Loading 124 RN to minor

[Endoz]

Ok so i've been easing into the reloading thing, i'm at 4K rounds now on an XL650, really satisfying, and am interested in shooting my first USPSA match weather permitting (its sub freezing here). So far this has been my load which has cycled my G34 well, and is accurate enough. It just doesn't make minor. 

124gr Rainer Plated RN ( switching to coated from now on )

3.8 gr Titegroup

OAL - 1.150"

I haven't got a chronograph yet so don't know my velocity but according to the Hogdon calculator i should be at approx. 957 fps which equates to a PF of 118 for USPSA. 

So the question is whats the best or safest way to make power floor with room to spare in minor? By going lower OAL or more powder ( up to 4.1 max )? Yes i'm being cautious as I am new to this. 

Appreciate any insights,

Endoz

 

[FortyOverUnder]

3.9gr may cut it if you're switching to coated.

I run 4.0gr of TG with a plated 124gr RN @ 1.130. Works great.

[ChuckS]

17 minutes ago, Endoz said:

So the question is whats the best or safest way to make power floor with room to spare in minor?

Buy a chrono...

[FortyOverUnder]

Buy a chrono... [emoji6]

Forgot to add this.

Probably the best advice you'll get.

[Endoz]

10-4 thanks. Chrono next. 

[Sarge]

27 minutes ago, Endoz said:

 It just doesn't make minor.  

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT.

124gr Rainer Plated RN ( switching to coated from now on )

GOOD MOVE GOING COATED BUT BOTH ARE FASTER THAN JACKETED.

3.8 gr Titegroup  

I'LL BET 4.0 IS THE TICKET

OAL - 1.150"    

DROP TO 1.14

I haven't got a chronograph yet so don't know my velocity but according to the Hogdon calculator i should be at approx. 957 fps which equates to a PF of 118 for USPSA. 

AGAIN, EVERY GUN IS DIFFERENT SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PF YOU ARE MAKING. BESIDES GLOCK BARRELS ARE MUCH FASTER THAN OTHERS.

 

So the question is whats the best or safest way to make power floor with room to spare in minor? By going lower OAL or more powder ( up to 4.1 max )? Yes i'm being cautious as I am new to this. 

BUY BUYING OR BORROWING A CHRONO. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW.

Appreciate any insights,

Endoz

 

 

[pskys2]

I load 124 jhp mg 1.110 oal, 3.7 titegroup in my g34 for 1050 f/s.

[Dannybot]

As I recall I was getting about 1050 fps using 4.0 of TG with Xtreme 124's loaded to 1.13"  in a 5" M&P CORE giving me 130 pf.  I tried to go lower, 3.7 got me about 122 pf but did not relaibly cycle the CORE with RMR, but would cycle a regular M&P.

[Hi-Power Jack]

1 hour ago, Endoz said:

 whats the  best way  to make power floor with room to spare in minor?

The  ONLY  way to make PF is with a chrono - $70 for a Chrony - a bargain.   

[Endoz]

Thanks all, great info!

Endoz

[MikieM]

You can compute a very good load using the Hodgdon loading data, and the JBM power factor calculator.

Remember to allow for barrel length. There is a chart for that also. Usually about 50 fps difference between a 4" and 5" bbl.

And, you might also try the 147 gr. bullet at about the 1.135 mark.

[Bullets]

3.8 isn't gonna make minor in uspsa for you. Especially at 1.150. I had tested 1.125 and 3.8tg with 124 plated. 30° temp was 1005fps. Just shy.    

Did 125gr bbi (coated). 3.8gr tg was a 132 power factor. 1.135

[Postal Bob]

Quote

 (its sub freezing here).

That is the main problem. I shoot coated bullets in a Trojan 9mm with 3.7 gr titegroup and coated bullets, at 1.135". During normal 70 degree weather it makes minor no problem. But in the winter, far from it. Conversely, in 85+ degree summer heat, it makes 135 pf. Titegroup powder is very temperature sensitive. So, normally 3.8 grains should make minor, especially with coated bullets. But if you're going to be shooting in sub-freezing weather, you're going to have to bump up the charge weight.

