CZ85 Combat-Reloading data?

[Mannin]

Hi all ready for the range tomorrow? I have just started reloading 9mm I am using 5gr power pistol and 124 gr lead heads. My problem is when I changed from factory to reloads my accuracy and grouping is dreadful (Not that it was great with factory but it?s really bad now ) can anyone tell  me what?s the best load I can use? Cheers guys

[painter]

Welcome to the madhouse. 

I don't think that's the best choice of powder for your lead bullets.

Power Pistol is a slower burning powder, and most slow powders perform better at close to max loads. The issue is the velocity it achieves near max. You are not loading close enough to max load to take advantage of the powders strong points.

The 2004 Alliant manual shows 6.6 gr at 1.15 for a 125gr FMJ bullet at 1235 fps which is way too fast in most cases for a lead bullet unless you have made sure of all the variables such as adequate lube and bullet to barrel fit to minimize leading.

A better choice might be Win 231 or HP 38 or VV N320

[Mannin]

thank you Painter

[Riptide439]

Welcome to the group!

+1 to all painter mentioned above.

N320 is difficult to come by now but W231/HP38 (Same Powder) is a bit easier to find. The others I have not tried but heard are nice powders and may be easier to find are WST and Autocomp.

My 1st choice is N320 and second is W231. I really like N340 with a 147gn 

[handig00]

I shot mainly 125 RN & FP's with my 85 combat.
It grouped great with those bullets and Bullseye and WST,
5.0 - 5.2 power pistol @ 1040-1100 fps  in my pistol,shot great in mine but 231 did not for what ever reason.

Mine also shot great with #7 and power pistol & Bullseye powders when  shooting precision delta and Berrys plated bullets,
Same bullet weight range. I just didn't shoot a lot of these though - mainly shot lead.

[jameslovesjammie]

1. Does the bullet fit barrel?
2. Did you work the load up for accuracy or just pick a load from the manual that looked like it would work?
3. What type of shooting are you doing?
4. What kind of accuracy are you looking for?
5. What is your shooting experience?
6. What is your reloading experience?
7. What powders do you have available to you?

I've got a bullet mould very similar to that one but haven't had a chance to do much development with it.  The design is known for excellent feeding, but not always the best accuracy.

[Yer]

Welcome to the madhouse. 

I don't think that's the best choice of powder for your lead bullets.

Power Pistol is a slower burning powder, and most slow powders perform better at close to max loads. The issue is the velocity it achieves near max. You are not loading close enough to max load to take advantage of the powders strong points.

The 2004 Alliant manual shows 6.6 gr at 1.15 for a 125gr FMJ bullet at 1235 fps which is way too fast in most cases for a lead bullet unless you have made sure of all the variables such as adequate lube and bullet to barrel fit to minimize leading.

A better choice might be Win 231 or HP 38 or VV N320

That wasn't english...I understood maybe 20% of that. Habla engles?

[painter]

Welcome to the madhouse. 

I don't think that's the best choice of powder for your lead bullets.

Power Pistol is a slower burning powder, and most slow powders perform better at close to max loads. The issue is the velocity it achieves near max. You are not loading close enough to max load to take advantage of the powders strong points.

The 2004 Alliant manual shows 6.6 gr at 1.15 for a 125gr FMJ bullet at 1235 fps which is way too fast in most cases for a lead bullet unless you have made sure of all the variables such as adequate lube and bullet to barrel fit to minimize leading.

A better choice might be Win 231 or HP 38 or VV N320

That wasn't english...I understood maybe 20% of that. Habla engles?

Si...

[Wobbly]

Mr Mannin -

Welcome aboard !

You've gotten some great advice there. Lead bullets are inexpensive, but they are not always easy and straight forward to reload, especially in 9mm where velocities are generally higher than say a 38 Spcl.

Secondly, to get the most from any powder you're going to need to "work up the load", that is to say, begin at the "starting load" and work up in small increments.

For ultimate accuracy, each bullet has a optimal speed, and each powder has an optimal speed. When those 2 needs coincide, then "accuracy" happens. And like our friend Painter pointed out, that's not likely on the first pass, nor is it archived with every bullet-powder pairing.... even though you might pick a "great" bullet and a "great" powder !!

Stick around though and we'll see if we can't help you out.

 

[Yer]

You have a beautiful CZ, and yes keep trying different loads till you find one your CZ loves to eat.

[Mannin]

Thanks guys for all the great advice. I will try a few different combinations and get back to you.
Not easy here getting 9mm heads and  small pistol primer as hand guns are banned here  the uk however I am fortunate to be able to get a licence for pistols. I waited about a month for lead heads I wanted copper plate and so far still waiting 6 weeks later!! They will come eventually   for sure.

[Wobbly]

So can you tell us what powders are available to you there? VihtaVuori N320 is a wonderful 9mm target powder from Finland we can get here. How about Vectan or anything from Nobel?

I see powder as your big issue right now. 

[laserdoc]

I shot mainly 125 RN & FP's with my 85 combat.
It grouped great with those bullets and Bullseye and WST,
5.0 - 5.2 power pistol @ 1040-1100 fps  in my pistol,shot great in mine but 231 did not for what ever reason.

Mine also shot great with #7 and power pistol & Bullseye powders when  shooting precision delta and Berrys plated bullets,
Same bullet weight range. I just didn't shoot a lot of these though - mainly shot lead.

You dont own a 85 anymore! 

[noylj]

If you like N320, you'll also like 231/HP38 and Zip.