kdhill

Well I was just about out of pistol powder (been using Green Dot) and ran across some CFE Pistol locally so I picked up two lbs of it. Loaded up some test loads and went to the range to chrono them. Unfortunately the wind dust kicked up so I don't know if that messed up any of the readings or not. I shot these out of an XDm 5.25" 9mm. The charges were set from my RCBS electric scale and powder dispenser. Here is the load info and the Results. Powder CFE Pistol CFE Pistol CFE Pistol CFE Pistol Load 5.0 Gr 5.1 Gr 5.2 Gr 5.3 Gr Bullet 124 gr FMJ MG 124 gr FMJ MG 124 gr FMJ MG 124 gr FMJ MG COL 1.135 1.135 1.135 1.135 Shots 1 1082 1110 1144 1141 2 1089 1133 1119 1163 3 1082 1126 1148 1148 4 1092 1127 1109 1136 5 1111 1133 1112 1145 6 1108 1110 1116 1145 7 1102 1121 *1104 1151 8 1105 1124 1112 1159 9 1084 1103 1139 *1112 10 error *1099 1116 1182 Average 1095.00 1120.78 1123.89 1152.22 STDV 11.61 10.74 15.28 13.97 ES 29.00 30.00 39.00 46.00 Avg PF 135.78 138.98 139.36 142.88 Max PF 137.76 140.49 142.35 146.57 Min PF 134.17 136.77 137.52 140.86 8/30/2014 8/30/2014 8/30/2014 8/30/2014 Cloudy Windy Cloudy Windy Cloudy Windy Cloudy Windy 80 Deg 80 Deg 80 Deg 80 Deg I ended up dropping the lowest value of each string since the first sting had an error in it. The 5.2gr results seem out of place from the other loads. For USPSA I normally shoot for about 133 pf, so I might try a 4.9 gr load. Will probably load up 20 rounds of 4.9 and 5.0 out of my progressive and see which give the best results.

My friend got some SR4756 powder (all he could find) and I am trying to help him develope a load using it and MG 124gr JHP, for shooting in USPSA in production. On IMR's web site it says starting point of 4.9gr to 5.4gr max. I loaded up some with 4.8gr, 5.0 gr, 5.1gr and 5.2 gr hoping to get around 133ish PF. I chrono'd 10 rounds of each, and was not very pleased with the results. The FPS were not very consistant and did not come out where I figured they would, so dont know if my chrono was giving me bad numbers, but have not really had an issue with it in the past. I loaded them with a COL of 1.135 and a light crimp. Here are my results. 4.8gr - avg vel 958, es 136, sd 50 5.0gr - avg vel 963, es 215, sd 66 5.1gr - avg vel 1018, es 78, sd 30 5.2gr - avg vel 1019, es 159, sd 51 As you can see the numbers were all over the place. Where my HP-38 load 4.2 gr - avg vel 1077, es 79, sd 29, I ran before had more stable velocities. So I checked my old Modern Reloading manual and for 4756 with a 124gr bullet it has a starting point of 5.7 and a max of 6.2. This is a huge difference from IMR's web site. I loaded up some rounds with 5.4gr, 5.6gr and 5.8gr, but I have not shot them yet, but I am a bit nervous about it since it is over what is listed on the web site. I have done some searching but have not been able to find much data. Any help would be appricated. I use a Hornady progressive press, and I spot checked the powder weight using a RCBS electronic scale. Thanks Kelly

I use a Comp-Tac minitaur for my IWB holster for my M&P compact. It is a very comfortable holster to wear all day, very secure, and I have not had any issues with drawing or holstering the pistol. I think it looks a lot bulkier than it actually is. Just another thing to think about

Welcome to the addiction I was at the same shoot, but different squad, man that morning started off cold. Maybe see you out there next time.

That does not look like it would be very comfortable for extended periods of wear. Definately post back what you think of it after you have given it a go.

Like you stated, I have the opposite problem with mine, I tend to ride my thumb on the slide release and keep it from locking the slide back on an empty mag... I am really working on just keeping my thumb off of it so I dont interfere with its opperation. From what I know there is no mod that would keep it production legal, just need to work on your grip so your not riding the release. My $.02

Finally got my initial classification, not quite where I was hoping it would be

I run 4.2 gr of N320 with MG 124 JHP, and get around 135PF out of my XDm 5.25.

