Looking for Reloading Recipie for Old Luger
 

Hello, I just bought an old 1918 Erfurt Luger and I want to make hand loads for it. According to a recent Gun Digest article on the hand built Krieghoff Lugers, the columnist recommends 4.1gr of Red Dot w/ a 115 Gr FMJ RN head, but does not specify overall length. I also contacted Alliant Powders and they recommended

115 gr jacketed bullet
Bullseye start 4 grs max 4.5 grs
Unique start 4.5 grs max 5.5 grs
Power Pistol start 5.9 grs max 6.3 grs

again no specified overall length. I am trying to keep the gun shooting at safe chamber pressure levels being that I do not want to subject a 94 year old gun to high pressures. Any info would be much appreciated!

Looking at the Hodgdons load data on line (Google Hodgdon powder) Win 231 starting load w/115 fmj bullet is 4.7 grns. They also show a very low pressure.

I load this and it functions flawlessly. I use the same overall length as the Win white box ammo.

Hope this helps.

Lugers feed better with a slightly long COL. In the 1.155-1.170 range.

As FNORN stated, I load my Luger 9mm ammo as long as the magazine and chamber will tolerate. The long OAL also helps to keep the chamber pressures down. Start low on the powder, and see what it will take to get reliable functioning.

On this site check out the following: Zombeer - Ejector Problems - New Collectors 01.06.2012 and Sieger - Determining Proper Cartridge O.A.L. 07.10.2011. My 1937 Mauser appears to be sensitive to bullet shape as well as length. The Hornady 115 gr. FMJ encapulsated RN were were working quite well until I changed to a no name (much cheaper) plated product that looked to be identical to the Hornady. Had to seat them deeper. Lengths mentioned above are a good range as well as making trial dummies. Good luck.

Greg B.