Justsomeguy Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RammerJammer Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szhttm Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 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!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMB Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theycallmeingot Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcobean Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justsomeguy Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agney5 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szhttm Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 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!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artsville Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szhttm Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 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!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giarc01 Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigNasty Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 anyone useing 200gr bullets in a 5.25? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giarc01 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now