Power Pistol, Beretta 96 Vertec and 180gr bullets

[bajadudes]

Cross posted on the berettaforum.net site

Thought I would post my latest loading experiments

My goal was to come up with a good 40 S&W round for an IDPA match that is close by to me and to get a general, accurate target practice round that was specifically tailored to Beretta 96 series handguns. The test gun I used is an unmodified 96 INOX Vertec with a 4.655" barrel. I was not out to develop a high-powered defensive round although some of the tests did drive the bullet to almost 1,100fps.

Equipment and materials used:

Dillon 1050 progressive press with auto case loader and bullet feeder

Winchester 40S&W once fired brass.

Federal small rifle primers #205

Power Pistol Powder

40S&W 180gr Montana Gold JHP bullets

Master model Shooting Chrony with homemade light kit

All shots were chronographed with the muzzle 10 ft away in a temp controlled room at about 68 degrees and 40% humidity. A minimum of 5 - 7 shots at each powder weight and OAL were fired through the Chrony. In addition many of the combinations were fired at test targets 21 ft away from a bench rest position and photos were taken.

IDPA uses a power factor floor of 125 for matches. I am not going to get into how fair or realistic that is. For my bullet the minimum velocity to meet PF would be about 695fps. I want to give myself a margin of at least +5 PF. I also wanted the rounds to be light, in terms of recoil, accurate target plinking rounds for fun. Something that would not beat me up but still give great satisfaction in terms of being very accurate and tailor made for a Beretta.

Considering that last requirement, "tailor made for a Beretta" I am specifically thinking about it's barrel and OAL that can be used reliably in the gun. Published SAMMI specs for 40S&W call for a min OAL of 1.120, Beretta 96 series guns however can take a considerably longer OAL.

Mag I.D. is 1.200

I tried loading to 1.170 OAL but started having jamming issues in the mag.

I found that 1.160 + or- .004 worked very well with no jams or issues ( about 200 rounds tried). Once I shoot about 1k at that OAL I will feel more confident with it.

By tailor made I also mean a round with the right powder weight and velocity for the above stated purpose.

Alliants online data shows 7.2 grains max to drive a 180 grain JHP to 1031 fps. with a min 1.120 OAL.....I saw an average of 1073 with that load and OAL.

The first tests I ran were with the suggested 1.120 OAL and 6.5 to 7.2 grains of powder.

I then ran some at a 1.140 OAL with 6.2 to 5.4 grains and finally a 1.160 OAL with 4.7 to 6 grains

Each time I changed the powder throw I dumped the 1st 2 throws before weighing 5 dumps in one pan and averaging

Below is the data set and pictures, data and pictures continue into the next post along with conclusions:

1.120 OAL

6.5 Grains

Average velocity 1004.3 fps.

High 1022

lowest 967

6.75 grains

Average velocity 1038.2 fps.

High 1063

lowest 1013

6.85 Grains*

Average velocity 1048.5 fps.

High 1062

lowest 1040

7.0 grains*

Average velocity for 1049.9 fps.

High 1069

lowest 1040

* Not much change here but it is never the less what I got. the data set for the 7 grains was 8 loads and for the 6.85 grains was 6 loads

7.1 grains

Average velocity 1066.1 fps.

High 1074

lowest 1058

7.2 Grains

Average velocity for 1073.5 fps.

High 1091

lowest 1064

1.140 OAL

6.2 grains

Average velocity 965.7 fps.

High 975.3

lowest 956.6

6 grains

Average velocity 943.6 fps

High 952.5

lowest 935.2

5.7 grains

Average velocity 895.6 fps.

High 915

lowest 873.9

5.4 grains

Average velocity 853.8 fps

High 868.4

lowest 845.5

1.160 OAL

6.0 grains

Average velocity 911.6 fps.

High 923

lowest 899

Edited December 12, 2011 by bajadudes

[bajadudes]

5.5 grains

Average velocity 847.6 fps.

High 866

lowest 840

5 grains

Average velocity 771.3 fps

High 786

lowest 756

Note the below photo says 5.5 grains but it was mislabled on the target and i forgot to correct it before taking the photo.

4.7 grains

Average velocity 721 fps.

High 734.9

lowest 692.4

Conclusions:

I don't know why I seem to always have one outlier in the groupings. All shots were Single action shots.

The fireball with Power Pistol is freaking impressive as hell especially when you start getting around 7 grains with a 1.120 OAL however the gun seemed very snappy with that load as you can imagine.

At 7 grains I began to see the beginning possible signs of approaching max pressure. In particular the complete flattening of the primer shoulder and cratering around the firing pin hit on the primer. It got worst at 7.2. Being that the Beretta design on that Vertec has a large unsupported case area around the ejector and ramp area I would be worried about pushing Power Pistol much further than I did with that 180 grain MG JHP. I understand that reading primer hits is a little like reading tea leaves but just wanted to mention what i was seeing.

All of the grouping seemed pretty good but the gun felt best and most comfortable when loading with the 1.160 OAL and with 5.5 grains to 4.7 grains. At 4.7 I am just above the legal PF for IDPA and at 5 grains a little to hot. I think the magic number for me is going to be 4.8 grains with a 1.160 OAL. I was worried that the slide would be sluggish at those loads but it seems that Power pistol is snappy enough to be fine, at least the way I shoot. I did order a reduced power recoil spring set from Wolff to try just for the hell of it.

All in all it was a fun project. I may try it again with some Clays and VV3N38 which I also have on hand. Comments and suggestions are encouraged and welcome. Sorry if the pics are too big, they were giving me fits and I gave up on resizing.

[Adam P.]

I run 5.5gr of PP with 180gr cast bullets at 1.13 OAL. It's a good IDPA load.

[bajadudes]

I run 5.5gr of PP with 180gr cast bullets at 1.13 OAL. It's a good IDPA load.

What are you shooting it out of and have you had an opportunity to chrono it?

Edited December 12, 2011 by bajadudes

[Adam P.]

I run 5.5gr of PP with 180gr cast bullets at 1.13 OAL. It's a good IDPA load.

What are you shooting it out of and have you had an opportunity to chrono it?

Shooting it out of a Glock 22. Have not had the opportunity to chrono it. This load was also very good out of an M&P 40 FS that I used to have.

[bajadudes]

Thanks for the additional info Adam. Much appreciated. I don't shoot or own any Glocks but I would like to get into casting bullets some day.