Problem with my 1st reloads
Quote from Reloader on March 15, 2009, 5:25 pmI just came from the range where I fired my first 20 reloads. I am shooting 40S&W loaded with 4.1 gr of Hodgdon HP-38 (recommended starting load) and 180 gr Berry plated bullets. Following are my results:
Sig 229 - 6 rounds, last round failed to slide lock
Sig 239SAS - 7 rounds, 3 stovepipes, 2 fail to eject
Springfield XDM - 7 rounds, no problems
Any ideas why I am having these problems? My rookie guess that the loads may be a little light. Max load for that powder is 5.0 gr but I understand the Berry plated bullets shouldn't be loaded too hot.
I just came from the range where I fired my first 20 reloads. I am shooting 40S&W loaded with 4.1 gr of Hodgdon HP-38 (recommended starting load) and 180 gr Berry plated bullets. Following are my results:
Sig 229 - 6 rounds, last round failed to slide lock
Sig 239SAS - 7 rounds, 3 stovepipes, 2 fail to eject
Springfield XDM - 7 rounds, no problems
Any ideas why I am having these problems? My rookie guess that the loads may be a little light. Max load for that powder is 5.0 gr but I understand the Berry plated bullets shouldn't be loaded too hot.
Quote from Reloader on March 17, 2009, 6:37 pmRhino1...sounds like a low powder load...also compare recoil springs, i.e., does your Springfield XDM have a lighter recoil spring than your sigs? Your sig 229, with last round fail to lock..I would think your powder load is close to matching your recoil spring. Your sig 239sas sounds like it has a heaiver recoil spring. I do NOT like to go with max loads unless you load every bullet, individually, on a trusted powder scale. As a rule, minimum 10% LESS of max load. So,...check the weight of your recoil springs. It's not a bad thing to have last round fail to lock..indicates your almost matched bullet to recoil spring and not being 'hard' on your gun with hot loads.
Rhino1...sounds like a low powder load...also compare recoil springs, i.e., does your Springfield XDM have a lighter recoil spring than your sigs? Your sig 229, with last round fail to lock..I would think your powder load is close to matching your recoil spring. Your sig 239sas sounds like it has a heaiver recoil spring. I do NOT like to go with max loads unless you load every bullet, individually, on a trusted powder scale. As a rule, minimum 10% LESS of max load. So,...check the weight of your recoil springs. It's not a bad thing to have last round fail to lock..indicates your almost matched bullet to recoil spring and not being 'hard' on your gun with hot loads.