Ruger sr1911 Hand Loading

jdub1836 · June 01 2020 03:13:15 PM MDT

I've had this sr1911 for a couple of years and love it. I recently started hand loading and was checking out the hornady manual and the Hodgdon manual for 180 XTPs. The max load for longshot is below the starting load for hodgdon. I have been shooting the 10mm for about 8 years and know that Hornady factory ammo is watered down.

Should I be concerned about using the Hodgdon's data and working my way up from the minimum? I already loaded 10 of each from 8.5 to 9.5 of Longshot in .2 increments. I guess what I want to know is if you have a SR1911 what is your max longshot 180 xtp load and what is the sweet spot in your particular gun. I also have No. 7 and some 155 gr XTPs also so any info on that would be great. I am not looking to go above Max for a long time but if you do I would like to know I have a buffer. I am using stock recoil spring, new starline, and CCI 300 primers.

Also any load data or info on hand loading for the SR1911 will be appreciated.

sqlbullet · June 01 2020 03:27:49 PM MDT

I have loaded some longshot. I cannot report if I have specifically tested it in my SR1911.

I will comment that the Hornady and Hodgdon data seem to align. The Hornady velocity for 8.2 grains with a 180 grain bullet is 1150 fps. Hodgdon lists 8.5 grains at 1221 and 9.5 grains at 1287.

I would have zero concerns working up a load for my SR1911 starting at 8.5 grains using a JHP/JHC bullet with a COAL of 1.260". However, many of my 1911 10mm's can be finicky about COAL over 1.250" so I would probably bump the bullet in an extra 10 thou, knowing that may cause a bit more pressure (about 2.6% if my math is right). This would mean peak pressure at 9.5 grains is 35,500 psi, up 900 psi. But since the initial volume was reduced to cause the pressure increase the average pressure should be about the same, meaning pretty close to the same velocity. Maybe a tiny bump.

My eval of the SR1911 is it is a very solidly made gun and should handle that load without issue.

The_Shadow · June 01 2020 06:13:11 PM MDT

You might want to review this data: http://10mm-firearms.com/factory-10mm-ammo-pull-downs/underwood-(delta-elite)-180gr-nosler-jhp-(200gr)-pull-down/msg30856/#msg30856

slayer61 · June 02 2020 07:49:48 AM MDT

Jdub,
my pet load in my Kimber is 9 grains of Longshot. It's good for about 1275 FPS and right in the middle of the Hodgdon window. Be safe.

jdub1836 · June 13 2020 11:36:02 AM MDT

So I did the longshot 8.5-9.5 Ladder with COAL of 1.255. I shot 5 of each grain weight up to the 9.5 with no pressure signs. I went home and seated the remaining 5 of each grain weight to as close to 1.250 as I could but some are slightly below 1.250. My question is how much increase in pressure will a 1.247 or 1.2455 be? Is there any software available that I can by to calculate pressure estimations? I was thinking I could just ladder down a little more just to be on the safer side. Thanks again fellas

The_Shadow · June 13 2020 02:26:45 PM MDT

jdub1836 What bullets and weights were you working with in your testing?

jdub1836 · June 13 2020 02:56:05 PM MDT

180 gr XTP, new Starline brass, longshot 8.5-9.5 ladder

sparkyv · June 20 2020 09:10:46 PM MDT

My SR1911 did not group well with this combo/load range at all. But I seat as long as possible while still feeding reliably, so my COAL was 1.258". It shoots this bullet better using Blue Dot.

Quote from: jdub1836 on June 13 2020 02:56:05 PM MDT
180 gr XTP, new Starline brass, longshot 8.5-9.5 ladder

jdub1836 · June 21 2020 07:23:02 AM MDT

The ladder went well but I was only shooting a steel 🌲 at about 15 yards so not sure on the groups but I was connecting every shot. My friends were amazed how hard it was swinging the steel around 😂 They were also amazed how it was launching the brass 20+ ft Which can't be good so now I'm shopping for a heavier spring. Any suggestions?

Sparkyv I can't find any blue dot in the Austin area. That's what my buddy used to always load my 200 gr Noslers back when I had a lone wolf long slide around 10 years ago and it shot extremely accurate so I've been looking. I refuse to pay $20 hazmat fee on 1lb of powder online.

Alabusa · June 21 2020 07:59:55 AM MDT

Sir,

I use Wolff springs in my pistols.

https://www.gunsprings.com/index.php

Also, you might try Grafs for Blue Dot. Their Hazmat is $12.95. Not as bad as some. Just a possible option if you can't find so.e locally.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

Johnnyreloader · July 09 2020 05:44:48 PM MDT

I've been loading for Ruger SR1911 10mm since shortly after the pistol was released.
Sweet load for mine is 9.0grs Longshot under a Zero Bullets 180gr jhp, lit by CCI 350 Large Pistol Magnum primer.
Solid 1250fps.
I've gone up to 9.5grs Longshot, but really no improvement in accuracy.

sparkyv · July 10 2020 06:09:51 PM MDT

I'm not sure I understand your comment on slinging the brass 20'. It's not uncommon for a 10mm autoloader to fling brass into the next county. The M610 solves this issue for me. Regarding BD, I'm not sure you make it out Buda way, but I can sometimes find it at Bass Pro. Closer to Houston, Carters Country is a good bet. If I'm paying a HAZMAT fee, it'll be for more than 1# of powder to save on the cost.

Quote from: jdub1836 on June 21 2020 07:23:02 AM MDT
The ladder went well but I was only shooting a steel 🌲 at about 15 yards so not sure on the groups but I was connecting every shot. My friends were amazed how hard it was swinging the steel around 😂 They were also amazed how it was launching the brass 20+ ft Which can't be good so now I'm shopping for a heavier spring. Any suggestions?

Sparkyv I can't find any blue dot in the Austin area. That's what my buddy used to always load my 200 gr Noslers back when I had a lone wolf long slide around 10 years ago and it shot extremely accurate so I've been looking. I refuse to pay $20 hazmat fee on 1lb of powder online.