Need opinions on reloading 9mm

[RCC1]

It seems like most of the reloading talk is rifle related but I have some question about loading 9mm.

I have reloaded for rifles for a long time. I have a few thousand pieces of Starline +P 9mm brass. I am looking for some suggestions for 147 grain subsonic loads.

My questions are-

What dies are considered to be the best?

What powder would you use?

What primers?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Gabe22BR]

It seems like most of the reloading talk is rifle related but I have some question about loading 9mm.

I have reloaded for rifles for a long time. I have a few thousand pieces of Starline +P 9mm brass. I am looking for some suggestions for 147 grain subsonic loads.

My questions are-

What dies are considered to be the best? DILLION

What powder would you use? What ever I had on hand

What primers? The cheapest I could find

Thanks in advance for the help.

I used a lee turret press with Lee dies for awhile, found out the dies where sizing /seating off to one side..
Upgraded to the Dillion 650 press, case feeder, bullet feeder, and Dillion dies.

Haven't had a single misfire, failure to chamber yet. ++Plus their NO B.S. warranty can't be beat !!

 

[DRNewcomb]

My questions are-

What dies are considered to be the best?

Do you really need "the best" to reload 9mm? Are you going to be shooting 9mm benchrest? Generally carbide sizing dies are preferred to normal steel as you don't need to lube the brass.

What powder would you use?

There are about 50 powders that are applicable for 9mm. For subsonic loads I might suggest a fast burning power, like Bullseye.

What primers?

We recently discussed using small rifle primers in 9mm handgun.
If you're buying primers you might as well get standard small pistol primers.

Thanks in advance for the help.

I get the feeling you're over-thinking the problem. Reloading for pistol is not like reloading for benchrest. The biggest issue is getting the desired production volume out of a standard press. This is why presses like the Dillon exist.

 

[RCC1]

Do you really need "the best" to reload 9mm? Are you going to be shooting 9mm benchrest? Generally carbide sizing dies are preferred to normal steel as you don't need to lube the brass.

There are about 50 powders that are applicable for 9mm. For subsonic loads I might suggest a fast burning power, like Bullseye.

We recently discussed using small rifle primers in 9mm handgun.
If you're buying primers you might as well get standard small pistol primers.

I get the feeling you're over-thinking the problem. Reloading for pistol is not like reloading for benchrest. The biggest issue is getting the desired production volume out of a standard press. This is why presses like the Dillon exist.

I appreciate the answers. I might be slightly over thinking it but I am a very meticulous person, hence the reason I really enjoy reloading and shooting. I won't be shooting benchrest but I will be shooting these from a few SBR's I own and as always I strive for the best accuracy.

I've looked at Dillon machines many times but I doubt I will ever buy one as I will never load enough pistol ammo in bulk quantities to need it.

 

[Sniper338]

Load at your pace, single stage press, turret press, or dillon 650...

Single stage press, carbide rcbs dies are good. The few lee dies I had were actually really good too and way cheaper.

Biggest thing is setting them up right. Resizing die, flare die for putting just a lityle flare on the case mouth, then your seater die which pushed the bullet in some and closes the flare just tight enough to hold the bullet good...

Note the seating dies have different..?? Stems? In the top thst screw in... one for round nose another for square nose bullets, use what you need..

Its real easy... aint gotta be precise, uniform powder throw is all you need, prep em all,

Small pistol primers, whatever brand it dont make a shit..

Im not a fan of lead bullets... had feeding issues...

Unique, bullseye

 

[DirtySteve]

Use any carbide die set. You will want to get a Lee Factory crimp die. It will ensure all your ammo will function in the gun. It basically resizes the finished round to factory specs. I use on for all my auto loading cartridges.

 

[spaniel]

I agree you are overthinking 9mm. I load with Unique at a mid-range load and use whatever small pistol primers are handy from my stockpile. I use coated lead bullets from Missouri Bullets, cheap and keeps the lead off my fingers and out of the barrel.

I can shoot a tight ragged hole with a full mag from my CZ75 Shadow slow fire. I bet I could do some sort of careful load development with a Ransom rest, and I would not be able to tell the difference shooting freehand.

I use Lee carbide dies. Why? Because they are cheap and work. I save my money for high end rifle dies, because there, it absolutely makes a difference.

 

[mic2377]

I wouldn't go too in depth.

Many high volume shooters prefer Vihtavouri powders as they are super clean and the additional expense is less noticeable at 3.5 grains a load. I have used N340 under 147 gr, as well as True Blue. I think Bullseye would work but it is a VERY fast powder and it doesnt take much of any overcharge to go WAY overpressure.

