There is a ridge on some cases

[Duck of Death]

Here's a tip--my G29 has a Storm Lake barrel, shooting 13.5gr/#9/180gr cast, the Starline brass has been reloaded 13 times & still going.  Fired cases measure .4280 @ base.

[Spudmeister]

Here's a tip--my G29 has a Storm Lake barrel, shooting 13.5gr/#9/180gr cast, the Starline brass has been reloaded 13 times & still going.  Fired cases measure .4280 @ base.

Hey Duck,

Specifically what bullet are you using?  LOA?  MV? 

Thanks

[Spudmeister]

Looks the I am back on solid ground.  I fired 15 rounds of 8.0gr Longshot with the specs above in the OEM G20 and 15 identical rounds with the G40 OEM.

OEM G20 With Longshot

8.6gr gave 1,165 fps
8.3gr gave 1,171 fps
8.0gr gave 1,139 fps 


OEM G40 with Longshot

8.6gr gave 1,250 fps
8.3gr gave 1,230 fps
8.0gr gave 1,208 fps

The cases from the last test firing were re used.  This time there were no ridges formed on the cases.  There were some pressure signs and I'm sure the brass is about trashed from all this.  But no ridges.  For the time being it would seem the 8.0gr load is the way to go. 

Yet I keep trying to figure out where I went wrong (if you want to call it that).  At the very least the 8.6gr load of Longshot with the 200 gr Montana bullet makes more pressure than I thought.  I have just 1 year of history with the Montana bullet but 5 years of experience with the almost identical Beartooth bullet.  And I assumed there would be little difference in the 2.  But going over the records again and the recent pressure issues makes me think the Montana bullet stacks pressure up more than the Beartooth bullet.  The Montana bullet leads an OEM barrel less than the Beartooth.  Remarkable since the Montana is a plain base and the Beartooth is a gas check base.  I am guessing the Montana bullet obturates more/sooner than the Beartooth (which massively resists obturation making it's use unique in high pressure applications).  The trade off is I did not appreciate the probable new pressure curve though I do know better. 

So that is about it.  The 8.0 gr load fills the pre hog hunt need.  Just have to do some accuracy testing and run the load for a while to make sure no other gremlins show up.  Thanks to everybody who offered help.... well... except you 1911 guys because I am too cheap to go buy one.   

[TonyRumore]

If you're just shooting for fun, why not back the load off?

Tony

[Spudmeister]

If you're just shooting for fun, why not back the load off?

Tony

Hey Tony,

Well... sometimes just for fun is hot loads.  But not so in this case.  It is my hog hunting load.  Not meant to be nuclear but certainly not meant to be mid range.  I tried Underwood's ammo for a while and certainly backed off from that.  Most practice  loads are much milder.

The goal for this particular load is all the velocity, accuracy, reliability I can get in a fairly easy to shoot load.  This thread is about how I exceeded that and missed it for a while.... and why.  One of the the great joys of reloading is that after many decades I am still learning. 

[TonyRumore]

I understand, but if it's a hunting load, who cares if it destroys the brass.  Chances are, you're not going to hunt around in the woods looking for your brass anyway.

Tony

[Spudmeister]

Tony,

I think we are flying on separate beams here.  For every single shot I take at a hog there are at least 300 practice rounds behind it.  Loads that are identical in every way to the the one that matters.  Would you change a tennis racket or golf clubs just before a match?  It's about taking a professional's strain to do things right.   

[blaster]

^ this. I am a firm believer in practicing with the same load that I hunt with. (or array)

[Duck of Death]

"QUOTE"
Specifically what bullet are you using?  LOA?  MV?

Summers--180 cast
OAL--1.250
Vel--??

[Spudmeister]

Thanks Duck,

I never even hears of Summers bullets.  Their prices sure look good.  How good are the bullets?  Can you guess on their hardness?

THX

[Duck of Death]

Shot 5K so far. he says B18 & I believe it.  Minimal leading using  13.5 #9(no crono yet, to much snow, but its a hot load).   The barrel is kept shiny clean w/a couple shots of jacketed, I shoot 2 a week using 40SW.

[Spudmeister]

Thanks D o D....  Their prices are your recommendation are too good not to give them a try.