Check out my thread on Longshot.  Those are 200 grain powder coated bullets.  I cast them and then powder coated them.

I loaded rounds at 6.8, 7.0 and 7.2 grains of Longshot.  7.2 gave me average velocity of 1043, extreme spread of 61 and s.d. of 21.  I then upped it to 7.5 and got 1066 average velocity, 43 extreme spread and 14 standard deviation.  I didn't gain a lot of velocity by going up but did lower the extreme spread and standard deviation.  All brass looked fine .  I think I will stay there for awhile.  It was a fairly pleasant load.  That was a power factor of 213.  I did not test accuracy, but point of impact seemed closer to aim at the higher levels.

I would like to try some Longshot that I just got with my 200 grain powder coated cast bullets.  Hodgden has only fmj load for 200 grain with a starting load of 7.0 grains and max load of 8.2 grains.  Where should I start for cast bullets?

I tried my 200 grain powder coated cast bullet loaded with 6.8 grains of Power Pistol at 1.248 oal.  I measured it over a chronograph and got average velocity of 1100 fps.  The extreme spread was 21 and the standard deviation was 6.  It made a fairly nice load and I was really pleased with how consistent it was.  I had previously tried 7.3 grains and it averaged about 1150.  Not a lot of difference but felt recoil seemed much lighter on the new load.  Power factor averaged 214, still pretty stout power factor.

Loaded some at 1.245-1.246 and chronographed both loads.

OAL 1.250
average velocity 1143
extreme spread 32
standard deviation 16

OAL 1.245-1.246
average velocity 1139
extreme spread 61
standard deviation 16

power factor on shorter load is 227!

Are these too hot for a Delta Elite or okay?  When I tried 7.1 and 7.2 grains they seemed to shoot low, but maybe I was pulling them.  Of course I could try CFE or 231 or True Blue also.  May even have a pound of Unique.
They seemed a little snappy but certainly controllable, not terrible.
What do you think?

I will try these out and see how it goes.  I did find that I had to make sure the rounds were way back against the back of the magazine.  Have never had to watch that close with 45 acp or 40.  It's something I will keep an eye on.  If I have any more problems I will go a little shorter, but I ran several magazines through when changing the amount of powder and all worked.

Tried 1.250 which seemed to solve the problem of the first round not wanting to load.  Then upped to 7.3 grains as 7.1 and then 7.2 were shooting very low.  Still a little low, but much better.  Made up a hundred rounds to try.  Hopefully will get a decent day weather wise soon and I will chrono the load and see what velocity I am getting. 

I shortened to 1.255 and am still having the same problem on just the first round out of the magazine.  It looks like the picture in the article.  Incidentally I just read the entire article.  Very interesting.  I am going back out to the shop and try 1.250 and see what happens.  The bullets also seem to be shooting low.

Interesting on oal as my Lyman manual says 1.260.  Maybe I should check that again as I could have misread it.  At any rate, I will shorten them and try it. 

That graphic is very interesting.

Thanks

I just measured some factory 180 grain fmj I had here (2 different brands) and they were much shorter than 1.260, less than 1.250, so it looks like I should go just a little shorter and try that.  I will probably go down to 1.258 or so and try that and then go a little shorter if I need to.  Thanks for the information.

Yes the rounds pass the case gauge.  I may trying to go just a wee bit shorter and see what happens as it sounds like I can go shorter.  Would like to stay with that bullet as it works quite well for me in my STI for making major in USPSA for 40 S & W.  It doesn't have a real wide nose.  I can also crimp slightly more and see if that makes a difference.  I will be the first to say that I am not the best at using the calipers to measure.  One time it will read one thing and the next time something different.

with a 200 grain bullet?  I made some loads today with 7.1 grain Power Pistol.  The slide cycled fine but I did have it not want to feed the first round when I released the slide release.  A little bump on the back of the slide and it went into battery.  Then all rounds fed fine.  I had the oal set to 1.26 or reasonably close.  Also I think my crimp was around .423 - .424.  I could probably crimp a little more, but they pass the case gauge and since they are cast bullets I don't want to crimp too much.  Any help you can give will be appreciated.

I am going to be working up a load for just fun, plinking and maybe competition for my new Delta Elite.  These do not have to be really hot loads.  Only need a power factor of 165 for major, so anything above about 850 fps should do it.  I have the following powders available:  CFE Pistol, W231, Bullseye, Power Pistol and True Blue.  Which ones do you think I should try first?

Thanks for the responses.  I will be loading for the Delta Elite.  I have 40/10 dies but bought another set from someone so I don't have to readjust dies to do either one.  I use 40 in USPSA.  I need to buy brass, probably Starline as I have had good luck with it in other calibers.  I cast and powder coat my own 200 grain .40 caliber bullets so most likely will use those for plinking loads.

Just found this forum.  I was in a local, well 85 miles away is local in Montana, Friday and saw a new Colt Delta Elite staring at me in the case.  I ended up taking it home with me.  I had some factory ammo and will start reloading for it soon.  I had read that earlier Delta Elites did not hold up to the 10.  Is that true and if so, is it still true?  Anything I need to be aware of?  Thanks