Best C.O.A.L. range for ammo in P-35s

[myassis]

Well, okay... Since I can still hear the deafening roar of crickets chirping in the thread I started concerning classic/favourite/ surprisingly good load data for their P-35 or other 9mm, I'm going to try a thread which does not solicit data. 
I'm wondering if someone might guide me on the range of Cartridge OverAll Length which in which ammunition tends to work best in P-35s and clones. I've read of 9mm pistols from certain manufacturers with very generous chamber dimensions which seem to digest nearly any reasonable-length reload, while pistols from other makers tend to have slightly short chambers with actions that may not completely close on longer rounds (though still under SAAMI max length). There's also the matter of magazine idiosyncrasies from one pistol make to the other. 
My projectiles of choice are a 125 gr conically pointed polymer coated projectile, and 147 gr. polymer-coated truncated cone (flat nose). Any input would be appreciated. 

[Bob Reed]

Hello,

When it comes to the Hi-Power, providing the ammunition is in-spec, there's not any factory loaded 115-147gr. that I'm aware of that the gun won't properly function with. And, obviously, the OAL of the loaded cartridges do vary a bit due to all the different shaped 115-147gr. bullets - but it still digests them all. No surprise, considering the Hi-Power is reliable as sin to start with.

However, the info you're seeking is more reloading related, so I'll move your thread to Reloading and hopefully you'll get it sorted out.

BTW: Steve Camp lists the OALs of his personal reloads, so, you might want to see what he used for different bullets. You'll find more loads and OALs throughout his writings, but here's a start. hipowersandhandguns.com/Handloads.htm

[CXM]

I have been re-loading 9x19mm for over 60 years. I have not found much if any difference in the accuracy of the 9x19 from load to load so long as it is within the normal range of lengths.

Basically, I use a Dillon or EGW case gauge to check for OAL. As long as the loaded round fits in the gauge and does not protrude past the top of the gauge I have it will work in any of my 9x19mm pistols. I have to load to a standard that will work in all my guns (and I have quite a few) because I don't want to get into loading special loads for different guns. This means the loaded cartridge has to work in:

Luger P08
Radom P35
Walther P38
FN High Power
S&W M39
S&W M59xx series
S&W M&P series
S&W Shield Series
S&W 960 Revolver
SIG Traditional P series
SIG P365
SIG P210 (Swiss)
SIG P210 (U.S. Made)
Colt's 1911 type
CZ75 type
Beretta 951
Beretta 92
HK P7 series
Astra 600
Star B
Styer 1912 (Converted to 9x19)
Glocks

And probably a few I forgot.

What I'm getting to here is this, If you load your cartridges within published standards they should work fine... they do for me and have for a very long time. As to bullets I favor the 115gr bullet. Why? Well it was a load developed early on in the history of the 9x19 and still works fine today. The 115gr bullets are cheaper than heavier bullets... often a good bit cheaper. If you load a lot that is an issue.

As to brass I use range brass mostly. It works well and I can't see any difference at all in the results of using range brass or new brass... So... Once again cheap wins out.

For powder I favor Alliant Bulls-Eye or Winchester 231. Accurate #5 works well too. Hodgdon's Clay's powder is a favorite of mine for plinking loads.. it burns VERY cleanly and is economical to use... It is not the powder of choice for high end loads.

Over the years I have used a lot of different primer brands, including Winchester, Remington, Federal, CCI, ALCAN, Fiocchi, S&B, Cheddite, Wolf and Tula. All have worked well for me, except CCI was sometimes hard to seat fully in the primer pocket. The instructions that came with my Dillon press advised against using CCI primers in their products... These days you probably have to take what you can get.

A final comment... before I use any ammo for carry, including new factory ammo I run each round through a case gauge to be sure it will chamber properly. EGW makes a 7 chamber gauge for not much more than the single chamber Dillon gauge so you can test the ammo quickly.

Hope this is of help.

