I have been reloading for a handful of years and have over 25,000 rounds under my belt, so I may not be a veteran, but I'm not a neophyte either. These rounds include 9mm P, 45 ACP, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 41 Remington Magnum, and 45 Colt.
I have a 10mm Auto on order and am getting ready. It's a Guncrafter Industries No Name longslide. I hope to have it in 8 to 10 months, so I have some time to learn and gather equipment and components.
In preparation for adding 10mm Auto to my repertoire, I do have a few questions:
Dies? I have dies from Lee, Hornady, and RCBS. Hornady is my favorite. The Lees are too short for my press (Hornady LnL) and have a questionable lock ring design. Nothing against the RCBS, I just like Hornady better (koolaide?). Should I just get the Hornady 3-die set for 10mm? Series II vs. Series III?
Lee FCD? I use it for 9mm P and 45 ACP. Bur for loads I am seeking to eek extreme accuracy out of, should I avoid it?
If no to the FCD, should I just use the three dies and add taper crimp while seating? Or use a different taper crimp die? Any particular one?
Pass-through sizing? I read about pass-through sizing intended to remove bulging from brass fired in unsupported chambers. I will use new or known brass for any hot loads, but will also re-use brass and possibly purchase some once-fired. Do I need to pass-through size any or all of this?
Bullets? I have some Hornady 180 grain HAP on order based on their reputation for accuracy. Good? Bad? Other suggestions (target gun only, mostly long range). I do plan on using jacketed only, so this may affect your answers to my questions above.
Powder? I have Titegroup, Universal Clays, 231, and AutoComp. Oh, and Trail Boss and 5744 ... but won't be using those . Since I have time, what powder should I be looking for that will serve me well for mid-range loads, yet work for some more stout rounds too?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Quote from: Denver1911 on August 24 2014 06:54:05 AM MDT
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Bullets? I have some Hornady 180 grain HAP on order based on their reputation for accuracy. Good? Bad? Other suggestions (target gun only, mostly long range). I do plan on using jacketed only, so this may affect your answers to my questions above.
Powder? I have Titegroup, Universal Clays, 231, and AutoComp. Oh, and Trail Boss and 5744 ... but won't be using those . Since I have time, what powder should I be looking for that will serve me well for mid-range loads, yet work for some more stout rounds too?
180gr seems to to the common bullet for 10mm and the HAP is a very good round.... I find great accuracy with Remington fmj and Montana fmj too.
I know you said fmj, but I just started with Xtreme heavy plated 180s... they fire just fine in a stock g20 and are just as accurate for me ( but about half the price of the remingtons ).
As to powder, my knowledge is not as vast as others here, but to get the most out of the 10mm you prob should be looking for Power Pistol, Blue Dot , or 800x. Autocomp does work well for target/mid range but not as good as the first three in the upper levels. Titegroup I've only tried a dozen rounds and they were low- mid range so can't really comment.
Yeah, 180 is very common. You have lots of choices with that weight. As to dies....I've never noticed Lee Dies as usually the cheapest ones out there being inferior to the more expensive sets/brands. I would get the deluxe four die set. And depending on whether your pistol has a fully supported chamber, get the Lee Bulge Buster kit. That way if your gun puts the "smilies" and the brass, they get ironed out. Also if you get used brass from somewhere and don't know what kind of pistol shot it, you're still good to go. I crimp all my rounds, period. For Powder I've used HP38, Unique, Blue Dot, 24oo, and Red Dot. Any of them should be good, it all depends on which powder you can actually get some of. Primers, any brand will do. These take large pistol primers, unlike their little brothers, .40 S&W which use small pistol primers. Last I saw, new brass from Starline was in stock.
I use the Hornady Series II # 546534 and I also use Hornady 180 and 200 XTP's for hunting.
For plinking, target, etc, I use Rainer 180gr PHP with Longshot and AA# 9.
My data using a G20 with a 4.60" KKM barrel:
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-rainer-180-gr-and-accurate-9-data/
http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-rainer-180-gr-and-longshot/
Denver1911, I have used the RCBS carbide die set for 10mm since early 1990, the seater/crimp die back then was too long to properly crimp the shorter 40S&W cartridge that came along, solved that with a RCBS 40S&W seater/crimp die purchase...
