45acp primer test, part 2

[ballman6711]

This is part 2 of my 45acp primer test. Part 1 is linked below.

45acp Primer Test Part 1

I promised to do a primer test a few weeks ago, so here it is (part 1). All rounds were loaded with my usual load which is as follows: 5.4gr W-231 (all charges weighed on RCBS 505, scale leveled before adding powder) Acme 185gr swc Winchester LPP Mixed brass 1.245" OAL .968~.9685" Crimp I...

www.thehighroad.org

The tested load remains the same, as listed below:

5.4gr W-231
Acme 185gr SWC
Various spp and lpp
Mixed brass
1.245" OAL
Crimp .468~.4685"

Today's testing session started at 34* F according to my truck, but had warmed to the low 50's by the time I left three hours later.
I'll post a pic of my note page along with my final thoughts in the next post.

chris

 

[ballman6711]

 

[CQB45ACP]

Nice job

 

[ballman6711]

So I started to run my test, and was chatting with another shooter, and three hours went by before I knew it. I fired all the spp rounds, and four of five of the lpp rounds. I stopped there as I was cold by that point and had the data that I wanted to gather. I didn't bother to shoot the WLP since I've shot a couple thousand of those with this load, and they fire and eject every time. I also didn't bother with the srp since I assumed (I know, not very scientific) that I would get very close to the same results as part 1 of this test, along with the fact that I only included them in the original test to see if my gun would reliably set them off. In other words, could I use them if I had to.

So my results seem to indicate that the spp generate less pressure than the lpp, at least in this gun. The only variations in my loads was the primers, and mixed headstamp brass. I find it hard to believe that the spp would consistently eject a shorter distance due to mixed brass, therefore I have to believe that the spp have a lower brisance than the lpp, thus generating less pressure resulting in the shorter ejection distances.

Two final things that I found interesting. First, one of the Fed 100's ejected about 6', where the other four ejected about 1~2', and second, four of the five Fiocchi primers failed to cycle the slide. Of the four, two remained in the chamber completely, and two got caught as the slide was closing. The one that actually ejected went almost straight up about six inches, and dropped to the ground directly in front of my feet. I was able to pick it up without taking a single step.

So it seems that I need to up my charge if I'm going to use the Fiocchi primers in this gun. In fairness, this is a light target load, and once again every one of the Fiocchi primers went bang and had acceptable accuracy.

And yes, the gun was cleaned before this trip, and oiled before I headed to the range.

chris