Bullets

I'm shocked that runs. What pound recoil spring do you use? 115s seem to be the most popular for non comped steel loads

Did you switch to 124 gr bullets?

Like others have said, that is nowhere near 9mm major. With a 115 you will be closer to 8.5-9.0 gr of hs-6. Of course don't try this without a chrono and start low and work your way up. Depending on your oal, you could barely or not be making minor pf as well.

Agree 100%

Must just be the difference between the longer and shorter barrel

Made major out of a g35 and a cz ts. Guess the slightly longer barrel makes the difference? What are you crimping to?

1.125 180 xtreme 4.6 titegroup got me a 170pf. Minor with a 180 xtreme I would guess to be around 3.5 or 3.6

Bbi 180 is what I use. They are a RNFP.

Well some of the powder get pretty expensive like the vv powders. They are double the price of powders like titegroup. I know a few people that don't shoot vv powder because of cost. I know people that use titegroup because of how cheap it is.

Just curious what a majority of the people would use if cost was no issue and why? I know many of you shoot open as well. I'm asking for just your best all around 9mm minor powder if you had to pick one for everything.

Just curious as to what most people think is the best powder for 40 major regardless of cost and why

I've tested 135bbi with 3.4 w231. It was a 128pf. Going to a 147 you should be able to lighten charge a hair and still hit 130pf.

How new is the gun? Is it still breaking in? If not then a 7lb spring should have no problems running lighter loads. Unless your mainspring is really heavy. That will also slow the slide down

If your gun isn't running lighter minor loads it isn't the load. It's the gun. Put a lighter recoil spring in. Then you should have no trouble shooting light loads. I used to run 5.6 hs6 with a 124gr prevision delta. I have since changed to a faster powder and lighter bullet though.

When I first started reloading I was using xtreme plated. They were cheap and easy to load. I never found them to be particularly accurate but made due since they were cheap. I then decided to try jacketed. The Montana golds were very accurate, easy to load, and expensive. Then tried coated. At 1st I hated them. They were trickier to load. I was shaving bullets when seating. I had bought a bunch of them so kept adjusting dies until I got it right. Once dies were set correctly I loved them. I find them to be incredibly accurate, cheap, and now my go ton bullet. I was still using xtreme as well up until recently when they raised their prices. Once my supply of xtreme is gone I won't be purchasing anymore. Their main advantage was they were cheap. Now that some jacketed brands are cheaper, I would be a fool to buy them over the jacketed. Also it's an added benefit to coated that they are faster than plated and jacketed. Takes less powder to make power factor

Are you using a brass Polish? If so are you just pouring it on top of brass and media then turning tumbler on? The Polish is actually supposed to be put in the media and ran a few minutes before adding brass. I would say try that and see if it helps

I think 3.5 would be pretty hot. I'm thinking if it's a coated 147 it will be a little lower. Probably 3.2 3.3ish

You said you're shooting Montana golds. Any chance you don't flare case enough when loading? Maybe you are shaving the bullet? Could be from the bullet and not the brass?

In my testing autocomp required slightly less powder to achieve the same power factor as cfe.

1.155

I would say to find a slide that already has the slide serrations and sight cuts. Otherwise you will have to send it out to be done. Then you will have to fit the barrel and slide. Then send it out to be finished unless you dont want a finish on it. Not sure what kind of 1911 you have or how much it's worth but it could end up costing more than just buying another 1911 with night sights.

6.9gr of cfe pistol with 125gr bbi. 170pf

N320 is hard to beat. W231 / HP38 are pretty close though. Similar feel in recoil and dirtier but closest I've found

OK loaded that short you may be right there. For your edge you can load much longer though.

Blue bullets are faster than xtreme plated. You will probably need more than 4.7 but always start low and work up. Depends on what oal you choose too.