I'm considering getting a jug of 800x, and running primarily 180gr Rainier plated or Montana Golds. I just got a new 1k batch of Starline, and regular Winchester Large primers (not mags).

What I'm wondering, is if any of you have had success in running lighter 800x loads in the 7-8gr range, just enough to make major pf for USPSA, and still be reliable enough?

If you do run this, how reliable has it been, and how's the handling performance?

Well the first thing is if you are going to be loading this powder with a powder drop, it is like measuring corn flakes.  It does lend itself to hand weighed charges, because of its performance potential.

If you are going for loading many rounds on a progressive press, I would advise another powder that will measure better.  Blue Dot will measure better and Power Pistol, AA#7, HS-6, Silhouette will be easier to measure consistently and provide cleaner burning at the charge weights to yield the velocity you are looking to get.

I don't have a progressive. I run 2 RCBS rock chuckers, and have a Hornady auto-charge. I plan to burn about 100-200rds /wk at best. Not planning on getting too serious, just want to have fun with friends at the range. Takes me about 1-2hrs to load 100rds when barss is prepped. Yes, it's slower, but if I plan to run more rounds, then I will consider progressive.

Not stating those facts in the effort to get you to change your press...I still roll all mine on the RCBS Big Max and a JR. single stage press and hand weigh every charge on a RCBS 5-10 scale...It works well for me!   I only use my digital scale as a check for unknowns and pull down data...

BTW I actually have a Dillon 550B unit on the sidelines.

So, that said, I guess my original post still stands. I'm just wondering how good of luck and reliability y'all have had with lighter 800x loads?

800X likes lots of chamber pressure.  It gets more and more efficient as pressures rise.  I haven't done what you are talking about with reduced loads, but I have a feeling it won't lead to clean burning ammo that is consistent shot to shot.  There are better powders for that.

I always had the feeling I was making a deal with the devil using 800x.  When pushing up the charge levels, it didn't like hot primers (those Winchester are magnum-like) and all would seem fine until holy cow, way too much pressure.

I absolutely agree about weighing the charges, and pay close attention to the auto-metered chargemaster type combos.  Mine has a tendency to drop clumps of .3g or more over the desired loading with this powder.  Just check the scale reading before dumping in the cartridge.

Greg

Ok, will do. I would expect that to happen with the auto charge, as it reacts slowly, so an overcharge seems logical.

If running a lighter load using 180gr projectiles, wouldn't simply seating the bullet a little deeper create better ignition pressures without too much spiking, and provide better clean burning? Say, seat it down to 1.23" or similar?

This seems entirely viable to me, as I do this with my 6.8spc to help get better velocities, and cleaner burning at lower charges with no adverse affects.

I have had pretty good results with IMR 800X with medium and heavy loads for the 10mm Auto.

Quote from: The_Shadow on December 21 2013 01:41:40 PM MST
  BTW I actually have a Dillon 550B unit on the sidelines.

  I bought the adapter for my dillon press and use a RCBS drum style powder measure
WAY BETTER powder measure, I don't understand why Dillon does not make a better powder measure

Yeah 800-x seems to be more for nuclear loading. I still have a bunch of the Underwood ammo from when they used 800-x.

Have any of you loaded 800x with shorter lengths when using lighter loads?

if so, what were your results?

And, would using the Hornady Auto-Charge be the best way to measure 800x?

I have varied lengths as I approached upper limits to see how things worked.  With 10mm I have always worked to stay at 1.2500" for my own loads.  Most of what I load is upper end and extreme...

Some of my cast bullets are held to lesser velocities and pressures but not that low.

As someone who has hand weighed many thousands of loadings, there are very few powders I would just drop into the casings without measuring first.   Even then you can still see = to or +/- 0.1 and with some powder even more than the specified charge weights.  I'm just anal about being more exact!