blind bat Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 (edited) A local club runs Steel Challenge type matches and they don't require a minimum power factor. I've been thinking about putting together a steel specific load for my CZ-85 (9mm). What PF do you guys generally run for shooting steel? In case anyone wants to recommend a good steel load, I have the following supplies on hand: 1lb S1000 1lb N320 1lb W231 1lb Unique Federal & CCI SP Primers MG 124gr CMJ Bullets Thanks! Edited August 19, 2009 by blind bat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJDOUBLETAP Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 A local club runs Steel Challenge type matches and they don't require a minimum power factor. I've been thinking about putting together a steel specific load for my CZ-85 (9mm). What PF do you guys generally run for shooting steel? In case anyone wants to recommend a good steel load, I have the following supplies on hand: 1lb S1000 1lb N320 1lb W231 1lb Unique 600 Federal SP Primers 2k CCI SP Primers 1k MG 124gr CMJ Bullets Thanks! 115-125 power factor is good for Steel Challenge. 4.0 grns. N320 MG 124 grn. CMJ Win. SP primer. 1.140 OAL That load is about 125 power factor in my 5 inch XD9. Might help a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Hello: I use Precision 147's for steel challenge stuff at 130 PF. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 (edited) You might as well be legal in case you ever want to really compete... The min pf for SC is 120 Edited August 19, 2009 by JThompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 You might as well be legal in case you ever want to really compete... The min pf for SC is 120 Steel Challenge is a little different.. All rounds must travel a minimum of 750 FPS. Competitors whose ammunition does not make minimum velocity will be disqualified from the match(es) where the sub-standard ammunition was used. Note: Impact-rigged stop plates will respond to 120 power factor ammunition as per “scoring” above. Lighter ammunition may not stop the timer. (my emphasis on may) So.. you can use less PF at your own risk.. I've seen very good shooters running PFs around 110-110, with light bullets.. I just use my regular minor 40 loads, PF ~ 140 The closest I have for a 9MM with your components would be 4.5gr Unique.. that gave me PF 127 Powder,grains,PF,avg fps, SD Unique 4.5 127.0 1024.0 2.8 Unique 4.7 129.5 1044.3 10.7 Unique 4.9 128.8 1039.0 13.4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Dave is right, I was thinking of the stop plate recommended pf. JT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 As a side question.. is the stop plate sensor for rimfire the same? a 22lr.. has about a PF of ~40? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 As a side question.. is the stop plate sensor for rimfire the same?a 22lr.. has about a PF of ~40? My understanding is they do it the other way for rimfire. No sensor, and use the calculations to determine the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Rimfire uses the timer. I saw loads that I know were not over 100PF activate the stop plate sensor, even with edge hits..... .....use what you want, but if the stop plate doesnt trigger at Piru tough noogies......that is the only place that uses the sensor stop plate right now FWIW..... DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben b. Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Rimfire uses the timer. I saw loads that I know were not over 100PF activate the stop plate sensor, even with edge hits..... .....use what you want, but if the stop plate doesnt trigger at Piru tough noogies......that is the only place that uses the sensor stop plate right now FWIW.....DougC My Steel load is 4.3 gr S1000, a 124 gr lead at 1.135 " OAL, 12 ft MV is ~1050, for a PF of ~130, from a 4" barrel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 It sounds like most everyone is shooting in the 125pf range. My normal plinker loads are 131-133PF (depending on the gun and weather) but I can't call shots worth a darn so I'm going to try dialing the PF back to around 125 to see if that helps. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 You can go lower, but you'd probably have to alter the springs (at the very least) to get the pistol to cycle reliably.. which may not worth it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 I have an 11lb recoil spring in my CZ and a 6lb spring in my TZ-75. The TZ was stovepiping regularly when I bought it. I cleaned the extractor and put in an extra power extractor spring and a 6lb recoil spring. The 6lb spring is recommended on Henning's site but it's way too light for my taste. The 11lb spring in the CZ is nice but 120pf is probably pushing the lower limit of what it can handle. I'll know for sure after I chrono some trial loads this weekend. Is there a reason the Tanfoglio guys run lighter springs compared to the CZ's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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