Questions first time loading 10mm

[TTv2]

I normally stick to loading revolvers, but I have loaded .32 ACP before. I started doing 10mm this weekend and I used a starting load of 7.2gr of Power Pistol under a 180gr Berry's thick plate bullet (it's rated for 1500 fps, so don't bother saying it's too much velocity for a plated bullet.)

Given I'm use to revolvers when I shake the case I can hear the powder inside so I know the bullet's not seated too deep and compressing the powder, but I've got one round I loaded and I can't hear the powder in the case when I shake it.

Is this normal?

I don't know how deep I can seat the Berry's bullet as none of the manuals I have use that specific bullet, but in general it seems anything 1.245" to 1.260" OAL is okay with 180gr bullets.

 

[mcb]

Give Alliant publishes a 180gr FMJ load at 9.3 gr of Power Pistol at a 1.250 inch OAL I doubt you have compressed your 7.2 gr load. Figure a plated bullet is going to take up about the same if not slightly less room than a FMJ of the same weight and relative bullet profile. I am guessing that given power pistol being a flake powder and the case being fairly full is why you can't hear it shake.

I can't hear my 10mm loads shake but I am pretty sure mine are full if not mildly compressed using a very large flake powder. That or you have been shooting too much without your ear protection on recently.

 

[LiveLife]

180 gr Berry's thick plate bullet

I don't know how deep I can seat the Berry's bullet as none of the manuals I have use that specific bullet, but in general it seems anything 1.245" to 1.260" OAL is okay with 180 gr bullets.

Berry's pdf shows 1.260" OAL with 180 gr FP bullet - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/berrys-col-pdf.896428/

Speer load data shows 1.250" OAL with TMJ FN bullet - https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...gun/40_caliber-10mm_400_dia/10mm_Auto_180.pdf

7.2gr of Power Pistol ... 180 gr Berry's ... bullet

I can't hear the powder in the case when I shake it. Is this normal?

Many semi-auto pistol cartridges will load at fairly high case fill and you won't be able to hear the powder shake.

As mcb posted, Alliant load data shows 9.3 gr as max charge for 180 gr FMJ loaded to 1.250" OAL so I think you will be fine at 7.2 gr not compressing powder charge - https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloa...owderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=8&cartridge=30

• 10mm Auto 180 FMJ Power Pistol OAL 1.250" Max 9.3 gr (1,296 fps)

 

[murf]

take your dial caliper and measure the depth of the powder charge from the mouth to the surface of the powder (use the back end "stick" taking multiple measurements (use a flashlight to see down into the case)). measure the case length and bullet length.

add the bullet length and case length. subtract the powder depth. that product is your "touching the powder" c.o.l..

luck,

murf

 

[TTv2]

Give Alliant publishes a 180gr FMJ load at 9.3 gr of Power Pistol at a 1.250 inch OAL I doubt you have compressed your 7.2 gr load. Figure a plated bullet is going to take up about the same if not slightly less room than a FMJ of the same weight and relative bullet profile. I am guessing that given power pistol being a flake powder and the case being fairly full is why you can't hear it shake.

I can't hear my 10mm loads shake but I am pretty sure mine are full if not mildly compressed using a very large flake powder. That or you have been shooting too much without your ear protection on recently.

I don't believe I've ever done a load that compressed the powder, not for smokeless. I know there are some published handgun loads that will compress the powder charge, but they're pretty infrequent. So, I guess what I mean to say is it's not always bad to have a compressed charge or is it the degree of compression?

 

[mcb]

I don't believe I've ever done a load that compressed the powder, not for smokeless. I know there are some published handgun loads that will compress the powder charge, but they're pretty infrequent. So, I guess what I mean to say is it's not always bad to have a compressed charge or is it the degree of compression?

Compressed loads and their safety is highly variable. Most of the time you see compressed loads in with larger rifle cases loaded with a lot of slow burning powder. You usually see this called out with a "C" after the powder charge with some publishers. The amount of compression is always rather moderate and usually with stick or ball powders as they are less likely to start breaking up the powder grains when compressed. Braking up the powder grains will effect (to the faster side) the powder burn rate in many cases.

Other times it can lead to potentially dangerous situations. You probably won't ever see a compressed load with Titegroup or similar super fast super dense propellant.

In the case of my 10mm load it was using 800X, a very bulky large flake, powder and I was compressing it only slightly mostly due to how poorly it liked to settle into the case. But I had worked that load up very slowly and with lots of other data to support the safe use. Be careful and have fun.

 

[TTv2]

Well, everything I'm using is published data and with 10mm I am using starting loads of Power Pistol and Blue Dot and working up.

I will proceed and see what I get.