800X as a pistol powder

[TRX]

> I will probably have to pay the premium or stop reloading.

I have quite a bit of black powder on hand; I'm strongly tempted to use it in the 12ga and .45-70. That's the powder they were originally designed for, after all...

 

[vaalpens]

Hodgdon has loads for 700x and 800x on their site. I have some of each. I found 700x pretty soft, I had to go up .4 grains above starting load just to get it to cycle reliably where tightgroup cycled fine at the starting load. I haven't had the chance to try 800x yet.

Thanks for the heads up in the cycling issue. It seems that 700x and 800x is good for full load towards the upper range, but watch yourself since it can bite you if you go to high. I have always been looking for 700x, but it is as scarce as all the other popular pistol powders. 800x Has been available, but it is sparse on load data for 40S&W.

 

[judgedelta]

I have a lot of 800X. Tried it in 10mm with 180's and a medium load. Shot allright, but very dirty and messy, unburned powder everywhere. Need a heavier load and maybe a 200 gr. projo.

 

[vaalpens]

I have a lot of 800X. Tried it in 10mm with 180's and a medium load. Shot allright, but very dirty and messy, unburned powder everywhere. Need a heavier load and maybe a 200 gr. projo.

Thanks for the information. It seems that the consensus is that it is better suited to heavier loads. Dirty is probably ok but unburned powder probably means we are wasting powder/money.

 

[Ex]

I have used quite a bit of 800x in 10mm and .40. My biggest complaint of course, is the way it meters. Whn I do use it now I just get the wife to come to the shed and she weighs every charge for me on a balance beam.

800x DOES like higher pressures. When I first started using it in 10mm at the lower drop weights, I also had lots of dirt and unburnt powder. Upping the charge solved that. After talking to the guys at Dillon ( I live just a few miles from there), they also suggested tightening the crimp just a smidge. (I shoot only JHPs) With the pressure increased from a heavier drop and the slight crimp change, it now shoots very clean for me.

Still not my favorite powder because of the cornflake issue, but it does work very well and burns clean at the higher pressures.

Lastly, if I could find it, I would use LongShot over 800x as it is much more versatile and meters extremely well.

In the interim of shortages, I did find some 5726 and have been using that with good results. Kinda dirty like Unique but very versatile and pretty good power.

I am about to look into a newly introduced powder, ETR7 by Expansion Industries.
Little pricey but 'sposed to be great powder. A bud on another site has become a dealer for them and is finalizing the details for him being able to ship it, and seeking the cheapest way to do so. Told me he'd send me some just to test so I will be setting up some loads with it for 9mm, 10mm, .38spl, .357 mag, .40 and .45acp.

Will share results on my tests here when complete. Will report on accuracy, metering, cleanliness and velocities at weight. Probably still be a month out, but it's coming.

 

[vaalpens]

I have used quite a bit of 800x in 10mm and .40. My biggest complaint of course, is the way it meters. Whn I do use it now I just get the wife to come to the shed and she weighs every charge for me on a balance beam.

800x DOES like higher pressures. When I first started using it in 10mm at the lower drop weights, I also had lots of dirt and unburnt powder. Upping the charge solved that. After talking to the guys at Dillon ( I live just a few miles from there), they also suggested tightening the crimp just a smidge. (I shoot only JHPs) With the pressure increased from a heavier drop and the slight crimp change, it now shoots very clean for me.

Still not my favorite powder because of the cornflake issue, but it does work very well and burns clean at the higher pressures.

Lastly, if I could find it, I would use LongShot over 800x as it is much more versatile and meters extremely well.

In the interim of shortages, I did find some 5726 and have been using that with good results. Kinda dirty like Unique but very versatile and pretty good power.

I am about to look into a newly introduced powder, ETR7 by Expansion Industries.
Little pricey but 'sposed to be great powder. A bud on another site has become a dealer for them and is finalizing the details for him being able to ship it, and seeking the cheapest way to do so. Told me he'd send me some just to test so I will be setting up some loads with it for 9mm, 10mm, .38spl, .357 mag, .40 and .45acp.

Will share results on my tests here when complete. Will report on accuracy, metering, cleanliness and velocities at weight. Probably still be a month out, but it's coming.

Thanks for the great information. You indicate you load .40 using 800x. Are you loading 200gr bullets, or did you find load data for the lighter bullets like 165gr and 180gr? There is enough load data for 9mm, but not that much for 40.

I am also not that far away from Dillon's. Where do you find pistol powder in your area?

Let us know how ETR7 works out. I have not heard anything about it.

 

[Ex]

Sportsman's Warehouse has been getting some powders in on Sat morns.

edit: For 800x in .40 loads, I have no published data so I am on the unwilling to publish side of the fence. I have shot it with 165 and 180 gn bullets, but make no recommendation to do so.
edit: lthough I make no personnal data available for 800x/.40, here is a resource
http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_pw_handgun.asp?CaliberID=12&Powder=IMR Hi-Skor 800-X

I was there on a Mon morn and they had 4227 (good only for .357 mag in my loads), but they indicated that they were beginning to see lots more available as the panic starts to dwindle. That's good news!!!

