9mm reload problem - The Firearms Forum

dsfritz · 12-26-2009, 03:32 PM

I just got started reloading 9mm's for my wifes Walther PPS. They are not feeding at all. The range master noticed that the cases were bairly clearing my head on ejection.
We have not had any trouble at all with factory ammo.

I have loaded the following:

Rem 115gr. fmj

TiteGroup powder

3.8gr with Federal Mag primers - 1.150 COL
4.0gr. with PMC standard primers - 1.150 COL
4.5gr. with PMC standard primers - 1.160 COL

4.8gr. Titegroup is listed as the maximun load

I have been using TiteGroup in my 40cal and 45 reloads without any trouble.

Any ideas on what could be the problem?

RandyP · 12-26-2009, 04:22 PM

Lee manual lists a min OAL of 1.125.

When you say not feeding? magazine or bore problem?

dsfritz · 12-26-2009, 04:29 PM

It is not taking round out of mag into bore.

steve4102 · 12-26-2009, 04:52 PM

Crimping??

dsfritz · 12-26-2009, 05:44 PM

Yes, I am crimping.
Im begining to believe the problem is a combination of the low charge and speed of the TiteGroup burn. These are the first reloads I have made for the PPS and I was concerned about overloading do to the warranings in the guns manuel. Im going to try a few rounds with HS-6.

I did notice a large difference in recoil with these reloads vs. factory rounds. (Reloads had less recoil)

The_Vigilante · 12-26-2009, 11:27 PM

OAL is probably too long.

LDBennett · 12-27-2009, 06:14 AM

dsfritz:

What you may be seeing is "Short Cycling". The slide is not recoiling enough to pick up the next round. You have to add more energy to the slide to get it to travel fully. If it doesn't recoil far enough, the next round can not feed up because the slide is in the way.

Sounds like the load level is way too low. Load up some at various levels, not exceeding the Max listed load, and test them.

I don't know if your gun has a lock open feature on the last round fired but if it does just put a single round in the gun and fire it. If the gun locks back the load level is sufficient. If not then it is not. Do watch the spent cases for signs of too much pressure.

LDBennett

medalguy · 12-27-2009, 12:06 PM

LDBennett is right. Your load is too low. When I was working up a load for my Beretta 92 in 9 I started very low, as usual, and the first group would not even push the slide far enough to pick up the next bullet. I increased the charge slowly until I got a velocity close to what I was after.

In short, start increasing your charge until you get satisfactory cycling of the pistol. I would also highly recommend using a chrony to see what velocity you are getting. I would bet your current load is probably about 700 fps or maybe even lower. Factory should be about 1050 fps. A chrony is something I consider an absolute necessity in working up any load.

One thing you did right was start low. Too many guys start high thinking that will work fine. Sometimes it doesn't!

312shooter · 12-27-2009, 09:14 PM

Your COAL seem to be longer than my data shows, try seating 1.135 and crimping. This may be contributing to your situation as well.

Horsky1911 · 12-31-2009, 08:55 AM

Just to add some input. The COL for a round nose is listed at 1.150 in my Lyman manuals and also my Hornady. I have just reloaded some 9mm 124 gr. FMJ-RN with 4.0 gr of Unique which is min charge. Have not shot them yet but will let you know how they function. I am thinking the firearm is short stroking as LD has stated.

12-26-2009, 03:32 PM	#1
dsfritz Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3	9mm reload problem I just got started reloading 9mm's for my wifes Walther PPS. They are not feeding at all. The range master noticed that the cases were bairly clearing my head on ejection. We have not had any trouble at all with factory ammo. I have loaded the following: Rem 115gr. fmj TiteGroup powder 3.8gr with Federal Mag primers - 1.150 COL 4.0gr. with PMC standard primers - 1.150 COL 4.5gr. with PMC standard primers - 1.160 COL 4.8gr. Titegroup is listed as the maximun load I have been using TiteGroup in my 40cal and 45 reloads without any trouble. Any ideas on what could be the problem? -->

12-26-2009, 04:22 PM	#2
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: 9mm reload problem Lee manual lists a min OAL of 1.125. When you say not feeding? magazine or bore problem? __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

12-26-2009, 04:29 PM	#3
dsfritz Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3	Re: 9mm reload problem It is not taking round out of mag into bore.

12-26-2009, 04:52 PM	#4
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: 9mm reload problem Crimping??

12-26-2009, 05:44 PM	#5
dsfritz Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3	Re: 9mm reload problem Yes, I am crimping. Im begining to believe the problem is a combination of the low charge and speed of the TiteGroup burn. These are the first reloads I have made for the PPS and I was concerned about overloading do to the warranings in the guns manuel. Im going to try a few rounds with HS-6. I did notice a large difference in recoil with these reloads vs. factory rounds. (Reloads had less recoil)

12-26-2009, 11:27 PM	#6
The_Vigilante V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 123	Re: 9mm reload problem OAL is probably too long. __________________ The_Vigilante "Keeping the streets safe." "A man can never own enough guns."

12-27-2009, 06:14 AM	#7
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,715	Re: 9mm reload problem dsfritz: What you may be seeing is "Short Cycling". The slide is not recoiling enough to pick up the next round. You have to add more energy to the slide to get it to travel fully. If it doesn't recoil far enough, the next round can not feed up because the slide is in the way. Sounds like the load level is way too low. Load up some at various levels, not exceeding the Max listed load, and test them. I don't know if your gun has a lock open feature on the last round fired but if it does just put a single round in the gun and fire it. If the gun locks back the load level is sufficient. If not then it is not. Do watch the spent cases for signs of too much pressure. LDBennett

12-27-2009, 12:06 PM	#8
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: 9mm reload problem LDBennett is right. Your load is too low. When I was working up a load for my Beretta 92 in 9 I started very low, as usual, and the first group would not even push the slide far enough to pick up the next bullet. I increased the charge slowly until I got a velocity close to what I was after. In short, start increasing your charge until you get satisfactory cycling of the pistol. I would also highly recommend using a chrony to see what velocity you are getting. I would bet your current load is probably about 700 fps or maybe even lower. Factory should be about 1050 fps. A chrony is something I consider an absolute necessity in working up any load. One thing you did right was start low. Too many guys start high thinking that will work fine. Sometimes it doesn't!

12-27-2009, 09:14 PM	#9
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: 9mm reload problem Your COAL seem to be longer than my data shows, try seating 1.135 and crimping. This may be contributing to your situation as well. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

12-31-2009, 08:55 AM	#10
Horsky1911 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Claremont, NH Posts: 46	Re: 9mm reload problem Just to add some input. The COL for a round nose is listed at 1.150 in my Lyman manuals and also my Hornady. I have just reloaded some 9mm 124 gr. FMJ-RN with 4.0 gr of Unique which is min charge. Have not shot them yet but will let you know how they function. I am thinking the firearm is short stroking as LD has stated. __________________ *Teach a kid to shoot, and I do not mean in a video game.*