Generic pistol loads

[Notalentbum]

Years ago I got into reloading for my precision rifles and bulk reloading for my ARs. I’ve been on a break for about 4 years from reloading and just recently got started back up. I never really loaded any pistol rounds but have kept all my brass and bought a good supply of components and hardware for pistol reloading. I just finished depriming several thousand cases in 9, .40 and .45. I’m waiting on a couple items to be delivered so I can proceed with the process. I got to thinking about what loads I want for each caliber. I’m loading for essentially plinking/practice stuff. I have a combination of lead and jacketed projectiles so I’m sure I’ll have to allow for that. I’m just wondering what I need to consider when working up powder loads for these rounds.
I was thinking I’d just pick a powder weight somewhere in the middle of the recommended load for the bullet I’m using and call it good. Also considering loading maybe 50 at that load and go test it in my pistols to make sure everything functions properly. What else should I do before loading up everything I have till I run out of components?

Thanks, Matt

 

[snapping turtle]

I Minic Winchester white box loads mainly.
Powder type I attempt to use case filling clean burning powders just so a double charge can not really happen. (Visual Check) get some good Manuals. Pick pill weight and velocity base on what the white box says. Nothing fancy done. Nice starting spots for most cartridges.

I single Stage at the house so If lots need done we pack up and go progressive.

 

[Notalentbum]

I have a variety of powder to use as well as a few manuals to refer to but not sure of goals beyond good function and safe loads. I have both a Crusher II single stage and a Dillon 650 for cranking out whatever I settle on. Over the years, I just bought components as I ran across them. That’s why I have several different powders and projectiles. I wish I had stocked up more on primers.

Matt

 

[VERT]

For powder I have standardized on Win231 and Bullseye. Old, dirty and lots of load data. Regardless when picking a charge weight I look up data for the bullet weight and type in multiple manuals or online data from manufacturers. Comparing these will give you a good low to high range. FYI, I have found Hodgdons online data to be as good as any.

Setting the COAL. Go with the plunk test. Take the barrel out of your gun and drop in a sized case with the bullet then spin it. You want the cartridge to spin freely. Load as long as your shortest chamber.

Test fire. Yeah do that. If you have a chronograph use it. Look for a 9mm power factor around 130, .45 ACP around 170. Power factor = (bullet weight x velocity) / 1000

 

[Notalentbum]

For powder I have standardized on Win231 and Bullseye. Old, dirty and lots of load data. Regardless when picking a charge weight I look up data for the bullet weight and type in multiple manuals or online data from manufacturers. Comparing these will give you a good low to high range. FYI, I have found Hodgdons online data to be as good as any.

Setting the COAL. Go with the plunk test. Take the barrel out of your gun and drop in a sized case with the bullet then spin it. You don’t want the cartridge to spin freely. Load as long as your shortest chamber.

Test fire. Yeah do that. If you have a chronograph use it. Look for a 9mm power factor around 130, .45 ACP around 170. Power factor = (bullet weight x velocity) / 1000

I have a chrono. It’s another of those tools I haven’t had a chance to use yet but this will give me that opportunity.
I always wondered about power factor and how it was figured. I’m guessing from your post, a lrn weighing 147gr and clocking 1000fps would be a power factor of 147? Seems light for a 9mm.

Matt

 

[VERT]

I have a chrono. It’s another of those tools I haven’t had a chance to use yet but this will give me that opportunity.
I always wondered about power factor and how it was figured. I’m guessing from your post, a lrn weighing 147gr and clocking 1000fps would be a power factor of 147? Seems light for a 9mm.

Matt

Correct 147 power factor. I have found that guns with factory springs will run fine around 130 PF. All of mine come in around 135 PF.

 

[DadSmith]

I have a chrono. It’s another of those tools I haven’t had a chance to use yet but this will give me that opportunity.
I always wondered about power factor and how it was figured. I’m guessing from your post, a lrn weighing 147gr and clocking 1000fps would be a power factor of 147? Seems light for a 9mm.

Matt

I've went with CFEPistol for many of my loads. I use to use Longshot a lot but haven't found any in awhile so went with CFEPistol.

For a light 9mm load.
124gr I use 5gr CFEPistol avg 1022fps from a 4.5" barrel.

147gr I use 3.9gr CFEPistol avg 915fps from a 4.5" barrel.

I always do a plunk test for any bullet I use. Then I go with the shortest chamber since I have three 9mm's so my rds fit in all three firearms.

I don't have a 40 Short&Weak just a 10mm. I do have two 45acp. I'll look up my light loads and post them.

 

[mark40sw]

Good advice given here in previous posts.

I like to use a powder that takes up volume so possible powder drop inconsistencies can be spotted easily.

One word of caution on pistol loads. Different bullet lengths and different seating depths will affect pressures relatively greater than bottle neck rifle reloading. Using internal ballistic software such as QuickLoad suprised me when I started using it.

 

[Magyars]

My two most used pistol powders are Unique and Red Dot...
I like AA#5 for 45 Colt

 

[Leo]

Good advice given here in previous posts.