I like the positive locking rings that securely hold the settings with these dies. I even use the RCBS locking rings on my Dillon and LEE dies as well.
About the Pass-Through system, I use the LEE FCD with the guts removed as my Pass-Through carbide die set up. No matter what I always run the 10mm, 40S&W, 357Sig and 9x25 Dillon cases through the Pass-Through die before regular sizing and depriming. Trust me when I say it is the best way to insure 100% properly sized cases where other dies can reach, because of the radius on the sizer die and the space occupied by the shellholder or plate.
If you are looking to long range accuracy, I have gotten my best accuracy with Blue Dot powder, it provides a balance of velocity (not the highest) and great accuracy. I have experienced other powders like LongShot, IMR800X, AA#7 & AA#9, Power Pistol, they work well in the 10mm. But Blue Dot has performed better for me accuracy wise, out to 130 yards from my S&W 1006 5" with the adjustable sights. Oh, I hand weigh each and every powder charge on my RCBS 5-10 balance beam scale. I mostly use the CCI primers, but have used all of the brands...
The Hornady Bullets have performed very well from my guns in various calibers, they are good in quality and consistency. I also cast my own bullets for 10mm, RCBS 200gr and 175gr TC (swc), Lyman 175gr TC & 156gr Devastator HP (obsolete). Sizing is done on the STAR sizer at 0.4015" and currently using Carnauba Red from White Label lubes. They all do well from my guns with conventional and poly rifling.
Good luck with your getting everything together and running.
Shadow,
Do you have a thread for Blue Dot Load data and accuracy ?
What kind of accuracy difference did you see in the powders you listed ?
Thanks in advance
Quote from: TXCOONDOG on August 24 2014 07:19:29 PM MDT
Shadow,
Do you have a thread for Blue Dot Load data and accuracy ?
What kind of accuracy difference did you see in the powders you listed ?
Thanks in advance
I'm sorry I don't have a thread for the results, but the load was 10.4 grains behind the back then 170 grain Honnady JHP, these were TC design back in the 90's before the XTP's came along. I could keep them into a 4" circle at 130 yards with the S&W 1006, bench rested, but my eyes were perfect and my aim much steadier as well. My RCBS cast 175gr TC's were also very accurate with the same loading.
Could I do that today? Possible with a little practice warm up, I could get them on targets that small again at distance. I don't get to shoot as much as I once did... ::)
Definitely get carbide dies! Case lube is so messy.
I settled on 165 grain bullets. I use Vihtavouri 3N 38 and 3N 37. Very accurate results.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/Halfcocked/25yardtarget001.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Halfcocked/media/25yardtarget001.jpg.html)
25 yards off hand slow fire.
I have gone exclusively to Redding dies and equipment. They just exude quality. I size, flare, load, and seat the bullet. Then as the last step taper crimp with the bullet seater backed out. Seams to work good for me.
Thanks everyone for all the advice!
My HAP bullets came in.
I picked up a LnL shell plate locally for a good price.
A member of 1911forum sent me a hundred cases he was given and did not want. He even put some XTP heads in the box. Another 1911forum member sold me 300 at a great price. I'm getting in on Earl's group buy for 1000 new Nickel Starline cases.
Ordered the Hornady New Dimension dies with the taper crimp option (which I doubt I will use).
Ordered a Lee FCD. I will likely use this for crimp and also to pass through some of the used brass I got.
Just need some powder. I'll be looking for some 800x. It seems to be one of the most popular.
Oh, ... and the gun. I'll certainly be ready when it arrives.
I have lee carbide dies, and use longshot for powder. as for bullets I use xtp 180 and 200 gr, or HAp's in 180 gr.
Quote from: Denver1911 on August 30 2014 12:54:44 PM MDT
I'm getting in on Earl's group buy for 1000 new Nickel Starline cases.
Yeah, I had to jump in on that deal myself.
I've been using the 180JHP from RMR along with 11.0 gr. Blue Dot. I like it.
I use Precision Bullets 185 grainers with 10.7 grains of Blue Dot.
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I like the Hornady dies best. I also own and use the taper crimp die. Allows me to keep my seating die set where I want it. I think it came with a roll crimp on the seater die. Crazy. I think they have since started shipping them with taper crimps instead.
Power Pistol is great for medium loads. Longshot was recommended to me and seems to work well for my higher velocity loads.