Recipe for 180 gr lead bullets with Accurate powders

Benchrst · May 04 2016 09:41:14 PM MDT

I've run 180gr plated with 6.1 of Bullseye, 6.0 of 231, 6.2 of Universal...

All were accurate for me (1 - 2" groups @ 20 yards) and they were pretty light (around 1,000 fps).

The_Shadow · May 04 2016 09:47:28 PM MDT

T^he reason they use faster burn rate powders is you use small amounts that develop enough pressure to allow a cleaner burn and still cycle the slide...in some guns they actually use lighter recoil springs to help this with lighter charge weights.

AA#7 my not burn as clean using lighter charge weights. AA#5 would be a better choice and you could drop down to 40S&W charge weights to help with recoil management.

Here are the 40S&W loadings for AA#5 using a 180 bullet (the velocities and pressures will be lower in the 10mm loading due to more case capacity)
No.5 6.3 grains @ 873 fps
No.5 7.0 grains @ 992 fps 35,000 psi Major

Kaumheimer · May 04 2016 11:25:25 PM MDT

Thanks Shadow, I'm going to give #5 a try with some light loads. I'm really accustomed to the Bullseye scenario. Now that I'm hooked on a 6" 1911 10mm my next step (if I can figure out a load) is a 5" model that I can shoot like a milder mannered .45, if that makes sense...

Pablo · May 05 2016 05:05:33 AM MDT

Quote from: Kaumheimer on May 04 2016 09:20:32 PM MDT
Good input. So here's an academic query I have:

Do any of you have a light, target load with say a 180 gr bullet that I could try out with maybe #7 or #5 that doesn't have the kind of recoil usually associated with the 10mm?

In other words, something that approximates the classic "bullseye" load that you can get with a .45 (3.9 gr BE) over a 185 gr swc bullet that is accurate as hell but not punishing in the least? Or...am I asking for too much given that this round is more like a magnum?

mahalo

Just load with the book starting loads to even passed mid load with #7 and the recoil is nothing. Really light.

Why not just shoot 9/40/45?

sqlbullet · May 05 2016 08:05:21 AM MDT

One of the big draws of magnum calibers like 357, 41, 44 and 10mm is the ability to download for practice, pest control, teaching, etc.

Pablo · May 05 2016 08:20:25 AM MDT

Quote from: sqlbullet on May 05 2016 08:05:21 AM MDT
One of the big draws of magnum calibers like 357, 41, 44 and 10mm is the ability to download for practice, pest control, teaching, etc.

Good point. Too much coffee and stuck on factory light 10mm loads syndrome.

sqlbullet · May 05 2016 08:22:22 AM MDT

I hear you. I see the purpose and load myself plenty of light stuff. For some reason my 9 year old daughter doesn't like shooting nuclear loads in the Glock 29 (but she can pretty darn well).

But it is frustrating to go to the LGS and not find one 10mm level load in the 10mm ammo.

DM1906 · May 05 2016 10:19:10 AM MDT

Quote from: Kaumheimer on May 04 2016 09:20:32 PM MDT
Good input. So here's an academic query I have:

Do any of you have a light, target load with say a 180 gr bullet that I could try out with maybe #7 or #5 that doesn't have the kind of recoil usually associated with the 10mm?

In other words, something that approximates the classic "bullseye" load that you can get with a .45 (3.9 gr BE) over a 185 gr swc bullet that is accurate as hell but not punishing in the least? Or...am I asking for too much given that this round is more like a magnum?

mahalo

That's easy enough, with either powder. Perhaps a typical FBI load, so to speak. For AA5, start about 8 gr. and work up until it cycles reliably, with a max of about 9.2 gr. (1215 FPS at maximum pressure). For AA7, Do the same with 10-12 gr. The 180 gr. Gold Dot with 12.2 gr. AA7 moves at about 1300 FPS, at maximum pressure, and a full case at 1.260", in a stock G20.

fltbed · May 05 2016 04:56:17 PM MDT

Quote from: Benchrst on May 04 2016 08:45:17 PM MDT
1.260 and the nose is a bit closed up ${$default_laugh_smiley}$

What you need to do is make a seating stem to fit the bullet. It's easy to do on a lathe but I modded mine by chucking it up in a hand drill, clamped in my bench vise. re-contoured the seating stem using modded drill bits, needle files and stones so it contacts the ogive of the bullet rather than the side of the nose.

Enjoy that RIA Pro 6". I know mine has got to be in the top three 1911's I've ever owned. You normally have to pay double for that level of accuracy and reliability.
May not be pretty but it sure got it where it counts.

Jeff

DM1906 · May 06 2016 01:21:37 AM MDT

If your charge is so compressed it is deforming the bullet to that level, it's very wrong. Either pre-compress the charge (using something other than the bullet), or change the charge. I use compressed charges a lot for some high performance rounds, but it should never deform the bullet. Also consider that when the bullet is deformed to that level, so is the case wall. There's also a likelihood of bullet rebound, meaning that if the bullet is seated under pressure, that it can/will creep back out in the magazine during firing/cycling. Reshaping/redesigning the bullet in this manner can lead to unpredictable results, not only in pressure levels, but also in terminal performance.

Benchrst · May 06 2016 08:00:43 AM MDT

I appreciate the informative reply, and am cognizant of all you're saying.

The load that produced the collapsed nose was part of a ladder, and the final OAL had to be achieved in 'steps' - this is not a normal practice.

basic · May 06 2016 04:24:14 PM MDT

I shoot a lot of 175 gr LEE swc. They usually weigh about 180grains. I use a fast pistol powder, in my case Promo and build up the load till it cycles my G20 reliably Then add .2 grains more. Yes I have the full power loads but would rather enjoy the accuracy and light recoil of my homebrew load.

I would be cautious about using the technique with FMJ.

As with all hand loading you are on your own if you get a double charge or other issues. I set all my primers one at a time in a hand press and only do the charging and bullet seating in my progressive press.

Taterhead · May 07 2016 01:36:44 PM MDT

If you want a seriously soft shooting load, go with an even quicker burning powder under a 200 grain bullet. My latest IDPA load is a 200 over about 4.5 grains of 452AA (the predecessor of and near equivalent to WST). Way soft shooting in the big 20. 100% function with the stock RSA.

I like this load so much that I'm getting ready to order a 200 gr mold from LBT now that I have a good source of lead. These will be Hi-Tek coated.

BrowningGuy88 · May 09 2016 09:27:43 AM MDT

Well I just ordered an 8 pound keg of Longshot. I will get another keg of something else in a week or two.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kaumheimer · May 09 2016 05:22:09 PM MDT

FWIW, it was suggested that I try the FBI load. Well I did so with a Berry's 165 FP. Fairly consistent except for one flyer at 25 yards with a notched type rest on the bench. Not sure if it was luck or a great load. It was not as accurate at 50, or perhaps I didn't do as good a job pulling the trigger. Looks promising for this bullet.

BTW, the caption on the jpeg says HP but it was definitely FP. Mea culpa...

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