Me, the bullet, orth the gun?

[frankge]

Hi all,

1st post longtime lurker. Maybe you can help with a new load that failed miserably - btw not new to reloading but no expert...

X-Exteme Plated 124g RN, 4.5g W231, OAL escapes me but bullets cycle fine manually. Gun is M&P 9mm. At range yesterday got a lot of stove pipe and the case sometimes would remain in chamber. Did not have another gun to test that day. I loaded this at the top of the LRN load data but at the bottom of the FMJ. I would think that this would work any gun. Is it me, the bullet, or the gun?

Any with W231 experience would help, my first loads with this powder.

Thanx!

 

[Walkalong]

Interesting. Load seems OK.

Welcome to THR

 

[Jim Watson]

That is getting you around 1050 fps which should function the gun.
I trust it is reliable with factory loads. Right?

 

[frankge]

yeah, odd, only thing is I cleaned the gun - full disassembly. Did not have factory on hand. Stupid thing I did is make about 300 of them because the load is similar to others I have made and I went by hodgdons site and searched gun boards too.

I loaded X-Treme 230g Plated RN with 5.4g AA#2 for my HK .45 and they shot really smooth and accurate.

Hmmmm, need to use another gun and find some factory ammo before I break out the puller!

 

[jfh]

Have you looked closely at the crimp characteristics?--and did you really scrub the chamber clean?

Jim H.

 

[Walkalong]

Lesson learned. Always load a small batch when trying new stuff. I still don't think the loads are the problem unless you failed to remove all the bell or something. That would be easy to fix.

 

[bigtony]

I would check your crimp. Not enough pressure?

 

[1SOW]

Do the cartridges drop in the chamber when the bbl is out? It should drop all the way in loosely.

If they do, REALLY clean and LUBE the extracter area and slide.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Before doing anything else, get a box of factory ammo and shoot it. I'm betting it's a problem with the gun.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First shoot factory ammo. If that functions fine, it isn't the gun.

Next review your loading procedures:

1. Check for fit in the barrel -- that is, strip the pistol and use the actual chamber as a gauge to see if your reloads slip in and out easily.

2. Apply a taper crimp to auto pistol ammo, not a roll crimp.

3. Check OAL.

 

[frankge]

I'll try dropping the case in the barrel. I eased up on the crimp due to common guidance with plated bullets wanting a light crimp. I am using a Lee factory sizing die.

 

[rfwobbly]

That should be a great load.

I shoot plated 124gr RN with 4.3gr Win231 at OALs from 1.140 to 1.169". Works great in my CZ which is well run-in and well lubricated.

 

[frankge]

my oal is 1.125 per the hodgdon LRN load data

 

[herohog]

You know, linp wristing can cause that too!

 

[The Bushmaster]

How many rounds through that gun sense the recoil spring was replaced???

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

You know, linp wristing can cause that too!

I still think that's an old wive's tale. I've actually tried to get a jam with so-called "limp wristing" and couldn't do it. Nearly lost the gun, I was holding it so loose. I have been able to get jams with a bad ejector spring, though. And he said he had just cleaned it before it started to jam. I think it's the gun.

 

[frankge]

checked the limp wristing thing, gun is newer but has about 1000 rounds through it, never a problem before, I use it for IPSC/IPDA. I'm beginning to think I f'd up reassembly after takedown and cleaning. Never replaced any parts yet - new gun

 

[herohog]

Yeah, if you even know what limp wristing is, you probably don't do it! ;-) And, Gadzooks Mike, it is VERY real. Some guns are more susceptible to it than others but I have done it when I 1st started shooting weak hand. The gun worked great strong hand and failed weak hand. The guy I was with noticed and saw I was not holding it firmly enough. I changed my grip and the problem disappeared.