BTW, I'm in Mesa. If you've an urge to go desert shooting with us, pm me and we'll exchange info... perhaps we can get together and destroy some cantaloupes!

Weather has again gotten nice here and we're anxious to be out more. We go a few miles out the Beeline highway towards Payson and jump off into some very nice areas that are perfectly situated for shooting. To get to the good areas, 4x4 is required as we go back up the dry river beds and ito our own little private canyon. High dirt walls prevent either our rounds from going out, or others from coming in. Nice soft, deep decomposed granite floor so no ricochets.

Chris

 

[Schwing]

I ended up with 8LBS of 800x 2 years ago when I was out of powder and it was the only thing I could get my hands on. I am glad I went through the shortage since I never would have discovered 800x for .357. It is still my favorite powder for .357.

I usually load 158 grain cast bullets. I found that 800x achieves very good accuracy with anything between about 7.1 and 8.1 grains. Like many, my powder measure doesn't want to throw consistently, sometimes having +-.4 grain variations. I set my measure to throw 7.5 or 7.6 and just accept that they are going to be between 7.1 and 8 grains. I can't tell the difference in accuracy and it is well below a max load. They are stout without being full powerhouse loads.

One variation that I have found to make a big difference is using magnum primers. I am not one to normally go outside of published load data but an old timer in another forum talked me into trying it and I have not gone back. It burns a lot cleaner and you don't end up with the un-burned black cornflakes all over your shooting bench like folks complain about.

 

[Ex]

Yep! Little bit more pressure makes a lot of difference in how the slower powders burn.

 

[vaalpens]

Sportsman's Warehouse has been getting some powders in on Sat morns.

edit: For 800x in .40 loads, I have no published data so I am on the unwilling to publish side of the fence. I have shot it with 165 and 180 gn bullets, but make no recommendation to do so.
edit: lthough I make no personnal data available for 800x/.40, here is a resource
http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_pw_handgun.asp?CaliberID=12&Powder=IMR Hi-Skor 800-X

I was there on a Mon morn and they had 4227 (good only for .357 mag in my loads), but they indicated that they were beginning to see lots more available as the panic starts to dwindle. That's good news!!!

BTW, I'm in Mesa. If you've an urge to go desert shooting with us, pm me and we'll exchange info... perhaps we can get together and destroy some cantaloupes!

Weather has again gotten nice here and we're anxious to be out more. We go a few miles out the Beeline highway towards Payson and jump off into some very nice areas that are perfectly situated for shooting. To get to the good areas, 4x4 is required as we go back up the dry river beds and ito our own little private canyon. High dirt walls prevent either our rounds from going out, or others from coming in. Nice soft, deep decomposed granite floor so no ricochets.

Chris

Thanks again for the information. I understand we need to be careful to share any non published load data, so don't worry about it. I have seen a lot of recommendations regarding loads, but if I can somewhat confirm it using published load data, then I stay away from it. I don't have enough experience yet to wander outside the lines yet.

I'm in NE Phoenix and normally have to drive out to look for powder. I have called Bruno's a few times, but they are expensive. I am probably going to swing by a few places tomorrow since I have time, and will also check on SW. Not sure if I want to all the way to Cabelas. Let me know if there is something specific you are looking for, and then I can always pick up a pound for you if I find something in stock. PM me if there is something you want and what you are willing to pay for it. I know SW sells for in the $20's range, but Bruno's are in the $30's range.

I will definitely try and take you up on the shooting offer some time. I have to go via Fountain Hills or around with the 101/Shea to get to the Beeline. Probably will have to talk to my neighbor to go with me so that I'm not the only old guy there. Hopefully I will be able to take you up on the offer sometime this year. The weather if getting great now.

 

[Ex]

Not to worry I'm 57 and my partner is 66 so we are certainly not spring chickens any more! LOL

You can also get .40/800x info from steves pages.
http://stevespages.com/page8c.htm

Also, I'd take Shea out to the Beeline. We could meet at the casino for breakfast or the chevron or what ever. PMing you my phone.

"Fountain Hills or around with the 101/Shea to get to the Beeline. Probably will have to talk to my neighbor to go with me so that I'm not the only old guy there. Hopefully I will be able to take you up on the offer sometime this year. The weather if getting great now."

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I have a lot of 800X. Tried it in 10mm with 180's and a medium load. Shot allright, but very dirty and messy, unburned powder everywhere. Need a heavier load and maybe a 200 gr. projo.

If you have problems with unburnt powder, experiment with magnum primers. Cow chips are difficult to light.

