Test complete

[sixgunluvr]

Got my 147gr MG CMJ's the other day and thought i'd post the results of my chamber depth test.

Astra A-70

147gr MG CMJ's drop into the barrel of my Astra A-70 at 1.168 .....however max oal length for my magazine was around 1.153

Based on this I have decided to load some up starting at 4.6gr-4.8gr of HS-6 and OAL of 1.15

Any input or suggestion is always welcome. I have decided to start long with 1.15 as some have stated to start with the longest usable OAL.

(Max usable OAL for the XTP's were 1.13 in this gun....big difference. I am new to reloading and learned a lot from this site and links provided.) Especially this diagram below which was provided as a link on this site.

Edited April 12, 2013 by sixgunluvr

[Hi-Power Jack]

If my max for mag was 1.153, I think I'd go a little deeper than 1.150 (that's only

0.003" shorter than max). Have you tried loading the mag completely with

1.15" rounds? I'd be tempted to go 1.14 or 1.145", just to make sure.

Again, nothing wrong with HS6 for 9mm minor (especially if that's all you have)

but there are better powders, like WW231 or N320.

[sixgunluvr]

If my max for mag was 1.153, I think I'd go a little deeper than 1.150 (that's only

0.003" shorter than max). Have you tried loading the mag completely with

1.15" rounds? I'd be tempted to go 1.14 or 1.145", just to make sure.

Again, nothing wrong with HS6 for 9mm minor (especially if that's all you have)

but there are better powders, like WW231 or N320.

I have a lot of HS-6 and it seems to burn clean at the upper loads i'm using.

I got the measurement of 1.153 by loading the mag with live ammo and a dummy round, using the dummy at various depths in the mag. and adjusting OAL on the dummy round until i had no problems with a little room to spare...that measurement was 1.153 which i then rounded to 1.15

I'm not sure about the 9mm Minor part... I don't shoot any type of competition.

Only thing i guess i need to do is pick an OAL. Hmm.. no data from MG, my mag OAL limit is 1.15. So this is where i'm at. I wonder what the minimum depth for a MG CMJ 147 is? I fugure i should not go lower than 1.10 I mic'd several factory 147's at between 1.11-1.14 So i get this for a potential recipe.

HS-6 start at 4.5 - 4.9

147 MG set from 1.10-1.15 (Gonna start at 1.14)

CCI 500 primers

Starline Nickle Brass

Edited April 13, 2013 by sixgunluvr

[Hi-Power Jack]

I'd be tempted to go 1.14 ".

there are better powders, like WW231 or N320.

... I don't shoot any type of competition.

So i get this for a potential recipe.

HS-6 start at 4.5 - 4.9

147 MG set at 1.14")

The 1.14" OAL sounds great . Can't comment on the HS-6 - I'd load five

of them and run them thru a chrono. What velocity are you looking for?

[sixgunluvr]

Not really looking for a particular velocity. Just upper end clean burning loads that function consistently for practice. I don't own a chrono but check primers and cases carefully for any sign of over pressure. I hand weigh and test OAL with a micrometer on every round . Here's what she look like.

147 MG CMJ

HS-6 4.6gr

1.14 OAL

Federal Nickel Brass

Edited April 13, 2013 by sixgunluvr

[Justsomeguy]

OAL has two functions, feeding and pressure. If the round is feeding well and you are within pressure limits as recommended by the powder manufacturer at it's stated OAL (which would generally be lower than your OAL that you listed), then you should be good to go. You gotta run the gun! You also have to be safe. If it is feeding and you are not at the absolute limit of the max powder charge the OAL is less relavant to pressure and more about feeding reliability.

[sixgunluvr]

Got to try 10 rounds each for two recipes today..... well, two slight variations.

1) HS-6 4.6gr Nickel Brass OAL 1.14

2) HS-6 4.6gr Standard Brass OAL 1.125

1) Not so peppy, all brass landed directly beside me, 1 failure to feed.

2) Seemed a little more peppy, no failures and felt like a standard factory round, brass landed further out also......same distance out as factory rounds.

Accuracy was good for both with #2 load given a slight edge.

Conclusion: Think i'll load up a 50 now at 4.6gr and 1.13 OAL and call it good to go.

Edited April 15, 2013 by sixgunluvr