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I had the opportunity to watch a friend of mine reload a few weeks ago. There were 3 of us; the friend who was doing the reloading, another friend that reloads as well but was only watching and I. I don't reload but my friend loves to do it for a stress reliever. For a 12 pack and the cost of components, he reloads about a 1000 rounds for me. I have never had a problem with his reloads or how he does it. This time he used a different powder since his supplier was out of his usual stuff. He cross referenced a Lee reloading manual, a Lyman manual and the powder manufacturer load data. They all had different loads and different OALs for the same powder and bullet configuration. I asked, "which one do you use when they are all different?" I received 2 different responses, the friend reloading said he always defers to the powder manufacturer load data. The friend watching disagreed with his choice and said use the Lyman manual because based on the powder powder data, the pressures were too high due to the higher OAL. Color me nervous to fire the reloads but I trust my friend. We went to the range together and all went fine as usual. The debate is still open between my 2 friends, so is there one source that is a better choice over another or is it up to the reloader?

Just for background this is what my friend loaded:
9mm 115gr zero FMJ bullet
Accurate Arms #5 powder 5.8gr
CCI #500 small pistol primers
Mixed brass but mostly WWB
OAL 1.100

Manual Load- Lee:
9mm 115gr FMJ bullet
Accurate Arms #5 powder 6.4-7.0
OAL 1.095

Manual Load- Lyman
9mm 115gr FMJ bullet
Accurate Arms #5 powder 5.5-7.0gr
OAL 1.090

Tuning in for this answer...

I load my OAL to longer than the published "Minimum OAL". Usually between .05 and .08 longer than published loads while sticking to the minimum powder charge across my data sources. Erring on the side of caution with both variables.

I have been reloading since I was in my teens and I am 65 now Whenever in doubt I go by the powder manufacturers recommendations. They are the ones that have the most to loose if the data is wrong.

The Lee data is almost always more realistic that I have found. Everyone else has proven rather conservative with their data. A longer OAL doesn't necessarily mean lower pressure. Federal did a test some years ago and found the compressed loads actually seem to lower pressure until you break about the 105% fill capacity mark.

Imo, if there is a discrepency in the data, go with the number that would result in lower pressure. For example, if one source said the max for a given load is 7 grains and another said that the max is 6 grains. The only thing you are likely to lose by going with 6 grains is a little velocity. If you go with 7 grains and you are wrong, the consequences could be a lot worse. The same goes for overall length except that the bigger number/longer length should be the safer number.


In your case, the rounds your friend loaded are well below max according to both sources listed and are slightly longer. I wouldn't at all be concerned about firing them.

Just a reminder, when making up a dummy round and checking OAL, make sure it functions properly in your magazine too.

Don2

From reading all the responses, the reloader has only guidelines of what loads to use with a bit of science and math influencing those guidelines. Judging by the argument between my two friends that reloading weekend, I would have thought there was truly one way of thinking. I've always had a great experience with the reloaded rounds and I often think they are more accurate then the ones purchased. Or it could be the results of the friendly competition with my friend at the range . Judging how poorly I did in math and science when I was in school, I think I'll let my friend continue with reloading for me. It's his stress reliever from a hard day at work. It seems a bit tedious but the reward of having 300 rounds in an hour for less $ is definitely worth it.

Another question... does the powder spilled on the floor actually blowup the vacuum?

Thanks for all the responses.

urnoodle wrote: Another question... does the powder spilled on the floor actually blowup the vacuum?

Thanks for all the responses.

The danger of vacuuming the spilled powder is fire more so than explosion. That's what brooms and dustpans are for. Sweep, then wet mop to clean up spilled powder and - - - don't reload in a carpeted room! The danger of static electricity is too great! You will never get the spilled powder out of the carpet.

Oops...my friend's press is in a room with carpet. I knocked over a round with powder in it and it landed on the carpet. I guess I might be on the hook for a new vacuum then.

- - - don't reload in a carpeted room!

Hmmm.....I've never had anything other than carpeted rooms to reload in during the 20yrs I've been reloading.

You just need to be careful :-)

ghostrider wrote:

- - - don't reload in a carpeted room!

Hmmm.....I've never had anything other than carpeted rooms to reload in during the 20yrs I've been reloading.

You just need to be careful :-)

I don't really have a choice at this point, so I just tell the wife to leave the cleaning of that room to me.

I've only had 4 or 5 small fires since the beginning of the year, not bad at all.

Is it safe to meltdown cast bullets with liquid alox on them? I have a bunch of cast bullets my ex left behind. I've held on to them for almost a year now and I'd like to give them to my reloader friend. He wants to recast into a larger caliber but they have liquid alox on them and I don't want him to do something that's unsafe.

urnoodle wrote:Is it safe to meltdown cast bullets with liquid alox on them?

Sure, no sweat.

It should be in a well ventilated space, but that is just common sense for bullet casting in general.

Thanks Jumping Frog. I gave them to my friend today after seeing your post and he called me to let me know everything went fine. He's happy he can cast more bullets and I'm happy that I will no longer stub my toe on the box.