Which of 3 powders for a 200g .40 SW w/ comp?

[igolfat8]

I have a LW bbl on my Gen 4 G35 with a Carver Comp. I have 3 powders on hand: Clays, WST and N320. I have only worked up loads for 165 and 180 rounds so far. 200s are new to me so looking for suggestions to load Extreme 200 grain plated FP bullets. Looking for a soft starting load for target shooting & plinking. Don't have a chrono so can you suggest some loads and COAL?

I have found published data on Hodgdon site for WST at 3.0 - 3.4 but my Speer manual says 3.8 - 4.5. That's quite a discrepancy?

I read where a comp needs a slower burning powder to create more gas to operate the comp more efficiently but I don't know what the burn rates are for these 3 powders and which would be best for the comp?

How does the COAL effect burn rates and is shorter better than longer?

[igolfat8]

OK, Found burn rate chart on Hogdon's site. So I am trying the N320 as its the slowest burn rate of the 3 powders which I have on hand.

[Shadyscott999]

None of those are going to work the comp very well. Need something much slower.

[Steve L]

Are you shooting minor or steel challenge? If you are those powders are great with the open gun. If you are shooting major you'd be best to try 135 to 155gr bullets with a powder like autocomp, hs6, aa7, 3n37 or silhouette

[Hi-Power Jack]

. Don't have a chrono

Hodgdon for WST at 3.0 - 3.4 but Speer says 3.8 - 4.5. That's quite a discrepancy?

Right. That's why You Need a Chrono.

Start low (3.0 might be for lead bullets, and 3.8 might

be for Jacketed bullets - I'm not sure- just guessing),

and work up slowly with the Chrono.

[igolfat8]

Are you shooting minor or steel challenge? If you are those powders are great with the open gun. If you are shooting major you'd be best to try 135 to 155gr bullets with a powder like autocomp, hs6, aa7, 3n37 or silhouette

Not a competition shooter. I only shoot paper targets for fun. I am having problems with G35 slide not cycling w/ comp and trying to find the sweet spot for reliability.

[Sandbagger123]

one thing u can do is get a lighter spring so you can shoot lighter loads. My load with a 200gr moly is 4.4 WST @ 1.13 to make major PF

[superdude]

You will likely need to load hotter to get more of a recoil impulse. The comp adds lots of weight, so more recoil will usually help reliability. A slower burning powder will give you more recoil for the same velocity, and will also provide more gas to help the compensator reduce muzzle rise.

However, burn rate is only a general guide. The better rule of thumb concerning recoil is charge weight. More charge weight for the same velocity means more recoil - regardless of a gunpowder's burn rate.

[AJE]

With a comp, wouldn't it be better to use lighter bullets with a higher charge of powder?

More powder = more gas = comp works better

That's just a guess on my part.

[kneelingatlas]

With a comp, wouldn't it be better to use lighter bullets with a higher charge of powder?

More powder = more gas = comp works better

That's just a guess on my part.

Bingo!

[kneelingatlas]

I have 3 powders on hand: Clays, WST and N320

Trade for some N105.

[wgj3]

Last 2 guys have right idea. Lighter projectile with more slower powder to produce as much gas as possible to make the comp function. Think 155 gr or lighter.

[Russellhjoy]

800x would work well with a comp. I know its not one of the 3 but its pretty available and cheap, otherwise n320. I would load long as possible in a glock

Edited December 22, 2013 by Russellhjoy

[AJE]

Last 2 guys have right idea. Lighter projectile with more slower powder to produce as much gas as possible to make the comp function. Think 155 gr or lighter.

I'd be tempted by the 135gr if I could get a good quantity of them. Working my way up to a max load.

[Justsomeguy]

Though 800X might work it's a real pain to get it to drop well from a hopper... the flakes are the size of pancakes! Some of the other recommended powders will probably do better overall.