Load Development - lots of pics

[wifecallsmegrumpy]

Hi again.

Yondering made a comment in my other thread regarding load development and I thought I would share a little of that journey. It's not over yet and some days it makes me wonder if I should have taken the science path in my career as I could test loads forever and still not be satisfied.

I don't have the wonderful selection of powders and projectiles that is available in the USA so I make do with what I can find.  Also consider that it's not impossible (obviously) but it's a bit harder to get pistol calibres over .38 in Oz therefore reduces the component market.

From right to left

180 grain Westcasting TC, Rainer 165 grain HP, Westcasting 155 RNSWC



Then in no particular order some of the test targets that I have been shooting. Most include details about the loads fired from the STI P10 but some showed pressure signs so don't use my data, work it out for yourself.






I am putting this up partly because when I was looking to purchase  a STI perfect ten there was no chance (other than flying to the US) that I could try one out. I must have watched that Ted Nugent Youtube clip a zillion times.

Powders used (but not all target's shown)
AP 70N - Good for low weight projectiles but still a bit fast.
Ap100 - Too slow
Blue dot - I found some ! Works the best so far.

Really enjoying this pistol so far although it's not perfect and can be fussy on OAL and the chamber is tighter than a fishes bum !

*Edit Targets shot from 25mtrs, and I need to stop using the phone camera but it just so easy to upload 

[Yondering]

Good stuff! I'm jealous of your Westcastings coated bullets. Wish I could get those here.

[The_Shadow]

wifecallsmegrumpy, thanks for sharing the data and pictures.  Blue Dot has been a mainstay of mine since before 10mm and also for the 10mm.  While I have included other powders, Blue Dot has been great.  It seems that primers do start to flatten some for 10mm before the maximum pressure is even reached.  That Black coated 180 looks just like the Lyman TC 175 grains I cast and normally load with 10.4 grains of Blue Dot for plinking.

[REDLINE]

Nice.  I'm glad even in Oz you are still able to get some 10mm fun in.  BTW, regarding the powders AP 70N and AP100;  What do those powders look like (shape,size,...)?

[wifecallsmegrumpy]

Hi Redline,  your user name reminds me of good times with my old S2000, man that car used to scream.

Here is some pics of the AP70N and AP100, you can also get a fair bit of information from the ADI website.

Ap100




Ap70N


Both great metering powder and the AP100 rocks in the .38super

[The_Shadow]

Hey thanks for the pictures, I haven't worked with any of those powders.  Those colors don't look like they have much or any  graphite coatings on them.

Do you know if they are single base or double base powders?   I am thinking single base

[REDLINE]

Hi Redline,  your user name reminds me of good times with my old S2000, man that car used to scream.

Here is some pics of the AP70N and AP100, you can also get a fair bit of information from the ADI website.

Ap100




Ap70N


Both great metering powder and the AP100 rocks in the .38super

Glad my user name brought back some good memories.  Very nice pics.  Thank you!  Helps put those powders in a little bit of perspective for those of us not used to seeing them around.