Range report: First batch of 9mm reloads

[U.S. Patriot]

I test fired my first batch of 9mm reloads today. I was a little nervous at first, but after the first 2-3 rounds my nerves settled. Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome. I was surprised by the accuracy of the rounds. They where on par, if not better then factory loaded ammo, but cheaper. It was a big confidence booster for me.

Test pistol: M&P9 Pro
Distance fired: 7 yards
Load
Primers: CCI #500
Powder: 4.2 grains of Hodgdon TiteGroup
Bullets: Winchester 115 grain FMJ

Here is a pic of target. I fired 30 rounds center mass, and 20 at the head.

 

[shooter1054]

Nicely done Chris! The first are nerve racking. I held my rifle as far away from me as I could the first time I shot my 300wsm reloads. BTW today at crosley I had a fawn walk out onto the 200 yd range and start feeding. Right as I was about to fire. Backed off the rifle and watched it for about 5 minutes untill it left over the hill.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Nicely done Chris! The first are nerve racking. I held my rifle as far away from me as I could the first time I shot my 300wsm reloads. BTW today at crosley I had a fawn walk out onto the 200 yd range and start feeding. Right as I was about to fire. Backed off the rifle and watched it for about 5 minutes until it left over the hill.

That's cool, I always enjoy watching nature. I was very pleased with the results, especially with it being my first batch. Definitely made it worth the time, effort, and savings. We will get together soon.

 

[Mark in GA]

Hi, I'm new to the board but I have been handloading for about 18 years with many many thousands of safe rounds under my belt.

Be really careful with Titegroup in your 9mm. It will work for light to medium loads, but the pressure curve is really sharp and it can get too hot really fast. You definitely don't want to try for full power loads with TG. You want a slower burning powder for that. I've have good results in the past with HS-6, Unique, and Accurate #5.

Mark in GA

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Hi, I'm new to the board but I have been handloading for about 18 years with many many thousands of safe rounds under my belt.

Be really careful with Titegroup in your 9mm. It will work for light to medium loads, but the pressure curve is really sharp and it can get too hot really fast. You definitely don't want to try for full power loads with TG. You want a slower burning powder for that. I've have good results in the past with HS-6, Unique, and Accurate #5.

Mark in GA

Thanks, I am just going to load plinking ammo. I'm happy with the recipe I have.

 

[Hazwhopper]

Looks good!
Did you notice how far away the brass went away from you? I use that as an indicator about recoil and loads? It helps. If the brass landed in the same spot, it also tells you that the load was uniform too.

 

[redwingshooter]

I really like Titegroup in my 9mm loads, so in my book good choice. Nice shooting too!

 

[XtremeVel]

I test fired my first batch of 9mm reloads today. I was a little nervous at first, but after the first 2-3 rounds my nerves settled. Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome. I was surprised by the accuracy of the rounds. They where on par, if not better then factory loaded ammo, but cheaper. It was a big confidence booster for me.

Test pistol: M&P9 Pro
Distance fired: 7 yards
Load
Primers: CCI #500
Powder: 4.2 grains of Hodgdon TiteGroup
Bullets: Winchester 115 grain FMJ

Great job and good shooting ! So, whats next ? You going to make any tweaks or try the same load thru another gun ?

Glad to see you are learning really quick how you can produce more accurate and consistant ammo.

I was expecting to see you used 115 gr Rainier plated. I think I got that from another post. So, did you come across a good deal on the Winchester jacketed ? If you did, thats great. Jacketed are a bit more forgiving if you slightly over crimp them.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Looks good!
Did you notice how far away the brass went away from you? I use that as an indicator about recoil and loads? It helps. If the brass landed in the same spot, it also tells you that the load was uniform too.

It was landing right next to me for the most part.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Great job and good shooting ! So, whats next ? You going to make any tweaks or try the same load thru another gun ?

Glad to see you are learning really quick how you can produce more accurate and consistant ammo.

I was expecting to see you used 115 gr Rainier plated. I think I got that from another post. So, did you come across a good deal on the Winchester jacketed ? If you did, thats great. Jacketed are a bit more forgiving if you slightly over crimp them.

I was going to use Rainier, but my local shop had a good deal on Winchester. I'm going to test the same load through my other 9mm's. Which includes my FNP, 92FS, and PF9. Then go from there.

 

[shooter1054]

What I usually do is make about15-20 rounds in 3-5 different loads each and see which load a particular gun likes. I shoot it all the same day so all things are pretty much equal. Then I have my standard. Some of my guns like the max load and some are more accurate in the midrange. So far I haven't found anything that likes the slowest loads.

