charlesfkessler

Range Report - 200 gn JHP on top of Clays: 2.7 gn 642.9 644.3 625.0 608.0 612.4 AVG: 626.52 = 125 PF 2.8 gn 627.2 644.6 676.2 637.5 612.8 AVG: 639.66 = 127 PF 2.9 gn 641.7 659.6 666.6 675.9 675.3 AVG: 663.82 = 132 PF 3.0 gn 687.3 676.0 673.0 687.9 687.5 AVG: 682.34 = 136 PF 3.1 gn 696.7 715.8 686.0 714.7 696.9 AVG: 702.02 = 140 PF Got my springs in from Midway and took them to the range for testing. CHA-LEE was right about the spring weight, the 8 lb spring felt made the action feel smooth and responsive as well as minimize forward recoil. Even though the numbers show that a charge of 2.7 grains of Clays (Canadian) brings home the bacon at exactly 125 power factor, I've got to say that the 2.8 charge weight felt smoothest with the 8 lb spring in my Eagle. I don't really have any metrics to back that up, it's purely this shooters interpretation. Conclusion: In the search for a ridiculously easy shooting load, 40 minor lends itself to a very pleasant shooters experience. Data reveals a 40 S&W loaded with 2.8 grains of (Canadian) Clays, seated at 1.180 (for the 2011 crowd), ignited by CCI 500, and given a moderate crimp on a Lee Factory Crimp die will produce a consistent load that still qualifies for Minor (USPSA) and ESP (IDPA). Using this reduced charge load will require the user to tune their pistol to reliably cycle, but doing so with provide quite pleasant results.

Actually, I have two 1 pound cans. My older one is Canadian, this is the one I’ve been using for these tests. My new can is Australian, I’m kinda glad you brought this up because I never even thought to check.

Update: I went to the range today and chrono'd my test loads. The results are as follows. 200 gn JHP on 2.2 gn Clays 487.2 471.2 411.7 381.7 432.6 Avg: 436.88 = 87 PF Im curious about the spread on the last 3 of these. I weighed each charge on my digital scale and am very consistent. I guess the Gods are not appeased with me for this and decided to skew my results. 200 JHP on 2.4 Clays 477.4 501.8 529.6 520.0 525.5 AVG: 510.86 = 102 PF 200 JHP on 2.6 Clays 584.6 580.1 573.9 544.1 549.6 Avg: 566.46 = 113 PF 180 Blue on 2.8 Clays 740.9 737.9 727.1 739.9 710.0 AVG: 731.16 = 131 PF 180 Blue on 3.0 Clays 752.3 765.8 769.5 786.4 757.4 AVG: 766.28 = 137 PF So it looks like I didn't do myself any favors by changing from 200 to 180 grain pills at the threshold that I did. Granted, 2.8 grains of Clays under a 180 did produce a pretty consistent 131 PF, albeit with a test batch of only five rounds. I'm pretty sure 2.7 would lend itself a little closer to 125 PF with a 180 Blue, but with just this first round of testing, I must say I am surprised at the difference in recoil impulse between a 200 and 180 grain bullets. It's hard to describe but the 200 has a much nicer feel to it. More like a linear "shove" than a radial "snap", but think I'm going to order a box of 200 grainers from blue bullets and give them a little more time & testing. Next up for testing: 200 JHP on 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, & 3.1 of Clays Oh, and just in case anybody is curious, the load metrics are: 200 Grain Hornady XTP (just for testing [it's what they had in stock at the LGS], I'll go into mass production with Blue Bullets) Mixed Brass - ran through a GRX die, decapped, and cleaned in an ultrasonic bath CCI 500 primers Various charges of Hodgdon Clays (obviously) seating depth @1.180" (It's an STI after all) On and one more thing, I miss-typed earlier when I said I have an Edge, its actually an Eagle, not that it matters to the load data or test results. Charlie

So, I've decided to back out of Limited (Major) for a while, and try running my Edge at 40 minor. My major load has been 180 grain smurf turds for quite a while, but I'm curious about the recoil impulse at 200 grains. I sent an email to STI asking about recommended recoil spring weight for 40 minor and the guy says to get a few in the 12lb to 8 lb range and see what feels right. Midway should have a 12, 10, & 8 pound springs here in the next couple days. Here's what I've got cooked up so far. 180 gn blue on 3.0 gn clays 180 gn blue on 2.8 gn clays 200 gn JHP on 2.6 gn clays 200 gn JHP on 2.4 gn clays 200 gn JHP on 2.2 gn clays There's not much out there for detail on 200 grain 40 minor with clays. Does anybody out there have any experience with it before I go start testing? There is a decent amount of detail on 180 grain minor and that's where I got the 2.8 and 3.0 starting data.