Shadow 2 load testing - Bear Creek 147, N320 and Federal brass/primers

[rg422]

I'm more of a browser than poster, however I just wanted to share my load testing session I recently did.

This is on a new Shadow 2 with Primary Machine milling service to mount an SRO and weight reduction to meet USPSA CO limits. It does have CGW springs and the obvious non-stock grip.

I've been using Bear Creek 200 grain 0.401" bullets for my 2011 that I shoot in Limited class; I have had no issues with these bullets and have stuck with this company as I try to support the remain gun-related companies left here in California as much as possible. I'm a fairly new shooter in USPSA and do it just for fun.

A lot of shooters in my club have taken up Carry Optic so I wanted one for my own.

In summary, I'm amazed in the consistency of the load and how it performs on my gun. I tested 10 bullets before loading and all were 0.357" in width. Weight's were all within 1 grain +/- of 147. Ammo were all made on a Dillon 650 using Lee dies, however I did weigh each charge with my FX120 scale.

Bear Creak moly 147 grain 0.357" bullets
Vihtahvuori N320
Federal once fired brass (for anyone interested, I actually found someone online that sells these in batches of 3K for $95 shipped).
Federal magnum small pistol primers (same ones I use for my .40S&W loads)
1.097" COAL (max 1.099" with these particular bullets)
Crimp at 0.38"

I've only got about 200 rounds through the gun, all Bear Creek 147s and no sign of leading.

All were 5 shot groups, wrist supported on bench. 16 yards distance (I think for future testing I will test closer or use bigger targets?, as at this distance with my eyes, the red dot covers the whole round target).

The only time I have experienced consistent SDs below 5 were with my precision 6.5 Creedmoor loads and that entails a lot of other steps (Lapua brass, Berger bullets, annealing, turning necks, weight sorting brass/bullets, using arbor press, etc).

I'm sure I can chase a more accurate load, however these loads are good enough for me for their intended purpose. I should probably have tried hotter loads, however this was my first time actually using a chrono with this particular gun and wanted to stick to published data and am risk averse.

I just thought I would share.

- Richard

[George16]

Nice grouping? What powder are you using?

[Wobbly]

Nice grouping? What powder are you using?

He didn't cover it in the text, but the title says VihtaVuouri N320. This is an extremely consistent single-base powder from Finland.

[George16]

Nice grouping? What powder are you using?

He didn't cover it in the text, but the title says VihtaVuouri N320. This is an extremely consistent single-base powder from Finland.

Oops! Didn’t even notice it. Thanks Wobbly.

[rg422]

Sorry, I updated the original post to include N320. This is the only powder I use for pistol ammo (currently reload .40, 9mm and 45ACP), just to simplify things and avoid potentially using the wrong powder.

A Dillon 650 modification that's helped me be more efficient is using a Mr. Bulletfeeder die body; it's in station 3. So rather than holding a bullet right before the upstroke in station 4, I just refill the die body, which I have in station 3. I am much faster reloading with this thing on and really helps the bullet stay straight up.

[rckendall]

Thank you so much for this report. I needed something like this to motivate me to keep working at my testing methods. I am not very good at pistol shooting and I feel like I need crutches to make a legitimate test and happy to see that you were using your Labradar too.

In long range rifle shooting, F Class out to 1000 yards, we were looking for SDs under 10. Plus we were dealing with barrel harmonics, which I doubt is a factor with pistols?

Anyway, I encourage you to share more of this type information. We appreciate it!

Richard

[George16]

It’s not hard to get SDs below 10. In my ladder testing of Precision Delta 124 Gr JHP with WSPP and same head stamped brass, I found that 4.0 Gr of sport pistol yielded the most accurate and lowest ES and SD while meeting minimum power factor for USPSA.

Here are the average of my 4.0 Gr sport pistol with the above mentioned components:

HI - 1072
LO - 1056
AVE - 1062
ES - 16
SD - 7
Power factor - 131.68
OAL - 1.127-1.128

Using same head stamp brass reduced the OAL variation for my reloads. Keep in mind that Alliant’s Sport Pistol is also  unofficially called the “poor man’s N320” by a lot of competition shooters due to their similar attributes except for price.

[Wobbly]

Keep in mind that Alliant’s Sport Pistol is also  unofficially called the “poor man’s N320” by a lot of competition shooters due to their similar attributes except for price.

My understanding was that N320 was the rich man's Sport Pistol. 

[George16]

Keep in mind that Alliant’s Sport Pistol is also  unofficially called the “poor man’s N320” by a lot of competition shooters due to their similar attributes except for price.

My understanding was that N320 was the rich man's Sport Pistol. 

That’s another way to put it from a different perspective  .

[Gnnut2]

RG22, that's some pretty darn good shooting! You have found a good recipe to justify loading more of these. Thank you for sharing your good fortune.

We need someone to settle the squabble between N320 and Sport Pistol, Wobbly. One 10 round ladder of each powder loaded with 124 grain bullets and see how the ES and SD play out. And to be fair, it needs to be done on the same day alternating between the two. Just for fun of course. Actually, it's probably already here somewhere.

If I had the N320 I would do it. My chronograph is also ailing at the moment. It's sort of lazy. It sleeps through some shots for some reason. I'm sending her back to her parents for evaluation. I'll miss her while she's gone.

[Rudi]

How many grains of n320 for these loads?

Thanks

[JBruns]

Nice groups. I've tried a few loads in my Shadow 2 Orange now. I've yet to find one that does not shoot very well. I give a lot of credit to the gun.

[Wobbly]

Great post. Many thanks.

There is also load data for N320 using 147gr in the Reloading stickies. If you'd care to reformat your data, then we'd love you have your data added to the board's N320 testing here:

https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=71923.msg508368#msg508368