I was supposed to be on the boat yesterday, but we nixed that as the wife had many things she wanted to do here on the compound. This left me to get back on the 9mm project for Bill. Along with other things too. I received the V 3N38 and V 3N37 Tuesday afternoon. Along with a new set of RCBS 9mm dies, and Redding Seating die. I had been having an issue with bulging bullets in 9mm seems forever. I don't have a lot of respect for loading 9mm, so I didn't put a lot of emphasis on correcting the issue. I despise loading 9mm. And will only do it for special projects, such as this one for Bill. But there is no way in hell I am going to turn out a project that has bulging bullets, looks like crap. Long story shortened, the culprit of this entire issue was a Dillon size die, it must be sizing down just a bit too much on the top end, smaller dimensions. With RCBS die the bulging bullets disappear. Now at least we can put out some better looking ammo.
We are pleased with the V 3N38. We were not able to exceed velocity we were running with the WSF, but we did equal. While case expansion was also equal to the WSF load, and velocity, at 1150 fps, the consistency of the V 3N38 was extremely good. Primers, cases and all other indicators looked much better with the V 3N38 as well. Since V 3N38 is a good bit slower, I would think the pressure curve is not as sharp, or quick, as the faster WSF and contributes to this. I have good confidence in the load, its up in pressure, no doubt about it, but it does look good and works great in the Browning Hi Power. I have a 100 loaded for Bill to try out. In the meantime today I will prep the other brass. Not loading this stuff progressive, taking a little more time with it than that.
I will be looking at the V 3N37 today as well with the 90 gr Raptor load.
Other things we are forming 500 MDM brass from 375 RUM. I plan to send over a 500 MDM to Billy's big ta do in October for the CFF folks to shoot. But, I will also get something out of it too, I am going to have Formed Loads to fire, and in the process end up with some proper Fire Formed brass. Formed loads are UGLY, and I despise them. The feed, function and shoot normal as premium fire formed loads, but just ugly. Back in the day of doing pressure tests and load data with 500 MDM, I always used Formed brass, and made a lot of good looking fire formed from that operation. Pressures ran on average 2000 PSI higher in FORMED brass than the same load in FIRED brass. This gives one a small 2000 PSI cushion in your data, and that is not too bad, as components change properties from one keg/can or box or what have you.
500 MDM is the most difficult one to make brass for out of all the stuff I have and do. And one of the reasons I keep fairly close tabs on who has one. I will be forming more brass today. My pal Sam made a set of Forming Dies for me some years ago. We take 375 RUM and run through the first die to take it to 416, next one to 458, and the 3rd one to 500 caliber. Then the case gets sized back to 500MDM specs, so it will hold the bullet. Rather ugly, but it does work.
There are other ways to form, using the Corn Meal method to blow them out. I used this years ago before anyone made 458 Lott brass. You prime your new parent case, in this instance 375RUM. A good dose of Bullseye is added, 25 grains for 500MDM. Then a piece of toilet paper over the powder to hold it in place. Then you funnel corn meal in on top of that until you get to the top. You have to put the corn meal in the funnel, and tap it through the hole with a round object smaller than your funnel hole. When you get Corn Meal to the top you need to pack it in a little tight, and then add another piece of toilet paper on top to hold everything in. Then take it outside and fire it in a SAFE direction. Magic brass, almost. It is quite a messy project at the bench, and very time consuming as well. While you get a decent piece of brass, sometimes that little ghost shoulder does not iron out as crisp as I would like. If making 458 Lott brass from either 375HH or 416Rem, those iron out straight and are ready to load. 500MDM is a little more complicated because of the Ghost Shoulder. Or the slight neck down at the top.