vfasso Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I've been messin' with different loads for Steel Challenge. I'm was wondering how low a powder charge you can use with a 147 plated bullet. My best load for POA and POI is 3.0 grs. at 1.15 oal. I have tried 2.7, and the spend casings just barely clear the gun (M&P 4.25). If I lower the recoil spring weight, will it cycle better, or is that just to low a charge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I have used 3.2 gns with 115s out of a 9mm 1911. Casings fall about 1' away but the cycles and feels like a comped .22! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 On the M&P specifically I wouldn't take the recoil spring below 15 pounds. I haven't played charge limbo with Titegroup, however with Clays I've cycled with 2.6 grains, which is very light. I don't even remember if it broke the 750 feet per second Steel Challenge requirement. If you are going for Steel Challenge in particular, why bother with the 147s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TANFARM Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 After assistance with kind folks here...I laddered my 147's....from 3.0-3.4.........the 3.0 was a diaster in my Limited 34......I'm sticking with 3.3 with Titegroup and 3.2-.3.3 using N231..... It's very interesting to experiment with the effects different powders and loads have on rounds. I'm having trouble discerning any substantial difference in similar bullets though.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Yea i agree go lighter bullets and light powder. 115s rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain037 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 My plinking load for .40 is a 180 lead with 2.8 or a 180 plated with 3.0, so I think you are fine with that in a 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 It's easy to get caught up in the "how low" you can go in search of the most mouse fartiest of loads... sometimes, not worth it. My minor load used to spit brass out so weakly that, as I transitioned to the next shot, the brass would sometimes be dancing around between my front and rear sights. That is a distraction (slowness) that I don't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Load down until your load will lock back your slide on last round. Then add .02 grains. If 2.7 wont lock back but 2.9 does.....Load a bunch up at 3.1 and you should be good to go.... DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Donald Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I use 2.9 gr with 147 Blue Bullets, very accurate load out of my Eagle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfasso Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 I'm just playing with 147's cause I have on bunch on-hand right now.... The load at 3.0 is very accurate, but, the gun "feels" better at 3.2 or 3.3. Does that make sense? Thermo mentioned that I shouldn't take the recoil spring below 15lbs. Any specific reason for that? Is it hard on the slide/frame or something like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 My note was for the M&P specifically. Below 15 and the striker will poke the slide out of battery. You can work around this with a reduced power striker spring but that puts you in Federal primer land really quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron169 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 My minor load is 2.9 grains behind a 147 grain bayou bullet. Think it choreographed at 128 pf. But I also use a 13 pound sporting in my Glock 17. With the stock spring I think it ejected about 2 inches from the gun! Hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canine582 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I just scored 16# this past week. I'll be finding out soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Yea my steel load will not cycle a stock glock 17 but runs my 9mm trojan on stock springs just fine and ejects about 1-2 feet away in a nice little pile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfasso Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 If I remember correctly, my 115 load was about 4-4.3 ish... I haven't tried a light powder charge with that bullet yet. I'll try and get some this week. What difference do you see between the light vs. heavy bullet with the same powder charge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 My minor load is 2.9 grains behind a 147 grain bayou bullet. Think it choreographed at 128 pf. Dang, my bullets aren't anywhere near that fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDA Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Load down until your load will lock back your slide on last round. Then add .02 grains. If 2.7 wont lock back but 2.9 does.....Load a bunch up at 3.1 and you should be good to go... Darn decimal places, always messing people up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 With 147 FMJ MG's and 3.3 gr. of Titegroup in a G34 the recoil is so trivial that it seems unnecessary to experiment with lower loads. Why tempt failure? Same with 124's (MG FMJ), 4.0 seems perfectly acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasref Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 2.6 with the 147's. But you need a lowered recoil spring to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackJones Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) I don't even remember if it broke the 750 feet per second Steel Challenge requirement. FYI, That requirement was dropped. If it will cycle the gun you can run it. Edited January 29, 2015 by ZackJones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I don't even remember if it broke the 750 feet per second Steel Challenge requirement. FYI, That requirement was dropped. If it will cycle the gun you can run it. I knew that part -- this was some time ago when the requirement was still in force. Since then I haven't been so deep into steel challenge that I've felt reduced power ammo would be worth the effort. I've just been rolling with minor in my M&P. What I'm curious about cycling is if you'd be better off working up a 124 until it cycles or something heavier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackJones Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I'm in the process of trying to come up with the ultimate steel challenge load. I have various weights from 95 to 147 (all Bayou's) to try. I need to get to loading so I can see what works best. In a discussion on another forum the general consensus was to just load to minor and shoot one load for all disciplines. Sometimes chasing bare minimum isn't worth the effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I've heard that before and it makes sense to a certain skill level. My transitions are terrible enough that it isn't recoil management that is getting in the way. The counter argument is that 105s with 2.5 grains of Clays are hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S&W686 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I have been using 3.0gr with a 147gr Black Bullet International at O.A.L 1.125. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 FYI CLAYS and other large flake powders will bridge and stick in low charges below 3.0 grains unless you put an aquarium pump or something that will keep the powder moving. Just be careful as you will have Poofers and hopefully not chamber and fire another round after...... DougC 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