PDA

View Full Version : 9MM 125RNL with Red Dot?



340six
07-20-2010, 01:07 AM
I was given 4 pounds of old red dot in an card board keg never opened.
It is still good as it wa stored inside a home on a shelf at My dads home in fact I was with him years ago when he bought it new and was saving it for shot gun loads that never happened.
The Alliant Powder Web site does not show any round nose lead loads.
The only 3 books I have that show red dot for this load say:
#356242 rnl 120gr
My alloy comes in at 128 with lube and have done fine with midrange loads of WW231 and info for 125rnl
1)Lyman 49th printed Dec 2008 red dot 3.0-3.9

2)The lyman cast bullet handbook "3rd edition" printed from 1980-2008 that came with my lyman pot,lube sizer ect. says says 3.8-4.5 of red dot

3)And an even older Lyman book{1973} says 3.8-4.5 of red dot

FYI)
Wondering what other books state that some of you have on hand thanks

runfiverun
07-20-2010, 05:36 PM
my old alliant book shows 4.5 as max with 125gr lead boolits.
i'd start at the 3.8 and see what the gun is telling you.
function, leading in the bbl, etc and go from there.

340six
07-20-2010, 06:58 PM
The only thing that worries is the Lyman 49th printed Dec 2008 red dot 3.0-3.9
and 3.8 would almost be the max of 3.9.
I set the powder toss at 3.8 last night since thats what the old book says and it is older powder.
That I am sure is not the same as the new on the self today
I plan of loading all my "9" and 45Colt as well as 45acp with it till it runds out
Thanks

runfiverun
07-21-2010, 03:03 PM
the new stuff is supposed to be a bit cleaner burning.
I think they adjusted the nitro content to do so, which would make it burn cleaner.
most of the time when there is a disparity in loads it is usually due to either more bearing surface on the bullet, a deeper seating depth, or a lesser capacitied case being used.
any of the three will especially affect the 9mm
which is a sensitive case anyways.
when dealing with the new in reloading the old saying "start low and work up" always applies.
that and wiith cast boolits the sweet spot is usually not on the high end.
you'll like the red dot it's a good powder in handguns and in shotguns it's one of those powders that others are compared to.

340six
07-23-2010, 02:27 AM
Ok I shot 100 rnds of 3.8 red dot and some of my WW231 4.0 grains
The 3.8 RD was hotter and not as accurate I am going to back down to 3.5 and try again.
It had a little burning powder comming out the barrel few light sparks if ya really looked
Also shot down/low but may be me or the non adjustable sights.
The range has the carriers that are up at the right level when at your location and all the way back. {ie} goes down in center as the cables need to have the slack taken out.

runfiverun
07-23-2010, 03:04 AM
shooting low is a good indicator of being a little quicker.
you'll find the spot.