Favorite Accuracy Powders and Bullets

[TXCOONDOG]

Been out of the game for a while so this probably been discussed but my search hasn't turned up anything. I lost most of my data and pretty much have to start over.

I recall # 9 giving me the best velocities and accuracy to 100 yards with the 180 and 200 gr XTP and I use them for hog hunting in brush and briar patches.

I've never really gave Blue Dot a chance and I used Longshot for most of my loads under 25 yards.

Here are my most common bullets that I'm currently working with:

Hardcast 170 grains & 200 grains (Custom NOE FN molds)
XTP 155, 180 & 200 grain

Any other (bullets, powders, etc.) suggestions appreciated.

[Kenk]

10.4gr?s BD under a 180gr XTP or HAP has to be one of my favorite loads, not to mention, incredibly accurate

[The_Shadow]

TXCOONDOG, I had used 10.4 grains of Blue Dot for years with the RCBS and Lyman 175 grain Cast TC with great results.  The velocity is not the fastest but accuracy was amazing from the S&W1006.

More recently I have been using BE-86 powder with good results also.

I have used Blue Dt, Power Pistol, BE-86, Longshot, 800X, AA#7 & #9, CFE Pistol and even Winchester AutoComp over the years for various loadings of 10mm.

[TXCOONDOG]

I knew the sweet spot for BD was around 10-11grains with a 1.255 - 1.260 OAL. I just loaded up some at 10 grains and will work up to 11 grains.

Shadow,

Do you still have some of the older manuals with load data for BD before things started getting watered down?

As luck would have it, I found some loads out of my 6" RIA with #9 which shows 14.5 grains with 180 XTP at 1363 fps.

I dug all my pistol powders out and I have 5lbs of BD, 9.5lbs of Accurate # 9. 2 lbs power pistol, 2 lbs Unique, & 1 lb Longshot to work with.

Thanks for the information!!!

[The_Shadow]

I was already loading to these levels back starting 1990, I ask for data from Speer and they sent this supplement before they printed the #12 manual.


A lot of data is poste here: https://www.10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-load-data-from-over-the-years/

[fltbed]

Thanks to Shadow and sqbullet, I have also been loading the 10.4 gr of Blue Dot with a 180 gr bullet more than any other.  It seems to be the accuracy load by which all others are judged.

I also have to echo Shadow's comments about BE-86.  It has become my other 10mm powder.  (it also works very good in all my other handgun calibers as well)

Jeff

[Kenk]

For sure, BE-86?s low flash attribute makes it a great alternative to BD

[TXCOONDOG]

Have your best results been with magnum or standard primers with BD (10.4 load) and BE-86?

[Kenk]

For me, just standard LPP

[fltbed]

Have your best results been with magnum or standard primers with BD (10.4 load) and BE-86?

From the test's I've done, it doesn't matter enough to matter.

Jeff

[TXCOONDOG]

Finally made it to the range today to test some blue dots loads. I only went up to 10.6 as I wasn't getting any gains in velocities. Do the numbers below seem within the velocity range you've seen?

Weather: Clear Skies, 75 degrees with 7 mph winds @ 2-3:15 P.M.

Bullet: Hornady 180 gr XTP HP
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder/charge: Blue Dot 10gr
O.A.L: 1.260"
Average five shot velocities:  G40- KKM 6" barrel = 1161 fps & XDM 4.6" barrel =1111 fps

Bullet: Hornady 180 gr XTP HP
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder/charge: Blue Dot 10.2 gr
O.A.L: 1.260"
Average five shot velocities:  G40- KKM 6" barrel = 1189 fps & XDM 4.6" barrel =1151 fps

Bullet: Hornady 180 gr XTP HP
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder/charge: Blue Dot 10.4 gr
O.A.L: 1.260"
Average five shot velocities:  G40- KKM 6" barrel = 1200 fps & XDM 4.6" barrel =1150 fps

Bullet: Hornady 180 gr XTP HP
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder/charge: Blue Dot 10.6 gr
O.A.L: 1.260"
Average five shot velocities:  G40- KKM 6" barrel = 1191 fps & XDM 4.6" barrel =1151fps

I was starting to question whether or not my chrony was working correctly, so I pulled my 8 gr Longshot load which has been verified many times out of a RIA 6? average velocities of 1203 fps.

Bullet: Hornady 180 gr XTP HP
Case: Starline .985"
Primer: WLP
Powder/charge: Longshot 8 gr
O.A.L: 1.260"
Average five shot velocities:  G40- KKM 6" barrel = 1222 fps &  XDM 4.6" barrel =1138fps

The Blue Dot 10.4 gr load produced an average 5 shot group at 3/4" at 25 yds which was half of all loads except my tried and true 8 gr of Longshot loads which also produced 3/4" groups at 25 yards.

Notes:

A Leupold Delta Point Pro is mounted on the G40, and the pistol was benched using a pistol rest

The higher the charge the less unburnt BD flakes I was seeing on the bench

Chronograph set 12' from the muzzle

[The_Shadow]

Awesome report TXCOONDOG!

[fltbed]

Great report TXCOONDOG.

I've seen similar results in many powders and calibers.  We call it a velocity node when an increase in powder produces similar velocities.  When it coincides with small groups on paper we call it an accuracy node.

In my testing with Blue Dot, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 gr produce almost the exact same results on the chronograph and with group size.  (seriously Blue Dot has some of the worst ES and SD numbers )  When I load this on my progressive, my powder measure throws Blue Dot with an accuracy of +/- .06 gr.  So, set up for 10.4 gr, I can get a powder charge anywhere between 10.34 gr to 10.46 gr. Because I'm in the middle of the node, it's statistically irrelevant.  The chrono can't tell the difference but more importantly, the targets can't either.

  The only difference between your test and mine is, I do my accuracy testing at 50 yards off sand bags.  Also your luck with Longshot.  I could only find one 180 gr bullet that shoots mediocre with Longshot (Speer Gold Dot, everything else was worse than my shotgun)  With the 10.4 gr of Blue Dot, just about every 180 gr bullet shoots well.  Xtp's, Gold Dots, Star, Plated, Cast lead, in fact, with My RIA 6" match pro, my best 100 yard groups have been with Xtreme 180 gr HP bullets.  Never thought I'd say that about a plated bullet.

Jeff

[TXCOONDOG]

I did notice that the SD and ES were terrible, but acceptable accuracy is there. It's been a while since I got serious about shooting a pistol and once, I become more consistent (again) I will practice at 25-75yards off hand as I like to hunt in brush and briars with the 10mm (rifle is a real pain).

It's been a while since I worked with # 9 but I remember top end velocities with decent accuracy. I'm hoping to find an accuracy node around the 1300 fps out of a 6" bbl.  I know my RIA likes the 180gr at 1350-1375 fps and not sure where the G40 with the 6" KKM barrel is going to land.

A lot of shooters don't have the best results with Longshot or care for the muzzle flash/blast, but the 8 grs at 1.255 OAL with my cast bullets (.403) gives me decent results and I like it for range loads in the 10mm and 9mm (5gr) as it takes less to get higher velocities.