Certaindeaf
member
I think you just jam a mag in the butt.. or get this moved to the reloading section.
Reloading the Glock 20
- Thread starter Cemo
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sargents1
Member
Necessary? No.
Optimal? - Yes.
If you keep your loads within published data (Always a good idea) and do not try to squeeze too many loads out of your casings you should be fine.
gpurp
Member
Is it true that the G20 after market barrels won't let the brass bulge at all? Seems like you could recycle the brass quite a few times if that's the case.
I've got a Gen2 20 I bought in 1991. I've never had bulged brass or "smiley faces". The same is true for my LWD barrel. And that includes my own hand loads, Winchester Silvertips, Hornady fodder, Buffalo Bore stuff and etc.. I'm just a lucky gunner obviously.
Since that first Glock, I've put tens of thousands or round downrange from my various model's stock barrels, both cast and jacketed, without incident. The only caliber Glocks I don't shoot are the 45 GAP, which I don't want, and the 380 ACP, which I can't buy.
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OregonJohnny
Member
The first time out with my Gen 3 Glock 20SF, with factory barrel, it was putting little belly bulges on factory ammo cases. I was shooting some Double Tap 230-grain hardcast, and some American Eagle 180-grain FMJ. After I put these cases through my RCBS carbide sizing/de-priming die, the little bulges were about 99% gone. I have not reloaded these cases yet.
But I did load 3 different small test batches with brand new Starline brass. I was using Hornady 180-grain FMJ-FP bullets, and Longshot powder. Even up to near max published data with these components, I noticed almost no bulging after firing.
So, either max published load data with Longshot doesn't have as much pressure as factory American Eagle range ammo, or Starline brass is somehow better than Federal brass. Either way, I'm going to stick to middle-of-the-road published data loads for the range, just to help the brass last longer.
But I did load 3 different small test batches with brand new Starline brass. I was using Hornady 180-grain FMJ-FP bullets, and Longshot powder. Even up to near max published data with these components, I noticed almost no bulging after firing.
So, either max published load data with Longshot doesn't have as much pressure as factory American Eagle range ammo, or Starline brass is somehow better than Federal brass. Either way, I'm going to stick to middle-of-the-road published data loads for the range, just to help the brass last longer.
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blue32
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OP, I think you'll find that aftermarket barrels lock up a little more tighter due to a slightly larger outer chamber/barrel hood area. That was the case with my Storm Lake barrel for a Glock 30. 12,000+ rounds later and looking back there are some things I wished I had considered:
1. I started reloading fmj like most new reloaders as I tried to duplicate factory loads. The stock barrel will handle these fine.
2. I moved to plated bullets to cut costs. Again, the stock barrel will handle these fine.
3. When I wanted to cut costs further and load lead bullets, the Storm Lake gave me peace of mind with standard rifling, however, the stock barrel gave only slightly more leading. I found the stock barrel more difficult to load for in terms of producing the load I wanted that also did not lead.
Some people will swear they get no leading using the stock barrel with lead bullets. My hat is off to them. I have not been so fortunate. Another item you want to research is a term called free bore. It is the distance from the end of the chamber to the start of the lands in the barrel. A larger free bore will require you to increase your COAL to prevent/reduce leading. This wasn't a big deal with the .45acp but I do not know what possible issues you might run into when increasing COAL for 10mm. If going with an aftermarket barrel, I would definitely try to get the specs on each manufacturer's free bore before buying.
1. I started reloading fmj like most new reloaders as I tried to duplicate factory loads. The stock barrel will handle these fine.
2. I moved to plated bullets to cut costs. Again, the stock barrel will handle these fine.
3. When I wanted to cut costs further and load lead bullets, the Storm Lake gave me peace of mind with standard rifling, however, the stock barrel gave only slightly more leading. I found the stock barrel more difficult to load for in terms of producing the load I wanted that also did not lead.
Some people will swear they get no leading using the stock barrel with lead bullets. My hat is off to them. I have not been so fortunate. Another item you want to research is a term called free bore. It is the distance from the end of the chamber to the start of the lands in the barrel. A larger free bore will require you to increase your COAL to prevent/reduce leading. This wasn't a big deal with the .45acp but I do not know what possible issues you might run into when increasing COAL for 10mm. If going with an aftermarket barrel, I would definitely try to get the specs on each manufacturer's free bore before buying.
sargents1
Member
Since we are talking about reloading for the G20...
I chrono'd some handloads this weekend and had some good and some surprising results.
The Good:
180gr Magtech FMJ over a Max-0.2gr load of Blue Dot. The max load is supposed to run about 1295ft/s. My 0.2gr reduced charge was averaging 1230ft/s from my Lone Wolf std length barrel. I was pleased that these loads were averaging as high as they did considering the Test barrel (for the load manual data) was a longer 5" barrel.
As always, Blue Dot makes a really nice BOOM when you shoot it. Great stuff.
The Surprising:
165gr Rainier Plated Flat nose over a midrange load (for a Jacketed bullet) of AA#7.
Most plated bullet companies tell you to use midrange Jacketed load data for your plated bullets. The load I was running is listed as pushing a 165gr JHP to 1050ft/s. Well, that is mid-low end for a 10mm, so I loaded up 75rds as a test batch.
Then I ran them thru the Chrono. The fastest one was 1303ft/s
The average for ten rounds was 1260ft/s. I was a little surprised by this, but what was more surprising was that these loads were still accurate. I have seen plated 10mm loads that were too fast and that caused the plating to be ripped off which causes the bullets to tumble. Not so in my case.
Anyway, I was pleased. My brass looked nice afterwards, no bulges or anything like that (not that you would expect it with a midrange load). I will lower this load a bit to get the average down to just-under 1200ft/s and call it good.
I chrono'd some handloads this weekend and had some good and some surprising results.
The Good:
180gr Magtech FMJ over a Max-0.2gr load of Blue Dot. The max load is supposed to run about 1295ft/s. My 0.2gr reduced charge was averaging 1230ft/s from my Lone Wolf std length barrel. I was pleased that these loads were averaging as high as they did considering the Test barrel (for the load manual data) was a longer 5" barrel.
As always, Blue Dot makes a really nice BOOM when you shoot it. Great stuff.
The Surprising:
165gr Rainier Plated Flat nose over a midrange load (for a Jacketed bullet) of AA#7.
Most plated bullet companies tell you to use midrange Jacketed load data for your plated bullets. The load I was running is listed as pushing a 165gr JHP to 1050ft/s. Well, that is mid-low end for a 10mm, so I loaded up 75rds as a test batch.
Then I ran them thru the Chrono. The fastest one was 1303ft/s
The average for ten rounds was 1260ft/s. I was a little surprised by this, but what was more surprising was that these loads were still accurate. I have seen plated 10mm loads that were too fast and that caused the plating to be ripped off which causes the bullets to tumble. Not so in my case. Anyway, I was pleased. My brass looked nice afterwards, no bulges or anything like that (not that you would expect it with a midrange load). I will lower this load a bit to get the average down to just-under 1200ft/s and call it good.
No need to reload. You should be able to order HPR ammunition. They use excellent Hornady 180 JHP slugs loaded to correct for 10x25mm velocities.
Thanks again for the info! I am finding ammo. The 10mm seems to be an ugly step child around here. Starting to accumulate brass and I have dies coming from Midway near the end of June. I've been ignoring the 10mm for a long time. I love the 50 yard accuracy of it. Picked up a second G20 with a 6" Lone Wolf barrel, SS pins and guide rod. It shoots great also and may wind up with me in the deer stand this fall. Now to find a G29!!!!
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