Powder Charge/Cart Length Help

ceebeeee · 07-10-2009, 04:24 PM

I’m a rookie in reloading - the dumb one having problems with my Lee powder measure a couple of weeks ago. I’m loading 9mm Luger ammo, using Sierra 125 grain JHP bullets and Hogan HP-38 powder. A few questions if you can help.
Firstly, I cannot find any data that shows starting and max powder charges. Every source I find only lists 4.8 grain load for this powder. Is there a range of charges for this combination? Really don’t want to blow up my weapon! (esp when I’m holding it, might screw up my whole day!)
Also, the max overall length for this round is 1.169", but the ‘test rounds’ I loaded (uncharged) measure 1.0650" - this is pretty to some factory 125 grain JHP I have (it measures 1.0325"). Is this safe, and any such thing as Min overall length specification? I understand it has to cycle easily through the gun (been dry cycling these through two different weapons successfully).
Finally. Is there a rule of thumb for how far a bullet should seat into its brass? I mean like min x.xx”, or xx% of bullet length?
Thanks in advance for your help!

JohnTheCalifornian · 07-10-2009, 06:23 PM

I found the same thing when I looked in my book. 125 Grn jacketed Bullet. Start Grns is 4.8 and the Never Exceed Grns is 4.8 (For HP-38). No room to play with there. Generally you reduce the starting load by 10% and work your way up from there. I did find on Hodgons website data for a 125 Grn FMJ that lists its starting load at 4.4 Grns maxing out at 4.8 (For HP-38).

There is such a thing as Minimum Overall Length. The minimum OAL should be listed in your load book (If you have one.... if not you MUST have one).
For the 1st load I mentioned the minimum OAL is 1.095. For the 2nd load it is 1.090.
If you seat the bullets anywhere in between the min and the max OAL and it cycles through your gun everything will be fine. I usually always just seat my bullets according to a factory round I have on hand.

As far as your last question, the only rule of thumb I know of for how far to seat in bullets is to seat them in deep enough so that the crimp groove on the bullet (if there is one, so do some dont) is just at or below the case mouth. As far as how much of the bullet should be in the brass, I dont think there is such a thing out there. Just follow the min and max OAL guide lines and you will be okay.

Alpo · 07-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Hodgdon's web site (that powder is Hodgdon, not "Hogan" HP38, by the way) says with a 125 jacketed bullet, minimum is 4.4 and maximum is 4.8, with a cartridge overall length of 1.090".

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Very handy site have bookmarked.

ceebeeee · 07-11-2009, 08:07 AM

Thanks for the help. I have Modern Reloading Manual 2nd edition (Richard Lee), Hodgon Reloading Manual, and Hodgon Data Manual and couldnt find the info in any of them.
I have several rounds loaded as I listed above (4.8 grains HG-38). Think they would be safe to fire?

gdmoody · 07-11-2009, 12:47 PM

I looked in Lyman #49 and Hornady #7 manuals without finding that info either.

Alpo · 07-11-2009, 01:02 PM

You need to work on your typing. You can do typos and misspellings on all kinds of things, but not on your load data. HG38?

07-10-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
ceebeeee Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6	Powder Charge/Cart Length Help I’m a rookie in reloading - the dumb one having problems with my Lee powder measure a couple of weeks ago. I’m loading 9mm Luger ammo, using Sierra 125 grain JHP bullets and Hogan HP-38 powder. A few questions if you can help. Firstly, I cannot find any data that shows starting and max powder charges. Every source I find only lists 4.8 grain load for this powder. Is there a range of charges for this combination? Really don’t want to blow up my weapon! (esp when I’m holding it, might screw up my whole day!) Also, the max overall length for this round is 1.169", but the ‘test rounds’ I loaded (uncharged) measure 1.0650" - this is pretty to some factory 125 grain JHP I have (it measures 1.0325"). Is this safe, and any such thing as Min overall length specification? I understand it has to cycle easily through the gun (been dry cycling these through two different weapons successfully). Finally. Is there a rule of thumb for how far a bullet should seat into its brass? I mean like min x.xx”, or xx% of bullet length? Thanks in advance for your help! __________________ I'm mechanically inclined, I can screw up anything!!! -->

07-10-2009, 06:23 PM	#2
JohnTheCalifornian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 428	Re: Powder Charge/Cart Length Help I found the same thing when I looked in my book. 125 Grn jacketed Bullet. Start Grns is 4.8 and the Never Exceed Grns is 4.8 (For HP-38). No room to play with there. Generally you reduce the starting load by 10% and work your way up from there. I did find on Hodgons website data for a 125 Grn FMJ that lists its starting load at 4.4 Grns maxing out at 4.8 (For HP-38). There is such a thing as Minimum Overall Length. The minimum OAL should be listed in your load book (If you have one.... if not you MUST have one). For the 1st load I mentioned the minimum OAL is 1.095. For the 2nd load it is 1.090. If you seat the bullets anywhere in between the min and the max OAL and it cycles through your gun everything will be fine. I usually always just seat my bullets according to a factory round I have on hand. As far as your last question, the only rule of thumb I know of for how far to seat in bullets is to seat them in deep enough so that the crimp groove on the bullet (if there is one, so do some dont) is just at or below the case mouth. As far as how much of the bullet should be in the brass, I dont think there is such a thing out there. Just follow the min and max OAL guide lines and you will be okay. __________________ Im not a complete idiot.... parts are missing

07-10-2009, 08:28 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,647	Re: Powder Charge/Cart Length Help Hodgdon's web site (that powder is Hodgdon, not "Hogan" HP38, by the way) says with a 125 jacketed bullet, minimum is 4.4 and maximum is 4.8, with a cartridge overall length of 1.090". http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Very handy site have bookmarked. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-11-2009, 12:47 PM	#5
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,301	Re: Powder Charge/Cart Length Help I looked in Lyman #49 and Hornady #7 manuals without finding that info either. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

07-11-2009, 01:02 PM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,647	Re: Powder Charge/Cart Length Help You need to work on your typing. You can do typos and misspellings on all kinds of things, but not on your load data. HG38? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-11-2009, 08:07 AM	#4
ceebeeee Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 6	Re: Powder Charge/Cart Length Help Thanks for the help. I have Modern Reloading Manual 2nd edition (Richard Lee), Hodgon Reloading Manual, and Hodgon Data Manual and couldnt find the info in any of them. I have several rounds loaded as I listed above (4.8 grains HG-38). Think they would be safe to fire? __________________ I'm mechanically inclined, I can screw up anything!!!