Competition 5.25 .40 loads

[Justsomeguy]

I ran 3.1 grains Clays with the stock 18lb spring for a while and it worked, but the brass would often bounce off the top of the slide before going down. It was so close to being non-functional I upped it to 3.2 grains and it worked a little better. Since then I've gone down to 3.0 grains and a 14lb spring and it runs like a top.

Yeah... it's close but it does throw mine onto the tarp I use. I could see how in some guns it would be marginal. The only thing I have against the use of the lighter recoil spring is the XD family of pistols' way of balancing the recoil spring against the striker spring. Go too low with the recoil spring and the gun won't go into battery against the resistance of the striker spring. That is why I like loads that will run the gun using the stock recoil spring. I don't know how many rounds you have through your gun, but mine had about 2000 or so full power rounds through it before I started using the minor load of 3.1 Clays and 180grn bullet. You didn't mention bullet weight in your post, but I assume you are using an 180grn bullet. A longer OAL probably won't run the gun on 3.1grn of Clays either.

Still... all guns are different and this is why we experiment with the proviso that it may not work for the next guy. I'm glad to hear that your gun runs great with the lighter recoil spring though... it is something I considered doing if that Clays load was not going to cut it. Perhaps you have a reduced power striker spring as well, which would rebalance the equation.

[RammerJammer]

Just started 3.4 grains TG with winchester magnum primers, missouri 180 grain bullets for minor pf. Nice smooth push and enough smoke to conceal you from any threat.

[szhttm]

Have any of you tried to use any of the Vihtavuori powders? If so, which one and how much was used for generating your Major/Minor Power Factor?

Thank you!!!

Good Luck And Be Safe!!!

[GMB]

Tried Universal at 180gr Bearcreek over 4.9gr with OAL 1.145 and CCI small pistol primer. Average 173 PF, going to try 4.7 and 4.8 and see if we can get it a little softer and still make major.

[theycallmeingot]

not to derail, but how is everyone's accuracy out of the .40 5.25? i have the 9mm version that i run in production, but i've heard more than one person say the 9mm is more accurate than the 40. i might be interested in a 40 for limited.

Edited September 6, 2012 by theycallmeingot

[kcobean]

not to derail, but how is everyone's accuracy out of the .40 5.25? i have the 9mm version that i run in production, but i've heard more than one person say the 9mm is more accurate than the 40. i might be interested in a 40 for limited.

My .40 is every bit as accurate as my 9mm. Great limited gun.

[Justsomeguy]

My experience with .40 is that with a variety of decent loads in a variety of guns it is as least as accurate as I, or anyone else I know, can hold it. If you can hold better than 2-3 inches at 25yrds while standing on your hind legs then whatever gun you are using is more a limiting factor than the cartridge.

[Agney5]

Starting this back up again, but this seems to be the best thread for my question. My wife will be shooting a XDM 4.5 in 40 in limited and production. I'll use clays for her minor load but I need to know a from all the loads listed on here which seems to have softest recoil for major. She doesn't mind shooting factory ammo through it so I don't think it will be a big deal but every little bit will help her get comfortable shooting more. So any info for powder, and OAL would be apreciated. Forgot to say will be using a 180Gr TCRN molly bullet so it can be loaded to longer OAL if need be.

Edited October 3, 2012 by Agney5

[szhttm]

After looking through the VihtaVouri Reloading Guide Edition 9, I found this:

I created the following test rounds (10 for each) that are now pending a chrono test to see what speed and power factor they each produce. I will use my 4.5 XDm to test fire these founds. Once I have my 5.25 XDm back from Canyon Creek, then I will test the rounds receipe that is closest to Major Power Factor to see if the 0.75" difference in barrel length would make any difference.

1) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.6gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

2) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.7gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

3) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.8gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

4) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.9 gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

Please feel free to respond back to these should you have any comments or suggestions. You won't hurt my feelings. I am new to reloading, so I encourage it. Members of my local USPSA club are helping me with my reloading learning experience.

Thank you!!!

Good Luck And Be Safe!!!

[Artsville]

I created the following test rounds (10 for each) that are now pending a chrono test to see what speed and power factor they each produce. I will use my 4.5 XDm to test fire these founds. Once I have my 5.25 XDm back from Canyon Creek, then I will test the rounds receipe that is closest to Major Power Factor to see if the 0.75" difference in barrel length would make any difference.

1) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.6gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

2) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.7gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

3) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.8gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

4) OAL = 1.133

Precision Delta = 180 FMJ

VV N320 = 4.9 gr

Federal Small Pistol Primers

Your right there....my data shows 4.7gr Berry/Extremz right around pf178 with an xd 5" tactical. I use the same shorter oal. Please post your results from the chrono as i will have and xdm525 shortly. I only use N320 with 40 but am currently shooting production.

