Hey everyone, I’m hoping someone can offer some help. I’ve been trying to develop a minor load for my G34 using VV N320. So far I’ve tried BBI 135s and 147s, and Xtreme 147 HPs. I’m using mixed brass and Winchester SPP. So far I have only been testing for accuracy, and haven’t chrono’d any of the loads.
For some reason, I haven’t gotten very consistent results. The first time out at the range, I tested the Xtreme 147s and BBI 135s using N320. For the Xtremes, I also loaded one batch using CFE Pistol. I shot 5 shot groups, rested on a bag, at about 20 yards. I first shot a control group using factory new Freedom Munitions 147 gr RN. The group measured 2.23”. Here are the results for my reloads:
Xtreme 147 HP, 3.4 gr N320, 1.135” - 2.39” group
Xtreme 147 HP, 3.9 gr CFE, 1.135” - 2.46” group
BBI 135, 3.6 gr N320, 1.130” - 1.79” group (the 5th shot wasn’t on the paper, so I think this was a fluke with the 4 shots being 1.79”)
The next time out at the range I tested BBI 147s, using 3.4 gr N320, at OALs 1.120-1.160” at 0.010” increments. Same shooting setup, except this time I decided on 10 shot groups to hopefully get more conclusive results. The best group I managed was about 4” at 1.140” OAL, but the rest were in the 6-7” range.
In addition to shooting groups I’ve shot all the loads for feel. I decided that I preferred the feel of the BBI 135s so I decided to focus on those. This time I loaded 10 rounds each at 3 different powder charges (3.5, 3.6, and 3.7 gr N320) and 6 OALs (1.110-1.160” in 0.010” increments).
3.5 gr - Best group was 2.14” at 1.160” OAL. Not bad at all! However, all other OALs were over 4” groups.
3.6 gr - All groups were 4” or more.
3.7 gr - All groups were 4” or more. At 1.110” OAL, the groups were horrible! Only 4 shots made it on the paper.
I've shot good groups with the Xtremes, so I was starting to think my gun just didn’t like BBIs until today when I shot that one good group. I guess I could just switch over to the Xtreme 135s, but I’d like to get these BBIs to work. Maybe I can confirm the 3.5 gr at 1.160” makes PF, and just go with it?? However, I noticed another slight problem with this load. It will not pass the plunk test in my barrel. It takes slight pressure to chamber the last 0.020-0.030” and some force/wiggling to get it back out. OALs shorter than about 1.130” plunk just fine.
Anyone have any ideas what could be going on??
I tried attaching pictures of the groups but the "Insert image from URL" isn't working.
Thanks!