Last Monday I picked up a brand new G20. Before even taking it to the range, I installed a Lone Wolf barrel (stock length), 24 lb recoil spring and stainless guide rod, and talon grip tape. I bought some stout Underwood ammo loads with the goal to try and replicate heavy 10mm factory loads. I worked up a ladder of different powder weights and went to the range (from 7.8gr - 8.9gr using the components detailed below). After my range session, I wanted to further explore a couple of loads I was testing.
*Use at your own risk*
Caliber: 10mm
Case: Starline (new)
Primer: CCI LPP
Powder: Alliant Power Pistol
Powder grains: 8.6 gr
Projectile: Xtreme Copper Plated 180gr
OAL: 1.26 inches
Here's how they turned out.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy220/joshf785/20151101_075755.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/joshf785/media/20151101_075755.jpg.html)
For the sake of comparison, here are my handloads up against the two flavors of Underwood I purchased. From left to right: Underwood 180gr FMJ, Underwood 200gr hard cast, handload recipe above.
(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy220/joshf785/20151101_075926.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/joshf785/media/20151101_075926.jpg.html)
I also brewed up a handful of 9.0gr loads (in my previous load work up, I went up to 8.9gr so I know I can jump to these without significant danger). If I like what I see here, I'll probably go forward with these. To reiterate, I need to run my loads through a chrono before I am fully satisfied with what I'm pushing out and arrive on a final recipe.
Both recipes referenced above are beyond published book values, so be careful and happy shootin'!
8.7 gr. is about 1200 FPS in a stock G20 with those bullets. 9 gr. is about 1220. 8.7 gr. in a 5.5" barrel is about 1240. All of them seated to 1.245". I also did some well above that, but resulted in more bang, no appreciable velocity gain, and horrible accuracy, in any barrel length.
Congrats on your new found addiction! ;D
I like to stay as close to 1.2500" as possible with my loadings. However wider MEPLATs sometime feed better at shorter OAL's for example 1.2420".
Quote from: The_Shadow on November 01 2015 11:33:11 AM MST
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I like to stay as close to 1.2500" as possible with my loadings. However wider MEPLATs sometime feed better at shorter OAL's for example 1.2420".
I agree, but the 5.5" Ruger (.40SW conversion) didn't like them at 1.250. The bullets have a shorter tip and longer body. They feed fine, just didn't fully chamber. No problem in the Glock, but the Ruger has a very tight throat (probably due to the ream-job). The meplat isn't the only limiting factor, although the Ruger mag won't accept the wide meplat loaded long. I'd load them all at 1.265"+, if I could.
DM1906, I am a little confused as to the Ruger you speak of...I'm not thinking this is a Revolver? because you mention a Mag, so I'm leaning to a semiauto possible 1911 with 40S&W conversion reamed to 10mm? The freebore/leade must be short and narrow if you are having issues with the WFN type meplat. You mention 1.265"+ if you could...Loading longer can allow just a bit more room for powder with respect to pressures. However when you are trying to load for several different 10's, maintaining a standard that fits them all is needed! Mine like the 1.2500", even those that can handle longer loaded.
My statement is for the SAAMI 10mm specs, but I do understand different guns and applications.
Quote from: The_Shadow on November 01 2015 01:06:51 PM MST
DM1906, I am a little confused as to the Ruger you speak of...I'm not thinking this is a Revolver? because you mention a Mag, so I'm leaning to a semiauto possible 1911 with 40S&W conversion reamed to 10mm? The freebore/leade must be short and narrow if you are having issues with the WFN type meplat. You mention 1.265"+ if you could...Loading longer can allow just a bit more room for powder with respect to pressures. However when you are trying to load for several different 10's, maintaining a standard that fits them all is needed! Mine like the 1.2500", even those that can handle longer loaded.
My statement is for the SAAMI 10mm specs, but I do understand different guns and applications.
The pistol started life as a .45ACP (first owner), converted to .40SW (second owner), then reamed to 10mm (third owner). It shoots very nice, when it shoots (chambers). It isn't my pistol, nor did I do the conversion(s). I developed the loads for a customer a few years ago. Yes, short freebore, that wouldn't chamber any but the commercial jacketed "light" target loads, such as Rem/UMC FMJ's. It is an effort to load for multiple platforms, especially when they are not factory.
My 6.5" Ruger BH chambers any .40/10mm length (with nearly an inch freebore and generous throat). Different animal.
I was quite surprised when I got my Bren Ten at how much freebore there is befor the Power Seal rifling starts. It is almost an inch before the start... :o
Quote from: The_Shadow on November 01 2015 02:46:10 PM MST
I was quite surprised when I got my Bren Ten at how much freebore there is befor the Power Seal rifling starts. It is almost an inch before the start... :o
Wow...That would greatly reduce pressure concerns with hot ammo.