165 grain major load

[SSGJohnV]

Hello all,

I shoot a .45 1911 in L10 and load to major for that, but I just recently bought a Para P16-40 and would like to know my best bet for making major with the powder I have available. I found a good deal on some Rainier 165 grain HP's so I'll be starting off with those, but I live in Alaska so my powder selection is basically what I can snag at the local shops before the hoard of others get to it.

So, using the powders I have listed, where should I start to get a major load with 165 grain plated?

Powders I have:

Clays

3N37

Unique

Red dot

Zip

Longshot

Primers are CCI SPM and SP, Winchester SR, and Winchester SP

I already plan on loading long as the gun will most likely benefit from it and it will help me stay away from over pressure rounds. Thanks for the help.

-John

Edited September 30, 2013 by SSGJohnV

[jmbaccolyte]

Clays might be the best choice with that bullet weight and fresh cases and depending on overall cartridge length, but I'd also order some Win. WST or V V- N320 via mailorder/internet and test them in your pistol on a chrono at the temperatures that you plan to shoot those loads at.

[SSGJohnV]

That's just the thing, about the powder. Hazmat fees to Alaska, because it cannot be shipped through Canada, are up the yin-yang. We get all of our hazmat through barges once, maybe twice a week. The powder and primer shortage hit us especcially hard up here in the Frozen North. I have heard everyone talk about N320, and while I am a frugal guy and try to stay away from VV if I can avoid it, I will look into it and try to snag some from a buddy to try it out.

WST, N320, Power Pistol, and W-231 are all on my short list of powders I need to replenish.

[Naka16]

For sure on the 3n37, but might get you in the 180pf range or more

[Steve RA]

If you find any, 7.0 grs of 4756 works well with a 165 gr.

[jmbaccolyte]

That's just the thing, about the powder. Hazmat fees to Alaska, because it cannot be shipped through Canada, are up the yin-yang. We get all of our hazmat through barges once, maybe twice a week. The powder and primer shortage hit us especcially hard up here in the Frozen North. I have heard everyone talk about N320, and while I am a frugal guy and try to stay away from VV if I can avoid it, I will look into it and try to snag some from a buddy to try it out.

WST, N320, Power Pistol, and W-231 are all on my short list of powders I need to replenish.

Talk to some other reloaders up there and order four 8 pound jugs all at once from some place like Powder Valley. That will spread the haz-mat surcharge over a lot more powder. While expensive all at once, an eight pound jug of WST lasts me over 11,000 loads.

[redbird1976]

6.5 -6.7 grains of Longshot should get you where you want to be.