 

[jdhaines]

Is 4.2 grains correct? I only use 3.4gr and it feels like factory loads for me. What is your overall length? I'm using 147gr so that may be why. Just wondering if it's really 4.2gr or perhaps a typo and you meant 3.2 as another friend of mine loads 3.2gr titegroup. 4.2 sounds like a lot when one of the benefits of titegroup is you can use such a small load of powder and make it last longer. I was using somewhere around 4.2 grains when I was loading with slower powder. I'm curious how 4.2gr of titegroup is fine when 3.4gr is also fine.

 

[kwatters]

Is 4.2 grains correct? I only use 3.4gr and it feels like factory loads for me. What is your overall length? I'm using 147gr so that may be why. Just wondering if it's really 4.2gr or perhaps a typo and you meant 3.2 as another friend of mine loads 3.2gr titegroup. 4.2 sounds like a lot when one of the benefits of titegroup is you can use such a small load of powder and make it last longer. I was using somewhere around 4.2 grains when I was loading with slower powder. I'm curious how 4.2gr of titegroup is fine when 3.4gr is also fine.

Always use reliable load data from the manufacturers. Having said that, 115 gr. bullet will use more powder than 147 gr. will.

 

[ViperJock]

I test fired my first batch of 9mm reloads today. I was a little nervous at first, but after the first 2-3 rounds my nerves settled. Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome. I was surprised by the accuracy of the rounds. They where on par, if not better then factory loaded ammo, but cheaper. It was a big confidence booster for me.

Test pistol: M&P9 Pro
Distance fired: 7 yards
Load
Primers: CCI #500
Powder: 4.2 grains of Hodgdon TiteGroup
Bullets: Winchester 115 grain FMJ

Here is a pic of target. I fired 30 rounds center mass, and 20 at the head.

Nice. That is the exact load I use for my 115s, primer, powder, and bullet. I chrono'd them at just over 1100fps. They actually shot fine at 4 and 4.1 grains but I increased it to make power factor for IDPA. at 4 grains the recoil is noticeably softer but they clock at just around 1000fps.

I also load 124/125 grain HP with 4.0 grains TG which has been a nice load for me.

I have used also the 147g cmj with 3.4g TG as above and they shoot fine with good PF, but I didn't find the load as accurate as the 124 and 125s in my gun.

BTW my federal 115g factories chrono at about 1050.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Is 4.2 grains correct? I only use 3.4gr and it feels like factory loads for me. What is your overall length? I'm using 147gr so that may be why. Just wondering if it's really 4.2gr or perhaps a typo and you meant 3.2 as another friend of mine loads 3.2gr titegroup. 4.2 sounds like a lot when one of the benefits of titegroup is you can use such a small load of powder and make it last longer. I was using somewhere around 4.2 grains when I was loading with slower powder. I'm curious how 4.2gr of titegroup is fine when 3.4gr is also fine.

Hodgdon's load data reccomended to start with 4 grains. When I was adjusting my meter for my powder measure, I could not get it right at 4 grains, so I stuck with 4.2. The overall length varied because of the shape of the bullets. Anywhere from 1.135" to 1.143"

 

[lovemywoods]

Is 4.2 grains correct? I only use 3.4gr and it feels like factory loads for me. What is your overall length? I'm using 147gr so that may be why. Just wondering if it's really 4.2gr or perhaps a typo and you meant 3.2 as another friend of mine loads 3.2gr titegroup. 4.2 sounds like a lot when one of the benefits of titegroup is you can use such a small load of powder and make it last longer. I was using somewhere around 4.2 grains when I was loading with slower powder. I'm curious how 4.2gr of titegroup is fine when 3.4gr is also fine.

Your friend may be using lead bullets or copper plated bullets (such as Berry's). The recommended loads for lead bullets is lower than for the fully jacked bullets.

The 4.2 grains of Titegroup for a jacketed 9mm sounds about right.

 

[sporter]

Nice job.

 

[pool67]

lead bullets

I am new to reloading and have alot of questions. what is the thought of loading 9mm with lead bullets for a Ruger SR 9 thanks for all suggestions

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I am new to reloading and have alot of questions. what is the thought of loading 9mm with lead bullets for a Ruger SR 9 thanks for all suggestions

That I can not help you with. For semi-autos I prefer FMJ bullets.

 

[Mr. Neal]

Nice shootin! I'm new to reloading I've done a few hundred rounds for my .357 and did my first batch of nines a few weeks ago. They shot great! no problems.. I used bullseye powder and 124 gr lead bullets. I have yet to try titegroup but will be buyin some soon.