Need load data for 700X

[Foghornleghorn1]

Reloading 9mm. Using X-treme 115 Gr. roundnose (copper plated bullet).
Also, .40 Cal. X-treme RNFP 180 GR.
Thanks!!

 

[jcwit]

do you have reloading manuals?

If so start at lead bullet charges.

 

[rcmodel]

If you don't own reloading manuals and have to ask strangers for data on the interweb?
Big mistake!

But if you do.
Go to the manufacture for data.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com

Use mid-level jacketed data for plated bullets.

rc

 

[Foghornleghorn1]

Thanks. I asked the question for the same reason as both responses i received.
One response was start at the lead charge. Your response was to use mid level jacket data.
Hodgdon site is saying 3.3 to 3.7 Gr. for 115 gr LRN
Under Speer Reloading manual for a 115 GR tmjrn it shows 700x powder for a 9MM at 4gr start, max 4.4.
I'm pretty much a rookie at this and looking for some clarity.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, I'm not a firm believer in using lead bullet 'starting loads' with plated bullets.

Reason being, copper plated bullets have more bore friction the grease lubed lead bullets.

So, a light lead bullet load 'could' stick a bullet in the bore if you have a tight or rough bore.
Or a revolver with excess cylinder gap.

But thats just my theory on it.

Rainier says use lead bullet data.
Berry says use, but don't exceed mid-level jacketed data.

I prefer the latter, because it seems reasonable to me that copper plated bullets are harder to drive through a barrel then grease lubed lead bullets.

rc

 

[Foghornleghorn1]

Thanks!

 

[Rogerl830]

I use 4.0 grains of 700X for 115 plated

 

[Cranky CJ]

Same as above, 4.0gr 700x works well in 9mm for me. I don't load 40 cal so I can't say but I'd refer you to hodgdons site. The one rcmodel pasted in for a reference on both calibers.

 

[BigBore45]

i would not recommend using 700x, reason being if you are new to reloading there is a good chance for a double charge or over charge. In just .4 grains you are at max. try a slower powder for these rounds that have a case capacity of 60% or more. if you want to save money from high volume shooting i would go with titegroup as it is tailored to pistols more than a shotgun powder only like 700x. do not start at lead bullet charges especially with fast powder like 700x it can cause pressure spikes with to low of charge or the plating can be thicker on these bullets because of the nature of the 9mm and 40sw being a higher velocity round. go to the bullet manufacture web sight and see what the recommend for bullet data matching.

 

[herkyguy]

concur. 700X kind of sucks for pistol loading. I know because I'm working through a pound of it now. I weigh every charge because it simply will not meter consistently. Come to think of it, I don't know why I keep loading it in .380, other than the fact that I'm stubborn.

 

[Jim Watson]

Although I am now using 700X for 9mm, I agree that it is something you really need to be careful with. Not because it is going to magically overcharge from a regular powder measure, but because it is likely to bridge and undercharge. I quit using it in pistol ammo after I got several one grain loads. Never a zero powder "squib" but a one grain load.

I am working with it again because I have some and no need for 12 ga reloads.
But I have my aquarium air pump vibrator on the Dillon measure. It is working pretty well. Charges are not as uniform as with finer grained powder but they are OK.

Be sure you eyeball each and every case before seating a bullet on it.

 

[dirtman]

i been using it 700x cause it was all i could get my paws on..... pistal powder been short lately.... but for 9mm it has been fairly good with 124 gr hp from rainier copper coated bullets. with 4 gr. of 700 from my cz 75 they move along at 1020fps .. seated at 1.120... one of the problems i noticed with these bullets was, they do vary in length as much as .017 so be careful with their product.... also work up your own load.... as your ymmv
all the best, dirt. also as stated above eyeball every load, i use the bright lite on the whole tray and then stuff the bullet in all and move tray to the press.....

 

[Toprudder]

But I have my aquarium air pump vibrator on the Dillon measure. It is working pretty well. Charges are not as uniform as with finer grained powder but they are OK.

Same here. I've actually had pretty good results (good SD) with 700x in 45acp, using the pump trick on the Dillon.

Loading 38spl using a Uniflow measure, it did not work consistently until I installed the optional baffle.

 

[guncheese]

i dont mind 700x i like it in 45
but it doesnt meter in pistol size charges
so i just dip it
and as i load 45 in batches (not on the load master) it works a treat
its also one of those powders like Clays that can get way out of hand real fast (not a linear pressure curve)
in fact it isnt even in the Quickload database as it cant be counted on lot to lot not to be wonkey

 

[Arkansas Paul]

i would not recommend using 700x, reason being if you are new to reloading there is a good chance for a double charge or over charge.

