LiveLife
Member
I started out match shooting 1911 and Sig 226 using various powders (Bullseye, Clays, W231, Universal, WSF and HS6). Although I pushed and tested the max load data limits with them (traditional land/groove rifling), when I transitioned to Glock 17 and later Glock 22 for match shooting, I did not want to shoot max loads in them all the time as I used mixed headstamp range brass with unknown reload/powder charge history (The higher than published load data velocities out of Glock barrels with hexagonal rifling had me worried that for some reason, Glock barrels were generating higher chamber pressures and I wanted some "head room" to buffer in case I got some pressure spikes - better safe than sorry).GW Staar said:To you guys who have been reloading for them without problems for years: how about sharing your recipes that work over and over. (bullet, case, powder) The rest of us can use that info to learn to "fly".....I think that's why we are all here.
Since G22 with 155/180 gr jacketed Montana Gold bullets easily met the power factor without using near max load data, I settled with W231 and have used it ever since. Many match shooters transitioned to Titegroup for higher pressure 9mm and 40S&W and I witnessed several guns blow up at the range (because of the narrow load range of Titegroup, I recommend new reloaders start out with broader load range W231/HP-38).
For reloads in Glocks, I have used W231/HP-38 with start to high range load data that will reliably cycle the slide (below are load data used in my Gen3 Glocks and factory barrels with mixed range brass and Winchester SP/LP primers - your results may vary).
9mm (1.125" - 1.135" OAL):
115 gr jacketed Winchester/Montana Gold RN (.355"): 4.8 gr - any less and won't reliably cycle the stiff recoil springs in new Glocks, especially subcompacts (you can try lower charges as long as you have reliable slide cycling)
124 gr jacketed MG/Rainier plated RN (.355"): 4.4-4.6 gr - heavier bullet will reliably cycle the slide with lower charges
124 gr Berry's plated RN (.356"): 4.1-4.3 gr - Berry's plated bullets are sized larger than jacketed bullets and I use lead load data.
125 gr Missouri Bullet lead RN (.356"): 4.0-4.3 gr (I inspect the factory Glock barrel every 200-300 rounds or so for fouling/leading build up and clean as necessary)
40 S&W (1.125" OAL):
155 gr jacketed Montana Gold FP (.400"): 5.3-5.7 gr
165 gr jacketed MG/PowerBond/Rainier plated FP (.400"): 4.8-5.0 gr
180 gr jacketed MG/PowerBond/Rainier plated FP (.400"): 4.1-4.6 gr (I have used Rainier plated with 3.8-4.0 gr charge for accurate training load that reliably cycle the slide)
180 gr Berry's plated FP (.401"): 3.8-4.3 gr - Reduced load for larger diameter bullet
180 gr Missouri Bullet lead FP (.401"): 3.8-4.3 gr (I inspect the factory Glock barrel every 200-300 rounds or so for fouling/leading build up and clean as necessary)
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