Powder and Bullet Help

[TXCOONDOG]

New to the 10 mm and reloading:

I bought some AA# 9 and Longshot to push some 180gr XTP's  (hunting) between 1200-1300fps out of a G20 with a KKM 4.60" barrel.

I have 1000 bullets of 180gr Rainer HP's for plinking and range time. I would like some powder recommendations for cheaper (less grains) shooting.

Also, are there other bullets I should consider for plinking and range time?

[The_Shadow]

TXCOONDOG, if the Rainer bullets are plated you will want to keep them under 1200 fps maybe even 1150 fps, the reason is some plated bullets have shed the plating during flight as the rifling imparts spins them up, the faster velocities do make the situation worst and in some instances people have seen bullets keyhole (bullets striking the target sideways).

You could use the lower powder charge listed for the 180 Ranier HP
LongShot I'd try 7.5 grains to maybe up to 8.0 grains to stay under the 1200 fps
AA#9 12.1 grains is shown @ 1086 fps at around 13.2 grains it shows it starting to cross the 1200 fps and 13.5 grains @ 1235 fps 35,500 psi

Hornady 180 XTP
LongShot 8.5 grains @ 1221 and 31,000 psi
LongShot 9.5 grains @ 1287 and 34,600 psi

AA# No.9 12.2 grains @ 1093 fps  and 13.5 grains @ 1242 fps with a pressure 34,100 psi

[Driftwood]

I have an AA#9 recipe that works well with the 180 gr. Xtreme Plated HP's.  12.8 gr. AA#9, OAL 1.26".  I don't have a chronograph yet, so I can't tell you what velocity those are hitting.  I worked up all the way to 13.5 and really started to lose accuracy as I went higher than the 12.8 gr.  The Xtreme HP's are supposed to support velocities up to 1500 fps.  I didn't see any signs of key-holing or copper sheering, but the accuracy got worse the higher I went.

I use a 6" KKM barrel, so my velocities would likely be pushing a little faster than what you might see in your 4.6" barrel.

[TXCOONDOG]

Description of the Rainer bullets:

Rainier offers a large selection of swaged lead core copper plated bullets that are low in cost but substantially high in accuracy. Rainier swages their bullets twice with lead wire in an effort to ensure the tightest uniformity as well as prevention of premature wearing of barrels. While Rainier doesn't publish their own reloading information, they recommended using lead bullet load data when loading their bullets as well as a slight taper crimp. Rainier recommends a maximum velocity of 1,500 fps.

These bullets feature a lead core that is completely covered by copper plating. They are resized after being plated with approximately 0.004" of copper plating. This unique design makes them suitable for most indoor ranges, which often require the use of bullets with no exposed lead. The base is slightly concave to maximize the bullet to bore seal.

Thanks for the feedback.


FYI- I planned on lower my velocity (basically hot .40)to save wear and tear on my pistol & brass. The loads above 1150 fps would be for hunting and identified by using nickel plated (work best in low light conditions) brass cases.

Until I gain enough knowledge and confident in my reloads, I have some factory Hornady 180 XTP, Underwood 180 Bonded, and Buffalo Bore  200 cast bullets that I will use when hunting, etc