unique 9 mm with 115 grain jacketed bullets

[roval]

new to reloading so far only 45 acp. I'm trying to load 115 grain tmj speer for 9 mm and the speer manual says from 5.6-6.3 grains unique with COAL of 1.135. is this a compressed load? the 5.7 grains is about 4/5 full and the 6.3 grains is nearly to the top. How much do you guys use with 115 grain fmj with unique.

 

[Walkalong]

Don't worry about compressing the load with Unique. Just start low and work up (withing the data limits) to where you like it.

 

[roval]

thanks will do and stop at 6 grains if max is 6.3 for this particular load

 

[jwrowland77]

I like Unique in my 9mm with 115gr jacketed RN. I plan on working up a load for 124gr plated next for it.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

I run 115 gr. FMJ with 6.0 gr. After the powder drop, I take my left hand index finger and tap the top of the case to try to settle the powder, otherwise it spills all over the place.

One thing for sure--you'll know if you charge a case twice, because there will be powder everywhere!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

thanks will do and stop at 6 grains if max is 6.3 for this particular load

When loading a FMJ target load you don't guess or decide where to stop adding powder, you let the accuracy tell you when to stop. (within load limits of course) When I develop a new target load with a new powder I start at the bottom and work up until I get the most accuracy. That's where I call it good...

Just a note, there is usually 2 sweet spots in most load data. Usually there will be one near the bottom of the range and one up near the top, but usually not at the top.

 

[roval]

my reason for stopping at least .2 grains from the max is that so far my powder measure and technique results in +/- 0.1 grains variation from my load. unfortunately i can't get consistent throws especially when some of the powder is getting cut with the drum. i figure it's far safer to stop short.
What COAL do you guys use for 115 fmj if it's not specified? For example the speer 115 fmj is 1.135 in the manual(no shorter so i guess can be longer so I aimed for 1.138 ) but when I use my 115 fmj remington bulk -different shape and shorter by .02"- I end up seating it 1.11 coal with the same setting so I partially pulled it and reseated the bullet to 1.138" I measured federal and winchester 115 fmj factory rounds which appears to have a similar profile to speer and they are about 1.15".
All the seating depths above fell freely into my chamber gauge but it's the cartidge pressure i'm worried about.

 

[gamestalker]

Just use your barrel to find the functional oal. Once you've found what clears the lands, then seat deep enough to fit the magazine, and your done.
Plunk test them in the barrel.

GS

 

[Walkalong]

What COAL do you guys use for 115 fmj if it's not specified?

I load most 115 or 124/5 Gr FMJ RN in 9MM at 1.130 to 1.135 OAL, although I loaded the Berrys 124 Gr HBRN-TP at 1.140 to 1.145 OAL when I tried it in 9MM.

my reason for stopping at least .2 grains from the max is that so far my powder measure and technique results in +/- 0.1 grains variation from my load

That's a good reason.

 

[mulyhuntr]

I load 5.5grs under a 115 rn with an oal of 1.13". Nice accurate load. I like unique in 9mm, but am moving away from it because of inconsistent metering on my progressive.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Originally posted by Walkalong

I load most 115 or 124/5 Gr FMJ RN in 9MM at 1.130 to 1.135 OAL, although I loaded the Berrys 124 Gr HBRN-TP at 1.140 to 1.145 OAL when I tried it in 9MM.

1.135 is the magic number for my loads, even with the plated. Ammo with this OAL works well in all my 9x19 pistols, even the picky Kimber Solo.

 

[jwrowland77]

Am I the only one I know of using a longer OAL? I used to use 1.160 when I first started loading 9mm. Since then though I've shortened it to 1.150.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Nah, I use longer OAL, depending on the bullet and/or powder I'm using. 1.150, 1.142, and 1.135 are all good numbers for me.

I'm thinking about getting one of those Redding Competition Seating dies for 9mm, but I am having problems with the one I bought for .45 at the moment. I have to send it back to them with some sample dummy loads and brass for them to check out. It's nice when using different projectiles, though, because all you have to do is twist the knob and the seating depth changes to what you need. No wrenches or trial and error once you know what settings on the dial to use.

 

[sexybeast]

I don't like compressed loads either! Some are fine with it but when the powder is almost to the top of the case I just don't like mashing it down with a bullet.
For 115gr Jacketed I would go to Titegroup. It seems to be everywhere right now and although its a little dirty, its not as dirty as Unique! Save the Unique for 230gr .45auto rounds. One of my favorite combinations!

 

[jwrowland77]

I don't like compressed loads either! Some are fine with it but when the powder is almost to the top of the case I just don't like mashing it down with a bullet.
For 115gr Jacketed I would go to Titegroup. It seems to be everywhere right now and although its a little dirty, its not as dirty as Unique! Save the Unique for 230gr .45auto rounds. One of my favorite combinations!

Love me some Titegroup. Great powder. I use it in 9mm and .380

 

[Potatohead]

Am I the only one I know of using a longer OAL? I used to use 1.160 when I first started loading 9mm. Since then though I've shortened it to 1.150.

Just checked my log and 1.15 is the longest Ive gone (Herco)