load advice needed for 200gr coated bullets

[matt85]

I'm looking to make an inexpensive full power load for my new G20SF. my logic is that practice with full power loads will help me shoot better with full power self defense loads such as Underwood's 200gr Hornady XTP loads (what I plan to carry).

I would like to push 200gr coated bullets such as ACME bullets or Bayou bullets at around 1150-1200fps. can you guys please recommend a powder and perhaps a starting point?

thank you
-Matt

[tommac919]

this is a good read, may help.

http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/200-gr-bayou-bullets-and-blue-dot/

Move slow and work up your load

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=10%20mm&Weight=200&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

[sqlbullet]

Longshot with a 8.2 grain max load
or
AA#9 with a 14 grain max load.

http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/10mm-load-data-collection/

Dont' forget to reduce and work up for your gun.  When chasing 1200 fps a chronograph is required.

[matt85]

seems like longshot might be the best choice. according to hodgdon's website it should work fine for both 180gr and 200gr bullets at the speeds I want (1250/1200).

after some thought (and lots of reading), I think I may go with 180gr bullets in the pistol. ballistic gel tests show much more damage and still good penetration using underwood gold dot loads. the primary purpose of this pistol will be defense against two legged problems with 4 legged problems as an afterthought (I typically carry a rifle in the woods).

as a bonus 180gr coated bullets are less expensive.

-matt

[The_Shadow]

Yes Matt LongShot is good to go for that project, 8.2 grains may get you very close to the 1200 FPS mark.

IMR800X is another if you don't mind hand weighing loads.

Power Pistol can also get you there with careful loading, when working at the upper limits I suggest hand weighing and verifying each and every loading.  As you get push the impulse of the ammo get stronger and extra power springs can help several things.

I run the Wolff non captive rod and 22lbs spring in my personal 20SF...

[matt85]

just got back from the store, had to call around a bunch to find powder. in the end I was able to find blue dot and Accurate #9 but had to drive an hour (each way) to get it.

not exactly what I was looking for but from what ive read, I should be able to get some decent loads with these powders. I bought one pound of each figuring I could try both and see which ever worked the best.


note: also got a surprise in the mail, my midwayusa order showed up early with 3 glock 20 mags and a extended slide release. 

-matt

[The_Shadow]

Both of those powders are good to go!

I have used 10.4 and 10.6 Grains of Blue Dot in my guns as they are set up 10.6 is near 1200 and over in the S&W 1006.
Seating to 1.2520" with the 200 XTP.

When you get to 12.6 of AA#9 you may see the nose start to close in some, as you compress the powder charge...

Good luck! 

[matt85]

thanks you

I don't plan load defense cartridges at this time. my logic is that I just wont be shooting these loads often enough to justify load development. in the mean time Underwood will be getting my business for self defense loads. my hand loads will be practice ammunition in order to keep the cost of shoot honest 10mm loads down.

-matt

[tommac919]

I don't plan load defense cartridges at this time. my logic is that I just wont be shooting these loads often enough to justify load development.
-matt

Don't forget the Pull -downs of 10mm section...much of the high end loads are already worked for you with pull downs. ( thks to the hard work of Shadow and others )
http://10mm-firearms.com/factory-10mm-ammo-pull-downs/

Some of my carry reloads are based on Underwoods and required less workup ( yes i still did a little ).. as i knew exactly what I was already shooting when paying full price.
It's nice to shoot the same round for .35 instead of 1.00 per.

[sqlbullet]

Both of those powders should suit you well.  Blue Dot is quite dirty until you get up to pressure, so keep that in mind.  And #9 will beat Blue Dot by 25-50 FPS at the very top end, but will used 30-40% more powder to do it.

Good luck and stay safe.

[matt85]

did some testing in the woods with my chronograph today using the ACME 200gr coated bullet.

- 11.6gr of AA#9 = 1100fps average
- 11.8gr of AA#9 = 1120fps average
- 12.0gr of AA#9 = 1148fps average
- 12.2gr of AA#9 = 1159fps average

I tested 5 of each load over the chronograph at 10 feet then fired 5 of each load at a target at 15 yards. accuracy increased as the powder load increased with the 12.2gr load giving the best group. however I did notice a shift in POI from 12gr to 12.2gr, the group seemed to move a few inches to the left (this could have been me). ill try the 12.2gr load again along with a 12.4gr and 12.6gr load but I don't think ill take it any further then that.

my barrel didn't show any sign of leading and I actually found this bullet/powder combo to burn extremely clean. even the spent cases looked clean on the inside which I'm not used to. I noticed as I increased the powder load the cases were coming out cleaner and cleaner. when I got home I preceded to clean my barrel only to find there was almost no fouling in it.

WARNING: Accurate gives a max load of 11.8gr of #9 under a 200gr cast bullet, so use any of this data at your own risk.

-matt

[matt85]

well accuracy at 12.4gr went out the window. sadly so much so that one of the 200gr RN bullets went threw the front of my chronograph  .

so ill be sticking with 12.2gr and ordering a new chronograph from amazon. I'm not too upset about the chronograph as ive had it for years and it was getting time to replace it.

note: the 12.4gr 12.6gr loads didn't show any signs of excessive pressure, just some standard case bulging (its a Glock, and the bulging wasn't extreme). however with the 12.6gr load I did have the slide lock open once while there was still ammunition in the magazine.

-matt