800-x/10mm loads

[ArchAngelCD]

Re the shotty powder, I don't load for those nor do I have one...please explain the "but they are both shotgun powders so you know what that means... ".

It's just that shotgun powders seem to be dirtier and flashier than powders specifically designed for use in handguns. Unique is also a shotgun powder as are 700-X, 800-X, PB and a lot of other powders used in handgun.

 

[2zulu1]

I don't have any problems with metering 800 X out of a Lyman #55 that I've had since the early 70s. I like Longshot and #7, but I keep 180 JHPs in the mid 1200s to keep them from seriously fragmenting at velocities the 10mm is capable of.

Basically the 10mm is a 200gr WFNGC woods carry for me because I get excellent JHP performance from 357/44mags. For all practical purposes, I bypass the 10mm and carry a M29 Mountain if I need to carry more horsepower than the 357mag.

 

[Ex]

It's just that shotgun powders seem to be dirtier and flashier than powders specifically designed for use in handguns. Unique is also a shotgun powder as are 700-X, 800-X, PB and a lot of other powders used in handgun.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you kindly!

 

[TonyT]

HS-800X displays some impressive ballistics but does not meter uniformly. I made one mistake buying 800X against the advice of the shop owner who cautioned me that it does not meter uniformly.

 

[premier1]

I love 800X I don't throw it I use a Lee dipper.

 

[Bongo Boy]

You can't imagine just how badly I wish I'd seen this thread (and a 1/2 dozen others) before I bought this 8 lb jug of 800X. Amazingly, I saw nothing but positive reviews of it, especially for 10mm, before I ordered it.

Not believing anything could be as bad as I'd just read, went to the bench with electric vibrator module at the ready, and threw about 50 charges after settling the hopper. Changed charge rotors/inserts, vibrated the unit before throwing the charges, tried everything. Charges varied by more that 0.5 gr every throw, and in several cases varied by over a full grain from on throw to the next. With the small pistol rotor, fuggettaboutit--9 gr one charge, 1.2 the next--I'm NOT kidding. This happened a lot--almost nothing will even drop into the rotor on some cycles. It's unmeterable. Period.

I've never seen anything like it--very pleased that I wanted to slow down my ammo consumption, 'cause this stuff will definitely do that. Suddenly I'm now one of those crusty white-bearded old farts that like to meticulously hand measure and hand assemble each cartridge, then visually inspect it over a coffee, then load the next one.

 

[41 Mag]

I haven't tried 800 due to what has been posted here. I like to load in bulk when I do my 10mm rounds and trickling up every charge is something I only do for one rifle, and I shoot about 3 rounds a year from it.

I found that AA-9 covers everything I need with velocity and accuracy using several 180gr bullets and the Gold Dot is hard to beat.

 

[Ex]

I will say, having built lots of 800x 10mm rounds by trickling, it's really nice shooting powder. I just don't like the 4 mins/rd as opposed to 5-6 rds/min.

But it does perform great!

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Agree with MachIV on metering with RCBS Quick Change. With some work I have been able to throw 9.0 grains with +/- 0.1 accuracy.

 

[Bongo Boy]

Would you happen to know the approximate diameter of the rotor chamber/insert that you're using. With my Hornady, I have only a 1/4" pistol insert/rotor, and the standard one with is enormous (about 5/8" or 11/16" in diameter). The powder fails to even drop into the small one, and for 9 gr, the large one is adjusted to and small as it can be--about 1/16" or less deep. One wouldn't expect any accuracy from that. I don't think Hornady makes one that's in between the two.

Rock: trickle each load. Hard place: buy a new measure.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I goofed, I have the RCBS Quick Change cylinder in a Uniflow body. It has the small measure in it. To get the 800-x to drop I have to play with the baffle height and usually end up throwing 50 to 100 test charges to get it set. It is a pain, but I like the results.

Cylinder diameter is 1-7/8".
Meter outer dia. is 5/8", inner dia. is 1/2".