Started loading for major PF and not sure what to think of these numbers

[engineerjet]

So my setup is a 5.4 inch barrel shooting xtreme plated 180gr RNFP, COAL 1.18, using a caldwell ballistic chrono.

Testing was done in 10 shot strings, the velocity is averaged along with the grains of powder, using two different scales to check the grain consistency for each shot (both reading were relatively close to each other).

 

VV N320

4.57 gr gives 820 FPS

4.58 gr gives 817 FPS (Ran a separate string of 10 using this grain setting to check for consistency)

4.95 gr gives 890 FPS

5.22 gr gives 981 FPS

 

Tite Group

4.76 gr gives 945 FPS

 

Ive seen old threads about people making major with 4.6 of N320, but its taking me 5.2 to make major. Are these results good enough and just load away at whatever gives me major or should I be getting different results at these numbers?

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by engineerjet

[davsco]

i was told to try 4.8 of either n320 or titegroup with 180 zero jhp and small rifle primers.  both def make major in my sti 5" edge.  iirc 170-172pf.

[ltdmstr]

Actual results vary widely and can change over time.  My 5.4 SV w/AET barrel took 5.7g N320 at 1.180 to make 170 pf when it was new.  Now, after 70-80k rounds, it only takes 5.2g, which is consistent with my other .40 cal. guns.

[Sarge]

2 hours ago, engineerjet said:

So my setup is a 5.4 inch barrel shooting xtreme plated 180gr RNFP, using a caldwell ballistic chrono.

Testing was done in 10 shot strings, the velocity is averaged along with the grains of powder, using two different scales to check the grain consistency for each shot (both reading were relatively close to each other).

 

VV N320

4.57 gr gives 820 FPS

4.58 gr gives 817 FPS (Ran a separate string of 10 using this grain setting to check for consistency)

4.95 gr gives 890 FPS

5.22 gr gives 981 FPS

 

Tite Group

4.76 gr gives 945 FPS

 

Ive seen old threads about people making major with 4.6 of N320, but its taking me 5.2 to make major. Are these results good enough and just load away at whatever gives me major or should I be getting different results at these numbers?

 

 

 

All guns and or barrels are different. Might be a slow barrel or possibly a slow batch of powder. Get to 172 PF check for serious over pressure signs. If you see none then load and shoot

[GringoBandito]

Try a different bullet with a different diameter. I used extremes for a long time and a new gun came with a different barrel that required a .401 diameter bullet. Plus, in my experience, a coated bullet will be faster than plated or jacketed.  Try Acme's 180 .401 to see what happens.

[Ssanders224]

14 hours ago, engineerjet said:

So my setup is a 5.4 inch barrel shooting xtreme plated 180gr RNFP, using a caldwell ballistic chrono.

Testing was done in 10 shot strings, the velocity is averaged along with the grains of powder, using two different scales to check the grain consistency for each shot (both reading were relatively close to each other).

 

VV N320

4.57 gr gives 820 FPS

4.58 gr gives 817 FPS (Ran a separate string of 10 using this grain setting to check for consistency)

4.95 gr gives 890 FPS

5.22 gr gives 981 FPS

 

Tite Group

4.76 gr gives 945 FPS

 

Ive seen old threads about people making major with 4.6 of N320, but its taking me 5.2 to make major. Are these results good enough and just load away at whatever gives me major or should I be getting different results at these numbers?

 

 

 

 

None of this is relevant without knowing COAL. 

Charges for a "standard" .40 round loaded at 1.120" and a "long" load at 1.180" will be very different. 

 

For long loaded (1.180") .40 loads with a 180gr bullet, N320 is usually around 5.0gr +/- to make about 945 fps (170pf).  

For 99.9% of 2011 Limited guns, there is no reason to load anything other than 1.180" OAL. Adjust N320 charge to achieve 950 fps and move on to something else. 

 

If you are shooting something other than a 2011, and loading to standard .40 lengths, then this information does not apply. 

[engineerjet]

1 hour ago, Ssanders224 said:

 

None of this is relevant without knowing COAL. 

Charges for a "standard" .40 round loaded at 1.120" and a "long" load at 1.180" will be very different. 

 

For long loaded (1.180") .40 loads with a 180gr bullet, N320 is usually around 5.0gr +/- to make about 945 fps (170pf).  

For 99.9% of 2011 Limited guns, there is no reason to load anything other than 1.180" OAL. Adjust N320 charge to achieve 950 fps and move on to something else. 

 

If you are shooting something other than a 2011, and loading to standard .40 lengths, then this information does not apply. 

 

Forgot to put COAL with trying to keep track of all the data. Edited original post. COAL is 1.18 shooting out of a 2011.

[Ssanders224]

1 hour ago, engineerjet said:

 

Forgot to put COAL with trying to keep track of all the data. Edited original post. COAL is 1.18 shooting out of a 2011.

 

Your data is actually spot on the norm, at 1.180" with a 180 RNFP

5.0-5.1gr N320

4.7-4.8gr TG

Those are extremely common loads. 

 

If I were you, I'd set the N320 on 5.1 and fogetaboutit. 

[OnePivot]

You're well under max at a much longer oal, you've got layers of safety so I'd call it good.