Quote:
Originally Posted by Normlizer
Need some help got a lyman and they don't list 125g bullets for 9mm and i'm not sure how much 700x powder to use? i'm thinking around 2.5 or somewhere but i really don't wanna guess with this kind of thing. Any help from u guys please? Well i went to the hodgdon site and it says use 2.9g to start with and 3.4g max. Now the question is. I have a lee loadmaster 9mm kit with the pro auto-disk powder measure. The disks have numbers on the but i don't think thats grains are they? I guess i use the chart i got with it. It says 700x with 2.8g is VDM .37 what is VDM? There is no 2.9g measure so should i jump up to 3.0g VDM .40?
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Hi, pal. It is just for avoiding this sort of head-banging, mind-disturbing calculations that I bought the best single accessory to that AutoDisc Powder measure that they make. Here I refer to the "Micrometer-adjuster".-
http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/parts/2420.jpg
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...382.5148=90792
This makes setting your EXACT charge a breeze.
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VDM???
"VMD" is Lee's "Volume Measuring Density" = "The volume of one grain of powder (
expressed) in cubic centimeters".
Now, with the Lee discs as well as the dippers, each larger cavity is only (Per Richard Lee's "
Modern Reloading")
7% larger in volume than the one below it.
Lee says "Multiply your
charge in grains by the
VMD to find the
cubic centimeters of your charge. Use this to set your Lee Perfect Powder Measure . You may also use the closest
smaller cavity Auto Disc or Powder Dipper" (emphasis mine)
VMD for 700-X is listed as 0.13430 (per the chart, or in the book. This is a constant reference number for each powder.)
So (700-X VMD)0.13430 x 2.8(grains) = 0.37604 (cubic centimeters of charge).
Therefore, the ".37" hole of the AutoDisc would be the appropriate start, throwing almost 2.8 grains. If you step up to the ".40" cavity, you would, at the most, be throwing a charge of only 2.996 gr, a 7% increase. ".43" will mean 3.205 grains.
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Now, back to 700-X. A good powder choice, versatile and quite acceptable for just about EVERY possible common pistol caliber and bullet. There are functional loadings listed in the IMR book for multitudes of caliber/bullet combinations. The cavities in the Auto Disc are large enough that you should get acceptable results from 700-X, being a flake powder. Although ball powders do seem to meter a little more accurately at small amounts, moreso than flake or extruded powders. Incidentally, it is my only shotgun powder.
The IMR pamphlet does not have the cast lead 124 bullet, but it does list for the 124 "
Metal Cased" : "4.8gr of 700-X, 1110 fps, 32,600CUP". That is a right good speed for a 124 Metal Cased bullet - a near-max load.
This data is not to be used interchangeably with cast lead, but it is reasonable to back down 5%-10% for starting loads. Then, look for pressure-signs, and measure velocity, if you can, and then go up from there, but not exceeding the top for the Metal Cased bullet.
My Speer #9 Book says 3.1 grains of 700-x gives 920 fps to the 124 gr LRN bullet, and 3.2 gives 977. Reasonable velocities, probably should function any average semiauto.
Lee says 4.3 to 4.8 for jacketed, so decreasing again by 10% for lead, the loads you are starting with should be quite reasonable.
Now, : Check weigh the starting load with an accurate scale if you can. (PM me on this, if you need a scale I keep a spare or two on hand - actually verifiable old-timers that I often use to check against my magnetic-damped Ohaus.) Make sure the measure is near enough.
And This, my friend, is what relaoding is all about. Enjoy.
Flash