And like others have stated, you need a chrono to get a base line reading.

[Kwal88007]

glock 17 open

124gr xtreme plated rn 

5.4 gr power pistol  pf is 144 through caldwell chrono oal is 1.145.  runs nice for steel challenge. 

[muncie21]

I'm working up a minor load using 124g RN from Bayou for my CZ using VV N320; not quite there yet.  

 

Here's latest chrono data

Created: 01/16/17 12:26
Description: 124 RN
Notes 1: 3.8gr VV N320
Notes 2: OAL 1.14
Distance to Chrono(FT): 8.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 1.24
Temp: 33 °F
BP: 30.29 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
#          FPS  FT-LBS      PF
16    949      0.00    0.00
15    984      0.00    0.00
14    1007    0.00    0.00
13    975      0.00    0.00
12    978      0.00    0.00
11    969      0.00    0.00
10    988      0.00    0.00
9    972      0.00    0.00
8    986      0.00    0.00
7    991      0.00    0.00
6    1003    0.00    0.00
5    953      0.00    0.00
4    987      0.00    0.00
3    986      0.00    0.00
2    1013    0.00    0.00
1    ERROR 10
Average: 982.7 FPS
SD: 17.9 FPS
Min: 949 FPS
Max: 1013 FPS
Spread: 64 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.3
True MV: 983 FPS
 

[XtReMe90]

I tried these 2 loads out Saturday using 124gr Delta Precisions out of a 5" 2011 

124gr
3.8 Grains of Titegroup 1.15 OAL 1045
3.6 Grains of Titegroup 1.15 OAL 999

Edited January 19, 2017 by XtReMe90

[IDescribe]

On 1/5/2017 at 9:42 PM, Endoz said:

 

So the question is whats the best or safest way to make power floor with room to spare in minor? By going lower OAL or more powder ( up to 4.1 max )? Yes i'm being cautious as I am new to this. 

If you're witching to coated lead, you're going to have to work up a load with a different, shorter OAL anyway, so there's no real answer here.  
 

And buy a chrono.

[Endoz]

Well, bought a chrono and these are the results at 33F outside temp; 

124gr Rainer Plated RN 

3.8 gr Titegroup

OAL - 1.150"

 

Avg FPS - 1027 for PF of 127 ( so made minor after all ) 

 

Switched to 1.135 OAL w/ same powder and bullet/

Avg FPS - 1039  for PF of 128

 

Then loaded samples of coated bullets @ 1.135 OAL to compare to Rainer plated. 

 

Blue Bullet 125gr RN - Avg FPS - 1070 for PF of 133

Bajou 124 gr RN - Avg FPS - 1076 for PF of 133

Ibijiheads 125gr RN - Avg FPS - 1073 for PF of 134

 

These coated rounds at 1.135" had more snap to them, and seemed more accurate. 

Going to start loading coated from here on out. 

 

 

[Endoz]

I may drop down to 3.6 - 3.7gr titegroup and recheck PF so the rounds don't have as much recoil. I liked them better at 1.150 OAL. But i'm nitpicking. 

[muncie21]

On 1/29/2017 at 10:02 AM, Endoz said:

Well, bought a chrono and these are the results at 33F outside temp; 

124gr Rainer Plated RN 

3.8 gr Titegroup

OAL - 1.150"

 

Avg FPS - 1027 for PF of 127 ( so made minor after all ) 

 

Switched to 1.135 OAL w/ same powder and bullet/

Avg FPS - 1039  for PF of 128

 

Then loaded samples of coated bullets @ 1.135 OAL to compare to Rainer plated. 

 

Blue Bullet 125gr RN - Avg FPS - 1070 for PF of 133

Bajou 124 gr RN - Avg FPS - 1076 for PF of 133

Ibijiheads 125gr RN - Avg FPS - 1073 for PF of 134

 

These coated rounds at 1.135" had more snap to them, and seemed more accurate. 

Going to start loading coated from here on out. 

 

 

Thanks for sharing your progress.  If the coated bullets and TG powder smoke a bit  too much for your liking, consider switching to a different powder. 

Looking forward to future updates.