine an OAL of 1.125" would work with most 9mm Glocks (since they are not noted for extremely tight chambers), but it may not work with all guns. Dropping a test round (no primer, no powder) into the chamber would give you some positive feedback on the physical fit issues associated with OAL, crimp, etc.

The issue of reduced load due to foreshortening of the OAL is adequately covered by using the "starting load" and working your way up; in this case using a very safe 7.2gr, and going up in 0.2gr steps.

Just to fill in, 1.169" is the longest any 9x19 round can be (usually considered measured on a RN bullet) and still work with the standard design as set by SAAMI. Hollow Points often do get a slightly shorter OAL. This is done for many reasons, but one is to insure good feeding by placing the ogive in the same physical position as a longer length RN bullet.

Hope this helps!

 

[LiveLife]

+1 on rfwobbly for load data.

Rainier 9mm plated bullets are sized at .355" and I typically need to push them higher than mid range load data to reliably cycle the slides on my Glocks.

You can determine the maximum OAL by drop testing them with the barrel out of the pistol, but I normally go with the longest OAL that will feed and chamber well from the magazine when you manually release the slide.

RN profile will generally feed/chamber well at 1.125" OAL for most pistols, but with HP nose profile, you may need to lengthen/shorten to determine the OAL that works for your pistol/barrel.

 

[J_McLeod]

Rainier's site says to use data for lead bullets so that might explain the low charge. I loaded and shot some last night. I used 4.1 of 231 but the rest was the same and it cycled well.

With the charge above, I used an OAL of about 1.155 for all my rounds and the all cycles through my PF 9, PT 709 and XD9. I loaded a total of 25 that way. That OAL works well for FMJs, but the Rainier HP looked like it was barely in the case. Still worked though.

 

[LiveLife]

You know I did a double take on Alliant's load data but it does show higher powder ranges for lead bullet at the same OAL. I am thinking they are using both bullets sized at .355"?

7.2gr to 8.0gr for jacketed
7.4gr to 8.2gr for lead

 

[Walkalong]

I have shot that bullet at anywhere from 1.030 to 1.060. I think you would be better off with a faster powder like AA #5, HS-6, N340, Unique, WSF, True Blue etc., but AA #7 will certainly work.

 

[BuckeyeJoe]

I got the load data from "Modern Reloading- 2nd edition- Richard Lee on page 534.
I think I'll up the charge to 7.2 to start while keeping the same oal.

Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

with an overall length of 1.125....
.........
......I am having exact and feed problems any help would be appreciated

At 1.125 O.A.L. you don't have much of the bullet in the case. Load it shorter and see if the feeding problems go away. Say 1.050 O.A.L. while going to 7.2 Grs AA #7.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Joe -
Since you're using Mr Lee's book, in the interest of your safety I must ask: Are you also using his dippers, or are you weighing your charges? You'll want to be weighing these charges to keep your deviations as low as possible while you work up the load.

Mr Along gave you some great advice. Just because a powder is listed in the manual, doesn't make it a great choice. A quick look at the powder speed chart (HERE) will show you how far off the beaten trail No7 really is. The more common 9mm powders lay between No2 and No5.

All the best.

 

[LiveLife]

I agree with walkalong/rfwobbly. I thought about saying No 7 was too slow burning for 9mm, but thought that's all you had.

If you are considering powders, although powders between AA No 2 and No 5 are very good choices for 9mm, I have gotten good results with even faster powers like Bullseye, Promo/Red Dot, Green Dot and lately Clays and WST. Many here have reported good results with No 2 and No 5.

I usually recommend W231/HP38 (same powder) for someone new to 9mm as it is a nice compromise in powder burn rate and produces less snappy recoil than faster burning powders.

 

[BuckeyeJoe]

I am using a auto measure and am checking with a scale every five rounds. I also have IMR SR 4756 and Clays.
I have already loaded some rounds with a 76 gr. charge of accurate no. 7,
I may load some with the other powders as well. just to see if there's any difference in performance.

 

[LiveLife]

IMR SR 4756 should be a good choice for a side-by-side comparison with No 7.

 

[Walkalong]

IMR-4756 burns super clean in 9MM, but wasn't quite as accurate in my gun with the bullets I was using as a couple of other powders were. It did well, just not quite as well as some. Your gun/bullet combo may love it.

 

[Sunray]

Rainier makes plated bullets. Plated bullets are not jacketed bullets. They use cast bullet data.
As per bds, 6.2 grains of No. 7 is a full grain below minimum for a 124 grain cast bullet.

 

[LiveLife]

I have already loaded some rounds with a 76 gr. charge of accurate no. 7

Well, BuckeyeJoe has gone the other extreme with 76 gr!

Seriously, I never used No 7, any thoughts on 7.6 gr charge? Looks to be fine.

You know, I am still curious why Accurate load data shows higher charge for lead bullets?

 

[54lariat]

Titegroup is all I load for my 9mm rounds. Feels, shoots, loads great. I shoot a lot of Rainier HP and Hrdy HP


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[chasw44]

Can't comment on the Accurate powder charge, I don't use that brand. The 9mm P is a high pressure round that typically does best with slower powders like WSF or Bluedot. As for OAL, 1.16 seems a bit long. The best bet is to load the longest length that will still fit easily in the chamber of your barrel removed from the pistol, and still fit comfortably in your magazine. For my wife's pistols, that seems to be about 1.12". After that, give it a try and see if they function correctly. - CW

 

[samurai]

I have been using 4.8 gr. WST ,1.122 OAL, with Berrys 124 PRN with great success . Very accurate, clean and soft shooting in a M&P 9c.

 

[BuckeyeJoe]

Range Report,
I loaded 50 rounds of
124 gr Rainier hp
7.2 gr AA#7
CCI 500 primers
Mixed brass
Glock 19

I liked this load so much that after the trip to the range I loaded 300 more rounds.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in with ideas to solve the problem.

 

[Walkalong]

Glad it worked out well. Out of curiosity, what O.A.L. did you use?