After much procrastination, I am trying to get back into reloading. However, I am finding that load data often seems highly contradictory. Deciding to start off with a common round – 9mm 115 gr. jacketed round nosed bullet, using Hodgdon HS-6 powder.
I compared data from the Hodgdon web site and Hornady Handbook (9[SUP]th[/SUP] edition). Both specify a twist of 1:10” and barrel length of 4” and trim lengths of .749-.750”. Hornady uses Winchester WSP primers while Hodgdon specifies CCI 500 small pistol primers.
Hornady’s data for HS-6 powder, using 115 gr. jacketed bullets (FMJ RN and HP XTP – diam. = .355”) is,
5.7 gr. 1,000 fps
5.9 gr. 1,050 fps
6.2 gr. 1,100 fps
6.4 gr. 1,150 fps (maximum load)
Hodgdon data for HS-6 powder, using 115 gr. jacketed bullets (Speer Gold Dot HP – diam. = .355”) is,
6.7 gr. 1,171 fps (starting load)
7.0 gr. 1,234 fps (maximum load)
Hornady’s data lists the maximum load as 6.4 gr. and a maximum velocity of 1,150 fps, while the Hodgdon data *starts* at 6.7 gr. and a velocity of 1,171 fps! The only difference between the two is the brand of small pistol primer and the brand of bullet. Can that really make that much of a difference, bearing in mind that the bullet weights are the same and they are all jacketed?
Feeling very confused – any help would be appreciated, even if it is just “go read this…”
I compared data from the Hodgdon web site and Hornady Handbook (9[SUP]th[/SUP] edition). Both specify a twist of 1:10” and barrel length of 4” and trim lengths of .749-.750”. Hornady uses Winchester WSP primers while Hodgdon specifies CCI 500 small pistol primers.
Hornady’s data for HS-6 powder, using 115 gr. jacketed bullets (FMJ RN and HP XTP – diam. = .355”) is,
5.7 gr. 1,000 fps
5.9 gr. 1,050 fps
6.2 gr. 1,100 fps
6.4 gr. 1,150 fps (maximum load)
Hodgdon data for HS-6 powder, using 115 gr. jacketed bullets (Speer Gold Dot HP – diam. = .355”) is,
6.7 gr. 1,171 fps (starting load)
7.0 gr. 1,234 fps (maximum load)
Hornady’s data lists the maximum load as 6.4 gr. and a maximum velocity of 1,150 fps, while the Hodgdon data *starts* at 6.7 gr. and a velocity of 1,171 fps! The only difference between the two is the brand of small pistol primer and the brand of bullet. Can that really make that much of a difference, bearing in mind that the bullet weights are the same and they are all jacketed?
Feeling very confused – any help would be appreciated, even if it is just “go read this…”