Need advice for N320 loads for a XD Service 9mm

[DickP3]

Hello

I'm a newby reloading for an XD Service 9mm. Using the XD, MG 124gr JHP bullets and the procedure described by mcracco and others on this board, I determined that the maximum OAL for this combination is 1.110". Since a gap of 0.020 - 0.030" is needed, the maximum OAL for the XD and the MG 124 JHP is 1.080 - 1.090".

The OAL suggested in the Lyman manual for a 125 gr Sierra JHP is 1.075". So, I worked up some loads with titegroup and am presently at 4.0 gr at 1.078" OAL. It seems to shoot ok. No chronograph data yet (chronograph on order; should be here next week).

Since there is a lot of praise for N320 for 9mm, I want to try it too and see which powder and load work best in my XD. My problem is that all of the loads I can find on this board and on the Lapua website for JHP's is for OAL's longer than the XD will accept; e.g., at Lapua for their 124 gr Megashock JHP, the load range for N320 is 3.5-4.2 gr at 1.130" OAL. The loads that I found posted on the Springfield subforum all are for the XDm and they use OAL's much longer than 1.085"

Soooo, how much lower in powder do I need to go as a starting load to avoid overpressure at an OAL of around 1.085"? (I want to stay with the MG 124 JHP, at least for now).

Thanks for your help

Dick

[DickP3]

I guess another way of phrasing my question is:

Given that Lyman's manual says to use 4.0 - 4.6 gr of N340 with a 125 gr JHP at 1.075" OAL, can this information be used to calculate an appropriate load using N320?

Dick

[reptoid]

You don't need to be .020"-.030" off the lands. If they hit the rifling @ 1.110" you can load them @ 1.100" no problem. I have an XD 9 Tactical and the only bullets that hit at that short of length in mine are the Hornady 125 HAP and the Sierra 115 or 125 JHC. I load PD 125 JHP, Zero #162 JHP, Zero #161 JHP, and Zero #136-C (all 125gr) @ 1.125". I have used a lot of VN320 and my best load for it is 3.9 Grs. with the above bullets for 1050FPS (PF 131). If you have to load @ 1.100" start with 3.7 or 3.8 grs. and you should be way safe, then chrono and adjust accordingly.

Don

[polizei1]

Hrm that's kind of odd. I have an XD9 as well and my reloads (PD 124gr RN @ 1.140) work just fine. I'd start ~3.5gr and work up in increments of .2gr. If you have a chrono, that would work best to test the rounds. If you don't, then just load them as long as you can and start with the lowest rounds first.

[DickP3]

Thanks for the input Don. I'm glad to hear that others have encountered bullets that hit the lands at a short length. Most importantly, now that I know that I only need to leave 0.010" clearance, I have more flexibility.

Given Don's and polizei1's experience with PD bullets I wonder if the MG's are a little fatter at the nose. I just ordered a sample of the PD 124 JHP's.

Thanks again guys for your help

Dick