IMR 700X is a large flake powder.
I don't think it is possible to double charge a 9mm case, as it would overflow long before 7.4 grains (I will try this to make sure I'm correct but I'm 99% sure I am). A charge of Unique in 9mm is compressed and 700X is fluffier than that.

Now I agree it meters like cornflakes.
However I will give credit where it is due. It shoots great.

 

[Potatohead]

do you have reloading manuals?

If so start at lead bullet charges.

Perfectly ok to use mid range jacketed data for plated. Especially with all these new whizbang extra thick, double struck, etc bullets that the manufacturers have now.

***Oh, sorry I see now RC already addressed..



Bring a bowl, spoon, and gallon of milk if you're using 700/800X and you can have breakfast after your loading session!

 

[gamestalker]

I used to use the old Hi Scor stuff back in the 80's for 9mm, but I think it's been reformulated since those days. But I do remember it performing quite well with jacketed bullets back then in a G17 and a Barretta 92.

GS

 

[cfullgraf]

I guess I am in the minority. I get consistent powder charges with 700-X.

I have been using 700-X in the 45 ACP since about 1980, metering it first with an RCBS Little Dandy and now a Redding 10-X powder measure.

The key is to operate the measure the same way every stroke. I used to tap the measure on every stroke, now I try to minimize the vibrations I put into the measure. Both methods work, but you have to be as consistent as possible. Also, I use a baffle in the 10-X.

While double charges of 700-X will fit in most auto pistol cases, it is very obvious if you look in the case before seating the bullets. I inspect an entire tray of charged cases and look for differences.

For reasons I do not remember, I pretty much kept only enough 700-X on hand for my 45 ACP needs. Recently, I have been dabbling with it in some revolver cases in an effort to eliminate the powder position sensitivity that Unique has in some cartridges.

 

[Jim Watson]

I found the Little Dandy to be a bust, the rotors never throw what they say they will and it is never exactly what you want.

My pistol ammo is now 99% progressive loaded for IDPA and I do not have the leisure of a block check. The vibrator seems to be the key to reasonable uniformity of large flake powders.

 

[cfullgraf]

I found the Little Dandy to be a bust, the rotors never throw what they say they will and it is never exactly what you want.

I agree, the Little Dandy has some limitations. The chart was merely a guide, I usually used a rotor larger or smaller than the one listed in the chart for a particular charge weight. (I have the same issues with the MEC powder bushings in my shot shell loaders. With .410, I have a universal charge bar because the bushings do not even come close for the charge I want.)

When I was using a Little Dandy, several of my powder choices were based on what threw the correct charge from the rotors that I have. I usually had to make some compromises, a little higher or a little lower than i was looking for.

One benefit, it taught me that being anal about an exact powder charge did not do alot for accuracy in a handgun. Too many other variables so no sense getting an ulcer over it.

But, the charge the Little Dandy did throw were consistent even with flake powders like 700-X and Unique.

The main reason i stopped using the Little Dandy was I was getting into powder charges that were too much in between two rotors. Rotor costs went through the roof and I was reluctant to spend the money on spare rotors to modify.

While I had an RCBS Uniflow with the small metering cavity at the time, I found the Redding 10-X did a better job with pistol powder charges. After all, the 10-X is designed for pistol powder charges.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have a Uniflo Small with micrometer for small to medium rifle loads and the occasional batch of single stage pistol ammo. I agree that if I loaded a lot of single stage pistol, the X-10 would be good.

 

[Potatohead]

it taught me that being anal about an exact powder charge did not do alot for accuracy in a handgun. Too many other variables so no sense getting an ulcer over it.

That's a good point, often overlooked IMO.

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree that if I loaded a lot of single stage pistol, the X-10 would be good.

I like the Redding 10-X so well, I modified one to run on my Hornady L-N-L AP and RCBS Pro2000 case activated powder measure systems.

 

[Rogerl830]

I purchased an adjustable rotor for the little dandy and made a baffle for it out of a piece of roof flashing from lowes and can throw charges within .1 grain variance at most usually right where i need it to be.

 

[Dudedog]

I usually start 9mm plated at mid range lead levels and work up as desired.

For what it's worth (not much )
I have never used 700X

But...

With 115 Hodgdon shoes a load range with 700x and 115 lead 3.3-3.7
I would be tempted to start at 3.5 for maybe 5/10 rounds, 115 FMJ 3.9 to 4.2
then try 5/10 at 3.7-3.8. Then maybe some at 4.0.

If 3.5 functions, and 3.7 works well, and 4 is ok if you try to meter 3.7 then you can have a .2 gr swing and still have function and be safe.
My Lee pro disk throws Promo (big flakes just fine) but I can't seem to get better than + or - .2 with Unigue. I can tolerate the charge swing so if I am using Unique I just load allowing for the swing. For practice paper punching the .2 +- with Unique is hardly noticeable.
(this was when all I had to load 9mm with was Unique)