Delta Elite, 11.7 Grns. VV3 N 38

[The Earl o Sammich]

I'm up to 1313.2 fps and the brass at the base has gone from .005 bulge from new to like a few now with .0055, .006.  There was a .005 bulge right from the start, 10.0 grains and has stayed pretty consisten until now.  I'm thinking I might still keep trying to pushing it.  This IS what I was hoping for but you know how it goes, good enoogh is never good enough.

Thoughts?  Opinions?

Earl o

Round count.  This is pretty consistent, I'ld say.  Accuracy was 4.5 at 50 feet.

1314
1325
1304
1312
1311

[The_Shadow]

Need more data...What bullet type? and weight? seating depth?, will all help to grasp a better understanding...

[The Earl o Sammich]

Doh, My bad.  It's a 165 Berry heavy plated hollow base.  I want to use this load with some 165 Sierra Hollow points.  I remember being concerned about powder crunch and figuring I had room to come out some with the Berry's.

[The_Shadow]

Best I could find for VV 3N38 is for 40S&W 165 gr TC-FMJ, 10.2 grains @ 1,315 fps.
So it looks like you are in the right area with your combination.  None of my VV data shows the 3N38 being used for the 10mm.

Did you work up this data on your own or from the testing of other people?

[The Earl o Sammich]

Actually I took 40 S&W data that saw a max of 1250 and went from there.

[The Earl o Sammich]

I know that no one wants to say push it with this.  But from where I started out, to where I am now, I waisted a lot of time and powder.  I was more concerned with starting to see the base stretch more.  I'm getting an extra 1/2 thou and think I'm to the point of pushing it.

[The_Shadow]

I hear you, and your data looks good.  The thing about the VV data I have doesn't list pressure values to help judge where you might be...Powder makers should be required to post these values for their results.  That would help handloaders make better decisions.

[The Earl o Sammich]

So,... You think I should go on to 12 Grn. of VV 3 N 38?  Not all at once, but I have to see where 11.9 Grns goes.  Think that's OK?

[The_Shadow]

You will have to go slow especially in the DE with the lesser chamber support on the casing!  Take some good case measurements and observations.  If you see some distinct lines or smile I would say you would be over for your chamber!
However the numbers look like they are working well.  Best of luck!

[The Earl o Sammich]

Thanks Shadow,   I think I'm going to go to 11.9 VV 3 N 38 and maybe even load some 12.1.

What the hell.  If whoever can get that with with a .40 Slow & Weak I should be able to push it past that.

I hear of guys pushing 180s to 1300 +.

[The_Shadow]

I was researching over at GlockTalk, (Robert) a guy I was communicating with from Slovenia, Europe also on GT.
He posted here http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203164&page=4
Post #77  He has pushed the 3n38 out of his Glock 20 with a IGB Barrel which is fully supported.  Here is what he posted, but understand his setup is not a stock Glock either....

3N38 / CCI 350 LP Magnum / 165gr GD's
Well, 165gr/1250fps really aren't some nuclear loads but be careful anyway, cause N350 is pretty fast. Don't try magnum primers with it.
I found N350 to be great for loading hot 9mm SD rounds 115gr/1330fps and 124gr/1270fps.

2 weeks ago I combined 165gr Gold Dots w. 3N38 and CCI 350 LP Magnum primers, IMO this is worth to write about:

load (grains) average (fps)
12,0..............1344
12,3..............1355
12,6..............1361
12,8..............1385
13,0..............1426
13,2..............1449
13,4..............1462
13,6..............1478
13,8..............1486 primers not so great anymore
14,0..............1503 primers flattened

Temperature: -4C (25F), IGB full supported 4.6" barrel.

Warning: you already know what 

I posted this for you to get an understanding of the territory you are going into as you test from the DE...