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FrankD

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Status Updates posted by FrankD

  1. FrankD

    Thanks Mike for the information.

     My SVI is a early model with no holes in the barrel just a compensator.

    I tried 3N38 once with not much luck at 9.0 grs. SVI recommends 3n37 for barrels with just a compensator. I had better luck with 3N37with 9.2 grains using a 124 gr FMJ. I also tried Auto Comp with 6.0 grs. yesterday and its just not enough powder.

    SVI also recommends a 17lbs. hammer spring. The spring in the gun made the hammer very hard to pull back using your thumb. I installed a 15 lbs. spring with the Auto Comp at 6.1 grains.The max load according to Hodgdon Reloading Sheet is 6.3 grains. Seems to me still not enough powder.

    So I plan on going to 6.3 and 6.5 grs. of Auto Comp. Atlas Gunworks suggested Silhouette powder. He presently building me a 9mm IDPA/USPSA gun from a STI Frame Kit that I've had hanging around for a few years.

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. JMike

      JMike

      Hey Frank,

      LOL! I'll be honest, I have no idea what the hammer spring weight is. My primers always pop and the triggers are great on both guns. I do know the STI Grand Master has a stock hammer spring, whatever weight that is.

      Regarding load work-ups: you can load just about any powder you want and get the bullet out of the barrel but that is not what you want to do. The thing with open guns is that you must use a powder that generates a lot of gas. That will make the comp much more effective.

      I have a friend (Master class shooter) and he is running 10.4 grains of 3N38 and his power factor is about 179. But that is what works his comp most effectively and makes his dot track better in recoil. 

      I would ask around locally and see what others in your area are using for powder. I've never heard of anyone using Silhouette for an open gun. Most people I know are running 3N38, 4756, 3N37, 105, HS-6 (for open 9mm) and Auto-Comp for powder, small rifle primers (handles the pressure better than pistol primers) and some kind of 124-125 grain projectile. Just about all the guys running 38SC in my area are loading to an OAL of 1.235.

      Here is a link for what I call the 38SC Bible :

      http://38super.net/Pages/Major.html

      There are tons of really good information here.

       

      Regards,

       

      Mike

       

       

    3. FrankD

      FrankD

      Hi Mike,

      Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. GE keeps me on the road from time to time. So far AutoComp seems to be working the best at 7 grains. I loaded some at 6.8 and 6.9 grains but have not tested those loads yet.

      Frank

    4. JMike

      JMike

      Cool!

       

  2. FrankD

    Hi hanexp, You answered my email on troubleshooting my SVI open gun last month. I'm still playing with powder. I did use 3n38 and 3n37. The gun to my surprise didn't like the 3n38 starting with 9.0 grs. I when up to 10 grains with a hard hitting impact to the hand and muzzle flip.

    I had better luck with 3n37 which SVI's website recommends for guns with no holes in the barrel. Still fine tuning that powder.

    My gun does not have any holes in the barrel just a 3 hole comp. I noticed that the hammer spring take some effort to over come if you cock the gun by hand. SVI uses a 17 lb. hammer spring. I ordered a 15 and 17 lb. hammer springs from Dawson a few days ago. I think the hammer spring I removed took too much powder to overcome the spring that was in the gun.

    What is your thoughts on lowering the grains and going to a 15 lbs. spring. I was wondering if you ever went down this road with your gun?

    I think some of the information I provided was not clear on my part. I should have mentioned that the gun had no holes in the barrel.

     

    Thanks,

    Frank

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. FrankD

      FrankD

      Hi Blair,

      Thanks for the information. I think Brandon is a great idea. I think the spring I took out was a 19 lb spring. I tried WAC with 6.2 grains with a 124g FMJ. I just didn't have enough powder. So I'm loading a batch with 7g and 7.5g.  I did read on SVI website the they recommend 3N37 powder.

      Thanks for your help,

      Frank

       

       

    3. hanexp

      hanexp

      Hi,

      I use WAC for 9mm only. The advantage of 38SC is that with the longer case, you can load slower powders, like 3n38,N105 etc. With the commander length barrel in my 9mm shorty (not the SV), 7.0 g WAC, 125g JHP, OAL 1.625 gets me Major PF. In that gun, I use 7.5 with 115g JHP. I do prefer the 115g bullet load. YMMV in your gun, altitude, etc.

      3N37 is probably a great powder; I don't have any experience with it. With the 38SC (three holes), I like 3n38. N350 is pretty close to 3N38 in my pistol.

      I am interested in what Brandon's might suggest may be optimum for a barrel with no holes, if you learn anything. 

      Best,

       

      Blair

    4. FrankD

      FrankD

      Hi Blair,

      Sorry for not getting back to you sooner GE keeps on the road from time to time. I'm presently trying AutoComp at 6.8 and 6.9 grains with a 124 grain bullet. Hopefully I will ge to the range this week if it stops raining.

      Thanks for your input.

      Frank

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