Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading NOOB at pistol reloading

Good as anything else I have used but flake powders are really tough sometimes.

A good way to set your powder measure for light charges is to throw 10 charges, weigh it, and divide by 10 to get your average charge.

If you want 3 grains, get the powder measure close, then throw 10 charges and if it weighs somewhere close to 30 grains, you’re probably good to go.

I believe you’ll get as good if not better accuracy with similar volumes than similar weights.

You shouldn’t have to weigh every charge. An occasional check should suffice.

Two things to watch out for. One is OAL. Seating a bullet too deeply can get you into hot water very fast, by raising pressures through the roof, especially in small cases like the 9mm. Use the length recommended by the bullet maker if at all possible. The second is to taper crimp your auto-pistol loads so the measurement at the mouth is the same as factory to be sure the bullet doesn't get pushed deeper into the case and boosting pressures like #1 above. You can check if it’s tight enough by pressing a loaded round into a hard surface to see if it moves.

Also, check and double check the powder level in your cases before you start seating bullets. Stuff happens!

Go slow and be careful. Good luck with the search for “pieces” for your loads.