Rookie Mistake - too much powder?

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jibbs

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My brother and I just into reloading and have had a problem with our powder dispenser. When I do I check every 5th one too make sure its metering properly, my brother does not...

I had him run me 50 .45 acp, Frontier 230 RN, CCI primer, 10.4 gr. AA#7 in new starline brass (not +p) seated to 1.233 oal. Well he checked the powder at number 50 when he ran them all and it was dishing out 11.4. This is 0.4-0.8 grs over what the max load is depending on the book. I have no problem redoing them all as we cannot tell where the problem occurred.

I shoot them out of a Glock 30 and think that it isn't too much of an issue, but would like to see what experienced reloaders have to say. Again, not a big deal if we have to redo, just willing to give it a try if it is safe enough. Thanks in advance.
 
The Rookie's Mistake.....Not reloading your own. It seems most do not even trust "well worn reloaders" reloads much less a rookies. Sorry to be of no help.

JK
 
I don't think any sane person here is going to tell you to shoot a over max charged reload. Plus normally Max loads are determined by working up. Some firearms respond differently, what is safe in one may not be safe in another. Personally I'd rather you error on the side of caution and save the firearm, your apendages...maybe even more.
 
The only reason I am even considering using these bullets is because they are at the low end of +p rating for this powder. I know that structurally the brass is different between the 2. I have been using Loadbooks and Lymans, but Lymans does not really use AA7 for the .45. I was in the process of working up the AA7 in 200gr and found my right combo. Lesson learned on his part to involve QC in the weighing process (even though I explicitly told him too). Going through the book, it is boarder line. 11.4 is within the range for 200 gr swc, but a little high for a 230 frontier (I load them to lead specs). Aside from the obvious, I guess I'm looking for responses from people who use this powder regularly and have experience with hotter loads.
 
I would pull them and reuse the components. Its just 50 rounds, its not worth blowing a gun up. Working up to over max loads is one thing, starting out above max is another.
 
Plus normally Max loads are determined by working up. Some firearms respond differently, what is safe in one may not be safe in another.
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Good advice

I would pull them myself better safe than sorry. At 11.4 you are nowhere near a recommend starting load. AA own data for #7 has a recommended starting load of 9.9 grains with a 230 grain lead bullet using a different primer.
 
Its actually pretty hard to blow up a .45 1911 but you can beat 'em to death quickly.

Glocks have too much problems with case support in the .45 and .40 and I've heard and seen too many KB's in those calibers to push any load in Glock past standard pressure.

Here's a picture that was posted a couple years ago of a Glock 21 KB with aftermarket barrel.
 

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Why are you loading so close to max. to begine with? Just like to hear a bigger bang?

Lighter charge = more rounds loaded = better accuracy usually = less strain/recoil on your wrists resulting in better accuracy. Watch the pros shoot bullseye matches, but then this is just my opion.
 
Bad Decision #2

Hey jibbs,
You don't have to be a 'rookie' to make mistakes. And you have made a good decision by checking here to get some advice and it has given you the opportunity to learn. That's a good thing.

Now this is just my opinion (and others here according to the replies) but I think your next 'Rookie Mistake" would be to fire this ammo with an unknown powder charge. Granted the last one he checked was 4-8 tenths over but what about the next to last one? Wonder how much powder it had? :scrutiny:

BE SAFE!

ST
 
The press is a RCBS Piggyback 2 and the RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure. psyop - Good call on the AA7. Shot a lot better then Titegroup. Felt good to shoot and had kind of a .40 snap to it. Not as bad but I would describe it to be snapper then regular. We went with 10.6 with Rainier 200 gr RN's. I'm in love with AA powder. Lemme know if you ever come across AA5, as it seems to be a hard one to get a hold of.

Just to clarify, I wasn't going for the throat so to say when loading these. I was looking to start at the lower end of the spectrum and load 50 at 10.4 (middle of the road). Due to carelessness, I am now stuck in this situation. No biggie, live and learn. I have a puller for this reason and it looks like its gonna get some use today.

We are developing a protocol, and it looks like frequent QC charge checks are a must, especially since we dont have a powder check system. I wouldn't mind installing one, but have not looked into and not sure if I can put one onto this press. Would gladly take suggestions.

Seedtick, thanks for the response. Checking with people with more experience was really my only option. I would have just redone them if I didn't have a support group to ask technical questions. I was hoping someone may have loaded some this way and like it (highly unlikely), but good to see my initial feelings were correct and that my laid off brother will have something to do this afternoon.

The problem was the locking nut/screw. It looked like it was tight and ok, but it would bump up .2 grains after 10 or so, I think dispensing the charge was making contact with the frame of the measurer which would back out the set screw, leading to increased charges. I will know if the problem has been corrected latter this afternoon.
 
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