800-x in 10mm, metering tips?

[TurboFC3S]

After searching around for a high velocity/low pressure 10mm load that I could use safely in my Glock 29 I decided to buy some 800-x. The data looks great, the new Hodgdon manual shows 1350fps with 9.8gr under a 155gr JHP at only 30,000 psi. That was exactly what I was looking for ... but I'm having trouble getting accurate metering from my Dillon 550. If I fill the powder measure about 1/2 way and give it a little smack before pulling the handle each time it does better, but I still get about a + or - .3gr variation.

So, any tips on getting accurate metering with 800-x and a Dillon? If it's a known problem, then are there any other powders that can do high velocity at low pressure for 10mm loads?

Thanks!

 

[Wil Terry]

800-x Has Metered Like Rocks For Decades. It's Po'd All Of Us And Most Of Us Dropped,

IT.
Also, do not be all enamored of the numbers you see in the loading manuals. That velocity was also from the pressure gun and 99.999999% of all the guns made will NOT equal pressure gun readings for many and varied reasons, most all of which are good.
I have always gone back to AA-7 for my 10MM loads after testing every possible propellent on the market in all the 10MM pistols as I have obtained them over the past 20 years. AA-7 has always delivered good accuracy, appropriately high velocities, and pressures only high enough to get the job done properly.
Some years ago a bunch of folks went nuts with 800-x in the 10mm and published all sorts of outlandish loads, with outlandish velocities, and as I found out when I ran those loads through a pressure gun, OUTLANDISH pressures.
Remember, there are no free lunches.

 

[ReloaderFred]

It meters like corn flakes and will do an acceptable job, though not stellar.

I've talked to the folks at Hodgdon's about finding a powder that will equal 800X, but meter well. They said they were trying to, but hadn't fine tuned it yet.

I'm a fan of several different powders for the 10mm, of which I own several. I get the best accuracy with Winchester 571/HS-7, though not necessarily the highest velocities. Blue Dot is another good powder with the heavier bullets, as well as Accurate #7 and Accurate #9.

All the other powders I've mentioned meter very well and do a good job in the 10mm, though I only shoot bullets of 180 and 200 grains in this caliber. I don't care for the lighter bullets in 10mm, but that's just me.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[TurboFC3S]

I called Hodgdon today and asked if there were any tips for metering. Their only suggestion was to use the rifle powder bar. I tried that and it did help, in fact I think it's good enough now to be usable. And yes, Hodgdon did say they're working on a metering friendly version of 800-X when I spoke to them today as well.

I too like a lot of powders for 10mm, I've used Titegroup, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, and Win 231 ... all get the job done. Power Pistol probably is my favorite thus far. I'll put some AA7 on my list to try also, I can't find any data for HS-7?

 

[ReloaderFred]

If you can find some old Winchester data for Win. 571, it's the same powder (as Hodgdon HS-7). When Winchester discontinued it, I bought every pound Widener's had in stock at the time.

There is a great article in Handloader # 140, if you can find an issue.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Shoney]

WWWWWOOOOOOOOEEEE there Fred, same as 800x????? or what????

571 was supposed to be the same a HS-7 in my old notes. Here is the data from my burn rate chart.

77 WAP, Winchester
78 AL8, Alcan
79 Hi-Skor 800-X, IMR
80 N350, Vihtavuori
81 HS-7, Hodgdon
82 R-23, Norma
83 Solo 1500, Scot
84 True Blue, Ramshot
85 N-1020, Norma
86 H-240, Hodgdon
87 3N38, Vihtavouri
88 571, Winchester
89 SP 2, Vectan
90 W-630, Winchester
91 W-630P, Winchester
92 N105SM, Vihtavuori
93 No. 7, Accurate
94 Blue Dot, Alliant
95 No. 9, Accurate
96 Steel, Alliant

 

[ReloaderFred]

Shoney,

I was answering the post immediately above mine concerning 571 vs HS-7. Now that I reread it, I see that I should have been clearer in my explanation. In this case, only Winchester 571 and Hodgdon's HS-7 are the same, and that's according to Hodgdon. It used to be listed on their website, but I don't believe it's on the new one. I've talked to Hodgdon at the SHOT Show, and they confirmed that it was the same powder, made by St. Marks Powder Company, in Florida. Burn rate charts also vary considerably, so it really depends on which one you look at and how the testing was conducted. I've used the data for both powders, HS-7 and Win. 571, for my stock of Winchester 571, but primarily stick with the old data from Handloader Magazine for it, since it works so well.

Sorry for the confusion, and this is another example of why I don't depend on data listed by posters on the internet. They make mistakes, or are misleading, just like my post was.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[gandog56]

My PACT hi speed dispensor was purchased just for flake and extruded powders.

 

[ReloaderFred]

gandog56,

I've considered doing the same thing. Have you been satisfied with the speed of your PACT unit? I already have their scale and chronograph, so I know the equipment is made well.

Fred

 

[Clark]

I have read that no one meter will work on all powders.

None of mine work on 800X.

But 800X is worth weighing each load.

If you really want some power, get a 40sw barrel for the 10mm.

 

[Big Daddy]

For me 800-X does not go in a vloume based powder dispenser. IOW, not in my Uniflow and not on my Dillon 550B. My opinion is that you must either hand weigh each load or use an automatic dispenser with scale, like my RCBS Chargemaster combo. First off, the charge weight variations of 800-X will at the least lead to erratic performance and more importantly if you are at the upper limits of the load it will be DANGEROUS! It would be nice if they could make a nicer metering version but I'm not holding my breath. 800-X does indeed provide awesome performance in the 10mm. I also like Blue Dot, AA#7 and Longshot. Using factory data with Longshot I was gettin impressive velocity numbers without pressure signs. It meters like a champ too.

 

[pinkymingeo]

AA9 is my favorite in 10mm, with Longshot just behind. With AA9 in a 6 1/2" revolver I get 1300fps with a 180jhp, 1200fps with a 200jhp. Hodgdon has the most inflated fps data available. Their numbers are a bad joke, in my experience.