A bit more Powder

[Lee B]

I'm reloading 9mm using Maxam CSB 1M and 115 gr FMJ, there's a teeny bit of load dats on the container, I've found a bit on the web and the guy in the Armeria where I bought it says use the same numbers as for Vectan BA09, however.
The 3.6 gr charge will not cycle the pistol, I've gradually increased that to 4.8 gr. (the maximum charge) where it is working but not enough to eject the empties, 5.0 gr cycles the action and ejects ok but does not lock the slide back after the last round is fired.
5.2 grains is the minimum that makes everything work, and feel as it should and 5.4 grains feels perfect and quite a lot softer than factory ammo.
The cases look fine and there's no sign of over pressure.
Case lengths, tried 27mm - 29mm with no noticeable difference, the gun is a SIG-Sauer P226 X6 and it has been recently checked over and the trigger pull regulated by the local gunsmith who pronounced it in excellent condition.

Should I be worried?

[dromia]

The only way not to be worried is to have the ammunition pressure tested as you seem to be operating in uncharted territory.

Cases are no good for looking for pressure "signs" until it is too late.

You seem to be on your own and beyond reliable data and as such you are taking risks, not something I would do.

Best to get powder for which you have good pressure tested data rather than "experimenting" beyond the vague parameters you have been given.

Have you contacted the powder manufacturer for their view on your loads in this calibre?

[Lee B]

Thanks dromia I wouldn't have a clue where to get ammunition pressure tested, it is indeed uncharted territory, unfortunately any choice of powder is rare here and it's a case of taking what's on offer or do without. I know plenty of Spanish guys who reload but some of them blend their own and I've even heard one advocating a little bit of black powder in the mix - poco loco!
Like I say, when shooting the current stuff it feels much softer than factory loads any less powder just doesn't work, crimps seem tight, length is in spec, I'll try emailing Maxam but their address on the container is Madrid so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a reply.
I love Spain really just it might be better if the British were in charge :)

[Alpha1]

Do you know what the powder burn rate is. Can you shoot it over a chronograph.
How far is Club Precision Tiro Olimpico. Elche from Roldan.Las Alchazares as a matter of interest.

[Sim G]

Lee, it's really simple. The powder you have been sold us not suitable for 9mm. A trawl over the net shows this. Maxam themselves only list data for 12ga on their site. A couple of the IPSC forums talk about CSB-1 and CSB-5 a few years ago when someone imported several tons into the US. Nobody found it worked well, especially with 115gn bullets. 4.4 grains allegedly becomes compressed when loaded to minimum OAL. The bloke in the shop did you a disservice, he sold you what he had, not what you needed.

A couple of options. Try a heavier bullet, 124gn or preferably 147gn, with around 4.0 to 4.2 max ACCORDING TO A FORUM. It produces light loads on the cusp of IPSC power factor for minor. That should run the Sig. Or, drive to another gunshop, in France if you need to, and buy suitable powder in bulk. I couldn't find one near Elche, but then my Spanish is as good as saddlers English!

Or, buy factory if an option.

Either way, CSB-1M is not suitable.

[Sim G]

Do you know what the powder burn rate is. Can you shoot it over a chronograph.

It was reckoned to be around Unique..

[Lee B]

Thanks guys, at least no one started shouting "don't do that, you'll blow yer bloody fingers off" :)
I've just been up to another range I use at Rojales, I shot some 9mm a guy had loaded with 5.6 gr of BA09 as well as my own tryouts, that guy reckoned BA09 was no good for 9mm and he's changed to BA10 which he had to drive to Madrid for, but works fine with 3 gr!
Sim, so you know Jaime Candella? Excellent gunsmith and all round decent bloke.
Los Alcazares is down on the Mar Menor, near Murcia airport which is about a 25 minute drive south from here, Elche is about 40 minutes drive north just outside Alicante.
CPTO Elche is right under the approach to Alicante airport, we're stood there shooting and the planes are coming in to land overhead, low enough to have their wheels down and headlights on, I kid you not you can almost read the tyre sizes - somehow couldn't see that being allowed in the UK?
Also go to Armeria Gil in Redovan, when Señor Gil can be bothered to open his shop, and Izquierda in Alicante, (Izquierda is Spanish for left) but the shop is nicknamed itsaqueerdo!
And none of them keep loading tables :(

[meles meles]

We think your reloading should be a tad more scientific than

"Wing of bat and eye of newt,
Pinch of powdah, see it shoot !"

[Lee B]

We think your reloading should be a tad more scientific than

"Wing of bat and eye of newt,
Pinch of powdah, see it shoot !"

It's all a question of degrees Mr Badger, my efforts are positively Einstein like by comparison to my Spanish counterparts, most of whom also still seem to be in possession of most of the fingers they were originally issued with.

No excuse I know, and I'm making honest efforts to locate not only a book of loading tables but also the Costa Blanca Chronograph , rumoured to be in the possession of Jan the Dutchman. And some decent powder, that would probably help too.

[Alpha1]

It's a pity you did not post this a week earlier I could of brought you a reloading manual over. You should be able to down load data of the Internet anyway I would of thought.