Art

YMMV

[szhttm]

I received my new Competitive Electronics ProDigital Chronograph and was able to test my initial loads at the range this past weekend. The outcome was not as expected. Using 4.6grs ~ 4.9grs of VV N320 did not acheive USPSA Major Power Factor. Basic load data and testing data is copied below:

Basic load data:

* Bullet: Precision Delta 180g FMJ

* Brass: Mixed (not new)

* Powder: VV N320

* Primer: Federal Small Pistol

* OAL: 1.133

Test #1 using 4.6grs of VV N320:

Chronograph Data 1 846

Chronograph Data 2 855

Chronograph Data 3 854

Chronograph Data 4 890

Chronograph Data 5 847

Chronograph Data 6 810

Chronograph Data 7 856

Chronograph Data 8 841

Chronograph Data 9 885

Chronograph Data 10 844

Average Chronograph Data 853

Standard Deviation 23.7

Lowest Chronograph Data 810

Highest Chronograh Reading 890

Extreame Spread 80

Power Factor 154

Test #2 using 4.7grs of VV N320:

Chronograph Data 1 840

Chronograph Data 2 844

Chronograph Data 3 877

Chronograph Data 4 855

Chronograph Data 5 816

Chronograph Data 6 873

Chronograph Data 7 874

Chronograph Data 8 862

Chronograph Data 9 849

Chronograph Data 10 812

Average Chronograph Data 850

Standard Deviation 19.7

Lowest Chronograph Data 812

Highest Chronograh Reading 877

Extreame Spread 65

Power Factor 153

Test #3 using 4.8grs of VV N320:

Chronograph Data 1 861

Chronograph Data 2 892

Chronograph Data 3 852

Chronograph Data 4 873

Chronograph Data 5 811

Chronograph Data 6 890

Chronograph Data 7 896

Chronograph Data 8 872

Chronograph Data 9 908

Chronograph Data 10 903

Average Chronograph Data 876

Standard Deviation 29.2

Lowest Chronograph Data 811

Highest Chronograh Reading 908

Extreame Spread 97

Power Factor 158

Test #4 using 4.9grs of VV N320:

Chronograph Data 1 907

Chronograph Data 2 916

Chronograph Data 3 891

Chronograph Data 4 872

Chronograph Data 5 892

Chronograph Data 6 913

Chronograph Data 7 924

Chronograph Data 8 888

Chronograph Data 9 869

Chronograph Data 10 945

Average Chronograph Data 902

Standard Deviation 19.4

Lowest Chronograph Data 869

Highest Chronograh Reading 945

Extreame Spread 76

Power Factor 162

I plan to make another set of test ammo again to see if averages to the results above again.

Good Luck And Be Safe!!!

[giarc01]

I went out this morning and got some data from my 5.25 .40 major. I used a CED ProDigital Chrono to get this data. Temp: 30 degrees. For some reason my 4.5 and 4.6 grains are really close in PF. Since it was so cold out this morning and I plan to use 4.6 as my major load.

Length: 1.145" (ran very well and was a suggested length by Rich at CC)

Bullets: 180 grain MG JHP

Brass: Once fired mixed

Powder: VV N320

Primer: Federal Match Small Pistol

Press: Hornady LNL AP

4.4 grains

FPS PF

902 162.5

908 163.4

918 165.2

941 169.4

876 157.7

876 157.7

921 165.8

914 164.5

891 160.4

891 160.4

Average 904 FPS 162.7 PF

4.5 grains

FPS PF

935 168.3

939 169.0

964 173.5

938 168.8

913 164.3

959 172.6

938 168.8

952 171.4

931 167.6

938 168.8

Average 941 FPS 169.3 PF

4.6 grains

FPS PF

927 166.9

946 170.3

946 170.3

962 173.2

948 170.6

957 172.3

916 164.9

944 169.9

935 168.3

955 171.9

Average 944 FPS 169.8 PF

4.7 grains

FPS PF

960 172.8

957 172.3

957 172.3

971 174.8

957 172.3

968 174.2

948 170.6

960 172.8

981 176.6

968 174.2

Average 963 FPS 173.3 PF

4.8 grains

FPS PF

968 174.2

972 175.0

981 176.6

976 175.7

992 178.6

981 176.6

976 175.7

981 176.6

955 171.9

990 178.2

Average 977 FPS 175.6 PF

Edited January 5, 2013 by giarc01

[TheBigNasty]

anyone useing 200gr bullets in a 5.25?

[giarc01]

I use 180 because I could find them both in 180 grain. I could not find 200 grain jhp and I wante both my loads to be similar in powder and recoil. If you find 200 grain jhp please let me know.