Reloading for the CZ

[AIRret]

I wanted to share something we learn a couple of months ago WRT loading for the CZ 9mm. I bought a CZ SP01 tactical and my Husband bought a CZ 75 last Feb, therefore we did some research before shooting any reloads through these new guns.
What Hubby found online is that the CZ's have shorter head spaces.
So a month ago (prior to shooting reloads in these new guns) we began checking the bullets in the CZ barrel as well as the SIG. Our check of the CZ
barrel involves not only placing the bullet in the barrel but also twisting the bullet to see if there is any resistance. And low and behold we have found 9mm's that won't work in the CZ but fit just fine in the SIG and Khar.
This is probably old hat for you very experienced reloaders but for those of us with less experience I thought it was important info.
Check, double check and then check again.

[MW surveyor]

Just so you know.............................................. .......

I have a CZ SP01 Phantom and shoot the same rounds through it that I shoot through my CW9. When first developing loads for the CZ and the CW9, I had both barrels on the reloading bench to do drop tests in each.

The 125 grain LRN that I normally shoot in each is loaded to an OAL of 1.115 to 1.120". This OAL is about a finger nail thickness from the step in the bullet's construction to where it starts in to the taper for the nose. Good thing that it works in both of the pistols very well, cause I really didn't want to have to load two different lengths!

Unless you are loading at max, you can shorten up your rounds so that they work in all of your 9 mm.

[AIRret]

Thanks MW
I'm always learning on this forum and I appreciate all the feedback/help

[MW surveyor]

You are very welcome. People have helped me and I try to pass on what I've learned.

[Bawanna]

Many Kahrs also run on the short side. I did just what MW mentioned and just shortened them enough to run well and use that length for everything.

The CZ's must be really short.

[MW surveyor]

I've never had any problem with running any store bought FMJ through my Phantom. Due to the design of the lead bullets that I use, I did have to go to a length that would work in all my 9 mm.

[AIRret]

We have never had any trouble with store bought ammo in the Khar, CZ or the Sigs.

Because 9mm is easier to run too hot we have been staying at 1.130 length and 4.2 of
Hodgon titegroup. We are being conservative until we have more experience. And we have been reloading 9mm because that is the hardest caliber to find.

[MW surveyor]

What bullet are you running? That length seems a bit long.

[AIRret]

We are using Montana Gold, 115 grain, FMJ

[MW surveyor]

Have you checked the Hodgen's reloading data site?

For some reason, they do not have a FMJ 115 grain listed. They do have the 115 gr hollow point. Starting loads for the hollow points are more than the 4.2 grains that you have indicated.

Where did you get the load data from for the loads you are presently using?

On second thought, if they are working for you in all of your 9 mm, then the loads are probably OK.

[AIRret]

It's interesting that you are asking that question. We were discussing that very point early this morning. I have 4 separate recipes but I never wrote down their sources. Now I realize that, that is not a good idea.
Some sources I do use are Hornady, Lee, Hogdon's 2013 annual reloading manual, the
various powder sites and I review recipes from various forums.
The information I wrote down from these various sources are as follows:
4.1 - 4.5 gr OAL 1.135
4.3 gr OAL 1.125
4.3 gr OAL 1.14
4.2 gr OAL 1.135
All the bullets go bang, no Fail to fire nor fail to feed.
We have been pleased with their accuracy and the fact that they consistently eject to the same location, unlike factory ammo.