Will this load blow my hand off?

[birdus]

I've created a batch (90) of 9mm loads. Initially, I couldn't find the data in my books for the 115 jacketed round nose, so I just used the OAL for 115 JHP. Later I found some data for the round nose bullets. I later compared the length of my loads to some factory ones and mine are quite a bit shorter.

The load I've created is mid-power (4.2 grains of 231) and is loaded to OAL of 1.090" (the length indicated for the JHP 115 grain bullets). The data I found later (for the 115 grain jacketed round nose bullets) indicated many of the loads should be of OAL of around 1.142", although there was some variation, depending on the powder used.

Although I'm far from an expert hand loader, I understand that, all other things being equal, when you seat the bullet deeper, you end up with higher pressures.

So, my question is will the load I have (4.2 grains of 231, 115 grain jacked round nose, OAL of 1.090") be excessively high pressure, even though the powder quantity is right in the middle of the published range, or should I use my inertial bullet puller to get the bullets backed out a bit?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[jwrowland77]

If your starting a new load, you should start at the starting charge. You shouldn't ever jump in the middle of the powder scale. Only exception I could see is if you're familiar with the powder and are an experienced loader with that particular round.

Now to your question. If it was me, I would be putting that bullet puller to use. What you can do, is just give it a couple of pops, lengthening your round, and then reset your OAL to a longer one.

Next do the push test to make sure you're not going to get bullet setback.

After you have found your new OAL for a FMJ RN bullet, you'll want to pull the barrel from your pistol and perform the plunk test to make sure it's not to long.

I would load some more rounds starting at the minimum load with your new OAL and workup to the ones you've already loaded. Who knows, you may have skipped a very accurate load and/or a load you like more below what you loaded.

Just my opinion.

 

[wanderinwalker]

At the risk of being told I'm wrong, the load sounds OK to me. Next batch I'd load out to 1.135" or so though. I use more 231 with a 115gr Berry's plated RN loaded to the OAL I listed with no issues. At 4.2 I'd actually expect marginal function in my Glocks, especially in the hands of a shooter who doesn't hold on tight.

 

[GT1]

I have no idea what you are shooting them out of. But why not make a few rounds working up to the load the 90 rounds have and see how things feel and you can check for high pressure that way instead of just shooting them*. It won't take but a couple three rounds.

The load is probably fine, but if you want to play it safe...

*If they were 'important' rounds I'd pull them, but if they're just range fodder I'd rather just make sure they shoot safely. Inertia pulling sucks a bunch after about round number two.

 

[torqem]

should be fine. The original is a wussy load, so jacking up the pressures by 25% wont mean a thing. But be glad that you didn't load 5000 of them. My main worry would be that they won't feed reliably.

If you don't care about destroying the bullets, you can just run each rd up thru your press, grab the bullet with a set of dikes, grip the bullet, and then lower the ram. Doing so will pull bullets quickly, safely and with much less hassle than the inertial way.

 

[JWH321]

I did that with 3.8 grains of Titegroup at 4.0 grns and exactly 1.10 oal. The gun should be OK unless you are shooting some plastic micro gun. But you will know that you have some hot loads.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

as said load a couple at that oal with a start charge of powder. won't be a hazard and you can get a feel for what you have. if you try a round load just one and give it a go.
don't know what pistol you have but would'nt shoot it in tupperware or a compact.
if you have a smiths 3rd gen or a cz or ruger you'll be ok.

 

[sexybeast]

Jay, the answer to your specific question is NO. Its no where near a high pressure or risky load. Its not even close to being max, in fact it may be below the starting load for fmj. But thats OK, shoot them and see how they function, they most likly will. I use 4.0gr of hp38/231 with 115gr lead rn. Very soft and accurate. With FMJ you could go upwards of 5.0gr. OAL is really crucial with max loads as less case volume will give you increased pressure. You you are quite safe with this load.

 

[RainDodger]

I've been loading 4.7 grains of 231 under a 115 grain FMJ or HP bullet for probably 20 years. Worked great then, works great now.

 

[nevadabob]

birdus...Go to the top of Reloading section and click on the sticky: Reloading Library of Wisdom. Scroll down to the Plunk Test. You really need to pull your barrel and do this.

 

[hartcreek]

You should be ok but those sure are short. I use 4.4 gr of green dot with a OAL of approximately 1.1545. The plunk test will give you your length and then you can stay with that OAL and work up your powder charge.

 

[M1key]

If you are worried, have someone else shoot it first...LOL...j/k

M

 

[tyeo098]

All my RN 9mm loads are at 1.159" Just where it passes the plunk test after crimp.
Never saw a use for loading any shorter, save for different types of bullet.

 

[gamestalker]

Starting in mid table is even more so iffy when your uncertain about, or haven't established an OAL that's been tested for pressure signs.