Thanks for the info guys. Think I am going to try some HP-38/WW 231, can get that locally for about $20/lb. (Plus it is always fun working up a new round) Kelly

What is a good alternative powder to Vit N320? I went to get some yesterday at the local shop and it was up to $50/lb, I had a hard time spending $40 on it before. I have used TG before but it is just to dirty. Would like something that meters well, relatively clean burning, and fills the case. I shoot 9mm minor in production class. My current load is 124 gr MG JHP with 4.2gr N320 which gave me about a 135PF out of my XDm 5.25. Thanks for any help Kelly

The rod will add static weight to the gun, where the slots will reduce the moving weight of the slide. So if you did both, you could end up with the same weight of the gun, but the cycling mass of the slide would be less helping with felt recoil. Just how I picture it

I am also using the Dawson .100 and the stock rear. Currently have the Red FO in the front, but I am thinking about giving the green a shot.

i've talked to only one other XDM 5.25 owner and we both do the same thing. I do the same thing... and it is very frustrating when I squeeze the trigger and it goes "click", lucky this really only happens when I have busted my original game plan...

Another great forum for long range precision shooting is "snipers hide", they have some great "stickies" on reloading and brass prep. I personally do all my rifle reloading on a single stage Rock Chucker, with the different brass prepping stages. I really dont see the need for a progressive or multi stage press for precision rifle, especially when you need to weigh each charge out by hand (consistency is the key). Right now I am shooting a Rem 700 PPS that I have mounted in a B&C Medalist stock, I did not like the HS stock it came with, the palm swell just did not fit me. A good low cost scope to look at would be the super sniper fixed power. I have the 10x and can pick it up for 299, or 399 with side focus. I have also been looking at the Vortex Viper PST, but in the 6-24x FFP, but I need to save up my pennies. They say you should spend as much on your scope as you did your rife. Buy once cry once . And after you get your ammo figured out and if you have a smart phone, look at getting the app "shooter" cannot go wrong for 10 bucks.

Shot a new load this weekend at the local match. Switched to N320, 4.2gr, 124gr MG JHP, COL 1.135, mixxed brass. It chrono'd with a 134 pf. Very smooth recoil, and a lot cleaner than Titegroup. After shooting this it would be hard to go back to dirty TG This is out of an XDm 5.5

I also installed the PRP Ultimate Match kit in my 5.25 XDm. Never had really done any gun smithing before, just watched the videos on youtube, then followed the videos while doing the work. Just take your time and check the fit often, really was not that difficult looking back.

This happened to me twice in one stage the last match I shot (a stage of all steel, got frustrated and lost my round count). I do have a tendancy to ride my thumb on the slide lock, and it does not take much to keep it from engaging on an empty mag. I am working on my grip to hopefully cure this, if that does not do the trick, might look at changing out the slide lock lever.

Touchet's not horribly far from Richland (grew up there - am now on the Wet Side), and the Rattlesnake Mtn club is a fine bunch o' folks... Just shot with Gene at Rattlesnake last weekend, but would be nice to not have to drive an hour + to shoot a USPSA match, I think I am dead in the middle of Rattlesnake and LaGrande OR lol, about an hour 15 from each. But what am I saying... I drive to Richland every day for work...

I went with the 9mm, figure with the cheaper ammo cost I could shoot more, and you are already set up for 9mm. In theory depending on how much you shoot in a year, could save enough in a year or two to cover the cost of the .40 in the future. Well that is what I am telling myself but in reality I just shoot more 9mm...

Thanks for not rubbing it in.... I did end up finding a total of four rounds that were too big. I think for the cost, a $15 guage is a way better deal to use than a $200 KKM barrel. I did notice that Midway has a chamber gauge that has 7 chambers in it for $20, or a 50 chamber block for $100. Does your kid have access to a milling machine at school where he could crank out a couple of them?

How well are you aiming when dry firing? Are you getting the full sight picture? I know I have to really watch myself when I dry fire that I dont get "too speedy" and just point and click without really getting a good sight picture, but when you are live firing you now you really have to aim or you wont hit the target. I am relatively new here, but that is just what jumped up into my mind.

Good ol barrel drop test, sounds like a good activity for my son to help me out with after we reload a batch

Is it the range there at Potters Marsh? I put a lot of holes in paper at 100 yards there... Now that I have moved have access to a 600+ yard range 15 mins away, oh yea and the winters are a lot shorter and warmer How do you like that Vortex scope? I am looking really hard at getting the 6-24x ffp version of it. Thanks Kelly

Yea I had to do a little sanding on the sear as well, had to narrow it up a little so the parts moved individually from each other, and I had to file down the tab slightly so the grip safety worked properly. I think as long as you take your time and follow the video it is not that big of a deal, but then I am the tinkering type ;-)

So I can judi chop your phone?