Let's talk bullets that you like in your 97

[Whutknot]

I'm currently running 2 different 200 SWC, home cast (like a H&G 68) and Bayou. I consistently have a jam with the first round if I load to capacity and start from slide lock. If I only load 9 it performs a little better but I still get a hang up. The rest of the magazine feed and run fine.

I've tried different seating depths with the shoulder exposed ~ .030 to .035., currently trying seating the shoulder flush with the case mouth. The load either jams on the ramp and with the Bayou they hang at the top of the breach.

Looking for suggestions on bullets that work consistently or cure for the bullets I'm trying to make work.

Thanks, any suggestions appreciated!

[tdogg]

What year is your 97?  Does it have the updated barrel?

Can you better describe the failure?   Is it hanging up on the hood or feed ramp?

How's your crimp?

I solely run 200gr swc and once I dialed in the shoulder step height it has run flawlessly.

Cheers,
Toby

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[rdcinhou]

I've been shooting nothing but 230 grain Magtech SWC, some subsonic (especially in competition), most not.

Never had a feed problem.

[lewmed]

 I've had good luck with Bayou coated 200 gr. SWC bullets in my 97 but have found 200 gr RN plated to be just as accurate and about the same price.

[newageroman]

230 gn Berrys here.

[Whutknot]

What year is your 97?  Does it have the updated barrel?

Bought it new a year ago but never checked for when manufactured so not sure about the barrel.

Can you better describe the failure?   Is it hanging up on the hood or feed ramp?

Good question and something I was thinking about last night - at first they jammed at the top of the barrel just past the hood so I shorten them. Now they jam at the base of the feed ramp. Thinking I need to try splitting the difference on seating depth.

How's your crimp?

Light, mostly just removing the flair

I solely run 200gr swc and once I dialed in the shoulder step height it has run flawlessly.

Any idea on shoulder height?

[Wobbly]

I've been loading Berry 200gr SWC for my brother for several years. Never an issue.

How much illumination does that "light crimp" give off ? 

Starting dimensions are given here on page 57....
https://saami.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ANSI-SAAMI-Z299.3-CFP-and-R-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

[drband]

Acme Bullets 200gr coated SWC runs 100% in my 97.
Early on, I did have to shape the lug on the slide stop a bit to get full reliability-- this was with FMJ.  When I switched to coated SWC bullets, they continued to feed just fine-- no hang ups.

[tdogg]

If your 97 was purchased new a year ago it has the updated barrel.   Early models had a different feed ramp and it caused issues.   You're good here.

I'm loading about the same shoulder step as you.  But you could need something slighty different so splitting the difference may work out?

That leaves crimp as my odds for the culprit.  Make sure it its enough.  Are you taper crimping?   What us your final case mouth diameter?  0.470 is a good target taper crimp diameter at the case mouth.

Here is my thread discussing my journey to get swc's to run in my 97bd.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=https%3A%2F%2Fczfirearms%2Eus%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D68170%2E0&share_tid=68170&share_fid=23595&share_type=t&link_source=app

Cheers,
Toby

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Whutknot]

Rechecked crimp today, it's at .470. Tried a couple different shoulder heights and .040 seems to help feeding the 1st round. OAL comes in at 1.25

Worst case I'll just start loading 9 instead 10 and maybe it will work itself out.

Appreciate all the comments

[Fuzzy Sights]

Use 200gr Bayou SWC and they with no issues.  Also it seems to like Nosler 185gr HPs.  Use minimal crimp on both.  If it only occurs on first round of a full magazine and when slide is released from the slide stop you may just have a mag spring that is too strong.  Leave that mag fully loaded for a couple of weeks and see if that resolves your issue.

Best of luck.

JW

[Whutknot]

Thanks Toby, I read through your trials. At least my problem isn't unique. I do taper crimp and as mentioned it is ~ .469 - .470. Also I've found when using the slide release it is more likely to jam so I pull the slide to release.

I suspect your suggestion to leave the magazines loaded might be part of the solution. The 10th round is really tight to get in and out of the magazine.

Something I forgot to consider was when I first started using the 200 SWC they were cast/lubed and the jams were less frequent. It was when I switched to the Bayou PC 200 SWC was when my problems became constant. I noticed the nose diameter was smaller and length from top of the shoulder was shorter. I had used the same die setup I used for the cast but it gave me much more exposed shoulder. I didn't pay any attention to the difference before going to the range. Reseating the remaining loads I got the OAL too short, compounding the problem.

So loading the magazines and making some new test loads with small increments in OAL will be done prior to the next range visit. 

[tdogg]

I'd also recommend you clean/degrease your magazine tubes and then wax them (inside and out) with your favorite car wax.  It will make them easier to load and clean.  They will also be slicker in use.

Are you using the stock recoil spring/main spring?  Any other modifications?  Have you polished the feedramp at all?

Cheers,
Toby

[Whutknot]

I'm currently running a 13 or 14 recoil spring. It was a 12 but I thought I would try a slightly heavier spring to assist with the loading.

I've already polished the ramp and upper part of the breech. There was a little improvement.

I will wax the magazines and then fully load them today.

I'll get it squared away eventually. Thanks for the suggestions.

[tdogg]

That could be your issue, the stock recoil spring in a 97B is 16-17 lbs.  Where is you brass landing?  At minimum, I'd try running the stock recoil spring and see if that helps.

Cheers,
Toby