Chuck

[myassis]

Thanks for your input concerning 9x19 reloads. I may be over-thinking things, but I also believe that there's no harm in trying what works for others. If it doesn't work, I'm out very little. If it does work, I've saved myself much unneeded experimentation.
I have no problem with 115 gr. projectiles, except that they require higher velocities (1100+ f/s) to make "minimum" in events, and these velocities can cause leading with cast bullets. Jacketed projectiles solve the problem but are often more expensive than 124/125 gr. cast/PC or 147 gr. cast/PC.
Additionally, I tend to load ammunition with the EXPECTATION that it will all be expended at the range, but with the realization that I may have to use it in a confrontation. I tend to prefer heavier projectiles for social work, and 115 gr. expanding bullets tend to fail against barriers. Fans of the 115s are quick to tell me that ammo so loaded is "more controllable". Perhaps, but in a 9mm, the momenta of the projectiles are all close enough that I can tell no difference among them.
I think we are in agreement about primers, cases, and propellants. I'll use what I can find on the first. I tend to sort cases into "Winchester/WCC", "R-P", "Federal", and "everything else". The latter is what I use for practice. The others are for working up competition loads. Doing so with cases from one manufacturer tends to make work-ups to "enough, but not too much" easier, and shrinks the s.d.
I, too, tend to prefer medium-rate pistol powders for the 9x19. Alliant Unique, Herco, and BE-86 are what I use most, as well as AA#5. I expected the "meters like corn flakes" reputation of Unique to steer me away from it, but that propellant has produced some of the most accurate and consistent 9mm ammo I've yet assembled.
Thanks, all, for the input.

[gt40doc]

I agree with what Chuck stated.  I started reloading in 1971-72 timeframe, and am still at it. I load a number of different calibers, but since I no longer shoot rifles, it is all for handguns and PCC guns.  I don't load heavy projectiles for 9mm.....usually 115, and some 124gr. I no longer load lead bullets except for 30 Luger, 38-40, and some 45LC. I load mostly plated, and some FMJ.

I have tried a lot of different powders for 9mm over the years, but my favorites are Unique and Power Pistol.  The PP gives me my best accuracy, but does have a bit of "flash-bang" if that bothers you. I no longer shoot competition, just shoot for fun.

[CXM]

If you find leading to be a problem with cast bullets the problem doubtless lies with the alloy used to cast the bullets.

These days you seldom find a cast bullet that is cast too soft... but many are cast too hard. Bullets cast too hard will lead as bad as too soft... Today most cast bullets are made with a commercial alloy rather than a custom mixed alloy made by the caster. This commercial alloy is really too hard to make excellent bullets... it can make bullets usable under non stress conditions... But the bullets have too much Antimony in the alloy and not enough tin... and the result is leading at higher velocities. Elmer Keith advocated something as lead alloyed 1 to 10 with 50-50 Plumber's bar solder. This produced an alloy of 95% lead and 5% a tin. Keith stated it did not lead at high velocities... and having tried it myself I can say he was right...

Happily, there is a solution to that problem... Plated bullets. You can shoot the plated bullets at pistol velocities without leading... Of course copper (or jacketed) bullets bring their own cleaning issues... but less so with plated as compared to jacketed. I used to shoot cast bullets pretty much exclusively in everything but defensive ammunition. Once I tried modern plated bullets I don't use any of the fairly large pile of cast bullets I have on hand. Today plated bullets are as cheap or cheaper than cast bullets... I use XTreme brand or Berry's for the most part.

As to weight all the common bullet weights will work ok... All the usual injunctions about heavy v. light bullets apply... If you are going to shoot at longer(for a pistol) then the higher velocity of the 115gr's flatter trajectory can be an advantage... If you are shooting steel a heavier bullet might work better... and so on.

There is more loading data than anyone can possibly ever want available. My fav loading manual is still the Lyman Handbook (#50 is the current edition.) I have them going back to 1914 in my collection (Old manuals are useful for loading obsolete cartridges.) If you happen to have or acquire a Hornady #10 manual approach the loads with caution.

Look at the loads listed here... I have used some of them... but they are mostly too hot... I don't think they will blow up a gun (They didn't blow mine anyway) but they will certainly wear ite out quickly.









There is a lot of questionable data out there... I always recommend sticking with the most up to date manual from Lyman, Speer, Hogden or Alliant.

Anyway, hope this is of interest.

FWIW

Chuck