Does Anyone Load Their OWN S.D. Bullets?

[RandyP]

+1  - we own our bullets from the time they leave the barrel till the time they stop.

That said, a miss with any 'effective' caliber - FMJ or Hollow Point- will travel through a surprising number of walls. If the round can meet the 12" penetration 'standard' into gel it will go through drywall like a hot knife. I have seen a video posted somewhere with a demo but can't find the link right now.

[1SOW]

Yup.

[kobus]

i have now worked up what i believe to be good SD 9mm ammo for my p07.

here are the components ...  once fired PMP cases, PMP magnum primers, Nosler 124gr jhp bullets, Somchem MP200 powder.




here is my SD ammo loaded with 4.6gr MP200 powder with COL of 26.80mm (1.055")



i have tested them and the worst group was 35mm with 10 rounds at 10m. the best group was 25mm with 10 rounds at 10m.

velocity:  highest of 10 rounds 1011fps and lowest 998fps.  average 1007fps.

now back to the drawing board to work up with this bullet for my 75b just for the fun of it.   

[johnnyrees]

Very nice mate...uhh how long did you say you had been reloading for? ....quick question...why the magnum primers?

[kobus]

Very nice mate...uhh how long did you say you had been reloading for? ....quick question...why the magnum primers?

Thanks Johnny.  Been reloading since Jan / Feb this year but a lot of loading and fine tuning and testing.

I bought 200 magnum primers out of curiousity / stupidity? a while ago and found that with 124gr cmj flat point and these Nosler jhp's they give me about 20fps faster rounds.   so ... i will just use them all up for my sd ammo. 

btw i am glad to see your signature is back to being beer related.  i look forward to a new one every week. 

[johnnyrees]

Very nice mate...uhh how long did you say you had been reloading for? ....quick question...why the magnum primers?

Thanks Johnny.  Been reloading since Jan / Feb this year but a lot of loading and fine tuning and testing.

I bought 200 magnum primers out of curiousity / stupidity? a while ago and found that with 124gr cmj flat point and these Nosler jhp's they give me about 20fps faster rounds.   so ... i will just use them all up for my sd ammo. 

btw i am glad to see your signature is back to being beer related.  i look forward to a new one every week. 

The how long have you been loading for was a back handed compliment mate...your rounds are things of beauty...as is your curiosity about the different components and utilisation of whatever you can get locally....as you know I'm in the same boat....as for the beer related signature....my pleasure

[1SOW]

kobus, Mr. Wobbly graciously supplied one of several available references for S.D. caliber/bullet/speed results.  :
http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

I'm new to loading S.D. ammo, so I used this as one reference to determine if my S.D. load would be acceptably effective.


My most recent 9mm 124gr load comes close to the speed shown.  Each bullet used will have somewhat different needs, but in this speed range they should be getting close to effective.
 

[kobus]

spot on Johnny. now to get those beauties to move faster. 

thanks very much 1SOW.  this helps a lot and i can see why i should try and bump up the velocity. i was just concerned about this bullet seated quite deep (6.20mm) and the volume of the powder at this charge but i have another powder that i want to start testing. it is also Somchem product called S121 and much faster so less volume which may work better for these deep seated bullets.  i will load up a few rounds with this powder and test for accuracy and put them across the chro this weekend to find the best load.

[1SOW]

kobus, I'm running into a similar problem trying to up 'my' bullet speed just a little more.
Notice the 357 Sig results above compared to all shown.  This is with virtually the same bullet as can be used in 9mm Luger.
The primary difference is the bullet speed.
Just a skosh more speed enhances bullet performance quite a bit.
How do you like reloading so far?   

[johnnyrees]

Kobus don't forget to keep an eye on the primers after shooting a couple of rounds just you get an idea of the pressures you are generating

[1SOW]

Johnny, primers aren't really all that reliable of an overpressure gage.  Are we using Federals, CCI, Wolf/Russian-made?    Soft primers may indicate overpressures too soon, and others may not show until too late.

 A chronograph also can provide "some" guidance to keep a load reasonably safe.  Being aware that some powders can exponentially increase pressures beyond a certain point is something to also keep in mind.

Reliable load data is the safest guide.   Stay conservative and stay ambidextrous, so you can hold your beer with either hand or both hands or both beers at the same time.

 

[johnnyrees]

Thanks for that 1SOW....that has cleared up something that has been niggling at me for a few range sessions...my last 1000 reloads have been using fedral primers..same powder charge and looking at the rounds afterwards, the primers were flatter than the cci ones I normally use...I had actually made up my mind to stick with cci then along came the fantastic 1/2 price fiocchi primers...not many, but I managed to elbow my way throught the mob and get 3000..still waiting to use them....just got back on me feet a couple of days ago...the broken ankle saga..so I can get some bullets and powder....will report on them when I use them

[1SOW]

kobus, be very careful with the faster burning powders.  They work great with light loads.

I am NOT experienced with heavy loads.  I have done some research into 9mm Major Power Factor loads used by competitors.  Their high-speed loads are with "SLOWER POWDERS" loaded heavy and getting  extreme speeds using pistols designed to handle it. 
The slower powders seem to be the key for higher velocities without excessive/dangerous case pressures.
As I said, I am not experienced with hot 9mm Luger loads. 
Be sure you have reliable load data to keep you and your pistol safe before loading to get speeds shown with commercial SD loads.
Stay safe. 

[kobus]

1SOW. how do i like reloading so far?   reloading has become a passion very quickly.   

yes Johnny, i am very careful of high pressure loads. thanks. 

i have very good load data for all the powder i use and with this fast S121 i am very carefull and working up from lowest charges for all my bullets.

this ambidexterous beer drinking trick sounds like fun. 

[johnnyrees]

Kobus might I respectfully suggest you try mp200....you will probably get the higher velocitys you need without the risk factor