GJgo
Member
Hey all,
While I'm new to reloading for the 10mm, I'm not new to reloading. So, I thought I'd write a little about what I saw today in case anyone who has more experience reloading the Ten can let me know if I'm in the ballpark.
Gun- Kimber Eclipse Custom II
Brass- Starline
Bullets- Hornady 180gr XTP
Powder- AA9
Primers- Federal GM155M
COAL- 1.260"
The gun is stock, with the exception of the 24lb Wolff recoil and firing pin spring kit, and a Shock Buff. It easily shoots 1-2" groups at ~25 feet off-hand, and I'm by no means an expert 1911 shooter.. I'm really happy with it! I managed to out-shoot my friend's Sig P226 and another friend's HK USP Match today.
Speeds, average over 5 shot groups-
12.5 grain- 1000-1050 fps (to the best of my recollection)
13.0 grain- 1100-1150 fps (to the best of my recollection)
13.5 grain- 1200-1250 fps
14.0 grain- 1200-1250 fps
For comparison:
American Eagle 180 grain FMJ- ~1100 fps
Winchester Silvertip 175 grain- ~1300 fps :\
My initial observation was that not only was the 13.5 grain load the most accurate in my limited testing today, but more powder didn't get any more speed. I considered trying standard primers, but I took some measurements and my charge is pretty much at the point of compression, so I doubt I could fit an extra grain + in there to make up the speed. (I've heard that AA9 doesn't compress.)
Unfortunately, at 1.260" COAL I get a lot of jams (25-50%) when it tries to cycle the next round. The Silvertips do it as well at their ~1.250". The AE FMJ are also around 1.250", but they feed reliably. So, I've worked up some more 13.5 grain loads with the XTPs at 1.250" and 1.240" (the latter were definitely "compressed") to see if they feed smoother. If not, I might have to look for another bullet.
I'm a little jealous of the extra speed the Silvertips are getting! And with less recoil! Does anyone have ideas on how to get a little closer to that load???
P.S.- It was below freezing today..
Something else I thought of- With the factory 18.5lb spring, I'm getting some primer wipe with the AE factory loads & Hornady factory loads. I'm getting a very small amount of it with the Silvertip loads. However, with the 24lb Wolff spring in the gun I'm still getting some wipe with the AE loads and with my handloads, but I stopped getting any with the Silvertip loads. Hmm.
I am considering upgrading the mainspring and / or the firing pin stop to increase the lock time.
While I'm new to reloading for the 10mm, I'm not new to reloading. So, I thought I'd write a little about what I saw today in case anyone who has more experience reloading the Ten can let me know if I'm in the ballpark.
Gun- Kimber Eclipse Custom II
Brass- Starline
Bullets- Hornady 180gr XTP
Powder- AA9
Primers- Federal GM155M
COAL- 1.260"
The gun is stock, with the exception of the 24lb Wolff recoil and firing pin spring kit, and a Shock Buff. It easily shoots 1-2" groups at ~25 feet off-hand, and I'm by no means an expert 1911 shooter.. I'm really happy with it! I managed to out-shoot my friend's Sig P226 and another friend's HK USP Match today.
Speeds, average over 5 shot groups-
12.5 grain- 1000-1050 fps (to the best of my recollection)
13.0 grain- 1100-1150 fps (to the best of my recollection)
13.5 grain- 1200-1250 fps
14.0 grain- 1200-1250 fps
For comparison:
American Eagle 180 grain FMJ- ~1100 fps
Winchester Silvertip 175 grain- ~1300 fps :\
My initial observation was that not only was the 13.5 grain load the most accurate in my limited testing today, but more powder didn't get any more speed. I considered trying standard primers, but I took some measurements and my charge is pretty much at the point of compression, so I doubt I could fit an extra grain + in there to make up the speed. (I've heard that AA9 doesn't compress.)
Unfortunately, at 1.260" COAL I get a lot of jams (25-50%) when it tries to cycle the next round. The Silvertips do it as well at their ~1.250". The AE FMJ are also around 1.250", but they feed reliably. So, I've worked up some more 13.5 grain loads with the XTPs at 1.250" and 1.240" (the latter were definitely "compressed") to see if they feed smoother. If not, I might have to look for another bullet.
I'm a little jealous of the extra speed the Silvertips are getting! And with less recoil! Does anyone have ideas on how to get a little closer to that load???
P.S.- It was below freezing today..
Something else I thought of- With the factory 18.5lb spring, I'm getting some primer wipe with the AE factory loads & Hornady factory loads. I'm getting a very small amount of it with the Silvertip loads. However, with the 24lb Wolff spring in the gun I'm still getting some wipe with the AE loads and with my handloads, but I stopped getting any with the Silvertip loads. Hmm.
I am considering upgrading the mainspring and / or the firing pin stop to increase the lock time.