I have used a bunch of different primers and they have all worked fine. This includes Federal, Win, and CCI. I have also used CCI-400 SR primers with no issue, my G34 ignites them fine.

Any carbide sizing die should probably work, I have an RCBS set that is fine. The key is proper setup of the belling and then the crimp.

Progressive is much preferred as single stage pistol loading is a HUGE drag.

 

[Sniper338]

If you go too low on powder an semi auto wont cycle either..

Its easy... same as rifle loading but dont have to be precise... i used a lee powder throw for a long time before my dillon... +-.3, never mattered with a mid range load..

 

[Lone Hunter]

I use a Dillon Square Deal. Quality made and no problems. It produces pretty good ammo. I've got a Colt 9mm AR carbine plus other 9 mm. You really do want to get a progressive press for loading pistol. I started out loading single stage and it does not take you long to figure out that sucks. You can shoot more because of on a progressive you can load the ammo faster and a higher quantity of it.

 

[Texan]

I don't personally take handgun reloading to a "scientific" level like I do rifle reloading, but I also thoroughly weighed tool and component selection (wanting to know what's best...as most of us do).

Here are my choices for 9mm:

Dies: Lee 4-die deluxe carbide set (which includes the factory crimp die).

Powder: Winchester 231.

Primer: Cheapest available of the appropriate size that go bang (most of my inventory is Wolf).

I use the above items for every handgun cartridge I load (9mm, 38SPL/357MAG, 40S&W, 45ACP, and 45 Colt).

There are other powders I use, but I find 231 the most versatile.

 

[Texan]

Progressive is much preferred as single stage pistol loading is a HUGE drag.

Couldn't agree more.

After my first two pistol loading sessions I bought an XL650.

 

[jds holler]

I guess I load for three different 9mm cartridges. (Mak, 380, and Luger)

231 is great powder for all of em, any small pistol primer, and any cheap cast bullet that I can buy or cast myself.

I started out comparing my loads to what I was getting in performance with my various revolvers, and was kind of disappointed with the autos. Then I settled down and thought, "Heck, I'm only banging steel at 25 yards or less. I don't need one inch groups."

I do use single stage for all of these, but I do it so that it's pretty painless. Watch TV and size/deprime five hundred or so. Then another evening, I'll flair/prime them. Then when I feel like paying a little more attention, I'll set up and charge and seat bullets in them.

They wind up being about as cheap as 22's, and work fine for what I need. jd

 

[Rsadams]

I also load a lot of 9mm... +1 on the 4 die set by LEE... I use Win 231 and berry bullets.. What great is you can get away with S&B primers and can normally find them for $19.99 or less per 1k.... And of course a progressive press would be nice...

I use a rockchuker and just keep double what I shoot loaded and just rotate it... There is tons of 9mm data out there , just find one you like and start loading... I hate to say it but now is the time to put stuff away while its cheap.. Trump wont be in office forever...

 

[tn6br]

I like winchester primers hs-6 powder and i load em on a hornady progressive. All my pistol dies are rcbs carbide. Tried lee an they were ok but not nearly as good as rcbs carbide.

 

[dskogman]

Since you are using them in a SBR it may be more important than a pistol at <25 yds. what kind of distance are you shooting them? I have had leading problems with cast coated and non coated lead bullets in 9mm at higher velocities. No issues with subsonic 45 and 38.

 

[Mark204]

RCBS..........its just a pistol
Winchester primers
Power Pistol
Dillon 550


Mark

 

[joshb]

The 9mm is one I don't reload for because factory ammo can be had for cheap. I devote my persnickety reloading time to where it counts. I do have several thousand empties in a box. Someday?

 

[pacificman]

I use RCBS dies using a Lee hand press. I can do all my reloading for my
pistols in the living room while watching tv...except charging the cases with powder. I also cast
my own bullets which have been ok for plinking with a CZ-75 SP-01. Friends and I go to the range
just about every week end and challenge each other at fun steel targets. I load for 45 colt, 44 mag,
9mm, 30-30, 357 mag, 38 and just bought a 357 Henry rifle...Lots of fun when able to reload and save.
We have been using Unique powder and standard primers for just about everything we load. I do think
you will get better accuracy if ya use jacketed bullets but lead cast bullets cost next to nothing for us and we can
shoot more.

 

[hogpatrol]

The 9mm is one I don't reload for because factory ammo can be had for cheap. I devote my persnickety reloading time to where it counts. I do have several thousand empties in a box. Someday?

Diamond State Salvage, buck forty two a pound.