[fredj338]

For 9mm minor, about where I would start, maybe 3-3.1gr? I have loaded 165gr with faster powders, just looking for 775fps. When working off the book, I will load 2 rds each, increasing 1/10gr at a time. Shoot them in order to verify functioning & any oddities that could be higher pressure (like no vel increase or spike in vel). So no issue starting really low & seeing how the vel per charge graphs out. I doubt you stick a plated bullet but just be cautious of that with starting charges. Of course as usual, YMMV, you are responsible for what you put into your gun. no choro, I wouldn't even go there.

 

[fredj338]

Just got done loading a test batch. I made 5 of each of the following charges.

2.8
2.9
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

I will see which yields the most desirable results. OAL stayed my normal 1.16" I'll hit the range after work tomorrow and see what I come up with.

Chrono?? I ran 3.3gr of WST, quite a bit faster, for 760s in a 5". It was a test run, switched to 160gr Bayou. The Bayou run over 810fps with the same charge.

 

[fredj338]

Don't have one. I don't really care what the velocity is. I go for what feels good, shoots good, and is accurate. I know what low power rounds feel like and I know what +p charges feel like.

Between that and inspecting brass, I can get a good load developed. So far that hasn't failed me for any caliber I load.

Consider buying one if you are running w/o data. It helps you see a pattern of vel gain, it should always be linear, as in 1/10gr yields say 25fps. When you see smaller or greater than the linear progression, you are probably approaching max. Otherwise, sticking to book data is more prudent.

 

[fredj338]

What was the felt recoil like? I imagine these would feel crazy soft with some slightly faster powder.

Yes stupid soft & will run in most stock guns. I did not like the slide response in my 1911 though, too slow, you are actually waiting on the slide in fast shooting. In a g26, easy to shoot fast.

 

[fredj338]

Yes, but off-the-books is off-the-books - 'feel' can be deceiving.

Feel can be irrelevant. I've sen guns come apart from what feels like a moderate load.

 

[fredj338]

I'm not sure what you mean by that? You mean there's no point in inspecting the case after firing a new load and looking for things such as the case being distorted or getting hammered on the head area?

For instance, I've picked up some 45 acp brass that was definitely loaded up pretty hot. The head stamp was pretty much smoothed out and the edges were rounded off. From what I gather that's from the round being slammed into the slide when fired and beating up the brass. Those cases were discarded but just something I noticed and researched. I haven't found any 9mm cases like that yet though.

Any brass shows wear over time. I have some 45acp loaded 20x plus. You can barely read the head stamp & I never shoot max 45acp.