looking for hottest 180-220 loads

[John A.]

I've been reloading a while and figured there may be a few folks here who have probably worked up some loads that surpass some of the data that I'm seeing on some of the powder manufacturers sites.

I realize that many of those will cater the data for a handgun with really fast burning powders while ignoring other good powder choices for those of us who have 16" carbine barrels because there's a lot more room for a slower powder to burn, essentially maybe surpassing what a few folks would consider feasible in handguns.

I'm mainly going to be shooting 180-220 gr bullets in hopes of getting the best penetration as I can out of it.  So, I'm curious what some of you have already been able to do with it if you don't mind sharing your data?

I have longshot, #9, #2, N310, enforcer.  BE-26 and a few others.  Longshot and BE-26 has given me some really nice warm loads in 9mm and the .40 S&W so I would be surprised if they're already worked up here too. 

I've seen a lot of powder manufacturer loads for some of these powders, but I'm not against buying a different powder that I don't already have (if I can find any) if there is something out there that's better.

[blaster]

there is a thread on pull down load data on this forum that is priceless! I've gotten some good & hot loads from it. especially with Longshot.

[The_Shadow]

John welcome to the forum.  The BE-26 should be BE-86?   
Some loads have exceeded what I will share here and have documented.
Longshot for 180 grain I stop at 9.6 grains of LS COL is 1.255"  Have seen Underwood stopping at 8.8 grains these days. 
Older Swamp Fox ammo even had 10.0 grains but your firearm had better be fully supported chamber and heavier recoil springs.

BE-86 is a good powder and works well for 10mm also
I use 8.3 grains for the 200 grain @ 1230 fps, 8.4 grains @ 1240 fps

I use 8.6 grains for the 180 grain bullets @ 1280-1300 fps.

220 grain bullets can pose a challenge with the nose design and MEPLAT width usually needing to be seated slightly shorter for the wide nose profile for better feeding.
UW High Tech coated 220 have bee loaded with BE-86 8.0 grains @ 1200 fps.

I would recommend that you use at least a 22 lbs recoil spring setup.
Good luck!

[John A.]

Thank you both for the replies.

Blaster, I've looked at several pages in the load data.  There was one with pet loads that looked promising.  Not sure if that is the thread you were referring to or not?  It looks like bluedot is very popular for this round as well.  I don't have any, but will pick up a pound when I see one.  I bookmarked that topic nonetheless: https://www.10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-pet-loads-thread/

The Shadow, Yes, I meant BE-86.  Suffered a brain fart.  Sorry for that, but thanks for fixing that.  I shouldn't assume, but are you loading those to around 1.25" COL?

I haven't gotten the gun built yet.  Have the lower finished and together and it will have a 308 cal buffer spring and a 7.5oz buffer so it'll at least be as heavy as an AR45 that I have.    It does really well. 

Out of curiosity, are your velocities checked in a handgun (shorter) length barrel or 16"?

I really appreciate your reply with the data.  I am aware of working up the loads.  I've wildcatted several calibers and know to start low and work my way up and watch for pressure signs. 

I hadn't considered the difficulty with 220's.  So, I'll start out with 180's and 200's at least long enough to get my feet wet loading for the new cartridge.

I have some 155 or 165 hornady XTP's (I don't recall the weight off top of my head) that I have loaded some hot defense loads in my XD40.  And I have some armscor 180 gr round nose in my loading bench as well that I can use to get started too.

As for getting the most penetration with the spicy loads, have you guys been seeing hard cast wadcutters or a standard round nose doing better, or about the same?

Again, thank you both for the replies.

[The_Shadow]

All of mine are from 4.6' or 5" barrel pistols.
If you are going to run a carbine the chamber support will dictate a lot of the signs you will be watching for.
Bulges at the feed ramp may show depending on brass quality with given loads.

[John A.]

Absolutely.  I will be watching for that.

I remember years ago that some ammo makers didn't even want to make 40 S&W because of so many handguns with unsupported chambers [cough-glock-cough].  So, I will be extra mindful of that.  And swipes and flattened primers and ....

I got my xd40 back in '06.  Sadly, I haven't shot it as much in recent years, but I always liked the gun and the cartridge.  It was accurate and reliable which was one of my main draws to the 10mm.   I don't feel the 40 really offered much over what I can get out of a 9mm, but they can be loaded pretty warm too with the right slide spring in them too.

But, I'm really interested in learning more about the 10mm for what it is, and what it isn't.  I am glad I came across this forum. 

[Kenk]

Welcome John!

[John A.]

Thank you.

[John A.]

Was able to take the carbine out for its' maiden voyage.

Mostly shot 155 xtp since that's what I had the most of from when I had the xd40, but was able to get most of them up into some of the higher bracket.

titegroup gave me 1500 fps ave.
longshot gave me 1582 fps ave
no. 9 gave me a mind numbing 1769 fps ave.  *I wasn't expecting those numbers.

With 180 gr armscor, I used BE86.  It was 1441 fps average.  Looking at the ballistics by the inch page for 16" barrels, the buffalo bore had 120 fps more than my loads.  But I'm going to see what I can do with a slower burning powder to take advantage of as much of the barrel as I can.

So far, I'm liking it.

[Kenk]

Underwood?s 135gr out of 5? barrel are doing 1,600 give or take. I bet a guy could get 17 or 18 out of a carbine if duplicated