Thanks Si. I don't disagree that the FTF with these reloads and a steel guide rod is a problem, potentially disasterous. Luckily, a squib rod was readily available.
I did plunk the reloads when I first used this recipe. Several dozen of this same batch of reloads work 100% with the plastic guide rod. I have shot several hundred, or perhaps a thousand of this same bullet, load, crimp, and COAL with the plastic guide rod before installing, and after removing, the steel guide rod. I also verified that they plunked when I first tried this recipe and again after I had the problems. This is how I narrowed the problem to the steel guide rod. My thought is that the plastic guide rod flexes a bit when the dust cover, barrel lug, and slide stop are cycling which allows this same load to feed reliably. Weighing my options, it seems keeping the plastic guide rod is an easier solution than beveling the holes in the barrel lug to slightly loosen the action when cycling. I was just wondering whether anyone else had a similar problem or any other suggested solution(s).