Parameters for choosing loads for Delta Elite

[Trigger71]

What parameters are suggested for load development in my DE? (circa 2015)  With the stock barrel should I be selecting loads by pressure rating?  This is my first unsupported barrel, and wondering what parameters are chosen as the limitations on this. 
I will not be loading to SwampFox/Underwood velocities, but I would like to get something more than 40SW from it.

I've been reading up on this for quite some time and did tryout some med Blue Dot loads successfully.  I also have on hand Longshot, 800x, and a plethora of other powders.  I'd like to do this in a responsible manner and plan ahead instead of just "case inspection" after the fact.  (I have a chrono and also downloaded the Gordon's Reloading app)

[The_Shadow]

Underwood had a reduced loading for the DE's at one time...  With IMR800X & Longshot 8.4 grains would be a great load with the 180 grain bullets

This is a Speer Supplement before Speer 12 manual was printed.  These loads should be fairly good because the were being tested in the DE back in the day!

[Trigger71]

Thank you for digging that up Shadow! 

I find that interesting and had an email thread back and forth with Underwood back in 2016 about that special Delta loading. 
"The ramp on the barrel was a weak point and brass would bulge excessively at that point. We had a special "Delta Elite" line of 10mm ammunition for people with these ramped barrels. We have since re-engineered all of our 10mm cartridges to be compatible with all 10mm firearms, so this is no longer an issue at all. We still offer that specific loading because a handful of guys just fell in love with that cartridge."
"Luckily we have found a way to fix that and all it took was a little homework on powders and testing."

I will find it interesting as well to compare this data you posted to new current data and see what % down they thought satisfactory for loads.  --Which sort of goes back to my op...are they looking at case pressure or post case/primer condition?

[Kenk]

That's awesome, Kevin has answered several questions for me as well, what a great Company Underworld has proven to be 😊

[Trigger71]

Certainly.  And when I looked up those old emails to reply to Shadow, I noticed that each email I sent them he responded inside of an hour.  Gave me some projectile suggestions and more.  I'm glad to see that company grow. 

[Kenk]

Absolutely my go to company for full power ammo, regardless of the caliber needed 😀

[The_Shadow]

BTW, the reference in the data Speer sent me in the post above the 180 grain PHP is what was the beginning of the Gold Dot line of projectiles.
Here is the progression of the Gold Dot formation

[Trigger71]

...Like building a piece of art!

In reference to the Speer data comparison.  For the 180gr Blue Dot data, the DE came in about 4% lower on the start charge and 3% lower on the max charge.  FPS were 5.5% and 9% respectively.  The new data did not have 800X to compare. (per the Speer website)

I see you posted the 180/200gr.  Did they publish any DE data for lighter projectiles?  I have a couple boxes each of  135gr Nosler JHP and 155gr Speer JHP.

[The_Shadow]

Nosler data for 10mm can be found here:https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/10mm-auto/
This is a reference of a lot of 10mm load data, some have pressure values to study...
The older IMR800X data for the 135 grain bullet is too hot for most 10mm guns, here in the data link!

[Pantera Mike]

Check out the 10mm/40S&W manual by Loadbooks USA. They compile almost all published data from the different bullet and powder manufacturers into a single book, spiral bound and under $10. It makes it quick and easy to flip back and forth and compare data for a given bullet weight between different sources. Available on Amazon, EBay etc and well worth the trivial expense!

[Trigger71]

Thank you for the website.  I have seen that before but was reluctant as I can't find publish dates.  The 10mm I did see on Amazon was from 2004.  A lot of new components since then...  I emailed the company asking where to find published dates, and will report back here when they respond.