 

[Tony k]

Potatohead Said:

Regarding the 147gr projectile: I had to work all the way to max before it would start ejecting the case consistently. I'm not sure why exactly. At max it did eject fine, and felt fine, and didnt feel over powered,

Ditto for me except when i hit the high end I was getting very good accuracy with 147 grain xtreme plated. 4.9 and 5.0 grains worked well.

Metering feels crumby, but I get pretty consistent throws. then again, with pistol powder i usually throw 50 settling charges back in to the powder can before I start actually charging cases.

 

[vaalpens]

Not to worry I'm 57 and my partner is 66 so we are certainly not spring chickens any more! LOL

You can also get .40/800x info from steves pages.
http://stevespages.com/page8c.htm

Also, I'd take Shea out to the Beeline. We could meet at the casino for breakfast or the chevron or what ever. PMing you my phone.

"Fountain Hills or around with the 101/Shea to get to the Beeline. Probably will have to talk to my neighbor to go with me so that I'm not the only old guy there. Hopefully I will be able to take you up on the offer sometime this year. The weather if getting great now."

Thanks for the link. I always used Steve's pages to get to some old manuals. I did not know he had load data. Looks like an extensive list of load data he has. I did get the PM and will give you a call sometime. Thanks.

 

[vaalpens]

Potatohead Said:


Ditto for me except when i hit the high end I was getting very good accuracy with 147 grain xtreme plated. 4.9 and 5.0 grains worked well.

Metering feels crumby, but I get pretty consistent throws. then again, with pistol powder i usually throw 50 settling charges back in to the powder can before I start actually charging cases.

Thanks for the information. Looks like 800x is not going to be high on my list, but it is something I can look at if I don't find any other powder. It will obviously move up on my list if the Sig P220 10mm becomes available.

 

[Ex]

Thanks for the information. Looks like 800x is not going to be high on my list, but it is something I can look at if I don't find any other powder. It will obviously move up on my list if the Sig P220 10mm becomes available.

Steve's pages is an exceptional site! Tons of info. I use it frequently (with caution, as with all non-manufacturer sites).

Hope you find it of use as well as anyone else who hasn't seen it, or perhaps is not familiar with the extent of data there.

 

[Potatohead]

Potatohead Said:


Ditto for me except when i hit the high end I was getting very good accuracy with 147 grain xtreme plated. 4.9 and 5.0 grains worked well.

Metering feels crumby, but I get pretty consistent throws. then again, with pistol powder i usually throw 50 settling charges back in to the powder can before I start actually charging cases.

Thanks, always good to hear Im not the only one-

 

[Potatohead]

Ever noticed on Steve's Pages is it seems like he has a huge spread between his starting and max loads? I guess he experiments a lot with the low end maybe, or tries to establish the very bottom.

 

[Toprudder]

Glad someone pointed me back to Stevespages.com. I have seen it before, but had forgotten about it.

 

[Potatohead]

I do that too, forget it for awhile then remember to check it out. Though I mainly use it as a final load check if I have data I don't feel good about.

 

[vaalpens]

Steve's pages is an exceptional site! Tons of info. I use it frequently (with caution, as with all non-manufacturer sites).

Hope you find it of use as well as anyone else who hasn't seen it, or perhaps is not familiar with the extent of data there.

My plan is to take his data and add it to the data I collect from the manufacturers and forums like THR. I only use data for now if it is within the range of my combined data. This is where I perform my checks and balances.

Interesting to see on Steve's pages that he indicates the data is not designed to be used with coated bullets. I assume this is coated, not plated bullets he is referring to,

 

[ljnowell]

This is another good link with lots of data, much of it I have seen in other sources but be sure to approach with caution
http://www.reloadammo.com

 

[Dr.Zubrato]

Used 800x as my first powder for reloading 9mm, which were my first ever reloads.
Super mouse fart loads, and I had to measure every damn load, otherwise I had powder bridging issues and variances of .2 to .5gr with my powder measure.
Sure it cycled the gun, but I needed loads to replicate my +P carry ammo, and I didn't want to push the book max on my first ever reloads. (which felt softer than WWB factory loads)
felt like I was wasting bullets shooting it, honestly

 

[vaalpens]

This is another good link with lots of data, much of it I have seen in other sources but be sure to approach with caution
http://www.reloadammo.com

Thanks for the link. As always I will verify before using any internet or published data.

 

[vaalpens]

Used 800x as my first powder for reloading 9mm, which were my first ever reloads.
Super mouse fart loads, and I had to measure every damn load, otherwise I had powder bridging issues and variances of .2 to .5gr with my powder measure.
Sure it cycled the gun, but I needed loads to replicate my +P carry ammo, and I didn't want to push the book max on my first ever reloads. (which felt softer than WWB factory loads)
felt like I was wasting bullets shooting it, honestly

Thanks. Yes it seems that 800x needs to be loaded on the higher end and then you need to be careful. I am still trying to find something else, but will have to take what I can get when I run out of powder. If that is going to be 800x, then so be it.