RickT Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) We've been shooting 3.7gr WSF/147gr @1.15"OAL in our 9mm 1911. This chronos at about 900 fps. I posted previously in search of a slower load using this powder since 3.5gr WSF wouldn't cycle and I didn't want to live on the "edge" with 3.6gr. I did find in Lyman's the following: 3.4gr WSF/147gr Lead Bullet/1.058" OAL => 867fps. I estimated my Bayou 147 gr to be a bit longer so intended to load at 1.07" OAL. I inadvertently loaded at 1.12" (long story). Here's the surprising results sans chrono : 3.4gr WSF at 1.12" OAL worked flawlessly in our guns and was a softer load than the 3.7gr @ 1.15". I understand that shorter OAL will increase pressure somewhat, but my OAL isn't even close to the book for this load. I'll chrono on Friday, but does it make sense sense that the much lower load at albeit a shorter OAL would a)be noticeably softer and b)cycle flawlessly? Update: I chrono'ed the 3.4gr load. Average at 862fps with a good SD. It's our new go-to load for 147gr. I'm almost sorry I bought so much HP-38 since we may well stick with these heavier bullets. Edited March 13, 2015 by RickT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdinga Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 WST is a faster powder. Makes perfect sense. I load both WST and WSF. WST recoils less. The next step up the velocity ladder for me is WSF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 WST is a faster powder. Makes perfect sense. I load both WST and WSF. WST recoils less. The next step up the velocity ladder for me is WSF. [/quote rdinga, the "WST" in my original post was a typo. Both loads were actually with WSF. That's was the performance of the 3.4gr load was such a surprise. Based on the 3.4gr result I'm almost tempted to try 3.3gr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Been using WSF in my 9 for years (a buddy turned me on to it 5 or 6 years ago) Real soft and I just kept messing with OAL until SD got below 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm going to run the rounds through the chrono again when I get the chance. I had five rounds with an SD of 9, but I've got two factors working against a really good SD I believe. First, I'm shooting mixed headstamps (probably a minor factor). Second, my micrometer-equipped seating die tends to drift; I'm going to continue to use that die for small runs of test loads but switch to a traditional die for larger batches of "favorite" loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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