While were touching on OAL, the best possible way to make that determination, is by taking your barrel out and using it and the magazine to find the max OAL for your firearm. Max OAL is the OAL that doesn't make contact with the lands, and, will fit the magazine. from here you just determine the best feeding OAL, and then you begin working your charge up from published START, not mid table. "Plunk" test them, and try turning the cartridge when completely chambered in the barrel to make certain, they aren't touching the lands.

GS

 

[GT1]

They are short, but I've read of some pocket 9s needing that short to chamber before.
Min SAAMI spec is 1.000"

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've created a batch (90) of 9mm loads. Initially, I couldn't find the data in my books for the 115 jacketed round nose, so I just used the OAL for 115 JHP. Later I found some data for the round nose bullets. I later compared the length of my loads to some factory ones and mine are quite a bit shorter.

The load I've created is mid-power (4.2 grains of 231) and is loaded to OAL of 1.090" (the length indicated for the JHP 115 grain bullets). The data I found later (for the 115 grain jacketed round nose bullets) indicated many of the loads should be of OAL of around 1.142", although there was some variation, depending on the powder used.

Although I'm far from an expert hand loader, I understand that, all other things being equal, when you seat the bullet deeper, you end up with higher pressures.

So, my question is will the load I have (4.2 grains of 231, 115 grain jacked round nose, OAL of 1.090") be excessively high pressure, even though the powder quantity is right in the middle of the published range, or should I use my inertial bullet puller to get the bullets backed out a bit?

Thanks,
Jay

I don't know where you're getting your load data but something is wrong here. You said you're loading a 115gr FMJ bullet in a 9mm with 4.2gr W231 and you're worried about ti being hot? I would be worried it's too light. Hodgdon is loading a 115gr Gold dot bullet with a charge of between 4.7gr and 5.1gr W231 and the OAL is 1.125". Even with the slightly deeper bullet you are probably still below the pressures generated by the Hodgdon load, well below. You are even slightly below the lead load data which starts @4.3gr W231 with an OAL of 1.100", right near your 1.090" OAL.

Where did you get your data?

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

^^^ +1 where did you get that data that is under the min starting load.

 

[sjg1966]

I've been loading 4.7 grains of 231 under a 115 grain FMJ or HP bullet for probably 20 years. Worked great then, works great now.

4.7 of 231 with xtreme 115gr plated hp is my plinking load.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I load 4.8 gr as my starting load for 231 with 115 gr bullets at an OAL of 1.135.

As ArchAngle said, they are way to light. I would be surprised if they will cycle the action on your pistol.

I would probably shoot them but I would be more afraid of jam ups from failure to ejects from lack of pressure.

4.2 gr is maximum load for Titegroup powder in some manuals but for 124gr not 115gr. Are you sure you didn't get mixed up on your powders?

 

[dickttx]

OP's question was about the short OAL with that charge, and how the pressure would be increased.
As some have suggested, try a few at that OAL, starting at a lower charge and work up to what you have.

 

[birdus]

"If you are worried, have someone else shoot it first."

Okay, then. That's the plan! (just going along with the poster's joke Very funny!)

A few of you misunderstood, but most of you understood and gave me great advice. After reading all your replies, here's my plan:

1) Load a few at min charge and the proper length, working my way up to my existing powder charge, making sure all is well.
2) Then load a few more at increasingly shorter OAL until I get down to my length, still making sure all is well along the way.

It didn't even occur to me to sneak up on my load, both in terms of charge and OAL with some additional loads. That's much smarter than whacking on all these loads to increase their length. Thanks for the advice, folks. I feel better about this approach than either "experimenting" or pulling them all!

By the way, the plan is to use these as plinking loads through my new Walther PPQ (M1), although if I tested these, it was going to be through my Glock 19, as I don't care as much if I blow it up.

Thanks again!
Jay

 

[bluetopper]

Put on your helment, safety goggles, and gloves and shoot one of them and find out.

 

[JRH6856]

According to QuickLOAD, that load should produce 28,150 psi and 1101 fps. (This is, of course, just an estimate. YMMV)

 

[John C]

My Lyman 49th Reloading Manual shows the range for a 9x19 115 gr. JHP bullet (OAL 1.090) of 3.5 gr start to 4.9 gr max for Win 231. The top load of 4.9 gr of Win 231 shows a pressure of 32,100 CUP. This is on page 341.

It looks like your loads are right in the middle of range.

I'd shoot them.

-John

 

[sexybeast]

My Lyman 49th Reloading Manual shows the range for a 9x19 115 gr. JHP bullet (OAL 1.090) of 3.5 gr start to 4.9 gr max for Win 231. The top load of 4.9 gr of Win 231 shows a pressure of 32,100 CUP. This is on page 341.

It looks like your loads are right in the middle of range.

Hogdon's load data lists 5.1 at 28k psi. This is why I like the manufacturers load data and not Lyman's 49th [I know its many reloaders "bible"] or other manuals. Three different books will get you three different loads! Go with who makes it!
Once again: Try your loads even though they are light. they will probably cycle the gun, and they won't hurt you. YOu may decide to keep loading some like this, or go up. Its up to you.