I like to use a powder that takes up volume so possible powder drop inconsistencies can be spotted easily.

I have not used Bullseye since the 70's but that is one I remember that 3 or 4 charges can fit in a .38 case. ( my last can still was from Hercules) It shoots good but is easy not to notice a double charge. I shy away from those and I stop reloading anytime I can am distracted to tired and can tell I am not paying attention.

With powder hard to get these days, you have to adapt to what is available.

A published charge that is close to the SAMMI design velocities and pressures are a great place to start.

 

[shibumiseeker]

For pistol plinking loads there’s not really too much that is complicated. Does it reliably function in your gun and do what you want?

Defense or hunting loads are where it becomes harder, but even then it’s not rocket surgery. Working carefully up to the power level you want and not overdriving the specific bullet takes more care but even then, compared to precision rifle it’s simple.

 

[gregkl]

What vert said in post 4. I will add that you don't need to load up 50 for testing purposes but you can.

I load 10 of several different powder weights to check function and basic accuracy along with felt recoil. I pick what I like but though my rounds for 9 mm(the only thing I'm loading right now) are light, I try to make sure they at least meet min power factor.

Once I have settled on a load, I just keep chipping away with my single stage.

 

[DadSmith]

What vert said in post 4. I will add that you don't need to load up 50 for testing purposes but you can.

I load 10 of several different powder weights to check function and basic accuracy along with felt recoil. I pick what I like but though my rounds for 9 mm(the only thing I'm loading right now) are light, I try to make sure they at least meet min power factor.

Once I have settled on a load, I just keep chipping away with my single stage.

If you use a 147gr bullet Power Factor of 125 can be achieved with a velocity of 855fps. That may take a lighter recoil spring to operate. The lowest I ever went with a 147gr is posted above, and that is a PF of 134. But it cycles in my firearms.

 

[snapping turtle]

I started with hand loading for contender pistols. Got a nice contender reloading manual that gave me major insight into certain things I did not know about the pistol itself like the large jumps to the lands in 357 44 mag and 45 LC where they have sort of a forcing cone in the barrel. How nice 22 hornet is and how brittle the brass is. Where other rounds for rifle had great potential others were better off being rechambered into 357 MAC ect.

I wanted accurate reloads. Did not and still do not mind taking the time to roll them up myself. If I just want to fire off 1k 9mm in a PCC the Dillon cranks them out and I use my friends setup and replace the components used .

 

[BugI02]

I would recommend choosing a powder that meters accurately and reproducibly if you use a powder throw. I can recommend Autocomp for 40 S&W. It meters reliably and I use 6.3 gr behind 165 gr plated (Xtreme )RNFPs for 1050fps and 6.6 gr for 1100fps

 

[DadSmith]

For my 230gr FMJ RN 45acp loads I use 6.2gr CFEPistol avg fps 829fps from a 5" barrel. Very light recoil, and my old XD as will as my Shield and my new Ronin like that load for plunking.

I use a similar load for coated hardcast RN. I can't find the information at this time. When I do I'll post it.

 

[Notalentbum]

I would recommend choosing a powder that meters accurately and reproducibly if you use a powder throw. I can recommend Autocomp for 40 S&W. It meters reliably and I use 6.3 gr behind 165 gr plated (Xtreme )RNFPs for 1050fps and 6.6 gr for 1100fps

As far as .40 goes, I have that same powder and components in stock as well as some 180 gr RNFP. Sounds like an easy starting point for .40.

 

[gregkl]

If you use a 147gr bullet Power Factor of 125 can be achieved with a velocity of 855fps. That may take a lighter recoil spring to operate. The lowest I ever went with a 147gr is posted above, and that is a PF of 134. But it cycles in my firearms.

I wish I could try a lighter recoil spring but I haven't found one that will work on my M&P 2.0 Compact, 4" barrel. The interwebs said a Glock spring would work but when I tried it, I could shake the slide open. I don't think I want it that loose!

I am loading 125 Blue Bullet TC's with 3.9 grains TG at 1.150 OAL. They work well in all of my 9's.

 

[DadSmith]

I wish I could try a lighter recoil spring but I haven't found one that will work on my M&P 2.0 Compact, 4" barrel. The interwebs said a Glock spring would work but when I tried it, I could shake the slide open. I don't think I want it that loose!

I am loading 125 Blue Bullet TC's with 3.9 grains TG at 1.150 OAL. They work well in all of my 9's.

I do the plunk test then drop it back a hair on the shortest chamber which is my CZ P10f for some reason. So I'm probably longer by a little bit than the book calls for. Probably helps keep the pressure down.

 

[gregkl]

I do the plunk test then drop it back a hair on the shortest chamber which is my CZ P10f for some reason. So I'm probably longer by a little bit than the book calls for. Probably helps keep the pressure down.

Yup, plunk test here also. Probably the main reason I sold my CZ. I didn't want to load two different OAL's.

I guess I'm kinda lazy. I am happy that I have one load recipe that works in both of my Shields, my 2.0 Compact and my 1911.