38 Super w/ AutoComp?

[Rick Finsta]

Anyone have some load data for ball FMJ 115-130gr bullets on top of Winchester AutoComp? I'm having trouble developing enough pressure to get proper ejection in my 1911 with a Remington 115gr bullet and this powder. I'm already at the maximum charge I can find published for this bullet weight (6.2gr) but that's for a JHP (I assume they would sit deeper in the case for the same weight, giving less volume). I see no pressure signs and the action is mangling some brass from short-cycling. Winchester White Box 130gr factory loads have some case bulge (this is not a ramped barrel) in this gun so I know I'm nowhere near the pressure limit, but I don't want to go overboard.

I'm thinking of going up to 147gr JHPs as they are only about 4 cents more per bullet, but it's the wife's gun and I want to keep the loads light if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Clifford]

Have you tried a 11-9 pound recoil spring? It works really well for the lighter match loads I run in my super. I haven't used autocomp myself so I cant help you with that.

 

[Rick Finsta]

That's my next move (I was going to order a 10lb.) if I can't get it to generate a little more pressure. Did you change your mainspring, too? I fitted an EGW FPS into this thing, so I'm not sure if that will change my spring needs, too.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Clifford]

I forget the # of my mainspring but yes it is lighter than the OE Colt spring. The firing pin spring won't effect cycling of the slide, but a stronger than OE spring gives a little more saftey if you drop the gun.

 

[RainDodger]

Since you're just asking for loading data, here is some from Hodgdon, from Jan '09:

115 GR. HDY XTP* Hodgdon* Longshot* .355"* 1.245"* 6.5* 1214* 25,500 CUP* 7.1* 1301* 31,600 CUP*

115 GR. LRN* Hodgdon* Longshot* .356"* 1.250"* 6.5* 1180* 20,400 CUP* 7.3* 1289* 30,900 CUP*

 

[Rick Finsta]

After finding some literature 115gr RN lead loads at 6.5gr max charge, I felt comfortable trying a bit more powder. This load duplicates the performance (group, POI) of the Winchester White Box 130gr ammo in my wife's RIA Govt'. with much less felt recoil:

Remington 115gr FMJ RN .355" OD, .553" OAL
Winchester 38 Super +P Nickel-plated Case
CCI #500 SP primer
6.4gr Winchester AutoComp

I've found some Berry's bullets that are the exact same dimensions but about $0.03 cheaper per round, so I'm going to try those out when I'm out of the Remingtons.

I'm still going to play with springs and lighter loads, but thanks for the help, guys!