10mm Reloads - Sanity Check

Caboose · May 27 2018 08:55:33 AM MDT

Maybe if you shoot enough steel you're just asking for it with any bullet. I guess I've been lucky so far with the PC lead.

Graybeard · May 27 2018 09:29:31 AM MDT

It isn't just steel. I've probably been hit with small fragments between 50 and 100 times. The vast majority were no big deal. Only 2 times was the skin broken. Bowling pins are just as good, or better, for sending pieces back. Sometimes entire slugs. But pins are so much fun, it never put me off.

Had a conversation a couple of years ago with a coworker (non shooter) about this subject. He was somewhat aghast at the thought of being hit by bullet fragments. When I pointed out he was in the ER 3 times in the last 2 months with hockey injuries that involved stitches and a concussion, it added a little perspective to it. I've been hurt worse by bees.

Goetztalon · May 27 2018 10:52:08 AM MDT

Cool info!!! Thanks!

Graybeard · May 27 2018 11:02:51 AM MDT

Quote from: Goetztalon on May 27 2018 10:52:08 AM MDT
Cool info!!! Thanks!

Assuming you meant the 40/10 stuff, not how many times Caboose and I have been hit with bullet bits!! ${$default_smiley_smiley}$

Goetztalon · May 27 2018 03:54:35 PM MDT

Yes not the injury's lol!

Caboose · May 28 2018 12:31:04 PM MDT

At the shorter COAL w/ Blue Dot, my velocity went up about 15 fps at the same charge of about 10.5gr. But I'm still seeing lots of unburned powder specks all over the shooting bench and my arms. I think I like the Power Pistol loads better, at least with this bullet, and I'll burn the rest of this Blue dot in my .357 probably.

Graybeard · May 28 2018 02:22:56 PM MDT

Those bullets just aren't going to let you get enough pressure to burn BD efficiently. On the plus side, you got what you were going after with the PP. It's a win/win since PP is easier to work with!

I hope you were shooting at an outdoor range. BlueDot has a pretty nasty smell you can eventually taste when it doesn't burn completely.

Caboose · May 28 2018 03:08:43 PM MDT

Yup, I got my 1200 fps with PP, I'm happy. 1200 fps with 165gr bullets seems pretty warm to me for an autoloader, and it sure knocks the steel down compared to my 9mm loads. Plus I'm basically within my Lyman manual loads, and they seem conservative, which makes me feel good. Honestly it was hot and humid here today, and even with a good solid grip, the G20.4 was squirming in my hands. I think I'll stick with the PP load for now. Thanks for the help, sirs.

Caboose · May 28 2018 03:37:47 PM MDT

Second thought, would the Blue Dot do well in 9mm or .40, due to the smaller case volume?

The_Shadow · May 28 2018 05:14:20 PM MDT

I use Blue Dot in my 40S&W and 9mm as well...

Caliber-40 S&W (fully supported bbl) has been shot in many BBL with no problems
Primer- CCI –550 SPM
Bullet- Truncated 175grains
0.4015" Dia. COL 1.125"
Powder- Blue Dot 8.4grs
Velocity - 1070 fps

Caliber-9-MM Auto
Primer-Winchester –WSP
Bullet- Turncated 122grain
Hard Cast - .355" Dia.
Powder- Blue Dot 8.2grs
Velocity - 1170 fps

Caboose · May 28 2018 05:38:49 PM MDT

Cool, thanks. I bet that fills a 9mm case pretty good.

Graybeard · May 29 2018 06:49:58 AM MDT

Shadow is correct. It should be fine in .40 and 9mm. BD is only a really bad choice in lower pressure calibers like .45acp and .38 Special. They'll go bang, but won't burn well at all.

The_Shadow · May 29 2018 09:03:30 AM MDT

I can push the 40S&W a little harder in my guns but I don't really trust the used brass at upper pressured loadings because sometimes my niece will ask for a few rounds to shoot in her little pistol.

Plunker · May 30 2018 10:59:14 AM MDT

With Power Pistol (10 gr), in my RIA I get 1321 fps with a Extreme 165 RNFP HBCP, COL 1.255. Lots of flash and noise, but that is PP! ES 37, SD 11.9. This is a good round to get attention at a range!

11.5 gr. Blue Dot (RIA) gives me 1264fps, (COL: 1250), ES 79, SD 25.02 (more then I like!!)

9.0 gr. BE-86 (Sig P220) gives me 1268 fps, (COL: 1.255), ES 63, SD 20 (again, I like to see a ES less then 50, and a lower SD)

Have been testing 155 XTP's and Nosier 135's, and all I can say is WOW! Many VERY good loads with power Pistol, BE-86, Blue Dot, and CFE Pistol. PP had the fastest speeds, very good ES & SD, BUT a LOT of flash and noise!

Got some Nosier 200's ready to go now for when the rain stops!

Caboose · May 30 2018 05:09:58 PM MDT

Good to hear more low SD from Power Pistol, as I have seen. It leaves a bit of a mess in first 1/2" of my barrel compared to other powders (even in other calibers), but that's OK. Scrubs out easily. I also get a kick out of the flash and noise from certain powders.