Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns How do you load 9mm?

I've never reloaded for 9mm up to now, because it's been fairly cheap, and also I'm guessing that handling cases that small is harder than bigger cases (don't know if I'd still think that if I tried.

Well, it's not as cheap anymore and i'm thinking about putting away a bunch of bullets and powder before January.

My question is really this: I don't know if I want to spring for a Dillon 550; does anyone have an efficient production process using a turret (or single stage press for that matter) that I can consider? Or is it worth it to go progressive?

I don't need super-high production. Let's say I only need to load 4000 rounds a year.

Rufus:

I don't, either, although many folks do.

One thing you might do is wait to see which way the election and the economy goes.

Gas is going down in price; a declining demand/price of lead, copper and powder (if that happens) might bring the cost of factory ammo down, too.

And I hate to say it, but if Bambi wins the election, he'll most likely put the brakes on the fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan over the next year. Means less demand on the ammo makers by the Pentagon. Maybe lower prices. Lots of hardball of various kinds on the market anyway.

- Tom

You pose a good question.. For the parameters you state (4,000 rounds/year etc.,) and IF this is the main round you will load for, I would suggest a good single stage like RCBS.. But also obtain a separate hand priming tool.. Using a single stage for priming will make for a VVEEERRRRYYY SSSSLLLOOOOWWWW DDDAAAYYY.. Once you get the cases primed, dropping powder and seating bullets will go relatively quickly. I have a single stage and a Dillon 550.. I use the Dillon for all the handgun loads; the RCBS for rifles (so far)... But I reload for about 30 different cartridges so it all makes more sense for me..

Let's go to the board:

4,000 rounds = 80 boxes at $10 each = $800

I can reload for half that, so I'd save $400 a year.

Time is money, so $400 savings at the reloading bench:

4,000 rounds on a 550B = 13 hours, or $30 per hour.

4,000 rounds on a turret press = 40 hours, or $10 per hour.

4,000 rounds on a single stage = 80 hours, or $5 per hour.

Everything that the 550B will do, the 650 will do faster. Once you get the 550B, you�ll wish you had the auto indexing and case feeding XL650. It�s an extremely versatile press. If the 650 existed when I bought my 1050, I would have never bought the 1050. I�m also a fan of the Square Deal B, which is also auto indexing.

How do I load the 9mm? I buy decent quality bulk packed ammo by the case and then load the 9mm by stuffing the magazine full and bangin' away! That is one caliber I just don't fiddle with loading.

Kevin,

The XL650 is my regular press for handgun ammo and I've used my brothers 550B a ton. I agree with you, but I'm probably going to pick up a 550B. A lot of my loading is smaller batches nowadays, say 300-400 rounds and even 50-100 on occasion. If I add the time for a cartridge changes for smaller batches the 550B is just as fast as the XL650. The XL650 needs 500 rounds or more to stretch its legs.

Back in the days I when I would load 3,000 at a crack the XL650 would really shine.

Thanks for all the input guys.

tjm, I'm watching the price trends closely, and I'm trying to only buy on the cheap. Before I left PA I bought as much old-priced stock as I could find and afford (then hauled it across country god help me).

redneck, what you describe is basically how I reload rifle and handgun now (single stage, hand priming, each step individually in batches). I'm revisting the options for 9mm primarily due to the small case size (harder to handle) and less need to customize than with .357 for example.

JOG, I think I get your point but it doesn't include the startup costs for a progressive, I can start single stage with no new purchases.

Kevin, still trying to resist a progressive, though I could use it on other handgun stuff.

MOGC, I hope your method becomes practical again, but I still want to sock away some lead, powder, and primers before the Obamanation arrives.

I'm currently loading 9mm on a Dillon 650. I have a case of Montana Gold 115 CMJ's that I picked up last year for about $180. Current price on these from Montana Gold is $270 ish per case of 4000 including shipping. That puts the cost of the bullet at $.0675 per bullet... $67.50/k

Primers are running about $25/k

My current load is 4.8 gr of universal clays. $106/8# plus $35 Hazmat plus shipping = $141/56000 x 4.8 = .0120 per round

My brass is currently free but people are paying .02-.03 per once fired.

Total cost per round = .0675+.025+.03+.0120 = $.1345/round = 134.50 per case of 1000.

You can save some money if you load lead bullets, currently Bear creek Moly coated 115s are $59/k, so save a penny or so, $10 per k. Plain lead can probably be had a bit cheaper. If you cast your own, then you know what your cost is.

If you have brass already you drop the .03..

Still 134.50 a thousand isn't bad for jacketed 115 fmj's. $6.73 per 50 is a pretty good price these days. I've seen it on sale for just under $10 a box and usually it is more around 11.99.

JOG,

For smaller batches I picked up a Square Deal B, which is a wonderful little progressive. My SDB is currently setup for 9mm, my XL650 is setup for .30 Carbine and my XL1050 is setup for .45 ACP.

I need to load some .44 magnum, so I'll setup either the 650 or the SDB for .44 and load up about 500 rounds.