10mm, IMR 800x, 180 XTP, temp. question

[Strykervet]

I load all my 10mm rounds. Well, I actually load all my rounds save the ones that are +P --I buy those. Since I mostly carry the 10, my carry loads are handloads --I'd buy them too like the +P if they weren't so expensive and I didn't go through so many at the range.

Anyway, I like to use 800x. I measure every load of course, especially the carry loads. I like the 180gr. XTP, it is very accurate and I haven't had any problems with it. Out of a basically stock G29 I get 1174fps (this was taken at 3000+ft. alt. though, it may be more at sea level) using 9.8gr. 800x in approx. 65-70deg. weather. Starline brass is used, new and once fired for higher pressure and testing, used for practice reloads. I have no pressure signs: no primer problems, no smilies, no bulges. The only bulge is the slight bulge the brass takes when it swells to fit the chamber.

My question to those that load this (and I'm sure many of you do) is how well does this powder perform in temperature fluctuations? If I work up a load in winter, is the pressure significantly affected in the summer? Where I live the temp. swings aren't all that great, maybe 40+ in winter and 70+ in summer on average during the day. I know that Varget for instance, isn't affected too much by temp. swings and so I can load a lot and squirrel it away.

The Loadbook shows 10.1gr. max. 800x for the 180XTP, Hornady data. I'm sure they've (Hornady and IMR) lowered it by now, it seems every year they knock off a tenth grain in the published data (which I assume they do due to poor metering and a CYA lawyer thing). My goal is to work up a load in the higher end of the published data, say 9.5 to 10.1 maybe, whichever is most accurate. But I want one that will be safe in summer and winter.

I also have Blue Dot and VV N350 and VV 3N37 that I could use, but I haven't worked them up.

Also, does anyone know a good recipe for 155gr. XTP? I thought Blue Dot would give me the biggest range of velocities, but when I tried it, I got up to 12.4gr. and only 1238fps! This was from a stock G29 at 3000+ as well. I was expecting 100fps faster at least.

Finally, any powder recommendations that would be relatively temp. insensitive and still give me optimum performance? Any recommendations for powder/bullet combos that fit this criteria?

If you have a favorite 10mm carry load, let me know that as well. Thanks!

 

[JimKirk]

Can't speak to the 800X load in a 10mm ...

But in the Red Headed stepchild ...the 357 SIG it works great(except for the metering)! I use the recommended 10 grains which is a compressed load under a 124 XTP bullet.

Jimmy K

 

[TheGreatDane]

I've often wondered if 800x will meter better in a larger diameter metering system - ie the rifle barrel for the hornady powder dispenser.

Anyone want to try? I would, however time is limited.

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I have shot 14.2 gr 800X with 200 gr in a Glock 20 10mm Bar Sto barrel repeatedly.

The problem is not pressure, but recoil.

You may think you can handle the recoil, but you can't.
The slide is going so fast when it hits the frame, and the frame is already pushed against the hand with the force of the recoil springs, that a giant pulse of recoil energy goes through the nerves and joints of the hand.

So my take is that if I want to load a lot of 10mm ammo, I would not use 800X. I could still get too much recoil with Power Pistol, or even the low flash 3N37.

800X in my mind is only good for a couple shot over the chronograph for bragging rights, a shooting hand the hurts for hours, and never do that again.