A little help with reloading for pistol please.

T

taggart

New member
I have experience reloading for my bolt actions growing up. I have never shot enough pistol ammo to feel the need to reload, until now.
I have acquired a few pistols (S&W 686+ and Glock 19) and have been spending more time at the range. I really enjoy shooting them.

I am going to start reloading for 9mm, I know the .38 or .357 would make more sense $ wise but I go through more rounds in the Glock so I want to start there. I can pick up Berry's and HSM plated bullets locally so I think I will go that route. I was wondering what load data I should use?

I copied this from Berry's website:
"Plated bullets occupy a position between cast bullets and jacketed bullets. They are soft lead, but have a hard outer shell on them. When loading plated bullets we have found best results using low- to mid-range jacketed data in the load manual. You must use data for a bullet that has the same weight and profile as the one you are loading. Do not exceed mid-range loads. Do not use magnum loads. "

If I choose to load 124 gr. round nose, can I start with the lowest load listed (for the powder I choose) for 124 gr. FMJ in my copy of the newest Hornady manual? I want to make sure I am starting off in the safe/conservative direction. I am wanting to find a good low recoil, light, plinking load.
 
I would sure think that would be a reasonable place to start.

Just an aside, I'd do some google searching on reloading for a glock. I'm not knowledgable to know what it is but I'm pretty sure there is something funky about the chamber... Like I said, I'm not for sure what the significance is but I think I've heard it before.
 
Yep, start light and work your way up. Some of the real light loads may not cycle your glock but just make a clip of each powder weight (low to mid) untill you find the one you like. Pistol is so much easier to load then bottlenecks. Good luck.
 
I just wanted to make sure I was reading everything correctly. The bullets being plated and the load data out of the book being for jacketed bullets.

I have come across search results containing info about reloading for Glocks being kinda touchy. From what I've gathered, I think this referrers to Glocks polygonal rifling and using lead bullets together. The lead building up overtime and raising the chamber pressures. The other common issue I came across was reloading hot for .40, that just sounds like trouble to me haha.

Please correct me if I am off track, I am just seeking accurate info.
 
Most all of my range reloads are at the low end, makes for a more enjoyable experience in my opinion. A pound of powder also goes further as well. We use berry's quite a bit, I really like them.



ETA: I don't any Glocks though.
 
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RowdyRawhide- Do you use the low end of FMJ data when you use Berry's plated?

I've always loaded Hornady for my rifles, used load data for the exact bullet I was shooting.
Not having load data for the bullet kinda bugs me. I am trying to go into this safely and informed.
 
I use jacketed load data of the same bullet weight. For example, in 40 S&W 180 gr Berry's I use 5 gr of 231, printed minimum load in the Lyman is 5.3 gr of 231 for 180 gr JHP.

Hope this helps
Aaron
 
I shoot Ranier plated bullets in my .45ACP and started with cast bullet loads. Starting with lows to max working in .2gr sets with 5 round sets.

The lowest gr works just fine in my 1911 but jams heavily in my buddies XD.
 
I use a RCBS Turret press for all of my pistol rounds. I load alot of 38 and 357, this way all dies are set up so if I have to go back and redo anything I just turn back to die needed. I can load about 100-125 rounds per hour. I have 40 dies but have not loaded any yet since I can buy loaded ammo in bulk for same price as I can buy componants.
 
My all around 9mm load is a 115 grn plated RN over 4.2 grains of H Titegroup, 1087 fps average out of a Glock 23 with a 9mm 'conversion' barrel. These loads cycled great in several 9mm handguns.


To the other question about plated bullets in Glock factory barrels, I've never had a problem. I just keep things clean & they work fine.
 
Thanks muskrat. I will keep that load in mind.

I just went to the Hornady manual to look up that load and I don't even see Titegroup listed at any weight for the 9mm. That brings me to another question...How are those Loadbooks USA for this type of thing. I was going to try and snag one today since I had to make a run to Wholesale anyway. The info in them has got to get pretty dated (unless they are updated freq?) but for this sort of thing I think they might work good to get a few more options and listings.
 
You can check the Hodgdon website for a bunch of data with their powders. I have most reloading books & cross reference when working up a load. With my load mentioned above you may have to interpolate within reason using a 115 grn plated bullet. The Lee book has a lot of lead bullet data. I also chrony'ed my load to get the 1087 average fps.

As we know you have to measure carefully with many of the faster handgun powders, not that hard, but just pay attention.

I've never been excited about those load booklets for a particular round. Looking through them the data seems old anyway. I do realize the Lee data is mostly a repeat of factory data.

FYI, I just looked up Titegroup on the Hodgdon site & they have 2 loads listed with Titegroup & a 115 grn bullet, one lead & one jacketed.
 
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I think I'll pick up another manual to reference to.
It won't be the Loadbooks though, I thumbed through it quick today and I wasn't impressed.
 


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