First Reloaded Rounds

[Driftwood]

After years of saying that I want to reload my own ammo, I finally pulled the trigger back in December and bought all the gear I needed to get started.  I got the Lee Challenger press along with the Lee 3-die carbide die set and Lee perfect powder measure.  For a scale, I went with the RCBS 5-0-5.

I am also loading 9mm rounds, so I purchased a powder that I could use for both 9mm and 10mm to keep things simple at first.  I chose Winchester WSF as that powder.  I am using 180 gr plated bullets for the 10mm and 124 gr plated for the 9mm.  Both purchased from Xtreme Bullets.  Winchester primers seated into all of my collected brass over the last few years.

After reading loading manuals and soaking in tips and data from this and other sites, I got some rounds made up and was able to get out and send them downrange this past weekend.  I am very happy with the load I put together for the 9mm.  In fact I liked it so much, I already started the process of making a couple hundred more of those.  The 10mm rounds were pretty weak.  They were very accurate, cycled perfectly out of my G20 and had almost no recoil.  The brass was all found within 2 feet of where I stood.  Definitely not the "across county line" launched brass I am used to with the 10mm.  I am going to increase the load a few notches and see what that does before making up a bunch of 10's.  I'd like a little bit more pop out of my 10 than this first run, but am not interested in anything close to nuclear this early in the game (especially with plated bullets).  I don't have a chronograph yet, so no velocity numbers to share.

10mm load data:
Xtreme 180 gr. RNFP Plated bullets
6.0 gr. Winchester WSF Powder
1.25 OAL
Light taper crimp

Going to load at 6.2 and 6.4 gr. WSF for next trial.  Might even throw in a few at 6.6 gr.

9mm load data:
Xtreme 124 gr. RN Plated bullets
5.0 gr. Winchester WSF Powder
1.125 OAL
Light taper crimp.

I'll keep sharing my experiences with the WSF and the 10mm as I go along.  I know its not a popular powder in 10mm reloading, but I think it has its place as a plinking powder as well as one that can be used across several calibers.

[tommac919]

congrats....


I haven't loaded plated but I remember that the 180s jacket max out about 7gr of wsf... I would assume they would be on the light end.
WSF doesn't push them super fast but comes in at mid 1100's at book max values.
But a nice round that is accurate isn't always loaded to max anyway.

BTW, I'm not positive, but I guess you would prob know, plated are softer so get loaded like cast??

[Driftwood]

Yes, the copper plating is thinner than a typical full metal jacket.  The rule I have been told with plated bullets is to keep them below 1200 fps.  Xtreme says their plating is thicker and can handle more, but I don't think I have to worry about 1200 fps with WSF.  When I decide to start loading the 10mm closer to full power loads, I will use a different powder and the appropriate projectiles.  At this point, I am content with having an ample supply of 10mm target ammo that only cost .17 cents per round. 

[The_Shadow]

Good for you Driftwood,  You may want the LEE FCD with the Bulge Buster Kit or Redding GRX system, because you will need a "Pass-Through" sizer system at some point to recondition your cases...

Be safe!

[Caneman]

good job... its a rush to shoot your first handload!  i think i wore a leather glove 

[Intercooler]

The reloads I purchased here recently are plated and that does come off. I have witnessed double holes and shards from them @ 1150 FPS. They are loaded with the same powder as well.

[snuffy]

I used some Titegroup and HS6 loaded on the lower end with Xtreme 180 HP's and shot them in G29 at a recent GSSF match. Ironically, my score was better than the 3 divisions I shot with a G17 that I had shot countless rounds in practice. I love my G29, the 17.....not so much.