Steel Challenge loads for coated bullets

[Rallyx100]

I'm reaching out for advice on a light shooting Steel Challenge load, currently using Sport Pistol and CFE Pistol.

In a CZ P-09 and 1911 in 9mm

[iflyskyhigh]

Using a Montana Gold 95gr JHP

 

I’m shooting these out of a G3 G34 with an agency arms barrel. Most of the initial testing was done with a Lonewolf extended barrel which is why some of the intial chrono reading where higher.

 

I settled on 3.6 grs Bullseye and max COAL of 1.020” to make sure sure the case can hold onto the projectile. Had to use a reduced power recoil spring obviously.

 

It’s so soft and accurate, it’s ridiculous.

 

These were the tests I ran:

 

Zip G34

(3.6-4.2 grs 993-1158 FPS Western)

No good

 

PB G34

(3.6-4.2 grs 1013-1157 FPS Hogden)

No good

 

Unique G34

(4.2-4.8 grs 895-1091 FPS Lyman)

No good

 

Bullseye G34 (Lonewolf Threaded barrel)(Test)

(3.4-4.0 grs 867-1023 FPS Lyman)

2.8 grs NO

3.0 grs NO

3.2 grs NO

3.4 grs min for function

3.5 grs 1089 FPS 13.3 SD / 31

3.6 grs 1115 FPS 7.6 SD / 18

3.7 grs 1134 FPS 8.8 SD / 23

 

Agency Barrel

3.6 grs 1083 FPS 17.1 SD / 49 ES (11lb Wolff)*

3.8 grs 1117 FPS 12.7 SD / 48 ES (12 lb Wolff)

 

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[igolfat8]

3.8 SP under coated lead 95 at 1.020” in TSO

Edited December 2 by igolfat8

[GMP]

51 minutes ago, igolfat8 said:

3.8 SP under coated lead 95 at 1.020” in TSO

 

Same here with Precision 100g TC.  Basically my minor charge of SP with 100g vs 124g.  Shot well in both S2 and my P09

[Demus319]

115 Blue Bullets 3.0 TG in my Beretta 92FS I use in production. 

[Rallyx100]

8 hours ago, igolfat8 said:

3.8 SP under coated lead 95 at 1.020” in TSO

Who's bullet are you using, seems like 1.020 might be close to min OAL depending on the bullet

[Rallyx100]

7 hours ago, GMP said:

 

Same here with Precision 100g TC.  Basically my minor charge of SP with 100g vs 124g.  Shot well in both S2 and my P09

Is that Precision bullet the .358 FP Cowboy bullet?

[GMP]

5 hours ago, Rallyx100 said:

Is that Precision bullet the .358 FP Cowboy bullet?

Yes.  The 100g retains the old TC profile as loading it short is not a problem.  All the .358s from them have worked great in my CZs.

[Yondering]

I use a 100gr RF coated bullet (the Lee 95RF mold with lube grooves removed) over 3.2gr of Clays in a G19. 

[RickT]

3.1gr SP, 124gr Bayou RN in my 9mm 1911. 19 lb. mainspring, 9 lb. recoil.  OAL is 1.15".

Edited December 2 by RickT

[CZ85Combat]

I use 115gr Blue Bullets with 3.1gr N310 @ 1.120"  106PF in my Accu-Shadow

[igolfat8]

12 hours ago, Rallyx100 said:

Who's bullet are you using, seems like 1.020 might be close to min OAL depending on the bullet

My home cast, powder coated bullets. Using a Lee .356 - 95 grain mold.

[Yondering]

49 minutes ago, igolfat8 said:

My home cast, powder coated bullets. Using a Lee .356 - 95 grain mold.

 

I use the same one, at .985" OAL. That's the length that gives best accuracy in my Glocks.

 

Guys, OAL numbers don't mean anything at all if you're not comparing the same bullet. What seems like a really short OAL for one design might be way too long for another, especially with flat nose designs.

Edited December 2 by Yondering

[Rallyx100]

5 hours ago, RickT said:

3.1gr SP, 124gr Bayou RN in my 9mm 1911. 19 lb. mainspring, 9 lb. recoil.  OAL is 1.15".

My 1911 seems to favor the 125gr RN, that's good info for reference! 

Might have to look at a spring change to run that though.

[Rallyx100]

2 hours ago, igolfat8 said:

My home cast, powder coated bullets. Using a Lee .356 - 95 grain mold.

I was thinking you might be using Bayou based on the 95gr, that weight seems to run good in the shorter chamber guns.

Might have to do with twist rate also?

Edited December 3 by Rallyx100
Add relevant info.

[xrrcr]

115 Eggs with 3.0 N310 = 112 pf out of a XDM 5.25.  Recoil feels like a sling shot. 

[missed it by that much]

With the bayou 105 grain tc bullet over 3.5 grains titegroup accurate and shoots with stock springs out of my xdm 5.25, sig p210 , eaa witness and sig p210. Can't recall but power factor is under 120. I just haven't got around to sport pistol with that bullet. But with 3.5 grains sp and bayou 135 grain accuracy is good and mild load that makes power factor. But I don't think there's a power factor for steel.

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[Rallyx100]

32 minutes ago, missed it by that much said:

With the bayou 105 grain tc bullet over 3.5 grains titegroup accurate and shoots with stock springs out of my xdm 5.25, sig p210 , eaa witness and sig p210. Can't recall but power factor is under 120. I just haven't got around to sport pistol with that bullet. But with 3.5 grains sp and bayou 135 grain accuracy is good and mild load that makes power factor. But I don't think there's a power factor for steel.

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That 105gr has good potential I think, not crazy about the grooves but that is probably my issue with loading it, have had more success with the 120TC straight shoulder but have to load pretty short, that 3.5gr of SP is probably in the ballpark with 135gr RN depending on OAL

[missed it by that much]

That 105gr has good potential I think, not crazy about the grooves but that is probably my issue with loading it, have had more success with the 120TC straight shoulder but have to load pretty short, that 3.5gr of SP is probably in the ballpark with 135gr RN depending on OAL

I load the 135 at 1.125 oal just so it chambers in all my guns.

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[Rallyx100]

16 hours ago, missed it by that much said:

I load the 135 at 1.125 oal just so it chambers in all my guns.

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I had tried some of those 135gr Rn over CFE Pistol, maybe I will try them again with SP

[missed it by that much]

I had tried some of those 135gr Rn over CFE Pistol, maybe I will try them again with SP

Good luck!

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